Is ISC the easiest discipline section?

[TCP](/guides/tcp) has the highest pass rate (roughly 80%), and ISC (67%) is significantly easier than [BAR](/guides/bar) (44%). ISC's 60/40 MCQ weighting benefits candidates who are strong at [multiple choice questions](/study/mcq-strategies).

Is ISC the easiest discipline section?

[TCP](/guides/tcp) has the highest pass rate (roughly 80%), and ISC (67%) is significantly easier than [BAR](/guides/bar) (44%). ISC's 60/40 MCQ weighting benefits candidates who are strong at [multiple choice questions](/study/mcq-strategies).

Discipline SectionCPA Exam 2026· Last updated: July 27, 2026

ISC Exam Guide

Information Systems and Controls

67%

Pass Rate

60-100

Study Hours

MCQs (60%)

TBSs (40%)

Quick Answer

ISC (Information Systems and Controls) has a 67% pass rate and requires 60–100 study hours. It uniquely weights MCQs at 60% (vs 50% in other sections) and covers IT governance, cybersecurity frameworks, and SOC engagements. Ideal for tech-savvy candidates. [Surgent](/reviews/surgent) and UWorld Roger CPA offer the strongest ISC-specific content.

Covers IT and data governance, assurance/advisory services regarding business processes, internal control testing, and information system security.

Pass Rate Insight: Second-highest discipline pass rate, with unique 60/40 MCQ/TBS weighting. Good for tech-savvy candidates.

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Exam Format & Time Management

Exam Structure

Duration4 hours

Multiple Choice Questions82 (60% weight)

Task-Based Simulations6 (40% weight)

Optional Break15 minutes (after testlet 3)

Recommended Pacing

Time per MCQ~1.8 minutes

Time per TBS~16 minutes

MCQ Testlets2 testlets × 41 questions

TBS Testlets3 testlets (varies by section)

Testlet Progression

Testlet 1: MCQs→Testlet 2: MCQs→Break (Optional)→Testlets 3-5: TBSs

Content Blueprint

Area	Content	Weighting
I	Information Systems and Data Management	35-45%
II	Security, Confidentiality, and Privacy	35-45%
III	Considerations for SOC Engagements	15-25%

Key Topics Tested

Data collection methods and techniques
Data storage: data warehouse, data lake, data mart
IT governance frameworks
HIPAA Security and Privacy Rules
GDPR scope and principles
PCI DSS requirements
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3 engagements

Study Tips for ISC

1Focus on remembering and understanding — 55-65% of skills tested at this level
2Study regulatory frameworks: HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, NIST are critical
3ISC has MORE MCQs (82) but FEWER TBSs (6) than other sections
4Time management: ~1.5 minutes per MCQ, prioritize MCQ accuracy
5Practice with full-length mock exams to build familiarity with IT terminology

Free · 5 questions · ~90 seconds

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Best Courses for ISC

Top-rated CPA review courses for mastering Information Systems and Controls

#1 for ISC4.3 ★

UWorld

$1,999–$2,899

UWorld reports 94% pass rate for SmartPath Ready candidates; 4 full-length mock exams

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#2 for ISC4.4 ★

Becker

$2,499–$4,999

Comprehensive IT coverage with 24-month access

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#3 for ISC4.1 ★

Surgent

$799–$1,699

Adaptive technology for memorization-heavy content

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Study Resources for ISC

Exam Day Checklist

Prometric walkthrough, what to bring, calculator policy

Score Release Calendar

2026 score release dates and timeline

CPA Exam Resources

Supplements, practice tests, YouTube, podcasts, and more

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ISC Frequently Asked Questions

ISC doesn't require coding or deep technical skills. It tests knowledge of IT frameworks, security concepts, and SOC engagements. Non-technical candidates can succeed with proper study.

TCP has the highest pass rate (roughly 80%), and ISC (67%) is significantly easier than BAR (44%). ISC's 60/40 MCQ weighting benefits candidates who are strong at multiple choice questions.

CISA, CISSP, and Security+ have significant overlap. Candidates with these certifications often find ISC content familiar, especially security and controls topics.

SOC engagements make up 15-25% of ISC. You'll need to understand SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 report types and their appropriate uses.