How to Pass the CISA Exam in 2026 (ISACA Audit Certification Guide)
By Tyrone E. Wilson | Cover6 Academy
The ISACA CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is the premier certification for IT auditors, governance professionals, and compliance practitioners. If your role involves auditing IT systems, evaluating controls, or advising on governance and risk, CISA is the credential that validates that expertise.
CISA Domain Breakdown
- Information Systems Auditing Process: 21% — Audit standards, risk-based approach, evidence collection, reporting
- Governance and Management of IT: 17% — IT governance frameworks, IT strategy, IT resource management
- Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation: 12% — Project management, system development lifecycle, control identification
- Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience: 23% — Largest domain. Operations management, BCP/DR, incident management.
- Protection of Information Assets: 27% — Largest domain. Information security policies, access controls, cryptography, physical security.
Exam Day Logistics
- Questions: 150 (multiple choice)
- Time: 4 hours
- Passing: 450 out of 800 scaled score
- Delivery: Pearson VUE or remote proctored
- Cost: $575 (member) / $760 (non-member)
- Experience: 5 years of professional IS audit, control, or security experience required for certification
How to Study
CISA rewards audit-mindset study: every control, process, and framework should be evaluated through the lens of “how would you audit this?” Study ISACA’s official CISA Review Manual — it is the primary source and the exam hews closely to it. Focus heavily on Protection of Information Assets (27%) and IS Operations (23%) — together 50% of the exam. Plan 3–4 months of preparation.
Watch: 100 CISA Terms to Know
Build your vocabulary before diving into practice questions — explained clearly, no fluff.
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