ISC2
CISSP Pass Rate 2026
Complete analysis of CISSP exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.
Pass Rate Overview
~25%
Pass Rate
25% Pass
75% Fail
Difficulty Verdict
Very Difficult
Recommended Study Time
12-20+ weeks
Typical Attempts
2-3 attempts common
Why is the CISSP Pass Rate ~25%?
CISSP has one of the toughest pass rates at ~25%. This is a very hard-difficulty exam from ISC2 that requires deep, practical knowledge — not just memorization. Most successful candidates invest months of dedicated study and often have years of hands-on experience. At $749 per attempt, failing is costly. The certification is valid for 3 years, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.
Top Reasons Candidates Fail CISSP:
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 ~25% Pass Rate
Do This for CISSP
- Think like a manager, not a technician
- Study all 8 domains comprehensively
- Use official ISC2 study guide
- Practice with Boson or CCCure questions
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 CISSP study guide with practice questions.
Other Exam Pass Rates
CompTIA Security+~70%CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)~60%CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)~50%OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)~25%CompTIA CySA+~70%CompTIA PenTest+~65%CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)~50%CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)~55%CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)~60%