Exam Registration & Administration
Certification Requirements | Exam Content | Other
Exam Registration & Administration
- When will I receive my December 2011 exam results?
- Why does it take 8 weeks to process exam results?
- What is the date of the next CISA exam?
- When does registration begin for the next exam?
- What is the registration deadline of the next exam and what are the fees?
- Can I take the CISA, CISM, CGEIT and CRISC exams on the same day?
- Who do I contact for assistance with my CISA Practice Question Database CD- ROM or web download?
- Can I change my exam site or language?
- Can I defer my exam?
- How do I provide comments on testing conditions?
- Where can I find CISA/CISM/CGEIT/CRISC applications for certification?
- What are the requirements for CISA/CISM/CGEIT/CRISC certification?
- How is the exam scored?
1. When will I receive my December 2011 exam results?
Results for the for the December 2011 exam were released via email on 3 February 2012 to those candidates who elected to receive the email notification option and have no outstanding balances for the exam. Exam results can be viewed in the MyISACA, MyCertification page of your online profile. The hard copy result letters will be sent the week of 6 February 2012 via the post. Please allow for adequate delivery time to your mailing location. To ensure the confidentiality of scores, exam results will not be reported by telephone, fax or email other than the one-time notification email.
2. Why does it take 8 weeks to process exam results?
ISACA takes the processing of exam results very seriously. Best practice dictates that item performance be carefully reviewed after each exam administration to ensure that items performed in a fair and consistent manner. Also, ISACA’s policy is to release the results of all of our exams together, rather than individually as they are processed.
ISACA works with its testing agency to administer our exams in over 250 locations worldwide. The first step in the grading process is the review of the preliminary statistical analysis which begins when a majority of answer sheets are returned. This usually occurs a week or two after the exam administration date. This preliminary analysis is conducted on each exam item in every language that the exam item is offered. Currently, ISACA offers 4 different exams, in up to 10 languages. This step is essential because it identifies items that did not perform well based on statistics. Items with poor statistics are reviewed by the members of the respective certification committee. If an error or inconsistency is discovered within an item, the answer key is adjusted to ensure candidates are not penalized for the error.
Items with performance statistics on translated exams are also reviewed to determine if errors in translation occurred, impacting the candidate’s ability to answer an item correctly. This review is performed by multilingual ISACA members who hold the respective certifications.
Once the answer keys are finalized, a passing point is determined and approved by the Certification Committee for each certification. At this point, the testing agency processes each of the exam candidate’s final grades by converted it into a score between 200 and 800.
ISACA and our testing agency are dedicated to the efficient processing of exam results. We are also committed to performing the proper due diligence so that test results are reliable.
3. What is the date of the next CISA exam?
The next exam will be administered on 9 June 2012 unless otherwise specified at www.isaca.org/examlocations.
4. When does registration begin for the next exam?
Registration for the 9 June 2012 exam is now open. You can register for the exam at www.isaca.org/examreg.
5. What is the registration deadline of the next exam and what are the fees?
Early registration deadline: 8 February 2012
Final registration deadline: 4 April 2012
Please visit www.isaca.org/cisaboi for more details, including fees.
Candidates can save US $50 on the exam registration fee by registering online.
6. Can I take the CISA, CISM, CGEIT and CRISC exams on the same day?
The CISA, CISM, CGEIT and CRISC exams are given simultaneously in a 4 hour time frame. It is not possible to take multiple exams on the same day.
7. Who do I contact for assistance with my CISA Practice Question Database CD- ROM or web download?
For technical support with your CD-ROM or web download please contact tech@cisa-support.com.
8. Can I change my exam site or language?
Yes, changes to the exam site, language, exam type or name changes are permitted until 20 April 2012**. Exam registration changes are subject to the following charges:
- On or before 13 April 2012........no charge
- 14 April through 20 April 2012...$50
No exam registration changes will be granted after 20 April 2012.
**Please note that all deadlines are based on Chicago, Illinois, USA 5 p.m. Central Time.
For name, exam site, language or exam type changes, please send an email to exam@isaca.org. These changes do not include deferrals.
9. Can I defer my exam?
Deferrals for June 2012 exam will be available in January. Please visit the Deferral page at that time.
10. How do I provide comments on testing conditions?
Candidates wishing to comment on the test administration conditions may do so at the conclusion of the testing session by completing the “Test Administration Questionnaire.” The Test Administration Questionnaire is presented at the back of the examination booklet and your questionnaire answers should be entered in boxes P through S of the Special Codes section (Grid No. 4) on the front of your Answer Sheet.
Candidates who wish to address any additional comments or concerns about the examination administration or content of the examination should contact ISACA international headquarters by e-mail (exam@isaca.org). These comments or concerns are to be received by ISACA within 2 weeks after the examination date. Only those comments received by ISACA during the first 2 weeks after the exam administration will be considered in the final scoring process of the examination.
11. Where can I find CISA/CISM/CGEIT/CRISC applications for certification?
CISA applications are located at www.isaca.org/cisaapp.
CISM applications are located at www.isaca.org/cismapp.
CGEIT applications are located at www.isaca.org/cgeitapp.
CRISC applications are located at www.isaca.org/criscapp.
12. What are the requirements for CISA/CISM/CGEIT/CRISC certification?
CISA requirements are available at www.isaca.org/cisarequirements.
CISM requirements are available at www.isaca.org/cismrequirements.
CGEIT requirementsare available at www.isaca.org/cgeitrequirements.
CRISC requirements are available at www.isaca.org/criscrequirements.
13. How is the exam scored?
ISACA uses a 200-800 point scale with 450 as the passing mark for the exams. A scaled score is a conversion of the raw score on an exam to a common scale. It is important to note that the exam score is not based on an arithmetic or percent average. For example, the scaled score of 800 represents a perfect score with all 200 questions answered correctly; a scaled score of 200 is the lowest score possible and signifies that only a small number of questions were answered correctly.
A candidate must receive a scaled score of 450 or higher to pass the exam. A score of 450 represents a minimum consistent standard of knowledge as established for the exam by the respective ISACA Certification Committee. The passing score of 450 represents the minimum number of questions that must be answered correctly by the candidate in order to demonstrate practical application of the job task and knowledge statements. A candidate receiving a passing score may then apply for certification if all other requirements are met.
Certification Requirements | Exam Content | Other
Certification Requirements
- What do I need to do if I've received a revocation notice?
- Where can I find the CISA application for certification?
- Is there an application fee?
- What are the qualifications to earn the CISA credential?
- What does the CISA continuing professional education program require?
- How can I earn CPE credits online?
- How do I submit my annual continuing profession education (CPE) hours to ISACA?
- Do I need to submit documentation for my CPE hours?
- How can I renew my certification for 2012?
- How can I report my CPE?
- Does ISACA provide discount on certification maintenance (renewal) fees if I have multiple certifications?
1. What do I need to do if I've received a revocation notice?
If you have received a revocation notice, please contact certification@isaca.org.
2. Where can I find the CISA application for certification?
CISA applications are located at Apply for Certification.
3.Is there an application fee?
For all applications received 1 June 2012 and after, there will be a US $50 application fee required in order to process ISACA certifications for application.
4. What are the qualifications to earn the CISA credential?
Qualifying for CISA requires a combination of four "e's": experience, ethics, education and exam. Specifically, the requirements are:
- Earn a passing score on the CISA exam
- Adhere to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
- Commit to abide by the CISA Continuing Professional Education Policy
- Acquire a minimum of 5 years of professional information systems auditing, control or security work experience (as described in the job practice areas). Substitutions and waivers of such experience may be obtained if certain education and general IS or audit experience requirements are met.
For further details, click here.
5. What does the CISA continuing professional education program require?
In order to become and remain a CISA an individual must agree to comply with the CISA continuing professional education program. This program requires an individual to earn a minimum of 20 hours annually and 120 hours every 3 years of continuing professional education. In addition, an annual maintenance fee of US $40 ISACA member and US $85 non-member is required.
Download CPE policy
6. How can I earn CPE credits online?
ISACA members can earn CPE hours by taking and passing an Information Systems Control Journal CPE Quiz online. One CPE hour is awarded per quiz. ISACA members may also earn CPEs online by participating in eSymposia, offered live each month or accessed on demand via the archives. For more information, please go to webcasts. In order to claim the CPE hours (generally 3 hours per eSymposium), a passing score must be earned on the quiz.
7. How do I submit my annual continuing profession education (CPE) hours to ISACA?
CPE hours are reported annually during the renewal process, which begins in October/November each year. At renewal time, you will be asked to report the total number of CPE hours that you earned during the cycle year. Please keep track of your activities and retain the supporting documentation so that you are able to properly report your hours. You will be sent an email notification when the renewal process opens each year. At that time, go to our web site, pay your annual dues and report your CPE hours at www.isaca.org/renew. Alternatively, you can wait until we send you the hard copy annual invoice and use that as the mechanism to make your payment and report your CPE hours.
8. Do I need to submit documentation for my CPE hours?
Documentation of CPE hours does not need to be provided to ISACA unless you are selected for an audit of your CPE hours.
9. How can I renew my certification for 2012?
Log in at www.isaca.org – click the MY ISACA tab at the top of the page and then click the RENEW button within the page. Renewal of your certification requires payment of the annual maintenance fee and reporting the required CPE hours.
If you have forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot Password?" link. After remitting your payment by credit card you will receive a purchase receipt online and via email, in addition to a receipt by postal mail. If you are not paying by credit card and want to pay by check or bank transfer, click the "Pay by Check or Bank Transfer" button when you reach the shopping cart.
10. How can I report my CPE?
To update or enter CPE hours, log in to www.isaca.org using your personalized login credentials.
- Click on the MY ISACA tab at the top of the page
- Click on My CERTIFICATIONS tab
- Click the Edit MY CPE Hours link
- Click on My Demographic, Certification CPE and Other Information tab. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view and edit the appropriate CPE fields
- Enter CPE hours - then click Save at the bottom of the page
You may also use this form to update personal contact, demographic and professional information.
11. Does ISACA provide a discount on certification maintenance (renewal) fees if I have multiple certifications?
Yes, for those individuals who renew 3 or more ISACA certifications, ISACA offers a discount on the 3rd and 4th renewal fees of $15 for members and $35 for nonmembers.
Exam Registration & Administration | Exam Content | Other
Exam Content
- How long is the exam?
- What does the CISA exam cover?
1. How long is the exam?
A candidate is given 4 hours to complete a 200-question multiple-choice exam.
2. What does the CISA exam cover?
The CISA exam covers 5 IS audit, control or security areas, each of which is further defined and detailed through task and knowledge statements. For details, please go to CISA Job Practice Areas.
Exam Registration & Administration | Certification Requirements | Other
Other
- How do I request additional information or report an issue regarding a current or past credential holder?
- How can I become a CISA Exam Item Writer?
1. How do I request additional information or report an issue regarding a current or past credential holder?
To request additional information or to report an issue regarding a current or past credential holder, please contact the CISA certification department:
Email: exam@isaca.org
Tel: +1.847.660.5660
Fax: +1.847.253.1443
2. How can I become a CISA Exam Item Writer?
Apply online to become a CISA Exam Item Writer.
Exam Registration & Administration | Certification Requirements | Exam Content