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ISACA · Governance, Risk & Privacy · Expert

ISACA CGEIT exam guide

Exam CGEIT

CGEIT validates the ability to govern enterprise IT: setting governance frameworks, managing IT resources, realizing benefits and optimizing risk. It targets senior professionals who advise boards and executives on IT strategy and value.

Questions150
Time limit240 minutes
Passing score450 (200-800 scale)
Exam fee$760 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPSI test center or remote proctored

Format: Multiple choice. Fee note: $575 for ISACA members; $50 application fee after passing.

Who it's for

IT directors, governance leads and senior advisors with at least five years of IT governance experience.

What the exam covers

Governance of Enterprise IT40%
IT Resources15%
Benefits Realization26%
Risk Optimization19%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: 5 years of experience managing, advising or overseeing governance of enterprise IT, including at least 1 year in Domain 1 and experience in at least 2 other domains. Experience must be within 10 years before applying or 5 years after passing.

Recommended: Senior management or advisory experience in IT governance.

Keeping it active

Annual and 3-year CPE cycle: earn at least 20 CPE hours each year and 120 hours every 3 years, and pay ISACA's annual maintenance fee (lower for members).

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Designing governance frameworks such as COBIT
  • Aligning IT strategy with enterprise objectives
  • Managing IT resources and capabilities
  • Portfolio management and benefits realization
  • Optimizing IT-related risk
  • Reporting to boards and executives

Job roles

IT DirectorCIOIT Governance ManagerEnterprise ArchitectGovernance ConsultantPMO Director

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1-3: Domain 1 governance of enterprise IT (40%): frameworks, strategy, structures, COBIT 2019.
  2. Week 4: IT resources: capability planning, sourcing, people and infrastructure.
  3. Week 5: Benefits realization: portfolio management, business cases, performance measurement.
  4. Week 6: Risk optimization: risk frameworks, appetite and integration with ERM.
  5. Week 7-8: ISACA practice questions and timed exams.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Domain 1 is 40% of the exam; master governance structures and roles.
  • Answers should reflect board-level and executive perspectives.
  • Know COBIT 2019 concepts even though questions are framework-neutral.
  • Distinguish governance (direct and monitor) from management (plan, build, run).
  • Benefits realization questions focus on business cases and value tracking.

Key terms for this exam

All 34 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does CGEIT cost?

$575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members, plus a $50 application fee.

Who should take CGEIT?

Senior IT leaders and advisors responsible for IT governance and value, not hands-on practitioners.

How do I maintain CGEIT?

Earn 20 CPE hours annually and 120 every 3 years and pay the annual maintenance fee.

CGEIT vs COBIT Foundation?

COBIT Foundation is a knowledge-level framework exam; CGEIT is an experience-based professional certification.

Is CGEIT worth it?

It is niche but valued for CIO-track and governance advisory roles.

Official page: www.isaca.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.