Top 5 Tips To Clear CISA Exam
CISA is an abbreviated form of Certified Information Systems Auditor. This certificate is suitable for the individuals who have a have an interest in information systems auditing, control and security. CISA is a professional certificate which is provided by Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). This certification is globally recognized and is accepted by many companies.
CISA exam is conducted twice a year by ISACA, it takes place in the month of June and December. CISA is a paper based exam, and individuals who want to take this exam need good preparation and have to plan at an early stage in order to gain a thorough understanding of the topics of CISA examination. In order to gain eligibility for the exam, CISA aspirants must agree to adhere to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics. They have to provide an evidence that they have a valid five years of professional experience in IS auditing, control, or security work.
As said earlier, to clear this exam in your very first attempt you need to give yourself, at least two to three months preparation time in order to gain a complete understanding about the subject. If you are not confident about yourself and need some more time to prepare you can book your exam in any of the two given exam slots. It is always advisable to refer various books apart from official CISA manual. In this article we will talk about the tips and preparation methods that will help CISA aspirants to clear their exam in their first attempt.
1. Plan Early
Individuals who want to write CISA certification exam have to plan early, as this exam requires good preparation in order to understand the CISA concepts and clear the exam in the first attempt. It is always recommended that the individual start their preparation three to four months prior to their exam date. For instance, if you are planning to take the exam in December, then you should start your preparation from the month of August or September. CISA aspirants must chalk out a timetable and dedicate few hours for their CISA preparation. They have to stick to their timetable in order to cover all the topics of CISA.
2. Refer ISACA Review Manual
It is always recommended that the individuals planning to attempt CISA exam refer the Review Manual of ISACA, for the year you are planning to take the exam. It is also advisable that participants refer other books for a better understanding of CISA concepts. But first preference must be given to the Review Manual from ISACA.
3. Participate In a Review Course
It is recommended that the individuals attend review courses conducted by the volunteers. This will be beneficial for the exam takers as they will gain in-depth knowledge about the subject and it will be useful for them to clear the CISA exam. By attending such training sessions, they will also come across some tips and techniques that will be useful for them in their exam preparation.
4. Think as an accountant
Its important that the the exam takers start thinking like an accountant. By doing this, they will develop assessing qualities which can be useful to understand the question. Most of the professionals who take this exam either come from accounting background or from financial services industry. So if you make this as a habit, then it would help you to judge the right answer.
5. Take Practice Tests
It is important that the individuals concentrate on practice tests that are available ISACA Review Manual. Individuals must try to understand the question and also must be able to justify why this answer is right for this question. By assessing questions in this manner, they will know why this question is asked and why this answer is relevant for this question. In other words, they should not memorize the questions and answers, as there is every possibility that the same question can be asked in a different manner. So it is recommended that the individual understands the concept of the question than memorizing answer for it. By taking regular practice tests, you will come across different content areas covered in the exam.
Conclusion
Though, CISA exam is considered to be tough, but you can clear this exam with ease if you prepare thoroughly for the exam and cover all the concepts of CISA exam. If you have gained thorough knowledge on CISA subject you can pass this exam with flying colors.