There are a few rules of thumb when it comes to taking
tests. These rules are almost constant and really have no technical bearing to
the tested information. However, where used logically, these tips will increase
chances of correctly answering questions you might not fully know the answer
to.
Here are some recommendations:
Tip #1 Stop studying at a reasonable time before the
test. You know that time before a test when your head is spinning and studying does nothing
but confuse you. It's that time when looking at reference material is nothing
more than white noise; it never makes it to your brain. Instead, take a break.
Just as an athlete tapers down her training before a race, give your brain a
break. An overloaded brain before an exam is just as detrimental as a tired and
aching body before a race.
Tip #2 Take a few
deep breaths before you get started. This will increase oxygen flow to your
brain and help you concentrate. After all, you are going to be reading 110
questions and sorting through approximately 600 answers.
Tip #3 Read
questions at a comfortable pace. Don't go too fast, you might overlook
something.
Tip #4 Read
carefully. Some answers may seem correct at first glance, but watch for traps,
some answers aren't as they appear.
Tip #5 Be aware of
questions with EXCEPT, NOT, UNLESS and other similar words. Where you usually
look for the positive answer, these setups require opposite answers. Refer to
tips 3 and 4 to make sure you don't get caught in this trap.
Tip #6 Don't read
too much into questions. We can overanalyze anything. If you are confident with
your answer, go with your gut. Don't talk yourself out of a positive answer.
Tip #7 Remember
tip # 3, don't spend too much time on any one answer. Taking too long can
jeopardize your test. Skip the question and come back to it later. Chances are,
there are many, many answers upcoming that you can answer quickly and build
your test taking confidence. Focusing on hard questions only shakes your
confidence and ruins the timeline.
Tip #8 Can't
answer the question? Try to illuminate dumb answers. C'mon, there will be at
least one and if you're lucky, two to three really dumb answers. If you have 5
answers and you can throw out three questions, the process of illumination
gives you a 60% chance of picking the right answer.
Tip #9 - I read once that you should treat each answer as
a separate true or false question. I haven't tried this technique, but it just
might work.
Remember, the ISP Certification exam is an online, open
resource, searchable exam. There are lots of opportunities to pick the right
answer. Use these 8 tips to get you started. For more information, see our
book, Red Bike Publishing's Unofficial Guide to ISP Certification.
Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . He regularly consults, presents security training, and recommends export compliance and intellectual property protection countermeasures. He is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook", "ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual", and NISPOM/FSO Training".
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