How to Prepare for and Pass the CISA Exam on Your First Try

The Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) certification is a globally recognized credential that validates a professional’s ability to audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization’s information technology (IT).  This certification demonstrates that the individual is proficient in safeguarding an organization’s critical assets and infrastructure.

This comprehensive guide equips you with the knowledge and strategies to pass the CISA exam on your very first go.

Holistic View of the CISA Syllabus

The syllabus of CISA is technical and verifies your expertise in the following five domains:

1. The Process of Auditing Information Systems (18%)
2. The Governance and Management of IT (18%)
3. Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation (12%)
4. Information Systems Operations, Maintenance, and Support (26%)
5. Protection of Information Assets (26%)

Domains 4 and 5 contain over 50% of the total weight, making them more important and potentially the most difficult of all. Candidates should check the current CISA syllabus and ensure the percentages of all five domains.

CISA Exam Content and Structure

The CISA exam is a computer-based test consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. The total time allowed is 4 hours (240 minutes). This means that you will have approximately 1.6 minutes to answer each question. Double-check to see if you can answer in the allotted time.  To qualify this exam, you need to achieve a minimum score of 800 on a scaled score of 200-800.

The CISA exam format can be broadly categorized into:

• Conceptual: Here, you will be tested on your fundamentals related to technology and auditing standards.
• Practical: Practical aspects check your understanding to a scenario and how you apply concepts in real business solutions.

Apart from the above, there are also some questions on core technologies, internet security, and telecommunication control.

Eligibility Requirements

A candidate needs to meet the following requirements while taking the CISA exam:

• Experience: To be eligible for this exam, candidates must have a minimum of five years of cumulative experience in IS auditing, control, security, or a related field. ISACA allows one year of relaxation for candidates with a four-year college degree or a master’s degree in IS or a related field.
• Training: Completion of a CISA-approved training program from a reputed institute like Knowlathon is recommended but not mandatory.
• Agreement: It is critical for the individuals to adhere to the ISAC Code of Professional Ethics.

How to Prepare for the CISA Exam

The following guide will help you to prepare and pass the CISA exam in your first attempt.

1. Effective Time Management: Effective time management is one of the most critical strategies if you want to crack the CISA on your first attempt. According to experts, aspirants need to dedicate at least 250 hours to studying the material, including practice questions. Consider dedicating two and a half hours daily after your work schedule to your CISA exam preparation and eight hours on weekends. This strategy will provide you with enough time to read the study material twice.
2.  Read the Official Course Book: If you want to be successful in the CISA exam, consider studying from ISACA-approved course books. In addition to the official books, you can also use other resources to gain knowledge for the CISA exam. Moreover, study and prepare with the help of the CISA Review Manual and CISA prerequisites.

Another key that can help you crack the CISA exam is joining a training program from an accredited training institute. You can contact Knowlathon who are experienced and offer instructor-led training programs, assuring you clear your CISA exam in your first attempt.

1. Understand the Core Concepts: Develop an understanding of the core concepts of CISA, including:

• Information technology in general
• Risks when deploying IT components
• Functions and features of security and controls of IT components
• How controls can be implemented to mitigate risks
• How to audit IT components

1. Gauge Your Learning with Self-Analysis: To ace the exam, apart from memorizing facts, it is also critical to gauze your preparation. While preparing for the CISA exam, you may find some parts are easier for you. But, ensure that you are completely ready with these topics and follow a practice schedule like a real exam. You can even use the self-assessment tool available on the ISACA website that will help you check your current knowledge and pinpoint areas where you need to work more.
2. Join The CISA Community: You can also get the latest exam updates and announcements from the CISA forums. CISA community helps you connect with industry experts and certification holders, and gain knowledge from their experience. These communities also help you uncover CISA success stories that help you elevate your confidence in passing the CISA exam.
3. Analyze Your Answers: As you go through mock question papers, make sure to carefully read the explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. This ensures you grasp the reasoning behind each answer rather than guessing randomly. Take the time to rework any incorrect answers and continue practicing until you consistently score 100%. This method helps reinforce your understanding and improves your performance.
4. Be Prepared for The Unexpected: Life is uncertain, and even a carefully constructed time management plan may backfire. Make a budget of about 25% more time to accommodate the unexpected. Planning for a longer study plan might work better so that you have extra hours of study in case of emergency or when you fall short of time.

Conclusion

The CISA Exam is not just about memorizing and repeating facts. Instead, it challenges you to use what you have learned in different and sometimes tough situations. By following the above strategies and maintaining a disciplined study regimen, you can enhance your chances of passing the CISA exam.

If you want to ensure your success in the CISA exam, consider joining Knowlathon, a training institute that helps you crack this exam on your first try. Knowlathon has a wealth of experienced trainers who can guide you through every step of the CISA journey.