How to Pass the (ISC)² CC Exam in 2026 — The Free Entry-Level Cybersecurity Cert
By Tyrone E. Wilson | Cover6 Academy
The (ISC)² CC is free, vendor-neutral, and designed for career changers breaking into cybersecurity. No experience required, no cost — there is no better starting point. The CC gives you a globally recognized credential backed by (ISC)², the same organization behind the CISSP, without any financial barrier to entry. If you’re serious about a cybersecurity career, this is where you start.
Ready to Test Your Knowledge?
Cover6 Academy’s (ISC)² CC Practice Exam covers all 5 domains with questions modeled after real exam objectives.
CC Domain Breakdown
- Security Principles (26%) — The largest domain: CIA triad, access control concepts, ethics, and foundational security governance
- Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery & Incident Response (10%) — BC/DR planning fundamentals, incident response phases, and organizational resilience
- Access Controls Concepts (22%) — Physical and logical access controls, authentication methods, and identity management basics
- Network Security (24%) — Network threats, firewalls, IDS/IPS, secure network design, and common protocols
- Security Operations (18%) — Data security, system hardening, configuration management, and security best practices in operations
Exam Day Logistics
- Questions: 100
- Time: 3 hours
- Passing Score: 700/1000
- Cost: FREE (exam voucher + first year of (ISC)² membership included)
- Experience Required: None — zero years of professional experience required
How to Study
The CC is designed to be accessible, but that doesn’t mean you should walk in cold. Security Principles (26%) and Network Security (24%) together make up half the exam — master those first. Use the Cover6 Train Up method: start with 25-question domain-focused sets to identify where your knowledge gaps are, then build to 50 and 75-question mixed sessions. Finish your prep with timed full 100-question practice exams until you’re consistently scoring 80% or above. The study guide included with the Cover6 CC practice exam explains the reasoning behind every answer, so you’re building real understanding — not just memorizing. This is an exam you can pass in 4-6 weeks of focused preparation even with no prior IT background.
Watch: 100 Cybersecurity Terms
Build your vocabulary before diving into practice questions. This video covers the most important terms — explained clearly, no fluff.
Stop Guessing. Start Practicing.
The CC is too good an opportunity to waste. Our Practice Exam + Study Guide gives you everything you need to walk in confident — and it’s the most affordable prep available.
Get Free Cybersecurity Training & Meetups
Join The 6 newsletter — meetups, workshops, and career insights. Free forever.