Hear me out, certification candidates. Exam-tackling experiences differ among people, so there is no one-size-fits-all kind of solution. However, sharing experiences among professionals is always good because there are similarities in study styles and exam-tackling strategies that have proven to be successful. Below, I dare to share my five strategies for tackling ISACA certification exams in one shot because I believe candidates can learn from it.
Understand the Nature of ISACA Exams
The first step I took when I prepared for ISACA’s rigorous certification exam (I am CRISC-certified) was to analyze the structure and objectives of the course and the exam. What I found was that ISACA exams are tough and tricky. As multiple-choice assessments, the exams may appear straightforward at first glance, but that is not the full reality – the exam design aims to evaluate your mastery of the subject matter. Do not be surprised when you know each answer option provides only a partial solution, requiring you to eliminate all but the most accurate and complete response among subtly nuanced alternatives. Phrasings like "THE BEST," "THE LEAST," and "THE MOST" that you find in the exam test your analytical abilities.
For tricky exams like these, the preparation strategy that I would suggest best is to internalize the learning objectives and fundamental concepts covered in each knowledge domain of the course rather than focusing solely on memorization. With a comprehensive grasp of the overarching goals and topics of the course, you can effectively tackle any question formulation or contextual twist. I believe the difficulty of ISACA’s exams stems from their intent to ascertain applied understanding over superficial familiarity. Study to gain profound insight into the aim of the course so you can feel confident in your ability to demonstrate proficiency, regardless of question structure or wording.
Select Your Study Resources Smartly
Plenty of exam prep materials are available on the internet that promise to make you “the master” of the topics and help you ace the exam even without much effort. However, I dare to say that many of those materials are a waste of time.
Remain focused. I can’t emphasize this enough – do not overwhelm yourself with excessive materials. Restricting yourself to the source reference materials from ISACA itself is sufficient. By the time I was studying, my motto was “Less is more.” Rather than wasting my time while shifting between materials, I stuck with the study and exam guides provided by ISACA. Those are the authentic resources and the single source of truth, so sticking with them pays off.
Many external materials are just derivatives of the ISACA official resources and some are redundancy of effort. Also, they may expose you to errors and incorrect interpretations of the concepts. If you want to expand your mix of reference materials, visit ISACA’s resource center – they also provide exam practice questions and online learning.
Know Your Study Style and Strategize Accordingly
Knowing your study style is essential for developing effective study strategies. When you become conscious of your preferred learning styles, you can tailor your techniques and maximize your learning potential. If you are a highly visual learner like I am, for example, you likely want to visualize the concepts and get them organized and structured in a certain way. I used to make mindmaps and rewrite some of the ideas in my own words to ensure that I imprinted them in my mind sufficiently so I could visualize them.
If you are an auditory kind of learner, on the other hand, you may prefer to discuss the course concepts with peer candidates or be inclined to listen to recorded materials. I found that ISACA has sufficient resource options to fit each learning style. So, if you are an auditory learner, you can leverage ISACA’s online learning and their related webinars.
Work Smarter – Leverage Online Communities
Value working smart by sharing with other professionals instead of working hard alone. Leverage online professional communities by networking, exchanging ideas and discussions, breaking down tough concepts and resource sharing. In my experience, I joined ISACA’s Engage community and a few additional professional communities I found on LinkedIn. One great benefit of doing this was that it boosted my confidence. For example, I gained a massive level of understanding of the toughest concepts from the mock Q&A community on Engage. I found community exchanges to be a smart way of acquiring knowledge from experienced minds.
Be Receptive – Do Not Confine Yourself to Specific Office Scenarios
You may get confused if you try to enclose and confine some of the concepts discussed in the course material into a specific context you experienced at the workplace. For example, the way your organization manages risk may not be a sufficient example of the standard risk management practice referenced in the course material.
I am not saying the way we work back at the office is always wrong, but customized scenarios may not match apple-to-apple with the standard frameworks referenced in the course. So, be open and receptive to comprehending the domains and concepts you never experienced at your workplace. After all, one of the ultimate benefits of taking standard certification courses like these is implementing what is learned and fixing the missing pieces at the workplace.