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Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control Exam Guide

A comprehensive 8-week study plan to help you prepare for the ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control certification exam.

Exam Information

240 minutes

Duration

150 questions

Questions

450/800

Passing Score

$575 USD (members) / $760 USD (non-members)

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Corporate IT Governance Part 1

Domain 1: Corporate IT Governance (26%)

12-15 hours

IT governance frameworks and organizational strategy alignment
Risk appetite, risk tolerance, and risk capacity definitions
Three lines of defense model
Board and executive management oversight responsibilities

Recommended Resources:

CRISC Review Manual

COBIT Framework

Week 2

Corporate IT Governance Part 2

Domain 1: Corporate IT Governance (26%)

10-12 hours

Risk culture and organizational behavior
IT risk management policy development
Governance maturity models
Regulatory and compliance requirements

Recommended Resources:

ISACA Materials

ISO 31000

Week 3

IT Risk Assessment Part 1

Domain 2: IT Risk Assessment (27%)

14-16 hours

Risk identification methodologies and techniques
Threat and vulnerability assessment processes
IT asset valuation and classification
Risk scenario development and analysis

Recommended Resources:

Risk Management Guides

NIST SP 800-30

Week 4

IT Risk Assessment Part 2

Domain 2: IT Risk Assessment (27%)

12-14 hours

Quantitative and qualitative risk analysis methods
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Risk register management and maintenance
Emerging and evolving risk identification

Recommended Resources:

BIA Templates

Risk Register Examples

Week 5

Risk Response and Reporting Part 1

Domain 3: Risk Response and Reporting (23%)

12-14 hours

Risk response options: mitigate, transfer, avoid, accept
Control design, implementation, and monitoring
Key Risk Indicator (KRI) development
Control effectiveness evaluation

Recommended Resources:

Control Frameworks

KRI Best Practices

Week 6

Risk Response and Reporting Part 2

Domain 3: Risk Response and Reporting (23%)

10-12 hours

Risk reporting to various stakeholders
Risk dashboards and heat maps
Risk acceptance documentation and approval
Continuous risk monitoring processes

Recommended Resources:

Reporting Templates

Dashboard Examples

Week 7

Information Technology and Security

Domain 4: Information Technology and Security (24%)

14-16 hours

Security architecture and defense in depth
Identity and access management
Cloud security and shared responsibility
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning

Recommended Resources:

Security Architecture Guides

NIST CSF

Week 8

Review and Practice Exams

All Domains - Final Review

20-25 hours

Full-length practice exams (60 questions each)
Review weak areas identified in practice tests
Scenario-based question practice
Exam day preparation and time management strategies

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Quick Reference Guides

Exam Tips & Strategies

Think Like a Risk Manager

CRISC tests your ability to identify and manage IT risk from a governance perspective. Focus on risk assessment, response selection, and stakeholder communication rather than technical controls.

Manage Your Time

With 150 questions in 240 minutes, you have about 1.6 minutes per question. Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones.

Understand Domain Weights

Domains 1 (Governance, 26%) and 2 (Risk Assessment, 27%) together account for 53% of the exam. Ensure strong preparation in these areas while covering all domains.

Master Scenario Questions

Many questions present real-world risk scenarios. Focus on choosing the BEST risk response, the FIRST action to take, or the MOST important consideration for risk management.

Key Topics to Master

IT Governance Frameworks

Risk Appetite & Tolerance

Three Lines of Defense

Risk Scenario Development

Quantitative Risk Analysis

Qualitative Risk Analysis

Business Impact Analysis

Risk Response Options

Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)

Risk Reporting & Dashboards

Security Architecture

Cloud Security Models

Identity & Access Management

Business Continuity Planning

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide

Back to CRISC

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control Exam Guide

A comprehensive 8-week study plan to help you prepare for the ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control certification exam.

Exam Information

240 minutes

Duration

150 questions

Questions

450/800

Passing Score

$575 USD (members) / $760 USD (non-members)

Exam Cost

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1

Corporate IT Governance Part 1

Domain 1: Corporate IT Governance (26%)

12-15 hours

IT governance frameworks and organizational strategy alignment
Risk appetite, risk tolerance, and risk capacity definitions
Three lines of defense model
Board and executive management oversight responsibilities

Recommended Resources:

CRISC Review Manual

COBIT Framework

Week 2

Corporate IT Governance Part 2

Domain 1: Corporate IT Governance (26%)

10-12 hours

Risk culture and organizational behavior
IT risk management policy development
Governance maturity models
Regulatory and compliance requirements

Recommended Resources:

ISACA Materials

ISO 31000

Week 3

IT Risk Assessment Part 1

Domain 2: IT Risk Assessment (27%)

14-16 hours

Risk identification methodologies and techniques
Threat and vulnerability assessment processes
IT asset valuation and classification
Risk scenario development and analysis

Recommended Resources:

Risk Management Guides

NIST SP 800-30

Week 4

IT Risk Assessment Part 2

Domain 2: IT Risk Assessment (27%)

12-14 hours

Quantitative and qualitative risk analysis methods
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Risk register management and maintenance
Emerging and evolving risk identification

Recommended Resources:

BIA Templates

Risk Register Examples

Week 5

Risk Response and Reporting Part 1

Domain 3: Risk Response and Reporting (23%)

12-14 hours

Risk response options: mitigate, transfer, avoid, accept
Control design, implementation, and monitoring
Key Risk Indicator (KRI) development
Control effectiveness evaluation

Recommended Resources:

Control Frameworks

KRI Best Practices

Week 6

Risk Response and Reporting Part 2

Domain 3: Risk Response and Reporting (23%)

10-12 hours

Risk reporting to various stakeholders
Risk dashboards and heat maps
Risk acceptance documentation and approval
Continuous risk monitoring processes

Recommended Resources:

Reporting Templates

Dashboard Examples

Week 7

Information Technology and Security

Domain 4: Information Technology and Security (24%)

14-16 hours

Security architecture and defense in depth
Identity and access management
Cloud security and shared responsibility
Business continuity and disaster recovery planning

Recommended Resources:

Security Architecture Guides

NIST CSF

Week 8

Review and Practice Exams

All Domains - Final Review

20-25 hours

Full-length practice exams (60 questions each)
Review weak areas identified in practice tests
Scenario-based question practice
Exam day preparation and time management strategies

Recommended Resources:

Practice Exams

Quick Reference Guides

Exam Tips & Strategies

Think Like a Risk Manager

CRISC tests your ability to identify and manage IT risk from a governance perspective. Focus on risk assessment, response selection, and stakeholder communication rather than technical controls.

Manage Your Time

With 150 questions in 240 minutes, you have about 1.6 minutes per question. Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones.

Understand Domain Weights

Domains 1 (Governance, 26%) and 2 (Risk Assessment, 27%) together account for 53% of the exam. Ensure strong preparation in these areas while covering all domains.

Master Scenario Questions

Many questions present real-world risk scenarios. Focus on choosing the BEST risk response, the FIRST action to take, or the MOST important consideration for risk management.

Key Topics to Master

IT Governance Frameworks

Risk Appetite & Tolerance

Three Lines of Defense

Risk Scenario Development

Quantitative Risk Analysis

Qualitative Risk Analysis

Business Impact Analysis

Risk Response Options

Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)

Risk Reporting & Dashboards

Security Architecture

Cloud Security Models

Identity & Access Management

Business Continuity Planning

For the most up-to-date exam information, visit the official exam guide.

View Official Exam Guide