2012 a New Era for (ISC)²®’s Arsenal of Certification Exams

2012 a New Era for (ISC)²^®’s Arsenal of Certification Exams

By W. Hord Tipton, CISSP-ISSEP, CAP, CISA, Executive Director, (ISC)²

 2012 marks a new era for (ISC)². This year, the last of our arsenal of certification exams will be transitioned from paper-based to computer-based testing (CBT).  Beginning June 1, 2012, candidates around the globe will be able to register to take the CISSP, CISSP concentrations and the SSCP certification exams via CBT, with the ability to sit for an exam as early as the next day. Not only will this important final step in the testing transition process create a better user experience for a larger pool of candidates and greater global exam accessibility, it will also allow (ISC)² to realize its vision to fill the pipeline of the next generation of qualified information security professionals.  

Our pilot program in Latin America for CISSP and SSCP exams via CBT has proven successful, with the exam being offered in English, Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish, and the SSCP examination offered via CBT in English and Spanish. (ISC)² certification exams via CBT are currently offered and will be offered in the future in the following languages accordingly:

Credential	Date Available	Geographic Availability	Languages
CAP	Available Now	Worldwide	English
CISSP	Available Now	Latin America	Brazilian Portuguese English Spanish
CSSLP	Available Now	Worldwide	English
SSCP	Available Now	Latin America	Brazilian Portuguese English Japanese
Future Release Dates
Credential	Date Available	Geographic Availability	Languages
CISSP	June 1st, 2012	Worldwide	Brazilian Portuguese Chinese English French German Japanese Korean Spanish
ISSAP	June 1st, 2012	Worldwide	English
ISSEP	June 1st, 2012	Worldwide	English
ISSMP	June 1st, 2012	Worldwide	English
SSCP	June 1st, 2012	Worldwide	Brazilian Portuguese English Indonesian Spanish

 

All (ISC)² credential exams will be offered globally at approved Pearson VUE testing centers. For the convenience of its candidates, (ISC)² continues to expand its list of approved testing center locations within Pearson VUE’s extensive testing network, which includes more than 275 Pearson VUE-owned and -operated Pearson Professional Centers, the Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center Select network, and Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers located on U.S. military installations around the world.

Beginning September 1, 2012, (ISC)² will no longer offer paper-based testing (PBT) for any of its certification exams except for candidates located in areas outside of a 75-mile radius from an approved testing center and on a case-by-case basis. August 24, 2012 is the last day candidates can register to sit for regularly scheduled PBT exams occurring through August 31, 2012.

This transition changes the entire structure of our organization and aligns with what we’ve seen in most aspects of our lives – everything is going digital! From our methods of communication to paying bills to visiting the doctor, we have become technologically reliant to fulfill most of our daily tasks. As the leading information security certification and education body worldwide, it’s vital that (ISC)² remains as current in our exam delivery methods as we do in our exam content.

(ISC)²’s transition to computer-based testing is an important investment in the future of its certification programs. This transition provides numerous benefits to candidates, members and the information security community, including:

• Fair and precise evaluation of a candidate’s competency
• Rapid turnaround of exam results
• More choices as to when and where to take the exam
• Easier registration
• Fortified exam security

 Years of long days and nights full of intense analysis and testing have brought us to this point. This transition has certainly been a long-fathomed goal for the organization and I’m proud to see it come to fruition. I look forward to your comments and feedback as the organization moves toward an all-encompassing digitized testing format throughout 2012.

Comments

[Sorin]

I would say "Congratulations", but instead I say "it was about time" for that :)

[Preeti Chauhan]

How is it going to affect those who have registered for exam before August 31, 2012 and want to avail this facility

[Perla]

Well, seems to be you are updating... years and years with an old style in a changing technological environment.
CBT should not be the only. Administrative, business practices should change too.
Change will occur when your mind open too.

[Peggy Smith - Member Services Supervisor]

Candidates that are now signed up for a Paper-Based exam can be rescheduled out of their current exam to take the exam in CBT. Please contact membersupport@isc2.org and we will be happy to assist you.

[Paul]

Will this have any change on pricing?

[Amanda Dalessandro]

Pricing will remain the same for CBT. Please contact me if you have further questions. Thank you.