CISA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Exam Registration & Administration :: Certification Requirements :: Exam Content :: Other

Exam Registration & Administration

1. When will I receive my December 2009 exam results?
2. Can you further explain my exam score in my results letter that I have received?
3. What is the date of the next CISA exam?
4. When does registration begin for the next exam?
5. What is the registration deadline of the next exam and what are the fees?
6. Can I take the CISA, CISM and CGEIT exams on the same day?
7. Who do I contact for assistance with my CISA Practice Question Database CD- ROM or web download?
8. Can I change my exam site or language?
9. Can I defer my exam?
10. How do I provide comments on testing conditions?
11. Where can I find CISA/CISM/CGEIT applications for certification?
12. What are the requirements for CISA/CISM/CGEIT certification?

1. When will I receive my December 2009 exam results?

Results for the for the December 2009 exam have been released via email to those candidates who elected to receive the email notification option and have no outstanding balances for the exam. The hard copy result letters have been sent out the week of 1 February via the post to the mailing address listed in your profile. Please allow for adequate delivery time to your mailing location. Exam results will be posted online after 15 February, but will only contain your overall exam score. 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. Can you further explain my exam score in my results letter that I have received?

Your overall score is in the top box of your results letter. Exam scores are reported on a scale from 200-800. A scaled score is a conversion of your raw score(s) to a common scale. A score of 450 represents a minimum consistent standard of knowledge as established by ISACA’s CISA Certification Committee. You have also received, in the second box, a score by subject domain area. Please be aware that each domain area is individually weighted and a simple arithmetic mean was not used to arrive at your total scaled score. The score report is helpful in identifying your areas of strength and areas for improvement. These subject area scores should be interpreted as follows:

• A score below 375 indicates that you did not demonstrate an understanding of this area and a substantial review is recommended.
• A score between 375 and 450 indicates that you demonstrated an understanding of the area, but additional review is recommended.
• A score above 450 indicates that you demonstrated an understanding of the area, and limited review is recommended.

3. What is the date of the next CISA exam?

The next exam will be administered on 12 June 2010 unless otherwise specified at www.isaca.org/examlocations.

4. When does registration begin for the next exam?

Registration for the 12 June 2010 exam is currently 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?

The early registration deadline has been extended until Friday, 12 February 2010–5:00PM Central Time (Chicago, Illinois, USA).

Early registration deadline: 12 February 2010
Final registration deadline: 7 April 2010

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 and CGEIT exams on the same day?

The CISA, CISM and CGEIT 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 and language are permitted until 23 April 2010**. Exam registration changes are subject to the following charges:

• On or before 16 April 2010.....no charge
• 17 April through 23 April 2010.....$50

No exam registration changes will be granted after 23 April 2010.
**Please note that all deadlines are based on Chicago, Illinois, USA 5PM Central Time. For exam site or language changes, please send an email to exam@isaca.org. These changes do not include deferrals.

9. Can I defer my exam?

Candidates unable to take the exam can request a deferral of their registration fees to the next exam date. To learn more about deferring your exam, including deferral deadlines and costs, please visit www.isaca.org/examdefer.

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 should contact ISACA international head-quarters by letter or by e-mail (exam@isaca.org). These comments or concerns should be received by ISACA within 2 weeks after the examination date. Candidates who wish to comment on the contents of the examination may do so by mailing their comments to the Professional Examination Service. However, only those comments received by The Professional Examination Service during the first 2 weeks after the exam administration will be considered in the final scoring process of the examination. You may obtain the address of the Professional Examination Service from the Proctor after you complete the examination.

11. Where can I find CISA/CISM/CGEIT 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.

12. What are the requirements for CISA/CISM/CGEIT certification?

CISA requirements for certification are available at www.isaca.org/cisarequirements.
CISM requirements for certification are available at www.isaca.org/cismrequirements.
CGEIT requirements for certification are available at www.isaca.org/cgeitrequirements.

Certification Requirements :: Exam Content :: Other

Certification Requirements

1. What do I need to do if I've received a revocation notice?
2. Where can I find the CISA application for certification?
3. What are the qualifications to earn the CISA credential?
4. What does the CISA continuing professional education program require?
5. How can I earn CPE credits online?
6. How do I submit my annual continuing profession education (CPE) hours to ISACA?
7. Do I need to submit documentation for my 2009 CPE hours?
8. I was selected for an audit of my 2008 CPE hours and have provided the documentation. When will I receive a confirmation?
9. What does a CISA “in good standing” mean?

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 http://www.isaca.org/CISAapp.

3. 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
• A minimum of five years of professional information systems auditing, control or security work experience (as described in the job practice areas) is required for certification. 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.

4. 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 twenty (20) hours annually and one hundred twenty (120) hours every three years of continuing professional education. In addition, an annual maintenance fee of US $40 ISACA member and US $80 non-member is required.

To access the CPE policy, click here.

5. 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 e-symposia. The e-symposia are offered live each month or may be accessed on demand via the archives. For more information, please go to http://www.isaca.org/webcasts. In order to claim the CPE hours (generally 3 hours per e-symposia), a passing score must be earned on the quiz.

6. 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 of each year. At renewal time, you will be asked to report the total number of CPE hours that you earn during the cycle year. Please keep track of the activities you take 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, you can go to our web site and 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.

7. Do I need to submit documentation for my 2009 CPE hours?

CPE hours are entered into your profile annually during renewal time. Documentation of CPE hours does not need to be provided to ISACA unless you are selected for an audit of your CPE hours.

8. I was selected for an audit of my 2008 CPE hours and have provided the documentation. When will I receive a confirmation?

If any additional information is required or there are questions regarding your documentation, we will contact you directly. Once your audit documentation has been reviewed and approved, a notice will be sent to you. If you have not been contacted or received notification of compliance from the certification department please contact us at certification@isaca.org.

9. What does a CISA “in good standing” mean?

In order to be a CISA “in good standing”, the following must be achieved:

• Certification granted from the corresponding Board, resulting from an approved application
• Continuing professional education is current and up-to-date
• All renewal fees/maintenance payments are current
• Continued compliance with the ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics

Exam Registration & Administration :: Exam Content :: Other

Exam Content

1. How long is the exam?
2. What does the CISA exam cover?

1. How long is the exam?

A candidate is given 4 hours to complete a 200 multiple-choice question exam.

2. What does the CISA exam cover?

The CISA exam will cover six IS audit, control or security areas, each of which is further defined and detailed through task and knowledge statements. For specific details, please go to CISA Job Practice Areas.

Exam Registration & Administration :: Certification Requirements :: Other

Other

1. How do I request additional information or report an issue regarding a current or past credential holder?
2. 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?

You can apply online to become a CISA Exam Item Writer.

Exam Registration & Administration :: Certification Requirements :: Exam Content