PJ's Hard Core Prep Tips

05/01/2023 1

ASIS, INTERNATIONALCHICAGO CHAPTER 2015 STUDY GROUP

HOW TO PREP AND PASS YOUR ASIS EXAM; AND SOME DO’S AND DON’TS

BY

Pj Jordan ASIS, International Chicago Chapter 2015 Hard Core Prep Tips

05/01/2023 2

Overview of the Exam:CPP Q&As from 8 Subject Matter Areas (Domains):

1. Physical Security 25% 2. Security Principles and Practices 19% 3. Personnel Security 12% 4. Business Principles and Practices 11% 5. Investigations 10% 6. Crisis Management 8%7. Information Security 8%8. ***Legal Aspects 7%*** (Eliminated Feb 2016)



05/01/2023 3

Overview of the Exam:Credentials

1. Certified Protection Professional – CPP(The CPP exam consists of 200 scored multiple-choice questions and may contain 25 “pre-test” questions. Exam time limit is 4 hours.

2. Physical Security Professional - PSPThe PSP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and may contain 25 “pre-test” questions. Exam time limit is 2.5 hours.

3. Professional Certified Investigator - PCI The PCI exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and may contain 15 “pre-test” questions. Exam time limit is 2.5 hours.



05/01/2023 4

Overview of the Exam:Eligibility Requirements

1. CPP: 9 years security experience, 3 years in responsible charge of a security function* -or- B.A. degree or higher and 7 years of security experience, with 3 years in responsible charge of a security function.

2. PCI: A high school diploma or GED equivalent and 5 years of investigations experience, including 2 years in case management

3. PSP: A high school diploma, GED equivalent, or associate degree and 6 years of progressive physical security experience*** -or- B.A. degree or higher and 4 years of progressive physical security experience***



05/01/2023 5

Overview of the Exam:Source Materials

1. CPP: The Possession of Assets Manual

2. PSP: 8 sources:• ASIS Business Continuity Guideline: A Practical Approach

• ASIS Facilities Physical Security Measures Guideline

• Design and Evaluation of Physical Protection Systems, 2nd Edition

• Effective Physical Security, 4th Edition

• Implementing Physical Protection Systems: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition**• Introduction to Security, 9th Edition

• PSP Reference (Excerpts from POA), 2nd Ed

• Risk Analysis and the Security Survey, 4th Ed

3. PCI: Professional Investigator's Manual (Hardcover)



https://www.asisonline.org/Standards-Guidelines/Guidelines/published/Pages/Business-Continuity-Guideline_A-Practical-Approach-for-Emergency-Preparedness_Crisis-Management_and-Disaster-Recovery.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/Standards-Guidelines/Guidelines/published/Pages/Business-Continuity-Guideline_A-Practical-Approach-for-Emergency-Preparedness_Crisis-Management_and-Disaster-Recovery.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/Standards-Guidelines/Guidelines/published/Pages/Facilities-Physical-Security-Measures-Guideline.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Design-and-Evaluation-of-Physical-Protection-Systems-2nd-Ed.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Effective-Physical-Security-4th-Edition.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Implementing-Physical-Protection-Systems-A-Practical-Guide-2nd-Edition.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Implementing-Physical-Protection-Systems-A-Practical-Guide-2nd-Edition.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Introduction-to-Security-9th-Edition.aspx

https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/PSP-Reference-(Excerpts-from-the-POA)-2nd-Ed.aspx



https://www.asisonline.org/ASIS-Store/Products/Pages/Risk-Analysis-and-the-Security-Survey-4th-Ed.aspx

05/01/2023 6

Overview of the Exam:How I did it.

1. Attended a SG. 2. Registered to take both tests. PCI then CPP.3. Scheduled my tests at 8am after a long weekend.4. Borrowed study prep ideas used by folks who passed.5. Began hard core prep two months before the tests 7/5

and 7/6.6. Linked my prep to a daily activity (running & commute).7. Main study methods: reading and recording book

sections, POA, and Q&As. 8. Created 100+ flash cards of weak area materials.



05/01/2023 7

Overview of the Exam:How I did it (Con’t.):

9. Created audio flash cards 10. As time passed, I focused more on my weak areas. 11. Everyday I did something. Plus, I was working a FT job.12. I averaged 3 hours a day. Some days I studied 4+ hours. 13. I created my own Q&As. 14. I read, listened, wrote and talked: which helped my

retention of the materials. 15.My total time expended: 3 x 60 = 180 hours in 2 months16.ASIS recommends 250 hrs in 6-8 months. Per ASIS,

those studying more than 360 have lower pass rates.



05/01/2023 8

Overview of the Exam:How Should You Prepare?

1. Begin with the most important materials: a. Physical Security: 25% b. + Security Principles and Practices: 19% c. + Personnel Security: 12% = 55% of the test

Thus, 55% of your exam questions (124 Q&As) will come from these 3 domains.



05/01/2023 9


• Decide which method is better for you:• Paid In-house Prep Class:

1. All materials included2. Structured system, instructor-led, handouts,

scheduled activities, 3. Feedback available from fellow attendees4. Cost: Can you afford it?5. No guarantee instructor is good. Maybe he/she

just reads from the outline

• Online Class or Self Study• Which type of learner are you?



05/01/2023 10


• Paid Online Class:1. All materials included2. Structured system, instructor-led, handouts,

scheduled activities, 3. Some feedback available4. More flexible schedule5. Can you afford it? 6. No guarantee instructor is good. Maybe he/she

just reads from the outline7. Requires some computer/internet/technical

skills




05/01/2023 11


• Self-Study Class:1. Lots of free materials available; some current,

some obsolete2. Self-discipline required3. Must know where to start4. Most flexible schedule5. Affordable6. No instant feedback or assistance from

instructors7. Allows for greater retention when you create

your own study materials




05/01/2023 12

Overview of the Exam:Tips:

1. Link your study to another, regular or daily activity2. Schedule your test3. Give yourself 3-6 months to get ready4. Attend a study group5. Begin your prep with the most important materials6. You will retain the most material when you write, read,

speak and hear it. 7. Create your own flash cards. It doesn’t work as well when

using another’s flash cards.8. Create real-world practice situations.



05/01/2023 13


9. Use a timer when taking practice tests (15, 20, 30 minutes, etc).

10.Take lots of practice tests.11. Identify your strong and weak areas.12.Remove distractions from your study environment.13.Re-compose the questions into your own words.14.Commit to adding daily practice to your schedule. You will

not pass if you wait until the last two weeks to study.15.Test day will be filled with stress, anxiety, and self doubt.16.Minimize test day stress by practicing 1, 2, 3, and 4 hrs.



05/01/2023 14


16.Spend extra time on your weak areas. It’s like shaving. 17.Practice your testing at the same time you’ll be taking

your exam; especially as you get closer to Test Day.18.Where possible, focus on understanding concepts, ideas,

and principles. 19.Move outside of your comfort zone. 20.Monitor and measure your progress. What gets measured

gets improved.21.Recommended approach: How do you eat an elephant?



05/01/2023 15

Overview of the Exam:Hard Core Prep Don’ts:

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.2. Don’t rely entirely on work others have done. i.e., audio

flash cards.3. Don’t rely on just one prep method.4. Don’t ignore the messages your body is sending you. If

tired or overly stressed don’t study. 5. Don’t just study the stuff you know already. 6. Don’t assume what works for others will work for you.



05/01/2023 16

Overview of the Exam:Final Tips:

• Stress and anxiety will overwhelm reduce the effectiveness of your prep.

• Reduce your stress and anxiety by:• Practice, Practice, Practice.• Do real-world exam practice.• Visualize yourself being successful. • Focus on the positive.



05/01/2023 17

Overview of the Exam:Questions???

Thanks!

Call me anytime.



Documents

PJ's Hard Core Prep Tips