Passing the CISSP exam can be your ticket to career success. Your exam prep will likely require balancing study with other full-time commitments like work and family. But your hard work will pay off in the form of more advanced roles, increased market value and higher salaries.

Preparing for the CISSP exam will take time and effort. But pushing yourself too hard could result in burnout, a well-documented issue for many exam takers that could impact your success. Here are our tips to help you beat the burnout.
Establish a Schedule and Stick to It
Any schedule you create to prep for the CISSP exam should include more than studying. You'll also want to map out your work, personal and study commitments as accurately as possible. Consider making a spreadsheet or calendar that outlines your responsibilities by the hour — and don’t forget to schedule time for rest.
Try to be realistic when you establish your schedule. You may be tempted to work long hours and finish your study period as quickly as possible, but other approaches can be more productive. For example, set achievable goals, give yourself ample time to review and try to break up your study periods into bite-size chunks.
Manage a Healthy Balance
During your CISSP study period, you'll probably have a lot on your plate. As you add studying to a full work-life balance, be sure to be extra kind to yourself.
The most important part of maintaining a healthy work-life-study balance is knowing when to switch off. Once you finish work and study for the day, don't be tempted to send another email, answer another practice question or read another textbook page.
As a cyber professional, you'll already be spending a lot of your time in front of a computer. Now that you’re also studying on a screen, go analog In your downtime to recover properly.
You may also want to speak with your employer to find out if you could temporarily reduce your work hours, set time aside during your workday to study or even condense five days' worth of work into four. After all, earning the CISSP will benefit your employer, too.
Use a Variety of Resources
ISC2 resources will help you vary your training and stay on track. Consider taking advantage of the following ways to supercharge your studying:
- ISC2 offers a range of CISSP study guides and textbooks. As an ISC2 Candidate, you'll receive a 20% discount.
- Test your knowledge with our free Official ISC2 CISSP Flash Cards.
- Determine your readiness for the CISSP exam and receive tailored recommendations with our short 10-item quiz.
- Access comprehensive study resources, custom test builders and readiness scores from your smartphone with the ISC2 Official Exam Prep App.
- Connect with study partners, share tips and tricks, and share and give support through a CISSP Study Group.
- Fit your studies around your other commitments with CISSP Online Self-Paced Training.
Look After Yourself
Maintaining a positive mindset is key to staying motivated. Mindfulness techniques like meditation, positive thinking and visualization can help you stay in a positive frame of mind.
Similarly, you’ll want to get a good amount of high-quality sleep during your prep period. Consider using a sleep app to track your sleep, avoiding screens or other blue lights at least an hour before bed, and limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake to ensure you get your recommended eight hours.
While you’re studying, keep doing the things you enjoy. In fact, sticking with your hobbies can be a great escape from exam prep stress. Make time to hang out with friends, exercise and pursue other relaxing activities to feel fresh when you return to your desk.
Think about Your Goals
When you're looking to build your motivation, think about why you started your CISSP journey. Remember, earning the CISSP will help advance your career and justify salary raises. Better yet, check out a cybersecurity job board and look at the listings for CISSP certification holders, or start considering a additional certifications you could earn. This will remind you what you're working toward.
All in all, studying for the CISSP exam can be tough, but it's worth it. Work hard, but make time to recover, manage your workload and look after yourself along the way to make the journey easier. You’ll walk into the test center feeling confident, fresh and prepared.