Updated 6/29/2010 - This page is used to record frequently asked questions from the Candidates in the ISP Examination Preparation Program. This way candidates who signed up after an issue was handled can benefit and others can always double-check the information.
- What will be the schedule for the calls?
- What are the call-in numbers? What are the days of the week and times of the day for the calls?
- How much does the ISP Exam Preparation Program cost?
- How long will the calls last?
- What if I miss a call? Or telephoned in late? Or didn't understand the material?
- What do I need for course materials?
- What if I want to test early?
- What are the most frequent causes of Candidates failing the ISP Certification Test?
- Will the ISP Exam Preparation Program help me avoid these pitfalls?
- Who are the Mentors?
- How big is the ISP exam test bank?
- I signed up for the Prep Program and started it during 2009 but I didn't finish. I still want to earn the ISP certification. What should I do?
- What if I fail?
- I have a friend or colleague who would love to sign up for the ISP Exam Preparation Program. Is it too late?
Information for Rounds Scheduled in 2010
What will be the schedule for the calls?
See the chart below for call dates and topics. (Note: completed calls will be shown with a strikethrough. The strikethrough is not visible for those using Firefox browsers.)
NOTE: We are taking sign-ups for Round #10, which will prepare Candidates to test in November 2010.
| Call Schedule for Round 10 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Week Beginning | Call Nr. | Topic / Assignment |
| 6/28/2010 | #1A | Administration & Introduction |
| 7/5/2010 | #1B | Searching the Annotated NISPOM |
| 7/12/2010 | #2 | NISPOM General Requirements, Facility Security Clearances & Security Education |
| 7/19/2010 | Counterintelligence Elective | |
| 7/26/2010 | #3 | Personnel Security |
| 8/2/2010 | #4 | Briefings & Classified Markings |
| 8/9/2010 | OPSEC Elective | |
| #8A | Introduction to Classified Information Systems | |
| 8/16/2010 | #5 | Safeguarding #1 |
| #8B | Classified Information Systems (NISPOM Chapter 8) | |
| 8/23/2010 | #6 | Safeguarding #2 |
| #9 | Special Requirements | |
| 8/30/2010 | #7 | Visits and Subcontracting |
| #10 | International Security Issues | |
| 9/6/2010 | Intellectual Property Elective | |
| 9/13/2010 (and 8/9/2010) |
#8A | Introduction to Classified Information Systems |
| 9/20/2010 (and 8/16/2010) |
#8B | Classified Information Systems (NISPOM Chapter 8) |
| 9/27/2010 | COMSEC/TEMPEST Elective | |
| 10/4/2010 (and 8/23/2010) |
#9 | Special Requirements |
| 10/11/2010 | SAP Elective | |
| 10/18/2010 (and 8/30/2010) |
#10 | International Security Issues |
| 10/25/2010 | #11 | Wrap Up & Motivation |
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What are the call-in numbers? What are the days of the week and times of the day for the calls?
We plan to keep them unchanged from Round #6 See the chart below.
Call-In Schedule & Assigned Mentors Dial In
Nr: (308) 344-6400
Pass Code: 635242
| Call-In Schedule | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time |
Central Time |
Mountain Time |
Pacific Time |
Mentors (all ISPs) |
|
| Session #1 | Tuesday 10:00 a.m. |
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. |
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. |
Tuesday 7:00 a.m. |
Liz Fant, Patrick Dale & Erica Simmons |
| Session #2 | Wednesday 4:30 p.m. |
Wednesday 3:30 p.m. |
Wednesday 2:30 p.m. |
Wednesday 1:30 p.m. |
Cindy Moiani, Hazel Martinez & Carla Peters-Carr |
| Session #3 | Thursday 2:00 p.m. |
Thursday 1:00 p.m. |
Thursday 12:00 noon |
Thursday 11:00 a.m. |
Elaine Jennings, John Dean, Jeanne Young & James Bailey |
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How much does the ISP Exam Preparation Program cost?
There is no charge to sign up for the Prep Program; however, the workbook costs $15.00. To get one, use the Workbook Order Form available on our Downloads page.
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How long will the calls last?
Usually the calls will last for one hour. We will reserve the bridge for additional time to allow for sessions that run longer.
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What if I miss a call? Or telephoned in late? Or didn't understand the material?
We do not plan "repeat" or "make-up" sessions. However, as we did in Round #2 in late 2006, we will record at least one session of each call and post it on this site's Recordings page. You can then replay it at your convenience.
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What do I need for course materials?
You will need both electronic and paper copies of the February 2006 edition of the NISPOM, all Industrial Security Letters, other specified reference materials, and the ISP Exam Prep Program Workbook. All of these, with the exception of the Workbook, are available for download from this site. The Workbook Order Form is available there too. To see the list of downloadable documents, click here.
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What if I want to test early?
Compared to folks who took the exam in 2003 - 2005, current Candidates have much better training aides. If you have read all chapters of the NISPOM, have completed the Workbook, and have carefully reviewed the Test Tips article, you can confidently take the exam.
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What are the most frequent causes of Candidates failing the ISP Certification Test?
There are two: (1) inadequate preparation; and (2) failure to apply good test-taking skills, especially leaving questions unanswered and not keeping on an appropriate pace (one question per minute).
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Will the ISP Exam Preparation Program help me avoid these pitfalls?
Yes. The Prep Program will not teach everything needed for the ISP Exam. This program has been developed to teach the NISPOM and other regulations in an effort to help security professionals to be better prepared to take the ISP exam. This course does not teach the ISP exam. However, if Candidates prepare as we suggest, they should pass.
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Who are the Mentors?
We have listed their names on the Mentors page of this site. All are volunteers; all are ISPs. They have decades of security experience. Some took the exam in proctored sessions; others, on-line. Some have already completed their three-year recertification; others tested in 2008.
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How big is the ISP exam test bank?
The original test bank was around 500 questions. A few that were obsolete have been removed and about 50 new ones (JPAS, e-QIP and ISLs) have been added. The size of the test bank guarantees that NCMS can produce non-identical versions of the test as needed. It also means that the chance any applicant will see any given question is about 1 in 5. That is why it is important to systematically study the material, not just try to learn the answers to a few questions someone saw when he or she took it.
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I signed up for the Prep Program and started it during 2007 but I didn't finish. I still want to earn the ISP certification. What should I do?
Many of our Candidates started with good intentions but were unable to take the test at its completion. Although reasons vary from person to person, an underlying theme is lack of time -- usually due to increased workload on the job or personal/family issues. We encourage those professionals to either (1) study independently using the Prep Program's resources or (2) re-enroll in the Prep Program and start again.
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What if I fail?
Some people do fail the test. If everyone passed, the program would have no credibility with DSS or employers. Approved applications are good for testing for 1 year from approval. Candidates can retake the test six months after failing. The Prep Program and its Mentors will help unsuccessful candidates analyze their weak areas and prepare to retest. In fact, we have a good record for folks who take it a second time.
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I have a friend or colleague who would love to sign up for the ISP Exam Preparation Program. Is it too late?
No. Sign-ups are still open and will continue even after the program has begun. We also have a notification group set up for people who want to start "the next time around." Just tell the person to send an e-mail request to the Lead Mentor Team
