Can you do the current CISA with the 2009 books?

Paul Boz

I've got the 2009 study material for the CISA but I understand the 2010 material has been released. My co worker accomplished the 2009 CISA using 2006 books and he said it was pretty difficult as a result. I understand that three years is a long time and was really hoping that the difference between 2009 and 2010 wouldn't be too big. If I have to buy 2010 material I will, but free is the best price as far as I'm concerned, and that's what I've paid for my 2009 materials.

Thanks for any help.

down77

You should be fine with the 2009 material for an attempt in 2010, especially with your current background/knowledge of information security principals, practices, and procedures. Out of curiosity, Which of the 2009 study materials did you end up purchasing? I have the Gregory CISA AIO guide, material from my CoBIT/ITIL foundations course(s), and IEC/ISO 27000 series pdf documents that I have been/will be using towards the GIAC G7799 attempt around November 2010. If all goes well I may end up sitting the CISA in December.

Paul Boz

I've got the ISACA book and practice questions. I have to sit it in December now, as there are no dates between then and now. That royally sucks because I can't take the CISSP until September because that's the next time its in New Orleans. I was really hoping to be able to knock out the CISA in the time between.

down77

That could be rough! But thankfully there is some overlap in the material. Have you looked into traveling to take the CISSP exam? I ended up having to drive 4hrs away to take the test since the local offering was canceled multiple times. Thankfully the CISA exam will only be 5 miles from my house.

I almost picked up the ISACA book but decided instead to just get the practice questions to save a little money. I'm also looking into a student membership with ISACA since its only $25 and would make the exam a little cheaper; which helps since all studies/training comes out of pocket.

Paul Boz

I considered traveling for the CISSP but I actually travel for work two to three weeks every month. I've already got 40+ nights in Hilton hotels this year so being able to take the CISSP in New Orleans, only one hour away from my house in Baton Rouge, would be ideal. I don't want to travel more than I have to.

I got the ISACA books because my co worker who has the CISA said that basically if its in those books its on the test, and if its on the test its in the book. It was the only resource he used and he did well on it so that's good enough for me.

dynamik

You should check Houston dates for the CISSP if you don't want to wait that long. I could play chauffeur.

Paul Boz

Good call. You can drive the free rental car and we'll make a weekend out of it.

down77

It looks like this year would be a good time to complete the CISA:

Please note: 2010 is the last year that the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) examination will cover the current CISA job practice. The 2011 exam will be revised to reflect the results of a new job practice study which is undertaken every 5 years. ISACA and PES Conduct CISA Job Practice Analysis to Reflect IT Auditors’ Evolving Responsibilities.

I'm signing up for the December 2010 attempt since I am traveling almost the entire month of June.

dynamik

We actually ended up getting the 2010 material. The material is dryer than anything else I've worked with. I only have a little over two weeks to get this stuff down, and I can barely manage a couple of dozen pages per day. I'll probably end up retaking this in December

down77

I'm still trying to talk work into purchasing the 2010 material so that I don't have to go out of pocket for it, in the meantime I've been going over the CISA AIO. I agree the reading is dry and takes a bit of caffeine to get through, but it could be much much worse! You'll ace the June attempt

down77

Dynamik,

Did you end up sitting the June attempt or push it back to Dec?

dynamik

Waiting on June 12th results (they said it will be another 4-6 weeks last week). I am not at all optimistic.

eMeS

dynamik wrote: »

Waiting on June 12th results (they said it will be another 4-6 weeks last week). I am not at all optimistic.

As I remember it took exactly 6 weeks for the results.

MS

down77

I'll be saying a little prayer for you.... going over the material now for the December attempt.

dynamik

down77 wrote: »

I'll be saying a little prayer for you.... going over the material now for the December attempt.

That sounds like a better strategy than my ~10 days. The official guide isn't even readable IMO. It's just hundreds of pages of bullet points. I got much more out the Q&A manual. However, it wasn't very representative of the exam I got. Not only in terms of content but also phrasing and style. I'm not sure if I'd even bother retaking it, but if I do, I'd add in a third-party book that actually takes the time to explain things.

down77

That is some great feedback! I'm still planning to use the AIO so lets hope that it is a better manual.

now the real question, how much drinking was required after the exam?

dynamik

A lot. ISACA had a get-together with complementary drinks and appetizers at a Mexican restaurant the following Tuesday, so I made sure to go and get fairly compensated for that awful exam

The people in my local ISACA chapter (Baton Rouge) are really cool. I'm sure it varies by chapter, but I had a great time and have started attending their events regularly.