NCMS ISP Certification - Prep Program FAQ

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.

Information on Round #7 -- February - June 2009

QUESTION: What will be the schedule for the calls?
ANSWER: See the chart below for call dates and topics. (Note: completed calls will be shown against a gray background and with a ~~strikethrough~~.)
NOTE: We are already taking sign-ups for Round #7, which will prepare Candidates to test in June 2009 (either at the NCMS National Training Seminar in Anaheim CA or on-line.)

*Week* *Beginning*	*Call Nr.*	*Topic / Assignment*
~~2/02/2009~~	~~#1A~~	ISP Exam Prep Program Introduction & Administration ISP Certification Eligibility & Application Process *Test Tips* Article
~~2/09/2009~~	~~#1B~~	Searching The Annotated NISPOM – requires The Annotated NISPOM; better with two computers; exercises are at http://www.ncms-isp.org/exercise2008/
2/16/2009 Week of Presidents Day	#2	NISPOM General Requirements, Facility Security Clearances & Security Education – NISPOM Chapters 1 (all) & 2 (section 1 only)
~~2/23/2009~~	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc. Optional Call: Intellectual Property Elective Tuesday & Thursday only -- no Wednesday session
3/02/2009	#3	Personnel Security – NISPOM Chapter 2 (section 2 only) & JPAS/e-QIP
3/09/2009	#4	Briefings & Classified Markings – NISPOM Chapters 3 (all) and 4 (all)
3/16/2009	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc. Optional Call: COMSEC/TEMPEST Elective Note: Tuesday only
3/23/2009	#5	Safeguarding I – NISPOM Chapter 5 (sections 1 - 4 only)
3/30/2009	#6	Safeguarding II – NISPOM Chapter 5 (sections 5 - 9 only)
4/06/2009	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc. Optional Call: Counterintelligence Elective
4/13/2009	#7	Visits & Subcontracting – NISPOM Chapters 6 (all) & 7 (all)
4/20/2009	#8A	Introduction to Classified Information Systems – Briefing from Chapter 8 Subject Matter Expert
4/27/2009	#8B	Classified Information Systems – NISPOM Chapter 8 (all)
5/04/2009	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc. Optional Call: OPSEC Elective Note: Tuesday and Thursday only
5/11/2009	#9	Special Requirements – NISPOM Chapters 9 (all) & 11 (section 3 only)
5/18/2009	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc.
5/25/2009 Week of Memorial Day	-	Time for make-ups, elective preparation, etc.
6/01/2009	#10	International Security Issues – NISPOM Chapters 2 (section 3 only) & 10 (all)
6/08/2009	#11	Wrap-Up; *Test Tips* Article
6/15/2009		ISP Exam in Anaheim CA

QUESTION: What are the call-in numbers? What are the days of the week and times of the day for the calls?
ANSWER: 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

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

QUESTION: How much does the ISP Exam Preparation Program cost?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: How long will the calls last?
ANSWER: Usually the calls will last for one hour. We will reserve the bridge for additional time to allow for sessions that run longer.
QUESTION: What if I miss a call? Or telephoned in late? Or didn't understand the material?
ANSWER: 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.

QUESTION: What do I need for course materials?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: What if I want to test early?
ANSWER: 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.

QUESTION: What are the most frequent causes of Candidates failing the ISP Certification Test?
ANSWER: 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).

QUESTION: Will the ISP Exam Preparation Program help me avoid these pitfalls?
ANSWER: Yes. If Candidates prepare as we suggest, they should pass.
QUESTION: Who are the Mentors?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: How big is the ISP exam test bank?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: 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?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: What if I fail?
ANSWER: 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.
QUESTION: I have a friend or colleague who would love to sign up for the ISP Exam Preparation Program. Is it too late?
ANSWER: 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.