Table of Contents
CISA certification is the abbreviation of Certified Information Systems Auditor. This certificate is highly suitable for all individuals who have a keen interest in information systems auditing, security, and control.
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) provides this professional certificate. The best part about CISA certification is that it is globally recognized and accepted by multiple companies.
ISACA conducts the CISA certification exam in June and December twice a year. Since this is a paper-based examination, enthusiasts willing to take this exam need excellent preparation. And to have a better and thorough understanding of each topic, you need to plan early.
Today, this article will provide you with valuable insights regarding CISA certification. While you dig deeper, you will find some fascinating study tips to clear CISA certification in one go. Come, let’s get started.
Is a CISA Certification worthwhile?
CISA, or Certified Information Systems Auditor, is considered the most sought-after certification program worldwide. This certificate program is exquisitely designed for auditing and IT professionals.
Enthusiasts interested in controlling, auditing, assessing, and monitoring the business systems and IT of organizations, can pursue this program. And CISA certification is probably the ideal step in the right direction.
This course provides the requisite skills for governing, controlling, and performing an effective security audit. Simplilearn has deliberately aligned with the latest edition of the CISA examination. It efficiently helps in upskilling you, thereby p[rotecting information systems.
How to start preparing for the CISA Certification Examination?
You should look for starters when preparing for your CISA certification exam. Besides, you must consider CISA study guides, mock exam materials, and test questions.
It would be best if you remembered that ISACA updates the CISA questions annually. So it would be best if you got hold of a well-updated and prepared study guide. But it is essential to do more than just find good study guides.
You must have a solid action plan regarding your study patterns and techniques. And implementing the plan correctly is equally important to those possessing excellent study materials.
Collecting only a few CISA study materials and never studying them will do you no good. CISA certification is no simple exam you can ace by studying the day before.
The CISA certification exam is not about memorizing facts but about using your pre-existing knowledge. Here, we have collated a few preparation tips to help you ace the program.
- Have a clear understanding of the core concepts
The first step to a thorough CISA preparation is a clear understanding of the core concepts. It would be best if you learned what the exam is all about and how it benefits a future career prospect.
- Analyze and determine your existing knowledge
The CISA certification exam is more than memorizing facts. So you can quiz yourself and determine your pre-existing knowledge. Remember, having extensive knowledge about core subjects will help you answer every question.
And if you are already working in a CISA field, certain areas might not be difficult for you.
- Exquisitely design your study plan
Having a well-knit study plan is immensely crucial. This helps in ensuring that you study regularly within a proper time frame. And following this, you can pass the CISA certificate exam on your first try.
- Become familiar with the exam question format
The CISA certification exam follows a typical format. The questions asked are broadly categorized into conceptual and practical. However, there might be a few questions from other segments, including encryption, core technologies, internet security, EDI, etc.
- Read and analyze your answers carefully
When it comes to checking the answers to the CISA certification exam, you should thoroughly analyze them. It’s best to read each explanation to know if you got them right.
- Don’t mug up blindly
Memorizing the fundamental concepts without having a clear understanding of them is useless. Each question in your examination will be based on your ability to think and process information.
Through this, your applied knowledge on the topic areas will be tested, not just your memory capabilities.
- Take mock exams
Mocks are considered the greatest tool for preparing for the CISA certification exam. These can stimulate how and what your actual test day will be like.
It is crucial to make out time to take at least one mock exam. This will give you the realistic experience of taking a CISA certification test. And until you are comfortable with how you are performing, you should keep practicing.
Besides, you can also practice time management. It is probably one of the most critical strategies for exam testing.
- Mentally prepare yourself
The most effective way to reduce exam-related stress is to discard all uncertainties and take a mock exam. If you wish, you can test drive to the exam site. This will help you gain an estimate of traffic time.
Waiting until the final day to prepare everything might make you waste time unnecessarily. Besides, you can prepare a list of what to carry on your exam day. So you can remain fully prepared and all geared up to leave for the exam hall.
- Develop your time management efficiency
While taking the CISA certification exam, you should know how to manage your time correctly. You need to answer 150 questions within 4 hours. So that means you have 96 seconds in your hand to answer each question.
Answering some questions might take a comparatively more extended time. So it is always best to keep track of time periodically.
- Double check whether you have answered correctly
Since the CISA certification is a pen-and-paper exam, you should not skip any questions. And leaving any question blank might risk messing up the following questions. So guess the answer and fill up the boxes.
To conclude
The CISA certification exam is indeed challenging. But if you have a clear understanding and are thoroughly prepared, you can successfully answer all the questions. Thus, you can successfully pass the CISA certification exam with flying colors.