For many internal auditors without a technical background, the CISA exam can feel intimidating. I have a friend from a Big 4 internal audit department with a computer science degree who needed three attempts before passing. Even though the exam is multiple choice, it demands focused effort and a solid understanding of IT audit concepts. Many CPAs I know, especially those with little IT exposure, have needed nearly a year of study to feel prepared.
Two Approaches to Exam Preparation
There are generally two ways to prepare for the CISA exam. The first is to join ISACA as a member, which gives you a discounted exam fee and a one-year timeline to take the test. The advantage is that it sets a clear deadline, but the downside is that if unexpected events happen in life, you may find yourself unprepared when your window expires. This happened to me when I switched jobs and moved houses and I simply could not manage exam prep properly during that period.
The second approach, which I recommend, is to complete your study first and then register for the exam. This way is more flexible, giving you as much time as you need to work through technical areas before committing to a test date.
Choosing Study Resources
There are plenty of discussions online, especially on Reddit, about which resources are best. I will not repeat them all here, but one point is clear: the ISACA QAE (Questions, Answers, and Explanations) book is essential. In my view, you should complete it at least twice. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot consistently score above 80 percent on the practice questions, you may not yet be ready for the exam.
My Second Attempt and the New Syllabus
My second attempt at the CISA exam took me about five months of part-time study, and I achieved a relatively high result. The CISA exam is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with 450 being the minimum passing score. Generally, a score above 600 is considered a strong result and demonstrates a solid grasp of the material. I sat for the exam under the new syllabus, which was an excellent opportunity because it reflected areas I genuinely wanted to learn and apply in practice.
What Changed in the 2024 Syllabus
The CISA exam syllabus was updated in 2024 to better align with modern IT audit practices. While the structure of five domains remains the same, their content was refreshed to place greater emphasis on cloud computing, emerging technologies, data privacy, and governance frameworks. For example, Domain 3 (Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation) now includes more focus on agile development and DevOps, while Domain 5 (Protection of Information Assets) incorporates evolving cyber risks, regulatory compliance, and security controls. Compared with the older syllabus, the new version is more practical and closely mirrors the challenges internal auditors face today.
Practical Relevance of Key Domains
From my own audit experience, I find that Domains 4, and 5 align closely with reality. My ITGC work often draws on frameworks like COBIT and ISO 27001, and these domains provide the language and structure to communicate effectively with both IT and business stakeholders. They bridge the gap between theory and practical audit execution.
How AI Can Accelerate Preparation
One major advantage for today’s candidates is the availability of AI tools to support study. In the past, it took significant time to track down reliable explanations for difficult questions. Now, with LLMs trained on ISACA standards and general-purpose models like ChatGPT, you can quickly clarify definitions, generate similar practice questions, or even build analogies that make technical content easier to understand. These tools can speed up study, reduce frustration, and make the learning process more engaging.
Key Takeaway for Aspiring CISA Candidates
The CISA exam is challenging, especially for auditors without a technical background, but with the right strategy it is absolutely achievable. Whether you take the membership-driven path or the self-paced route, the key is consistent study, mastery of practice questions, and applying a practical mindset. With updated domains and modern AI learning tools, auditors today are better equipped than ever to succeed.
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