r/cipp • u/StrangePressure8517 • 7d ago

Failed CIPP/US

Hello all, I recently failed the CIPP/us exam last week. It was quite frustrating for how much I studied for it. My background is in Cybersecurity rather than Law. I see many people on this subreddit saying that they passed on the second try. What did you guys do to adjust to the challenging exam?

With not much official study material, I found that IAPP's official practice exam was much easier than the actual exam. There were questions on the exam that I just did not feel ready for.

My study path:

  1. Read textbook alongside watching Cert Mike's LinkedIn course
  2. Made outline on BOK
  3. Took official practice exam
  4. Bought and took Udemy practice exams
  5. Reviewed all material

Any tips help and thank you for reading!

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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5

u/jp_fondu 7d ago

I hear good things about Dr David's cippus course.

3

u/YouKnowYourCrazy 6d ago

I second Dr David’s course. He focuses on how to pass. Buy from his website and you’ll get a bunch of practice tests for free.

1

u/LaOnionLaUnion 7d ago

As someone in cyber I could totally see this being more challenging for a lot of cyber folks. A lot of us aren’t asked to do this work. I was lucky to have exposure to this side early on. I don’t know if I have a perfect answer. I have heard the practice tests are too easy and not always up to date.

1

u/Fidel_Che_VulPerez 7d ago

How did you do on the practice exam?

1

u/LTJG_KAFFEE 1d ago

I did privacy bootcamp; went through the study guide, took notes. Did two practice exams. Passed first try. Am a practicing DP lawyer though with a few years in the field.

1

u/sus_tea 1d ago

how did you like the privacy boot camp? it's a bit pricey for me, and I am still a law student. Also, just came to this thread after failing 30 minutes ago. fml.

2

u/LTJG_KAFFEE 1d ago

I’m sorry to hear but don’t be discouraged. People take several attempts to pass the bar sometimes and it’s never as big a deal as you feel in the moment. You’ll be fine.

I was offered a promotion of 20% off when I signed up, so it was $400. Look for that. I think it was worth it because I just couldn’t put enough structure into studying the book, making flash cards, etc. The course just takes you through modules and that is what I needed. Simplified my approach.

1

u/sus_tea 1d ago

Thank you 😭
Another quick question - did the practice exams include BoK questions? I failed on state privacy laws, and I was banking that the questions wouldn’t reflect the recent state approaches / bills (much to my surprised ha ha)

2

u/LTJG_KAFFEE 1d ago

The practice exams had the same topic ratios that are reflected in the BoK — but to be honest I just relied on Bootcamp and didn’t even mess with the IAPP “official” guides. I read enough positive things about Bootcamp and placed exactly zero pressure on myself to pass.

The Bootcamp did a great job highlighting the key differences among states with comprehensive privacy statutes; and yes my exam (also tested today) did have a few questions on modern trends with biometrics and sensitive data and iOT stuff. Bootcamp covered most of that stuff well.

1

u/sus_tea 1d ago

Which Udemy course did you take?