CISSP Pass Rate 2026
Complete analysis of CISSP exam difficulty, pass rates, and strategies to pass on your first attempt.
Pass Rate
Difficulty Verdict
Very Difficult
Recommended Study Time
12-20+ weeks
Typical Attempts
2-3 attempts common
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. If you fail, you'll wait 30 test-free days after a first failed attempt, 60 test-free days after a second, and 90 test-free days after a third and each attempt after that. before retaking. The certification is valid for 3 years, so investing in solid prep pays off long-term.
Top Reasons Candidates Fail CISSP:
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.