You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
ISACACertified Information Systems Auditor
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is the global standard for professionals who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization's information technology and business systems. It validates your ability to apply a risk-based approach to audit engagements, covering everything from IS auditing processes to the protection of information assets. Earning CISA demonstrates your expertise in IT audit and positions you for career growth in a field where professionals earn an average salary of US$149,000+.
Exam formatComputer-based, multiple choice
DeliveryPSI
Free questions782
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Certified Information Systems Auditor proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
5domains
24objectives
204concepts
US $575.00exam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, offered by ISACA, is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization's information technology and business systems. It affirms your ability to apply a risk-based approach to audit engagements, ensuring that IT and business systems are protected, controlled, and provide value to the organization. With a focus on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain, CISA ensures IT audit professionals stay current on the latest technology trends and advancements.
Achieving CISA certification showcases your expertise and asserts your ability to handle the challenges and responsibilities of a modern IT auditor. The certification covers five key domains: Information Systems Auditing Process, Governance and Management of IT, Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation, Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience, and Protection of Information Assets. CISA is globally accepted and recognized, required by many organizations and government agencies, and proves to employers that you are ready to add value to their enterprise.
Who it’s for
The CISA certification is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for auditing, controlling, monitoring, and assessing an organization's information technology and business systems. It is ideal for mid to advanced-career IT professionals looking for leverage in career growth, including IT auditors, IS auditors, IT consultants, and security professionals. Candidates typically have experience in IT audit, control, security, or governance and are seeking to validate their expertise and advance their careers. The certification is also valuable for professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to apply a risk-based approach to audit engagements and stay current with emerging technologies.
Recommended experience
ISACA recommends that candidates have experience in IT audit, control, security, or governance. While there is no formal prerequisite, a minimum of five years of professional work experience in information systems auditing, control, or security is required for certification. Experience in information systems auditing, control, or security; Knowledge of IT governance and management; Understanding of information systems acquisition, development, and implementation; Familiarity with information systems operations and business resilience; Awareness of protection of information assets and cybersecurity principles
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective ISACA measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official ISACA exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Information Systems Auditing Process
- Audit Frameworks and Standards
- Audit Planning and Risk Assessment
- Audit Execution and Evidence
- Audit Reporting and Quality
Governance and Management of IT
- IT Governance and Strategy
- Risk and Compliance Management
- Resource and Vendor Management
- Performance and Quality Management
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation
- Project Governance and Management
- Business Case and Feasibility Analysis
- System Development Methodologies
- Control Identification and Design
- System Readiness and Implementation Testing
- Implementation Configuration and Release Management
- System Migration, Infrastructure Deployment, and Data Conversion
- Post-implementation Review
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
- IT Operations Management
- Business Resilience and Continuity
Protection of Information Assets
- Security Frameworks and Governance
- Physical and Environmental Security
- Identity and Access Management
- Network, Endpoint, and Data Security
- Security Operations and Monitoring
- Incident Response and Forensics
On the day
The exam itself
Everything ISACA publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
Pass the CISA certification exam.
CertificationCertified Information Systems Auditor
Exam formatComputer-based, multiple choice
Questions150 questions
DeliveryPSI
LanguagesEnglish, Chinese Simplified, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish
PricingUS $575.00
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path ISACA lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Certified Information Systems Auditor
PrerequisitePass the CISA certification exam.
Credential earnedCertified Information Systems Auditor Certification Renewal and maintenance
CISA certification requires renewal through earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Certification holders must adhere to the Continuing Professional Education Policy to maintain their credential. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. ISACA maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by ISACA
Exam registration
Register for the exam through PSI, ISACA’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official ISACA certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the CISA exam relate to the AAIA certification?
The AAIA (Advanced in AI Audit) certification is designed for professionals who hold a CISA certification or another qualified designation. It builds on the expertise validated by CISA and focuses on AI-specific audit skills.
Do I need to hold a lower-level ISACA certification before taking the CISA exam?
No, there is no prerequisite certification required to take the CISA exam. However, to earn the CISA credential, you must meet the experience and ethical requirements.
Can I reschedule my CISA exam appointment?
Yes, you can reschedule your CISA exam anytime without penalty during your eligibility period if done a minimum of 48 hours prior to your scheduled testing appointment.
What are the identification requirements for the CISA exam?
You must present a government-issued identification that matches the name on your ISACA account. If you are creating an account, ensure your name matches what appears on your government-issued ID.
Is there a hands-on or lab component in the CISA exam?
No, the CISA exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. There is no hands-on or lab component.
What is the retake policy for the CISA exam?
ISACA does not specify a retake policy on the official page. Candidates should refer to the exam candidate guide or contact ISACA for details.
Are there any discounts or vouchers available for the CISA exam?
ISACA members receive a discounted exam fee of US$575.00 compared to the non-member fee of US$760.00. No other discounts or vouchers are mentioned on the official page.
How soon will I receive my CISA exam results?
The official page does not specify the exact timing for score release. Candidates should refer to the exam candidate guide or contact ISACA for details.
What job roles does the CISA credential map to?
CISA is designed for IT professionals who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization's information technology and business systems. It is a must-have for mid to advanced-career IT professionals looking for leverage in career growth.
Can I recertify by passing a different ISACA exam?
ISACA certifications require renewal through earning CPE credits. Passing a different exam may contribute to CPE credits, but the official page does not specify that passing another exam automatically renews CISA.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 782 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept ISACA measures — each one written out.
5domains
24objectives
204concepts
166free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official ISACA exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Information Systems Auditing Process135 questions
2Governance and Management of IT132 questions
3Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation275 questions
Project Governance and Management18 concepts · 11 pagesOpen →Business Case and Feasibility Analysis8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →System Development Methodologies8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Control Identification and Design5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →System Readiness and Implementation Testing6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Implementation Configuration and Release Management8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →System Migration, Infrastructure Deployment, and Data Conversion7 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Post-implementation Review12 concepts · 8 pagesOpen →
4Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience74 questions
5Protection of Information Assets166 questions
Security Frameworks and Governance4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Physical and Environmental Security5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Identity and Access Management8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Network, Endpoint, and Data Security10 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Security Operations and Monitoring3 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Incident Response and Forensics12 concepts · 9 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Audit Frameworks and Standards6 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
28 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
782 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
782questions
166pages
24objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Information Systems Auditing Process135 questions
2Governance and Management of IT132 questions
3Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation275 questions
4Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience74 questions
5Protection of Information Assets166 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
204concepts
782free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from ISACA
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
2official links
204concepts mapped
The source
ISACA’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official ISACA outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 24 objectives, 204 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When ISACA changes the outline, this page changes with it.
24objectives on the outline→204concepts written→782free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.