What is CISA?
The CISA® (Certified Information Systems Auditor®) is a professional qualification offered by ISACA® (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). It is intended for people who want to specialise in the auditing, control and security of information systems.
The CISA qualification is a globally recognised measure of proficiency in information systems audit and control practices and principles — prepare with our expert-led CISA training.
Pass your CISA exam first time with expert-led training
Choose from our four-day training course with or without the exam, delivered Live Online by ISACA-qualified experts.
CISA explained
Find quick answers below. Need tailored advice? Use live chat and we’ll connect you to a training expert.
To qualify for CISA you must pass the exam and have at least five years’ relevant work experience (with limited substitutions allowed by ISACA).
The exam covers five domains:
- Domain 1 – Information Systems Auditing Process (21%)
- Domain 2 – Governance and Management of IT (17%)
- Domain 3 – Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation (12%)
- Domain 4 – Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience (23%)
- Domain 5 – Protection of Information Assets (27%)
See ISACA’s full eligibility policy — or fast-track your preparation with our CISA training.
Once you pass the exam, you’ll need at least five years of relevant professional experience to be fully certified. If you already meet the requirement, certification can be awarded as soon as ISACA processes your results and application.
Most candidates prepare over 8–12 weeks, combining structured self-study with a training course, then allowing 2–4 weeks for final revision before sitting the exam.
The CISA exam is computer-based and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. You have up to four hours to complete it.
Yes. CISA is globally recognised and valued by employers. It validates your auditing and security skills, improves career prospects, and can lead to higher salaries in IT audit, risk and compliance roles.
Pass first time with our eight-point plan
Follow these recommended steps, including an IT Governance CISA training course at which you will be given detailed strategies and techniques for passing the exam.
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Check the criteria:
Check that you have the relevant five years of work experience to qualify for full certification if you pass the exam. If you don’t have this, will you gain the experience within the next five years?
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Set a target date:
Set a target date for the exam, leaving at least eight weeks to study on your own, take a training course and revise thoroughly.
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Book your training and exam:
Purchase your training course and exam from us. We will ensure you have all the study materials you need and can advise if you need extra support in a particular area. It’s an exam preparation course, so be sure not to leave too long between taking the training and sitting the exam: we recommend two to four weeks for final revision.
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Book your exam date:
Register and schedule your exam with ISACA. Then purchase your CISA exam voucher or bundle training + exam voucher. We recommend booking the training, reading some of the material and then deciding on your exam date, working around holidays and key events in your diary.
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Prepare to win:
Plan your study programme before the course. Then outline your revision programme to take you from the training course up to the date of the exam. You will get extra help with this on the training course. Make sure you cover all five knowledge domains.
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Follow through consistently:
Stick to your study plan before and after the training course. Committing to a short period of study in a regular rhythm will establish good habits and you will gain confidence by keeping your promise. Get private coaching and mentoring from an instructor if you want extra help or advice. You can purchase mentoring by the hour.
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Go all in with the training:
Give the training course your full attention. Turn off phones, avoid checking emails and get the most out of your time with the instructors.
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Adopt winning strategies
Follow the tips and techniques for exam success that you learn on the training course as you revise, and during the exam.
Join the CISA training course and put this plan into action
Get in touch
If you are an IT professional looking to advance your career with the CISA qualification but have some questions, call our training team on +44 (0)1474 556685, or request a call using the form below. Our experts are ready and waiting with practical advice.
Have a question about the course? Our training team usually replies within 1 working day.
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