1. Study the CRM Religiously ISACA provides the CISA Review Manual (CRM) that serve as the guide for the CISA exam. It is a comprehensive reference guide that is designed to guide candidates for the CISA exam providing them all the details related to the CISA exam and defining roles and responsibilities of an information systems auditor. This manual helps as the best self-study guide for CISA aspirants. Professionals should ideally study the CRM more than twice to strengthen their grasp as an IS auditor.
2. Practice CISA Review Questions and Answers ISACA also provides CISA review questions and answers along with the manual for extensive practice and self-study. Aspirants can use the sample questions and answers to understand difficult concepts and areas and improve their CISA exam prep towards attaining a CISA certification. These review questions and answers are designed to give an overview of the CISA exam. Also ISACA regularly updates the manual as well as sample questions to be in pace with the changing auditing world.
3. Explore the CISA CDs CISA aspirants can also get CISA CDs from ISACA and improve their insights on the subject areas. For better preparation, candidates can get previous years’ CISA CDs and use the mock-up exam generator provided with the CDs. The best way is to understand the reasoning behind the answers and not just mug up the answers.
4. Read CISA Bogs and Articles Besides the CRM and CISA CDs, candidates should also visit other CISA blogs and articles available over the web world to get better insights on CISA exam prep. One can also read through CISA journal available in the ISACA website.
5. Practical IS Audit Experience To qualify in a professional certification program like CISA, it is very essential to gain experience in the practical field. IT audit is same like other audit type but with a different scope. A professional should have an idea of business process understanding, audit scope definition, audit planning and reporting in terms of the real industry.
6. Manage Study Hours Being a professional, it can be difficult for candidates to manage study hours for CISA exam prep accordingly. However, managing study hours as per subject areas is very essential to gain success in the CISA exam. One can dedicate 1-2 hours on a regular basis to enhance their CISA exam prep towards the success pillar.
7. Adopt the Changes One of the best working tips here can be to unlearn the things that you have learnt. The real industry world keep changing every moment and so do the IS auditing principles and techniques. The best aspect of writing the CISA exam is maintaining neutrality. Therefore, following the CISA review manual religiously is helpful because it keeps emerging with current updates from time to time.
8. Division of Time Many professionals complain that they do not get enough time for completing the exam. This actually is the result of lack of division of time. By reviewing the previous year’s question papers and mock-test’s questions, you should try and divide time as per question and subject areas. This will not just help you while studying but will serve the greatest help in the CISA exam.
9. Join CISA Groups and Forums Participants can join CISA groups and forums to interact with other CISA aspirants and past CISA participants. There are various discussion forums on CISA certification. Such platforms can provide both theoretical and practical knowledge on IS auditing and thus help improve CISA exam prep towards achieving the credential.
10. CISA Certification Training Courses Many accredited organizations offer CISA certification training courses online and in house. Participants can go through such courses and improve their knowledge on IS auditing. AMI-PMI is a leading training organization that offers CISA certification training through blended model that includes CISA classroom and CISA online training courses. To know more, visit AMI-PMI’s CISA training page.
These are the best tips to pass the CISA exam. Explore more and move ahead in your IS auditing career with a reputed and globally recognized CISA certification.