CISA Exam
CISA Exam is 4 hours exam having 150 multiple-choice questions (No negative marking), The scaled score ranges from 200 to 800 points, the CISA Exam passing score is 450 points
To become a CISA -Certified Information systems Auditor, you have to complete below 5 steps
- Successfully clear the CISA Exam
- Apply for CISA Certification
- Follow the Practices of ISACA’s Code of Ethics
- Maintain the Continuing education (CPE) policy
- Meets the ISACA’s Information System Auditing Standards
How to Register For CISA Exam
You can register online for CISA Exam & attempt either Online -remote proctoring or direct test center.
The normal registration fee is 760 $, but if you have an ISACA membership then it will be 575 $ (Occasionally ISACA provides discounts for CISA Exam fees).
(ISACA Membership fee: International dues -135 $ + New member fee – 10 $ + Your local chapter dues)
CISA Exam Contents
Domain 1- Information System Auditing Process – 21% (32 questions)
Domain 2- Governance and management of IT – 17% (25 questions)
Domain 3- Information system acquisition, development, and implementation – 12% (18 questions)
Domain 4- Information system operation & Business Resilience – 23% (34 questions)
Domain 5- Protection of information assets – 27% (41 questions)
How to Prepare for CISA Exam
The most important and valuable two study materials you should practice for CISA Exam are
Those who are from Finance and Audit backgrounds have little difficulty understanding domains 3,4 & 5 in the beginning, in this case, you can start with video tutorials like the Certified Information Systems Audit training video by Mr.Hemang Doshi in Udemy ( PAID) & free YouTube videos by Hemang Doshi Simplilearn, Prab Nair, Infosectrain, Professor Messer ( to understand the concepts of domain 4 & 5), etc
(Important Video links are found on our YouTube links page)
Those who are from IT backgrounds have little difficulty understanding domains 1 & 2 in the beginning.
Books you can refer for CISA Exam
- CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide by Hemang Doshi (Explained the concepts very simply & you can find many sample Q&A)
- All in one CISA -Certified Information System Auditor Exam Guide(Fourth edition) , CISA Certified IS Auditor Practice Exams & CISA Certified IS Auditor Bundle by Peter H Gregory
- Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide(fourth edition) by David Cannon
Once you understand the concepts by Domains, then you can start to practice ISACA CISA Review Questions, Answers & Explanation Manual (Official CISA Q&A). Questions coming in the CISA exam are completely different than what you read in your preparation. However, question & answers from the official CISA manual still prepares you to confidentially select the right answer in your CISA exam. Read ISACA official Q&A thoroughly and focus not just on the answers but the explanations for all four answers. You may like to go through this over and over again until you understand the concepts well.
Concentrate on revising the questions and answer more and more. Getting a passing score of 450 is not at all difficult provided you revise the questions and answers again and again. Lastly, always think like an auditor and your real audit experience will help you to clear CISA Exam easily.
After the preparation of the CISA Exam, you can pay online& register for CISA Exam,
CISA Exam strategy
Understand the scope and intent of the question
Consider yourself as an IS auditor
Identify the keywords in the question
Eliminate wrong options
Choose the best option
You will lose your fees if you do not schedule and take the exam during your 12-month eligibility period. No eligibility deferrals or extensions are allowed by ISACA.
For those who are preferring to give the exam from home (Online -remote proctoring), Keep your desk completely clean. Nothing other than your desktop/laptop should be there. The examiner will ask you to show your room (front, back, sideways, and beneath) from your camera. Keep an external webcam handy if you have one, else your laptop camera should be good. Only thing is that you need to lift your laptop and show the entire room to the examination reviewer at least a couple of times.
Before starting the CISA Exam, keep any of your identity (Passport or National ID, etc.) with you to show the examiner.
Once you finish the CISA Exam a screen will appear that shows whether you pass or fail, detailed results with scores will appear on your dashboard and by mail within 10 working days.
How to apply for CISA Certification
Once you clear the CISA Exam, if you are meeting the criteria then you can apply for CISA Certification. In this process first, you have to pay a 50 $ one-time application processing fee (nonrefundable). Then download the application form & fill the form manually or digitally, in this form your manager should sign manually or digitally as a Verifier. Then you can submit the filled application form to ISACA.
Criteria to apply CISA Certification
To apply for CISA Certification, you should pass the CISA Exam within the last 5 years.
You need a minimum of 5-years of professional information systems auditing, control, or security work experience – as described in the CISA job practice areas – is required for certification. The work experience must be gained within the 10 years preceding the application date for certification. Those who have 5-years from the passing date can apply for certification.
One year of non-information System auditing experience OR 1-Year of IS experience can be substituted for 1-year of experience.
A 2-year or 4-year degree, not limited by the 10-year preceding restriction, can be substituted for 1 or 2-years, respectively, of experience.
A master’s degree in IT or information security from an accredited university can be substituted for 1-year of experience.
The experience substitutions will not satisfy any portion of the 2-year IS audit work experience requirement.
How to Maintain the CPE policy
To maintain CISA Certificate, you should earn & report a minimum of 120 CPE (Continuing Professional Education) hours for a 3-year reporting cycle period &you should earn a minimum of 20 CPE hours per year.