j-j.co.za

Please note these are all my own opinions and comments, based on my experiences and results. This is not an official ISACA post in any way.

There is not a lot of information available on ISACA exam scores and what would constitute a “good” score. After I received my exam results from the most recent CISA exam (and before receiving confirmation of a placing), I thought I had done quite well and wanted an idea of just how good a score this was. I looked around and really couldn’t find much.

Many years ago ISACA used to score their exams with a simple percentage score. 75 was required to pass the exam. A number of years ago they switched to a new system, where the results are provided on a scaled score with the maximum score of 800. A scaled score of 450 or higher is required to pass, which represents the minimum consistent standard of knowledge as established by ISACA’s Exam Certification Committee (there is one for each qualification). The score represents a conversion of individually weighted raw scores based on a common scale. As such you cannot  apply a simple arithmetic mean to convert area scores to your total scaled score. (Wording from various ISACA sources).

A comment on one site that a score of over 700 was a tremendous achievement was the best I could see.  I had written two other ISACA exams over the last few years so went back and looked at those scores and I could see I had done quite a bit better this time, although I had done well in those exams too.

So for those interested, I publish my results from the last three exams.  The information below is edited from results emails received from ISACA after each of the exams in question. I am fairly sure that a “good” score would be exam dependent and vary from exam to exam and year to year. Nonetheless, take this for what it is, set yourself a lofty goal, and good luck with your studies towards achieving one of ISACA’s globally recognised and universally accepted qualifications in the space of Risk, Security, Governance and Compliance.

If you happen to be based in Durban and are planning to write the CISA exam (or one of the others), we are hosting a facilitated study group at the ITSec offices in Durban. This is a no-cost endeavour for the good of the community. Come along and join us. We had a planning session last night and will be meeting weekly from next Tuesday. Studying with a diverse bunch of your peers is a whole lot better than doing it alone. More details here : ITSec facilitated study group.

Justin J Williams

CA(SA), CISSP, MBA (UKZN), CISA(pend), CGEIT(pend),CRISC(pend)

Director, ITSec.

 

Exam Results : December 2014 CISA exam

We are pleased to inform you that you successfully PASSED the exam with a total scaled score of 727.Your score was in the top 5 percent of those testing. For your information, your exam results by area are provided below.

SCALED SCORES OF YOUR PERFORMANCE BY AREA:

• The Process of Auditing Information Systems: 800
• Governance and Management of IT: 714
• Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation: 767
• Information Systems Operations, Maintenance and Support: 615
• Protection of Information Assets: 759

This score of 727 was ranked 1st in the World for the December 2014 CISA exam. 

As an aside, this is not the first time I had written the ISACA exam. I wrote and passed it back in 1996 with a score of 83% under the old scoring system. Why would I write it again? A little “oopsie” with CPE credits along the way meant I lost the certification at some point. Based on a new position I took late last year my new employer asked me to write the exam again.

Exam Results : June 2013 CGEIT exam

We are pleased to inform you that you successfully PASSED the exam with a total scaled score of 644.Your score was in the top 5 percent of those testing. For your information, your exam results by area are provided below.

SCALED SCORES OF YOUR PERFORMANCE BY AREA:

•  Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT: 722
• Strategic Management: 702
• Benefits Realization: 615
• Risk Optimization: 598
• Resource Optimization: 540

This score of 644 was ranked 1st in South Africa for the June 2013 CGEIT exam. 

 

Exam Results: December 2012 CRISC exam

We are pleased to inform you that you successfully PASSED the exam with a total scaled score of 634. For your information, your exam results by area are provided below.
SCALED SCORES OF YOUR PERFORMANCE BY AREA:

• Risk Identification, Assessment and Evaluation: 534
• Risk Response: 688
• Risk Monitoring: 650
• Information Systems Control Design and Implementation: 650
• Information Systems Control Monitoring and Maintenance: 727

Again, congratulations on passing the CRISC exam, we look forward to having you join the more than 16,000 professionals worldwide who have earned the CRISC credential.

This score of 634 was ranked 3rd in South Africa for the December 2012 CRISC exam.