Source
r/CISA•
seruko

Preliminary Pass 2019-02-21

Preliminary Pass today, although it was a bit of a technical horror show at the facility I took the test.
I did not get a print out with the preliminary pass, instead I just got a screen with the info on it.
How quickly are people getting the "offical email?" I know they say "within 10 business days" but is that a real thing? It took 24 hours for me to get the CISSP email notification. Also what about the certification process?
After I fill out the work history information and send it in what is a realistic turnaround to being officially certified? Does anyone know when you're allowed to officially claim certification?

Posted Feb 22, 2019, 12:48 AM UTC

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DSLevantine•

The "within 10 business days" is real, I just passed the exam 2 months ago.

2
serukoOP•

Have you gotten your application in/approved? 10 Business Day seems like forever for an electronic test.

1
Elyas10•

What were you scoring on the official database before taking the test? How did those questions translate over to the real test?

1
serukoOP•

My story -> Passed the CISSP 14 days before in 100 questions. In the QAE I was scoring ~70%. The QAE questions are very good study material for the test like others have said, including ISACA. The test is 150 questions, and you have 4 hours.
Minimum passing score is 450 out of 800 (56% +1 question).
I think you could probably walk out of the CISSP after having passed it and walk directly into a CISA testing center and get a minimum passing score.

http://www.isaca.org/Certification/Documents/Candidates-Guide-2018_exp_Eng_0518.PDF

I took it on a computer YMMV. Most important advice for passing the CISA: Your perspective is that of an external impartial security auditor - You're not there to facilitate business process but to evaluate security practices.
Key Points. Understand Governance, Understand the concepts around Audit impartiality, Never forget you're there to evaluate secure practices not business practices.

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Elyas10•

Thanks you! I plan on going right after the CISSP after this. We'll see what happens tomorrow

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serukoOP•

Do well on your CISSP and you're essentially guaranteed to pass the CISA 80% of the material is very similar. The hardest thing to unlearn is that for the CISSP business needs drives security, and for the CISA you're a security auditor performing an external independent audit (an unfriendly audit) so you hammer them on those security issues.

Get the ISACA membership, buy access to the question database, hit up the questions hard over 1-2 weeks and you'll be plenty ready.

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Elyas10•

So I'm going the other way around haha I am taking the CISA test tomorrow, then I'll start prep for CISSP. I am working as a security auditor so it made more sense for me to get CISA first specially because I don't have the experience requirements yet

2