Thanks for showing interest in ISACA and CISA.

Here are the most frequently asked questions, which we hope will clarify most of your doubts. In case you need further details you can log on to "isaca.org", or www.isaca.org.in

Q-1 .Who is eligible to write the CISA Exam?

Any individual who is interested in Information Systems Auditing can
 write the exam. There is no 
pre-requisite qualification or experience requirements to write the
 Exam. The examination is 
open to all individuals who have an interest in the information systems
 auditing, control and security field. All are encouraged to work
 towards and take the examination. 

Q-2. Are there test centers in India?

Yes, there are 17 Test centres in India.

They are 
7501 Chennai
7502 Mumbai
7503 New Delhi
7504 Kolkata
7505 Bangalore
7506 Hyderabad
7507 Coimbatore
7508 Pune
7509 Cochin
7510 Ahmedabad
7512 Nagpur
7513 Jaipur
7514 Aurangabad
7515 Salem
7516 Navi Mumbai
7517 Vijayawada

Q-3. What is the CISA Exam Date and fee?

Ans.The next date for Cisa and Cism are June 14th and December 13th 2008

1.	13 February: Early Registration Deadline

2.      9 April: Final Registration Deadline

3.      14 June: Exam

Q-4. What is the membership fee?

For the Calendar year 2007, International dues for members from India
is US $ 130 plus a one time admission fee of US $ 30. Local Chapter due
is US $ 20. International Dues and duration of Membership 1 June to 6th
August USD 60, Membership upto 31st December 2007 After 6th August
USD 130 Membership upto 31 December 2008

Q-5. Can I write the CISA exam without becoming a member?

Yes. You can write the CISA Exam without becoming a member. However, if
you are not a member you have to pay Registration fees of US $ 120.
Considering the value and benefits of membership, it is worthwhile to
become a member.

Q-6. To whom should I send the money for the CISA exam?

The fee in US dollars favouring ISACA should be sent along with the
registration form directly
to the CISA examination registrar at ISACA, USA.(The address is
mentioned on the exam application). Please send a copy of your application to
the Hyderabad chapter for information.

Q-7. What is the nature of the exam?

The CISA exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions administered
over a continuous
four hour session. There are no parts and a single booklet will be
given covering all the seven
job domains of the CISA Exam. Candidates are expected to apply their
knowledge of IS Audit while answering the questions in CISA Exam. Most of
the questions are focused on practical issues of IS Audit. The exam
tests for minimum level of competence for conducting IS Audit.
The minimum passing score is 450 scaled score out of 800. Isaca uses
and reports scores on a common scale from 200 to 800. A candidate must
get 450 or higher to pass the exam. A score of 450 represents a minimum
consistent standard of knowledge as established by
ISACA’s Cisa Certification Board.

Q-8. How frequently is the exam held?

The exam is held on the second Saturday of June and December every year.

Q-9. Can you give me details and weightage for the job domains?

Check up the isaca website "isaca.org" for detailed syllabus

Q-10. What is the level of exam - undergraduate or graduate?

The exam is considered to be the entry level examination generally
applicable for anyone who
would like to audit computer based information systems. Any Individual
who is thorough
with the fundamentals and practical aspects of the subjects mentioned
above should be able to pass the CISA examination .

Q-11. I understand that the subject may not be tough, but the exam being international may be tough. Can I pass the CISA exam?

The exam is tough because the selection of right choice involves your ability to understand
Information technology, its risks, related security and audit
procedures. Hence, conceptual clarity of the subject and practical orientation
of understanding the situation given and choosing the right answer is important.

Q-12. Can I get the question papers of prior exams?

CISA Exam is a closed exam. Question and Answer papers are not
released. However, enough questions are available for practice and preparation.
The 2006 CISA Review Technical Information Manual is the basic study
material for the course has sample questions at end of each domain.
Further the 2007 CISA Review Questions & Explanations Manual provide useful
reference questions for practice. The ISACA Website has practice
questions which can be answered online at www.isaca.org

Q-13. Is there any coaching available locally?

Yes, local chapters do conduct CISA Review courses. The Classes start
in the last week of January and July for June and December Exams

Q-14. For self-study, what is the best strategy?

If you have an audit background, team up with an IT person and vice
versa. As we said earlier, you need to understand IT and methodology of
Audit. Hence, IT, Audit and IS Audit knowledge is essential pre-requisite
to aid in your study.

Q-15. Are Books available in India?

The only Indian publication available is EDP Auditing by RON WEBER,
priced around Rs.375. Please visit Publications for the latest books
available for sale at ISACA Bookstore. The ISACA Chapters in India do not
stock or sell any of the publications. Candidates have to make their own
arrangements to buy the required publications.

Sample reference books are:
1. Computer Audit, Control and Security by Robert Moeller, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., New York, 1989.
2. Handbook on EDP Auditing by Michael A.Murphy and X.L.Parker, Warren,
Gorham & Lamont, Inc., Boston, Ma.1989.
3. Auditing & EDP objectives questions and explanations, Gleim
publications Inc.Gainesville, FL.

16 How can I earn my CISA Designation

To earn the CISA designation, candidates are required to:

• Successfully complete the CISA Examination
  
• Adhere to the Information Systems Audit and Control
  
• Association's Code of Professional Ethics, which is included in the Candidates Guide to the CISA Examination and provided
  to each registered exam candidate and
• Submit evidence of a minimum of five (5) years of professional IS auditing, control or security work experience.
  Substitution and waivers of such experience may be obtained as
  follows:
  
  • A maximum of one year of IS audit, control or security experience may be substituted for:
    one full year of non-IS audit experience
    one full year of information systems experience
    an associate's degree (60 semester college credits or its equivalent)
    
  • Two years IS audit, control or security experience may
    be substituted for a bachelor's degree (120 semester college credits or
    its equivalent)
    
  • One year of IS audit, control or security experience may be substituted
    for each two years of experience as a full-time university instructor
    in a related field
    (i.e., computer science, accounting, IS auditing). No maximum
    limitation applies (i.e., six years of university instructor experience is equal
    to three years of IS auditing, control or security experience).
    
    

Q-16. I am not designated as an IS Auditor because there is no such designation in our organisation, even though I have some experience relating to IS Auditing. After passing the examination. How do I quality for the title CISA ?

The designation you are currently holding or held is not important. Your experience in at least one of the seven job domains of CISA is relevant for the minimum period specified and it has to be certified by your supervisor at your current place of work, or else you have to get certifications from your previous place of work, and the documentary proof is the letter that is being signed by your supervisor, or ex supervisor, and if you are independent practicing consultant, or in partnership, the partner can certify, and for independent persons, any documentary proof, like letter of offer, or clients letter is required.

Q-17. What are the career prospects on becoming a CISA ?

IS Audit is a nascent profession which is rapidly gaining roots in India. CISA is presently recognised mostly in the banking sector. In private sector, it is the multi-national firms and Big Audit firms who recruit CISA's for doing IS Audit. In addition, many CISA's from India are working in the gulf. Job Opportunities

Q-18. Can I test myself and know what type of questions appear in the CISA Exam?

Sample questions for Online Test at "isaca.org". You can answer online and get the results immediately.

any further doubts please do contact us.

You can contact V.V.Leeladhar at 98490 70801