Validates knowledge of IT auditing, covering audit processes, IT governance, systems development, operations, resilience and information asset protection.
A good CISA course teaches the five domains in ISACA's terms and builds the judgment to choose the best answer in audit scenarios. We compared the main options on coverage of the August 2024 outline, depth, practice questions and price.
Most people should start with Hemang Doshi's Udemy course, which follows the five domains in about 23 hours. Choose ISACA's online review course when an employer pays, the Review Manual as the official reference and Packt's guide if the manual feels too dry.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 CISA Online Review Course | Employer-funded study | Interactive | $895 |
| CISA Review Manual, 28th edition | Official reference | Book | $139 |
 Masterclass - CISA Exam | Video course | Video | $20 |
 CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide, 3rd edition | Shorter study guide | Book | $40 |
ISACA's own self-paced course of about 22 hours, with more than 40 modules of video, interactive lessons and flashcards, and a 75-question practice exam. Completing it earns 26.5 CPE. It is the only course here from the exam's owner.
Great fit if you want official guided instruction
Poor fit if you are paying yourself; choose Hemang Doshi's course
ISACA's official reference for the five domains, with self-assessment questions and explanations in each chapter. It teaches by reference rather than lectures, so you read it and look up concepts as you practise.
Great fit if you want the complete reference to look up concepts as you practice
Poor fit if you want an easy first read; choose Doshi's course or Packt's guide
About 23 hours across 243 lectures that follow the five domains, with short practice-question sets after each topic. Hemang Doshi updated it for the current outline. Udemy's 30-day refund applies.
Great fit if you want a video course that teaches the domains before you start question practice
Poor fit if you want ISACA's official course; choose the ISACA review course
Hemang Doshi's 356-page study guide, aligned with the 2024 Review Manual and much shorter than ISACA's own text. It comes with 1,000+ online practice questions and flashcards.
Great fit if you find the official manual too dry
Poor fit if you want video lessons or ISACA's own wording; choose Doshi's course or the Review Manual
For most people, Hemang Doshi's Udemy course plus a question bank. ISACA's own review course is the official option when an employer pays.
No. ISACA's course is one option. Doshi's course, the Review Manual or Packt's guide cover the same five domains.
ISACA's course is about 22 hours and Doshi's is about 23 hours. Plan for about 120 hours of preparation in total, between 90 and 150.
All four options here cover the August 2024 outline that the current exam uses.