ISC2

Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Pass Rate 2026

Complete analysis of Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.

Pass Rate Overview
Not published

Pass Rate

50% Pass
50% Fail

Difficulty Verdict

Challenging

Recommended Study Time

8-12 weeks

Typical Attempts

1-2 attempts average

Why is the Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Pass Rate Not published?

With only Not published of candidates passing, Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is a demanding exam even for experienced professionals. The majority who fail cite insufficient preparation depth or gaps in specific domains. ISC2 designs this exam to validate real competency, not just textbook knowledge. At $199 per attempt, failing is costly. The certification is valid for 3-year cycle, maintained with 45 CPE credits and a $50 annual maintenance fee, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.

Top Reasons Candidates Fail Certified in Cybersecurity (CC):

30%
Lack of real-world security operations experience
25%
Focusing on tools instead of security concepts and frameworks
20%
Not understanding how to apply knowledge to scenario-based questions
15%
Underestimating the breadth of domains covered
10%
Poor time management on the adaptive exam format
How to Beat the Not published Pass Rate

Do This for Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

  • If you sit on or after September 1, 2026, study the new exam outline, not the 2022 one that most free courses still teach
  • Learn the five new domain names: Security Principles, Security Governance, IAM Concepts, Networking and Cloud Security, Security Operations and Incident Response
  • The exam is adaptive, so answer every item carefully because you cannot go back and change one
  • Budget the full 120 minutes for at least 100 items, which is about 70 seconds each

Avoid This

  • Memorizing tool commands without understanding security principles
  • Ignoring risk management and governance domains
  • Using only one study source instead of cross-referencing
  • Skipping the adaptive practice tests that mirror real exam format

Ready to Beat the Odds?

Get our complete Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) study guide with practice questions.

View Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) Guide