Isca - i hate - Info Technology [2]

Sriansh N. (CA Final (Group II Cleared)) (135 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

mug up headings of questions which may b of 6-8 marks.

(Guest)

Its Chap-1,2 where on simple understanding you can memorise the points. The chapters like IS audit standards, Testing, control needs to be read many times..

2 Like

(Guest)

Basically it depends on examiner who check the ansswer sheet. I got 44 this time and i attempted only about 75-80 marks. There was harldy 1 question which i wrote directly from the book others i wrote on my understanding.

Rushabh Shah (Salaried Employee) (126 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

Hey Friends

I also score 23 Marks in ISCA and get failure only because of this chapter and i find some solution over internet for ISCA....

i m providing link of some isca related video... pls check this it will be help full....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud2Adj9n-RA

and there is lecture on ch. 6 and ch. 7 available over net

Ch. 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLMi3g5HZIo

Ch. 7

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SScYjay-Z0&feature=BFa&list=PL33B7900AF94B1FB3

Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cfn0I3EOKQ&feature=BFa&list=PL33B7900AF94B1FB3

Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C2AS9xo12Q&feature=BFa&list=PL33B7900AF94B1FB3

Part 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyRN9bqyxyI&feature=BFa&list=PL33B7900AF94B1FB3

Part 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk5W7PxhMBY&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL33B7900AF94B1FB3

Pls share if u have anything more friends

2 Like

Budding Professional (B.Com, CA & CS FINAL) (1686 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

I too debuted for CA Final this May and for ISCA, I was very much underprepared. I had got Padhuka but studied from ICAI module. Forget mugging or cramming, I didn't even read out the entire study material. I answered the paper based on my general knowledge of the topics asked and scored 43 in the subject.

In ISCA, there are many topics like ERP, Risk Assessment, Systems Security etc of which we all have some (or even good) understanding. What we need to do is to make that general understanding more advanced, professional and even more authentic. I beleive that cramming points is not the ultimate solution. We generally write a descripttion in the answers in various points(a,b,c and so on). Based on what we are writing in the descripttion, we can make a point out of that only and highlight in the beginning. It will be very much advisable to familiarise yourself with some standard terminologies and relate them to the concepts that you know. Make sure that you read the module 2-3 times which will enhance your understanding.

And the most important thing, the language has to be highly authentic. I think that your language writing skills are best brought into play in ISCA. The language should set examiner's eye rolling and I believe this is something that took me to that score. And at last "Seedhi Baat, No Bakwass". Less lengthy answers should convey the complete meaning.

My views may sound odd to many but this is all that I can infer from the little experience that I have with the monster called "ISCA" and I am in pursuit of making the good happen.

All the best for your preparations and the examinations.

Constructive feedback will be welcomed and will be highly appreciated.

1 Like

abhsihek srivastava (Audit Asstt.) (114 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

Dear preeti, ISCA is a last subject of group 2 of ca final no doubt it is theoretical subject and often we don't assimilate the concept personally i don't belive in mug up studies well first of all don't hate this subject and any subject. Each subject have their respect and try to understand the subject prepare notes thoroughly study of practice manual will help you to get good marks in exam.

passing the exam implies the yr presentation manner of answering questions etc.

if you will hate the subject same reaction you will receive from subject.

regards,

Abhishek

CA Lokesh Pokharna (CA (Ahmedabad Bhilwara Chittorgarh)) (4128 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

all you need to dp repeated study for isca ...repeated study in isca will fetch you great confidence....

2 Like

CA Govind Gupta (Proprietor) (152 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

I read the ISCA from Dinesh Madaan Book only.....
nd i really think that ISCA is nothing if we are conceptual clear in that.....
you just go through with Dinesh Madaan Book 3-4 times nd i hope u will be able to score good marks in ISCA.

2 Like

Joey Tribbiani (fdg) (2010 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

Originally posted by : abhsihek srivastava
	Dear preeti, ISCA is a last subject of group 2 of ca final no doubt it is theoretical subject and often we don't assimilate the concept personally i don't belive in mug up studies well first of all don't hate this subject and any subject. Each subject have their respect and try to understand the subject prepare notes thoroughly study of practice manual will help you to get good marks in exam. passing the exam implies the yr presentation manner of answering questions etc. if you will hate the subject same reaction you will receive from subject. regards, Abhishek

ISCA is paer no 2 of grp 2 and paper 6 overall. IDT is the last paper of grp 2,just saying that before advising someone our own facts should be clear.

1 Like

vipin pitaliya (article) (30 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

dear preeti

I HAD STUDIED ISCA VERY MUCH . BUT MY APPORCH WAS WRONG DAT I HAD READ IT WHOLE DAY SO PLEASE STUDY ISCA IN PARTS LIKE STUDY 3 HRS DAILY SO U CAN CRACK EASILY. I HAD READ FROM DEVANG DALAL. BUT IN EXAM(MAY12) I COUD'NT UNDERSTAND 4M WHICH CHAPTER QUESTION HAD COME BUT I HAD ATTEMPTED 100 MKS PAPER. I WROTE EACH ND EVERYTHING WT I HAD GOT . I HAD GOT 51 MARKS. I HAD CLEARD FINAL IN MAY12.SO PLEASE DONT LEAVE ANY QUESTION JUST WRITE WT U REMEMBER

1 Like

CA Anushree jain (CA) (1531 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

but i love this subject alot.....

:)

1 Like

CA-CWA RAVI (CA-CWA in industry) (5464 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

reproducing the text of my article on how to fetch good marks in ISCA given at /articles/article_list_detail.asp?article_id=11148

Hello Mates

It gives me immense pleasure to write my first article after getting divine degrees of CA and CWA.

Earlier I wrote about how to secure good marks in Corporate Laws which was to my pleasure very much

appreciated by allCCI’tians. Now motivated with that I wish to share my views on the most difficult subject of

CA Finals INFORMATION SYSTEM CONTROL AND AUDIT which is Paper Number 6. Just like other

theory subjects I am against taking coaching in this subject as it can be handled very well with selfstudy only.

INTRODUCTION

The study material of ISCA says “A paper on ISCA will help students to understand how to evaluate controls

and standards for information systems in an organized environment.”

When I started reading this subject I always wondered why ICAI made it a part of CA finalsyllabus. What the

use man? I am much technology savvy and even my seniors in my CA firm used to say that I should had been an

engineer instead of opting CA. StillI could not find tiny logic behind merging information technology with

practicalsubjects like Financialreporting and taxations.

But today when I see after clearing this course. Yes it is the right thing done by ICAI as we should think beyond

what we are doing and can’t ignore the changes taking place in technology which affects our profession like

anything.

ADOPTION OF BOOK

Friends this is the first and utmost step in securing good marks in this subject. Most people do mistake in this

step and regret later. As per my knowledge this is the only paper in CA final where questions come directly from

syllabus and there is no hidden logic behind. There are lots of reference books available in market like book7/30/12 CAclubindia News : A Guide to Score Good Marks in ISCA

www.caclubindia.com/articles/print_this_page.asp?article_id=11148 2/6

written by Dinesh Madaan , Manish Vallecha, Padhuka, Snow-white publications etc. I have few of them. Not

to name them. All are just prepared with some additional work on module. Some author tried to use find and

replace option in MS-Word to replace technological words with kids friendly ones and some tried to make

pneumonic (although irrelevant). Some just copy pasted module in Q&A format.

May 2011 the question paper of ISCA was very easier one, but the students were shocked to see their marks

on the day ( result day ) as they did it from lighter books and judged there exams were quite well but shocked to

see 18-35 marks at caresults.nic. This result shocked me too, but in positive sense. I was expecting 45-50 but

secured 69 just due to one thing, My adamant attitude to stay with module only.

As per my view the best way to learn this subject is STUDY MATERIAL ITSELF. If you do learn from this

book there is no need to run behind compilers or practice manuals as well. It is the best and the examiner

expects examinees to answer the questions to write with reference to module only. And the best thing is you will

never be in situation of getting a question out of module.

STRATEGY

Guys I do accept this is the worst thing to tell you how to read this subject which has no practice use in our

articleship period. For me it was like trying to do something with utmost care and concentration and at the end of

very good precious time allotted you get to know that you are still where you start at.

I would like to suggest you all to have an attitude like "KARNA TO HAIN HI ....CHAHE HAS KE KAR YA

FIR RO KAR…SYLLABUS MAIN HAIN AUR ISKA 100 MARKS KA PAPER BHI

AYEGA….BETTER HAS KE KAR LE.... JITNA HOTA HAIN UTNA KAR … MUJHE MUSHKIL LAG

RAHA HAIN TO BAKI SABKO BHI LAG RAHA HOGA … AB AT LEAST UN LOGO SE TO AAGE

BADH JO MUSHKIL SAMAJH KE PADHNA BAND KAR CHUKE HAIN YA GIVE UPT KAR

CHUKE HAIN".

How to start reading it, guys among the 10 chapters there are few which cannot be opted at the beginning of the

preparation as they are presented with very amazing technical term, it includes:

Chapter 8 info system auditing standards (100 bar ek line padh k bhisamajh nahi ti matlab kya hain)

Chapter 9 is security policy (but second half of this chapter is very easy)7/30/12 CAclubindia News : A Guide to Score Good Marks in ISCA

www.caclubindia.com/articles/print_this_page.asp?article_id=11148 3/6

Chapter 3 control objectives (I never read this chatper as books shows 130 pages against it)

So better not to start with them, instead choose a easier one and move ahead with some confidence. As per my

views the easiest among the most difficult chapters are:

CHAPTER 1 INFO SYSTEM CONCEPTS (easy but 50 pages)

CHAPTER 2 SDLC (although very lengthy)

CHAPTER 4 AUDIT TESTS (updated with audit terms)

CHAPTER 5 RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES (EASIEST)

CHAPTER 6 BRP (easy but little technical)

CHAPTER 7 ERP (very easy and bit connected with chapter 1)

CHAPTER 10 IT ACT 2008 (it is very difficult to read it from module so if possible arrange Xerox of padhuka

for this chapter)

My suggestion would be to do in order of 1

st → 5

th →6

th →2

nd →7th→10th→4

th

I suggested such orders as it started with the easiest 2 chapters followed with bit technical chapter 6

th

and then

lengthy chapter 2 and rest.

However you can follow any other order as well. But the end result should be coverage of at least 80% syllabus

before your examinations, it must be sounding bit crazy to cover only 80%? Guys it is enough. I can assure you

that if could do 80% very well you can even do the rest of 20% over viewing it.

Just a suggestion which can be very helpful is carry a small notebook and write small points on it, just for

example if you are reading chapter 2 SDLC then in notebook just write key words and main main points, the

same can be done on module but there is not enough space there, I call this as index reading habit which is

readily useful while revising.

My personal advise is to study this subject daily for at least 2 hours which will make you feel connected to this7/30/12 CAclubindia News : A Guide to Score Good Marks in ISCA

www.caclubindia.com/articles/print_this_page.asp?article_id=11148 4/6

subject and due to terror of technicality you will also don’t waste time as well which you had done otherwise.

QUESTION PAPER

Just like other subjects this subject is of 100 marks as well with one extra question of 16 marks, so you have a

chance to attempt 100 marks out of total 116 marks.

First compulsory question is of Case Study which not to be studied at all., this is mere a compilation of four

direct question from four different chapters which is made to trap students who do selective study. I saw some

student in examination hall underlining the case study like it is an unseen passage of class 10

th

with hidden

answers within, ha ha, don’t do that as you can pick out any question paper and check the case study, all

question below case study are direct ones from separate chapters.

Rest of the questions are having 2-3 parts in it and are directly related to text ofstudy material. Do the chapter

thoroughly and surely you going to have an edge.

ATTITUDE

Just I mentioned above again wish to quote it again that while reading have an attitude of “KARNA TO HAIN

HI, CHAHE HAS KE KAR YA FIR RO KAR...SYLLABUS MAIN HAIN AUR ISKA 100 MARKS KA

PAPER BHI AYEGA... BETTER HAS KE KAR LE... JITNA HOTA HAIN UTNA KAR … MUJHE

MUSHKIL LAG RAHA HAIN TO BAKI SABKO BHI LAG RAHA HOGA … AB AT LEAST UN LOGO

SE TO AAGE BADH JO MUSHKIL SAMAJH KE PADHNA BAND KAR CHUKE HAIN YA GIVE

UPT KAR CHUKE HAIN “.

At examination time the day before the examinations it becomes very tedious task to read this subject. I have

seen people leaving group because of this subject because they complain that they now don’t remember what

ever they have read earlier. The best suggestion at this time from me would be “ FIGHT …… FIGHT AND

FIGHT “

Was it just for surrendering the group that you are reading this subject?7/30/12 CAclubindia News : A Guide to Score Good Marks in ISCA

www.caclubindia.com/articles/print_this_page.asp?article_id=11148 5/6

Remember those moments at office when you all have suffered a lot, remember all pain you have come across,

remember what your parents expect from you, remember what a soldier do on war front? Does he get his foot

back when he knows that his death is certain? Or he fights? Guys done ever give up, LISTEN TO THAT

SONG EK JUNOON THA. Thanks a lot Anmolfor composing that wonderfulsong.

Come on mates, you can do it, uthao book ko aur padhte raho .. nahi yaad arha ..? Kyu nahi ayega yaad? Iski

aisi ki taisi.. lag jao full dedication se.

Now those 3 hours. Wow, I am getting that feeling man.

Dekho yaar attempt full 100 marks in each paper, struggle hard, the things which you know, present it in best

manner and the things which you don’t know, present in better than best manner, in theory papers presentation

and handwriting impacts the examiner a lot and this is visible with my marks in theory subjects, if I can with mere

50-60% preparation score 50-69 marks, you can do better than me.

I have never been a good student, although I have always tried to be smart one. I have scored 69 in ITSM and

69 again in ISCA in finals, by just covering 65-70% syllabus. Even this brought good result as I have the habit of

attending full 100 marks question paper even I don’t know anything.

CONCLUSION

If done in good manner it is the subject which can fetch you amazing marks, Prince Jain AIR 1

st

rank secured 83

in ISCA and when I was a PCC student he mentioned on stage about his presentation on this subject, this is the

best paper to score good marks,even now I do agree.

Study well, underline it well and most important part REVISE REVISE AND REVISE.

Thanks for reading it with so much patience and I would appreciate any sort of comments/suggestions/criticisms

over it.

CA RAVI KHANAL CWA, BCOM7/30/12 CAclubindia News : A Guide to Score Good Marks in ISCA

www.caclubindia.com/articles/print_this_page.asp?article_id=11148 6/6

Please See : The above mentioned views about the books and the way of learning are entirely of my own and

my experiences with my group of friends. Different people have different perceptions so it is not intended to

represent the mindset of majority. Please suggest anything if you have for me.

Source :self written -

2 Like

Rajan Gupta (C.A. final student) (277 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

i had the same problem... when I saw my evaluated copy I came to the conclusion that like it or not you have to mug up the points .... they give marks only for the points and nothing else... prepare charts and put them on the wall ... keep cramming them everyday... Last time I got 34 in ISCA and this time 60 by following this approach...

If u can't do it prepare for securing less marks the next time as well....

1 Like

Ali (Article) (22 Points)
Replied 30 July 2012

For passing ISCA- scanner & RTP is enough

CA ashutosh aggarwal (article) (106 Points)
Replied 31 July 2012

mugging up jst doesnt solve the problems...! ..use..of selective words in a techno crat paper like isca is the main thing..!..apart from that its not a mainstream papers like dt or idt...its still a subject to crack...jst go and give some time to isca like you give to dt etc.....! it will help try n do that..!..