The COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam is the first step toward key roles in GRC and IT Governance. With a focus on the ideas, principles, and procedures for establishing, improving, and maintaining a corporate information technology governance and management system. Therefore, when preparing for the exam it is critical to have the appropriate study materials, preparation, and methodologies in order to build this knowledge foundation. This will not only make the exam easier but will also develop a step-by-step plan for achieving your objective.
In order to get clarity about the COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam, we will cover all the study ways, exam requirements, and steps to pass the exam.
COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam: Overview
COBIT® gives you the direction and tools for creating and maintaining a best-fit governance structure that complies with important industry standards, guidelines, and laws. Exam tests the understanding of the COBIT 2019 framework, which is used to govern and manage enterprise information and technology (I&T). The certification is aimed at individuals who are involved in the governance and management of I&T, such as IT professionals, business managers, and internal auditors.
However, with the COBIT 2019 Foundation Certification exam you will get understanding in:
- Firstly, how to use technologies intended for providing governance a broader view and practitioners more freedom to connect IT goals with strategic business objectives.
- Secondly, in the process of developing a mature partnership between the business and IT, evaluating the value generated from IT, the resources necessary, and the risks that may arise.
- Lastly, the benefits of each form of IT governance framework, such as ITIL, NIST, and others, as well as how they function.
Further, the exam will assess your knowledge of the topics such as Governance System and Components, Governance and Management Objectives, and Performance Management. And, those who pass the COBIT 2019 Foundation exam will be awarded the COBIT 2019 Foundation Certificate. Passing this exam will help you get the IT job roles that would best benefit:
- Senior Manager
- Business Manager
- IT Manager
- Assurance Providers
- Risk Management
- Regulator
- GRC Manager
- Consultant
- Solutions Architect
- Program Manager
- Security and Compliance Advisors
COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam Format:
The COBIT 2019 Foundation test will consist of 75 multiple-choice questions, with a time limit of two hours (120 minutes) to finish the exam. Each multiple-choice question includes three possible answers, but only one is accurate. The exam must be passed with a score of at least 65 percent. At a cost of $175, the exam is available in English, Chinese Simplified, Japanese, and Spanish.
Key terms to focus
Here are some key terms that may appear in the COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam glossary:
- Governance: The system by which an organization is directed, controlled, and held accountable to achieve its objectives.
- Management: The act of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling an organization’s resources in order to achieve its objectives.
- Framework: A set of standards, guidelines, and best practices that provide a common language and approach for managing and governing IT.
- COBIT: Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology, a framework for the governance and management of enterprise IT.
- IT: Information Technology, the use of computers and software to process, store, retrieve, and transmit data.
- Process: A set of interrelated activities that transforms inputs into outputs.
- Control: The policies, procedures, practices, and organizational structures that ensure the achievement of objectives.
- Risk: The potential for loss, damage, or harm to an organization’s assets or interests.
- Governance objective: A statement of the desired outcome or result that an organization wants to achieve through the governance of IT.
- Management objective: A statement of the desired outcome or result that an organization wants to achieve through the management of IT.
- Maturity: A measure of the extent to which an organization’s processes are optimized, repeatable, and consistent.
- Capability: A measure of an organization’s ability to perform a specific activity or function.
- Information: Data that has been organized and processed in order to provide meaning and value.
- Confidentiality: The protection of sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure.
- Integrity: The protection of information from unauthorized modification or destruction.
- Availability: The assurance that information and services are available when needed.
- Alignment: The degree to which IT objectives are aligned with the business objectives of an organization.
- Compliance: The adherence to laws, regulations, and standards that govern an organization’s operations.
- Assurance: The confidence that an organization’s IT processes and controls are operating effectively.
- Audit: A systematic examination of an organization’s IT processes and controls to determine whether they are operating effectively and efficiently.
Is COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam difficult?
The difficulty of the COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam will depend on the individual’s level of knowledge and experience in the area of IT governance and management. However, the exam is designed to test a candidate’s understanding of the COBIT 2019 framework and its key components, including the principles, governance, and management objectives, enablers, and implementation guidance.
The exam covers the basic concepts and principles of the COBIT framework, and it is important for candidates to have a good understanding of these concepts in order to pass the exam. It is also helpful to have some prior experience in the governance and management of I&T, as well as familiarity with the vocabulary and terminology used in the COBIT framework.
It is recommended that candidates prepare for the exam by studying the COBIT 2019 manual and familiarizing themselves with the framework and its applications. In addition, practice exams and sample questions can be useful in gauging one’s understanding of the material and identifying areas where additional study may be necessary.
Overall, the COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam is not considered to be extremely difficult, but it does require preparation and a solid understanding of the framework.
While some candidates may find the exam challenging, others may find it manageable with adequate preparation and study. It is recommended that candidates review the COBIT 2019 framework, study materials, and practice questions to increase their chances of passing the exam. Additionally, candidates with experience in IT governance and management may find the exam easier to pass.
Further, to get more advantages for the COBIT 2019 Foundation exam, below we will cover the exam topics and training methods to level up your preparation.
1. Exploring the exam topics
It is essential that you review the COBIT 2019 Foundation test topics to ensure that you understand all you need to know to pass the exam. On the other hand, the goals covered are divided into sections and subsections. Make a list of the topics you’d like to learn more about, as well as the individual objects found inside each area. Then, collect the study resources that are best suited to your needs. However, the most difficult sections should usually be tackled first. The following are the topics:
- Framework Introduction
- Principles
- Governance System and
- Components
- Governance and Management Objectives
- Performance Management
- Designing a Tailored Governance System
- Business Case
- Implementation
Get the complete list of COBIT 2019 Foundation exam topics with reference links here!
2. COBIT 2019 training options
ISACA offers a choice of COBIT training options to meet your specific needs in terms of topic content and learning style for the COBIT 2019 Foundation. The following are some of the training options:
• Classroom training
COBIT training is delivered by Accredited Trainers who have the essential qualifications to provide you with the most up-to-date and beneficial training and education experiences throughout ISACA’s COBIT product and subjects. You may search through a number of partners to locate the best training for you.
• Virtual instructor-led training
In an online classroom setting, Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) sessions connect you with highly skilled and experienced teachers. The sessions will involve interactive lectures and demonstrations aimed at helping you improve your knowledge and prepare for exam day.
• COBIT 2019 Foundation Online Course
This course will include 5 hours of instructor-led materials as well as a self-study to emphasize the COBIT framework’s concepts, models, and key terminology. Moreover, it will assist you in preparing for the COBIT 2019 Foundation Exam. Further, during the course you will gain skills in:
- Firstly, recognizing COBIT 2019’s target audience.
- Secondly, recognizing why COBIT is utilised as an information and technology governance framework, as well as the context, advantages, and main reasons.
- Recognize the COBIT product architecture’s descriptions and goals.
- Then, remembering how COBIT is aligned with other relevant frameworks, standards, and bodies of knowledge.
- Understanding and defining the concepts of governance “system” and “framework.”
- After that, describing the elements that make up a governing system.
- Understanding the Goals Cascade’s general structure and content.
- Then, learning how to use COBIT to create a customised governance structure.
- Explaining the COBIT business case’s main features.
- Recognizing and remembering the steps of the COBIT implementation process.
- Lastly, explaining how the COBIT Design and Implementation Guides are related.
• Conference workshops
The ISACA Conference is a new and updated conference series that offers a choice of learning alternatives so you may tailor your experience to your specific needs.
3. Assess yourself with the Practice tests
Practice examinations can help you figure out how long it will take you to answer each question and how well you understand each topic. Taking practice examinations that focus on single-domain courses is a fantastic first step. To ensure a comprehensive review, begin taking full-length practice exams after mastering the topic. Start by taking a COBIT 2019 Foundation practice exam to learn more about your strong and weak areas.
Above we have understood the basic exam details for the COBIT 2019 Foundation exam with its study guide and methods. Now, let’s take a look at the areas you need to focus on before and after the exam preparation.
Things to focus on before the exam:
• Ensuring you have the proper technology
All of the exam’s hardware and software requirements are listed here.
- Windows and Macintosh 10 are supported operating systems.
- Google Chrome or Chromium 32 and above are the recommended web browsers.
- However, you must first download the PSI Secure Browser at least 30 minutes before your planned exam time. If you are taking your test at work, we recommend notifying your local IT administrator that you will need to download the browser on your computer.
- Configuration of the browser: For the duration of the exam, your browser must accept third-party cookies.
- Webcam/Microphone: Minimum VGA resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, with built-in or external microphone enabled
- Minimum download and upload bandwidth is 500kb/s and 256kb/s, respectively.
- Lastly, 1GB RAM and a 2GHz dual-core processor are required, with a minimum resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.
• Purchase the exam
Before you may book an exam, first complete the registration form and make payment. Exam costs are non-transferable and non-refundable. However, you have to agree to follow and accept ISACA’s Exam Consent Form when you finish the online registration procedure. It is critical that you read and understand this agreement before registering.
- Firstly, use your username and password to log in or establish an ISACA account.
- Then, choose an exam from the Certificate programme and add it to your shopping cart.
- Just make a payment. You can pay with a check, a bank transfer, or a credit card.
- Lastly, to finalise your purchase, follow the onscreen steps.
• Schedule the exam
- Firstly, go to the ISACA website and choose My ISACA from the top menu on the right.
- Secondly, click Login after entering your Username and Password.
- Click Certificate Programs from the My ISACA Dashboard, then the Visit Exam Website button next to the exam you want to arrange. However, this will lead you to the PSI website, where you may set up an appointment for the exam.
- Prior to booking your test, you may do a compatibility check. Directly from your PSI dashboard, you may do so. We recommend that you do this check on the computer that you will be taking the test on.
- Once you’ve arrived at the PSI scheduling site, complete these steps:
- Then, choose a language test
- Now, select your country and time zone from the drop-down menus.
- Lastly, after selecting an available date and time on the calendar confirm Schedule Details and click Continue.
• Reschedule the exam
You can reschedule your exam up to 48 hours before the original time and date. Login to your ISACA Account to reschedule an appointment. Click the Visit Test Website button next to the exam you want to reschedule from the My ISACA Dashboard’s Certificate Programs section. You will be sent to the PSI website, where you can reschedule your exam.
Things to focus on during the exam:
• Exam requirements
Please read the following criteria before taking your test.
- Firstly, to take the exam, find a peaceful location. Avoid public venues and areas where there may be loud noises.
- Secondly, a valid picture ID is required. The name on the ID must match the name on your ISACA profile. The proctor will ask you to reschedule your exam until you can show a valid picture ID. Government-issued IDs, driver’s licences, and passports are all acceptable forms of picture identification. When the proctor asks you to, make your photo on your ID plainly visible to the camera.
- Thirdly, a webcam is required.
- Next, you’ll need to operate in a clean environment with no reference materials around.
- You have 15 minutes before the planned start time to enter the online test environment. It is advised that you do so in order to connect with the remote proctor and successfully begin the exam.
- Make sure that your computer has enough battery life and/or is connected to a power source for the length of the exam.
- For the duration of the exam, you must have reliable internet access. However, if you lose internet access while taking the exam, your session will be instantly terminated and your scores will be worthless.
- Lastly, the exam must be taken in full-screen mode. And, within 48 hours of the planned exam, no cancellation or rescheduling requests will be allowed.
• Taking the exam
- Firstly, go to your ISACA account and sign in.
- Then, click Certificate Programs from the My ISACA Dashboard, then the Visit Test Website button next to the exam you want to take.
- Now, select the test in the Pending Exams area by clicking the My Exams link.
- To begin, press the Launch button.
- Then, to go full screen, use the Enter Full-Screen button.
- To connect the web cam and your computer to the proctor, click the Connect button(s).
- After that, select Entire Screen from the drop-down menu.
- Lastly, to share something, click the Share icon.
• Retaking the exam
ISACA has developed the following retake policy to ensure the integrity of its credential exams: Individuals get four chances to pass the test over the course of a rolling twelve-month period. Those who do not pass the test on their first try get a total of three chances to retake it within 12 months of the first attempt. However, please keep in mind that each exam attempt requires complete payment of the exam cost.
- You have to wait 30 days from the date of the first try for a retake (attempt 2).
- You have to wait 90 days after the second try for a retake (attempt 3).
- Lastly, you have to wait 90 days after the third try for retake 3 (attempt 4).
Final Words
The COBIT 2019 Foundation exam is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge for effective governance and management of enterprise information technology. Only those who are willing to put up a great amount of work will be successful. As a consequence, give it everything you’ve got and work as hard as you possibly can to pass your examinations. To study step-by-step, establish a study plan, understand test patterns, and pass the exam utilizing the information supplied above.
