CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
ISACA makes available a variety of study products specifically designed to assist
candidates in preparing for the CISA exam. The primary product for this purpose is the
CISA Review Manual which is updated annually. In order to encourage and assist ISACA
chapters to offer local CISA exam preparation courses, ISACA and its Conference and
Education Board develop CISA review study materials for CISA Coordinators to utilize in
the planning and development of chapter review courses or study groups. The materials
are based on the content in the most current CISA Review Manual.
This CISA Chapter Review Course Training Guide is intended to assist CISA Coordinators
in understanding how to use the study materials to develop chapter review courses and
to provide guidelines for instructors who are facilitating the course.
The CISA Chapter Review Course Training Guide includes:
Tips for Planning Your Chapter’s CISA Review Course........................................................ 2
CISA Review Course Trainer Criteria................................................................................... 2
CISA Chapter Review Course Guidelines ............................................................................ 3
Materials for CISA Review Course Development............................................................ 3
Suggested Course Duration ............................................................................................ 4
Intended Use................................................................................................................... 4
Review Course Preparation ................................................................................................ 5
Course Outline ................................................................................................................ 5
First Review Session........................................................................................................ 6
Review Session Guidelines / Suggestions for Trainers ................................................... 6
Review Course Best Practices ......................................................................................... 7
Final Review Course Session ........................................................................................... 7
1
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
Tips for Planning Your Chapter’s CISA Review Course
Begin planning your CISA Review Course for your chapter by following these steps:
• Contact CISA candidates in your area who intend to take the exam in the upcoming
administration. Assess their study needs:
o Topics to be covered – are there any parts of the exam that need greater
emphasis?
o Timing – how many review sessions and how long should each session last?
o Site – where should the review course take place?
o Instructor(s) – what criteria should I use to select a trainer(s)
CISA Review Course Trainer Criteria
A qualified trainer is instrumental in a chapter’s ability to run a successful CISA Review
Course. It is highly recommended that the following suggested criteria for trainer
selection be followed:
General Requirements: Trainer is an ISACA member and can provide evidence to
demonstrate:
• a high‐level of previous training experience
• superior ratings at presentations on related subjects
Course Specific Requirements: Trainer warrants and can provide evidence to
demonstrate:
a. Technical experience (e.g. biographical information), credentials (e.g., CISA) and
knowledge commensurate with the specific content within the Course being
taught.
b. Knowledge of the learning objectives, timed outline, use of materials and
presentation format.
c. Ability to teach the Course in a qualitative manner. Trainer warrants that he/she
is qualified to teach the Course and has a sufficient level of familiarity with the
subject matter and material to deliver the Course at a level of quality (4.0 or
better on a 5 (high) point scale) acceptable to ISACA.
2
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
CISA Chapter Review Course Guidelines
Materials for CISA Review Course Development
In addition to the CISA Chapter Review Course Training Guide, the following files are
available for download from the Chapter/Leader protected area of ISACA’s web site. If
you need assistance accessing this area please contact the Membership Department at
membership@[Link].
Ch1‐2011 [Link] Chapter 1 – The Process of Auditing Information Systems
Ch2‐2011 [Link] Chapter 2 – IT Governance and Management of IT
Ch3‐2011 [Link] Chapter 3 – Information Systems Acquisition, Development
and Implementation
Ch4‐[Link] Chapter 4 – Information Systems Operations, Maintenance and
Support
Ch5‐2011 [Link] Chapter 5 – Protection of Information Assets
The CISA review materials closely follow the CISA Review Manual. Therefore, it is
recommended that each chapter obtain and provide a copy of the CISA Review Manual
to each Course trainer to prepare for the specific part of the course that they will be
responsible to instruct. To assist you with your CISA chapter review course, ISACA can
provide you with one complimentary CISA manual annually. To request your
complimentary manual, please send an email request to certification@[Link].
It is also recommended that each CISA candidate attending the chapter’s CISA Review
Course obtain a copy of the CISA Review Manual to be able to follow along with the
material in the Course and to obtain full benefit from the Course.
Copies of the CISA Review Manual are available from the ISACA’s Bookstore. A single
purchase order of 20 or more receives a 20% discount. Also, Chapters can be invoiced
with a written request signed by the president, vice president, treasurer or secretary. All
orders must specify a shipping address (no P.O. Boxes) and an invoicing address. For
more information or to place an order, please contact the ISACA bookstore by phone at
+1.847.660.5650, fax at +1.847.253.1443, or by e‐mail at bookstore@[Link].
3
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
Suggested Course Duration
The following minimum times are suggested for each chapter (domain). These times
include the lecture and discussion components of the course. However, the actual time
to present each chapter will differ depending on the knowledge of the trainer, the depth
of coverage intended and the number of students in the class. Additional time will be
required if the course also includes a more detailed presentation of sample questions
and answers and/or mock exams.
Chapter 1: The Process of Auditing Information Systems 4 Hours
Chapter 2: IT Governance and Management of IT 6 Hours
Chapter 3: Information Systems Acquisition, 6 Hours
Development and Implementation
Chapter 4: Information Systems Operations, 6 Hours
Maintenance and Support
Chapter 5: Protection of Information Assets 6 Hours
Intended Use
These course materials are copyrighted by ISACA and are intended for use by ISACA
chapters only. No part of the course materials may be reproduced in any form, with the
exception of handouts given to Course participants, without the written permission of
ISACA.
4
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
Review Course Preparation
Course Outline
• Develop a course outline that includes:
o Final selection of exam topics to be reviewed in the course
o Review course time, date and location
• Identify and secure trainers for each topic
o If possible and preferred, identify and secure trainers for specific topics
Check with chapter leaders for trainer suggestions
• Create discussion questions to use as a follow up to the
presentation
Utilize podcasts and webcasts if “live presentations” are not an option
• Create discussion questions to use as a follow up to the web
or pod cast
• Notify all exam candidates of the Course via email, web site, newsletter, and phone
or at chapter meetings/activities. Clearly communicate the scope of the Course, the
learning objectives and the type of review activities to be included in the Course.
• Prepare handouts and other training materials
o Utilize the PowerPoint files developed for each CISA Review Manual chapter
Download the PowerPoint files from the Chapter/Leader section of the
ISACA web site.
The PowerPoint files provided are intended to be used as a guide for
the development of the Course. Modify the slides to reflect the
individual trainer’s applicable real world experiences, case studies and
illustrations that will personalize the Course and enhance the learning
experience for participants.
5
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
First Review Session
• Open the review session by introducing participants. Learn about the individuals in
the group by asking questions or using an “icebreaker”. Icebreakers are structured
activities that are designed to relax learners, introduce them to each other and
energize the participants. Icebreakers are not normally related to the subject
matter, where as "openers" are related to the subject matter that is to be discussed.
For suggested icebreakers:
o [Link]
o [Link]
[Link]
• Exchange email/contact information among participants to encourage dialog
between participants outside of the formal review session.
• Provide an agenda to participants of what topics will be covered in each review
session, assignments for each review session and any applicable due dates. This
helps participants stay on track and communicates course expectations.
• Distribute handouts to participants. Please Note: The Instructor Notes pages
included in the PowerPoint files are NOT to be distributed to participants.
Review Session Guidelines / Suggestions for Trainers
• Review all of the PowerPoint slides including the Notes pages before presenting the
material.
• Do not read directly from the Slides or Notes, except where directed.
• The Notes to Instructor (on the slide’s Notes page) provide guidance on how to
present the material or mention relevant exam information.
• The Notes are included to help clarify a subject or provide more detail. Please do not
read these verbatim, as they often come directly from the CISA Review Manual.
• Use the sample questions provided in the course. Discuss each question and
correct/incorrect answer with class participants.
• Compile discussion questions to facilitate sharing of ideas and retention of
information.
• Consider group or individual hand‐in assignments to ensure that participants
integrate, synthesize and apply the information that has been discussed.
• Diversify and pace Course activities and avoid long lectures. Intersperse content
presentations with discussions and student‐centered exercises.
• Engage the participants:
o Develop activities to incorporate into curriculum
Q and A sessions
Breakout sessions
Projects/assignments
Short quizzes – groups, online, paper
6
CISA Chapter Review Course
Training Guide
Review Course Best Practices
• Adult Learning Theory – Briefly discuss the ways adults learn, and the conditions
necessary for people to learn well.
• Student Motivation – There are many theories about what motivates a student to
learn. Discuss different theories and emphasize the importance of ensuring the
instructor motivates his/her students.
• Classroom Communications – Discuss the communication process: verbal, non‐
verbal, oral questions, eye contact, rate of speech, listening skills, facial expressions,
posture, appropriate dress, inappropriate dress, movement in front of the room,
attitudes and humor.
• Visual Aids – Techniques for effectively using a chalkboard/whiteboard, guidelines
for text size when writing on a board, use of color for emphasis rather than realism,
importance of keeping the board clean, importance of NOT standing in front of the
board/projected media, etc.
Final Review Course Session
• Course Evaluations: End of course evaluations should be provided to allow
participants to provide course and trainer feedback. Use this feedback to improve
the course the next time it is offered and/or to guide the trainer in future
presentations.
• Certificates of Completion: Offer a personalized Certificate of Completion.
Certificates provide evidence of course completion and often are a proud display of
accomplishment.