Absolutely agree with Marc. I think most vital contributor of the success is not the experience, but gaining that thought process from "ISACA defined best practices world". We need to unlearn lot of things those are followed in our organisation or profession - in practice. Coupled with that , ofcourse , solid understanding of concepts/ simulated method of exam. The stress of average 65 -68 seconds per question is also not so easy to handle.

My suggestion to fellow professionals is not to give up ; don't let your efforts drain out so easily. Good luck.

I strongly agree that the CISA exam is best suited and most easily passed by those with a measure of experience in the IT Audit/Security proffession. This is not to say those new to the field/proffession can not pass the exam, but they will require significantly more preparation. Hard as the exam may seem what it requires is a very good study material, exhaustive practice of exam questions with due cognisance given to time (I.e pace yourself to answer the required number of questions within the alloted time). Also as earlier mentioned, the more you study the more familiar you will get with the terminologies which will go a long way, sometimes all you need to answer a given question is to see the question from "an IT Auditors perspective". Also pay close attention to the pitfall called "best answer' which means there may be more than one right answer, you only have to look for and choose the one which cannot be faulted.

I too wish to try to pass examination.
I am afraid, that it is unreal.
Though at me already 8-year-old operational experience IT auditor.

 I think, requirements to examination very strict.
I search, can eat any approximate questions to examination.

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

Hi!  I agree with Marc's advice and would also like to suggest finding an exam prep course (possibly hosted by your local ISACA chapter).  I found the face-to-face instruction invaluable when I was preparing for the CISA exam.  The biggest benefit that I see in "live" instruction (versus merely relying on the exam prep manuals) is that a good instructor will not only tell you the "correct" answer but also why the others are incorrect.  Understanding how to go through this decision-making process will assist you in selecting the "best" choice form the list of possible answers.  I hope this helps---and good luck!

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

I have asked our local chapter about finding a tutor to aid me (that I would pay for), so far, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone. What does that mean? No one wishes to make a couple extra bucks? It is really really hard to pass? I am a bit frustrated as I have been reading chapter 1 and 2 for over two weeks as there is so much "new" to me but don't feel comfortable moving on as I don't feel comfortable moving on. I have comitted myself to doing the reading and practice exams but it has been a slow process and I need more, I just can't find folks to study with nor can I find someone who wishes to tutor.

Kinda bummed out but not giving up or in.

Hi,

You are right.  Passing the CISA exam is more than just reading the manual and scoring 100% on the practice exams.  The practice exams help a lot though because it trains you to how to answer the questions.  You will learn about the logic of how to answer the question correctly by reading on the explanation to the correct (and wrong) answers.  This is different from merely memorizing a question and its answer.  The exam is not about memorization.  It is how you apply the concepts and practices in situational questions.  So in order to appy the concepts and practices, you must know about them (hence ISACA gives you all these stuff to read) but it does not stop there, it is the application of these that determines whether you will pass or not.

Good luck!

 

 

 

I know how this must feel.  I am sorry you are disappointed.
However, I have done some ISACA exams and I am also a teacher for people preparing for the exams.  Here are my tips for you:
The practice exams and the handbook are guidelines but the exam is also focused on people with experience. 
The most important success factor for passing the exam is thinking like an IT Auditor in an ideal (ISACA) world, not from your own experience.  This might seem arrogant, but it is not since ISACA tries to motivate people to aspire to the ideal situation, but making them think about the gap between their real world experience and the "ISACA CISA world".  I personally learned a lot when making this gap analysis... and I still apply this approach.
I admit that one should become acquainted with lots of terminology, but that is inevitable in any profession and thus also in the IT Audit business.  No escape from it.
Please go and do lots and lots of exam questions.  The CISA exam CD can help, but I always advice people to do as many as possible before the exam actually takes place.
Try to simulate the exam conditions : 200 questions in 240 minutes delivers an additional stress factor that is sometimes surprising people.
Also exercise in multiple choice exam techniques.  It is a specific method with specific tips to handle this in a sound and stressless manner.  Here my advice is to take your time to answer all questions in a nice pace.  When you are ready with 200 questions in 160 minutes, you know you might have misread the questions or the answers.  Speed reading is not recommended.
I hope this already helps as a first bunch of tips. 

I know how this must feel.  I am sorry you are disappointed.
However, I have done some ISACA exams and I am also a teacher for people preparing for the exams.  Here are my tips for you:
The practice exams and the handbook are guidelines but the exam is also focused on people with experience. 
The most important success factor for passing the exam is thinking like an IT Auditor in an ideal (ISACA) world, not from your own experience.  This might seem arrogant, but it is not since ISACA tries to motivate people to aspire to the ideal situation, but making them think about the gap between their real world experience and the "ISACA CISA world".  I personally learned a lot when making this gap analysis... and I still apply this approach.
I admit that one should become acquainted with lots of terminology, but that is inevitable in any profession and thus also in the IT Audit business.  No escape from it.
Please go and do lots and lots of exam questions.  The CISA exam CD can help, but I always advice people to do as many as possible before the exam actually takes place.
Try to simulate the exam conditions : 200 questions in 240 minutes delivers an additional stress factor that is sometimes surprising people.
Also exercise in multiple choice exam techniques.  It is a specific method with specific tips to handle this in a sound and stressless manner.  Here my advice is to take your time to answer all questions in a nice pace.  When you are ready with 200 questions in 160 minutes, you know you might have misread the questions or the answers.  Speed reading is not recommended.
I hope this already helps as a first bunch of tips. 

Hi,

You are right.  Passing the CISA exam is more than just reading the manual and scoring 100% on the practice exams.  The practice exams help a lot though because it trains you to how to answer the questions.  You will learn about the logic of how to answer the question correctly by reading on the explanation to the correct (and wrong) answers.  This is different from merely memorizing a question and its answer.  The exam is not about memorization.  It is how you apply the concepts and practices in situational questions.  So in order to appy the concepts and practices, you must know about them (hence ISACA gives you all these stuff to read) but it does not stop there, it is the application of these that determines whether you will pass or not.

Good luck!

 

 

 

I have asked our local chapter about finding a tutor to aid me (that I would pay for), so far, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone. What does that mean? No one wishes to make a couple extra bucks? It is really really hard to pass? I am a bit frustrated as I have been reading chapter 1 and 2 for over two weeks as there is so much "new" to me but don't feel comfortable moving on as I don't feel comfortable moving on. I have comitted myself to doing the reading and practice exams but it has been a slow process and I need more, I just can't find folks to study with nor can I find someone who wishes to tutor.

Kinda bummed out but not giving up or in.

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

Hi!  I agree with Marc's advice and would also like to suggest finding an exam prep course (possibly hosted by your local ISACA chapter).  I found the face-to-face instruction invaluable when I was preparing for the CISA exam.  The biggest benefit that I see in "live" instruction (versus merely relying on the exam prep manuals) is that a good instructor will not only tell you the "correct" answer but also why the others are incorrect.  Understanding how to go through this decision-making process will assist you in selecting the "best" choice form the list of possible answers.  I hope this helps---and good luck!

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

I too wish to try to pass examination.
I am afraid, that it is unreal.
Though at me already 8-year-old operational experience IT auditor.

 I think, requirements to examination very strict.
I search, can eat any approximate questions to examination.

I strongly agree that the CISA exam is best suited and most easily passed by those with a measure of experience in the IT Audit/Security proffession. This is not to say those new to the field/proffession can not pass the exam, but they will require significantly more preparation. Hard as the exam may seem what it requires is a very good study material, exhaustive practice of exam questions with due cognisance given to time (I.e pace yourself to answer the required number of questions within the alloted time). Also as earlier mentioned, the more you study the more familiar you will get with the terminologies which will go a long way, sometimes all you need to answer a given question is to see the question from "an IT Auditors perspective". Also pay close attention to the pitfall called "best answer' which means there may be more than one right answer, you only have to look for and choose the one which cannot be faulted.

Absolutely agree with Marc. I think most vital contributor of the success is not the experience, but gaining that thought process from "ISACA defined best practices world". We need to unlearn lot of things those are followed in our organisation or profession - in practice. Coupled with that , ofcourse , solid understanding of concepts/ simulated method of exam. The stress of average 65 -68 seconds per question is also not so easy to handle.

My suggestion to fellow professionals is not to give up ; don't let your efforts drain out so easily. Good luck.

I know how this must feel.  I am sorry you are disappointed.
However, I have done some ISACA exams and I am also a teacher for people preparing for the exams.  Here are my tips for you:
The practice exams and the handbook are guidelines but the exam is also focused on people with experience. 
The most important success factor for passing the exam is thinking like an IT Auditor in an ideal (ISACA) world, not from your own experience.  This might seem arrogant, but it is not since ISACA tries to motivate people to aspire to the ideal situation, but making them think about the gap between their real world experience and the "ISACA CISA world".  I personally learned a lot when making this gap analysis... and I still apply this approach.
I admit that one should become acquainted with lots of terminology, but that is inevitable in any profession and thus also in the IT Audit business.  No escape from it.
Please go and do lots and lots of exam questions.  The CISA exam CD can help, but I always advice people to do as many as possible before the exam actually takes place.
Try to simulate the exam conditions : 200 questions in 240 minutes delivers an additional stress factor that is sometimes surprising people.
Also exercise in multiple choice exam techniques.  It is a specific method with specific tips to handle this in a sound and stressless manner.  Here my advice is to take your time to answer all questions in a nice pace.  When you are ready with 200 questions in 160 minutes, you know you might have misread the questions or the answers.  Speed reading is not recommended.
I hope this already helps as a first bunch of tips. 

I strongly agree that the CISA exam is best suited and most easily passed by those with a measure of experience in the IT Audit/Security proffession. This is not to say those new to the field/proffession can not pass the exam, but they will require significantly more preparation. Hard as the exam may seem what it requires is a very good study material, exhaustive practice of exam questions with due cognisance given to time (I.e pace yourself to answer the required number of questions within the alloted time). Also as earlier mentioned, the more you study the more familiar you will get with the terminologies which will go a long way, sometimes all you need to answer a given question is to see the question from "an IT Auditors perspective". Also pay close attention to the pitfall called "best answer' which means there may be more than one right answer, you only have to look for and choose the one which cannot be faulted.

Hi,

You are right.  Passing the CISA exam is more than just reading the manual and scoring 100% on the practice exams.  The practice exams help a lot though because it trains you to how to answer the questions.  You will learn about the logic of how to answer the question correctly by reading on the explanation to the correct (and wrong) answers.  This is different from merely memorizing a question and its answer.  The exam is not about memorization.  It is how you apply the concepts and practices in situational questions.  So in order to appy the concepts and practices, you must know about them (hence ISACA gives you all these stuff to read) but it does not stop there, it is the application of these that determines whether you will pass or not.

Good luck!

 

 

 

I too wish to try to pass examination.
I am afraid, that it is unreal.
Though at me already 8-year-old operational experience IT auditor.

 I think, requirements to examination very strict.
I search, can eat any approximate questions to examination.

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

Hi!  I agree with Marc's advice and would also like to suggest finding an exam prep course (possibly hosted by your local ISACA chapter).  I found the face-to-face instruction invaluable when I was preparing for the CISA exam.  The biggest benefit that I see in "live" instruction (versus merely relying on the exam prep manuals) is that a good instructor will not only tell you the "correct" answer but also why the others are incorrect.  Understanding how to go through this decision-making process will assist you in selecting the "best" choice form the list of possible answers.  I hope this helps---and good luck!

This comment has been deleted by the administrator

I have asked our local chapter about finding a tutor to aid me (that I would pay for), so far, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone. What does that mean? No one wishes to make a couple extra bucks? It is really really hard to pass? I am a bit frustrated as I have been reading chapter 1 and 2 for over two weeks as there is so much "new" to me but don't feel comfortable moving on as I don't feel comfortable moving on. I have comitted myself to doing the reading and practice exams but it has been a slow process and I need more, I just can't find folks to study with nor can I find someone who wishes to tutor.

Kinda bummed out but not giving up or in.

Absolutely agree with Marc. I think most vital contributor of the success is not the experience, but gaining that thought process from "ISACA defined best practices world". We need to unlearn lot of things those are followed in our organisation or profession - in practice. Coupled with that , ofcourse , solid understanding of concepts/ simulated method of exam. The stress of average 65 -68 seconds per question is also not so easy to handle.

My suggestion to fellow professionals is not to give up ; don't let your efforts drain out so easily. Good luck.