The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification, administered by ISACA, is a globally recognised credential for professionals in information security management. For individuals in the UK seeking to prepare for this challenging exam, several online platforms offer free sample questions and practice tests. These resources are designed to help candidates familiarise themselves with the exam format, question styles, and key domains covered by the CISM curriculum. This article provides a factual overview of available free practice question resources, based on the provided source materials, outlining what is offered, the structure of the official exam, and guidance on using these materials for preparation.
The CISM certification is intended for those with significant experience, typically requiring five or more years in information security management. The exam itself consists of 150 questions and is divided into four domains: Information Security Governance (17%), Information Risk Management (20%), Information Security Program Development & Management (33%), and Information Security Incident Management (30%). A passing score is 450 out of a possible 800. Preparation often spans three to six months, and using practice questions is a common study strategy to gauge readiness and understand the application of concepts in real-world scenarios.
Sources of Free CISM Practice Questions
Several platforms provide complimentary access to CISM practice questions. These resources vary in scope, from a small set of sample questions to more extensive question banks, and may be offered by official ISACA partners, third-party educational websites, or certification preparation companies.
Official ISACA Resources
ISACA, the governing body for the CISM certification, offers its own preparation tools. One resource mentioned is a free practice quiz that includes questions from ISACA's test prep solutions. According to the source, these questions are designed to be of the same level of difficulty as those encountered on the official exam. To view the results of this quiz, users are required to complete and submit a form. This official source is considered highly reliable as it is directly from the certifying body. The quiz serves as a preview of the exam content and structure, allowing candidates to assess their initial understanding.
Third-Party Educational Platforms
Various independent educational websites and certification preparation services offer free CISM practice questions as a gateway to their more comprehensive paid services.
CertStud: This platform offers 10 free CISM practice questions. After trying these, users can unlock a library of over 500 realistic CISM practice questions with detailed explanations. The service provides a 3-month pass for £18. The questions are stated to cover all four CISM domains and are aligned with the latest exam objectives. CertStud also offers practice exams that simulate the real 4-hour, 150-question test, as well as comprehensive notes covering all domains and job practice areas. The platform emphasises that its content is designed to help candidates master governance frameworks, risk concepts, and incident response procedures.
TheExamsLab: This site provides what it labels as "100% Free Certified Information Security Manager CISM Dumps Practice Questions." The source material includes sample questions on topics such as BYOD strategy implementation, evidence for security awareness program effectiveness, justification for security program investment, and incident response plan preparation. The copyright notice on the page is dated 2026, and the site uses cookies. It is important to note that while the term "dumps" is sometimes used in the industry, official certification bodies like ISACA discourage the use of unverified exam dumps, as they may contain inaccurate or outdated information. The reliability of this source as a primary study tool should be evaluated cautiously.
HydraNode AI: This platform offers a bank of 50 practice questions for the CISM certification, described as a "curated bank" for 2025. The questions are designed to cover all exam domains and objectives, with a mix of easy, medium, and hard difficulty levels. Each question includes detailed explanations. The questions are organised by exam domain and are intended to help build exam confidence. The platform also mentions that for comprehensive coverage, candidates should consider using its 100 and 200-question banks as they progress in their studies.
ITExams.com: This website provides information on the CISM exam, stating it has 1250 questions in its database (last updated December 30, 2025). It notes that 94% of students found the test questions "almost same" as the actual exam, and that many passed using the material. However, it is unclear from the source whether these 1250 questions are available for free or if they are part of a paid offering. The information is presented as a general resource for the CISM exam.
Understanding the CISM Exam Structure and Preparation
The official CISM exam is a comprehensive assessment of an individual's knowledge and experience in information security management. The four domains and their respective weightings indicate the emphasis placed on each area:
- Information Security Governance (17%): This domain focuses on establishing and maintaining a framework to ensure that information security strategies align with business objectives and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Information Risk Management (20%): This involves the identification, assessment, and treatment of information-related risks to support business objectives.
- Information Security Program Development & Management (33%): This is the largest domain, covering the design, implementation, and management of the information security program.
- Information Security Incident Management (30%): This domain addresses the planning, preparation, detection, and response to information security incidents.
Free practice questions, such as those from ISACA's quiz or the curated banks from CertStud and HydraNode, typically cover these domains. For example, questions might involve scenarios about risk assessment disagreements, business impact analysis, security awareness program metrics, or incident response plan development. Using these questions helps candidates apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, which is a key aspect of the CISM exam.
The process for obtaining the CISM certification, as outlined in the source material, involves several steps: preparation for the exam, registration and payment, scheduling the exam, and finally, passing the exam. The free practice questions are a component of the preparation phase. They are not a substitute for the official study materials or the necessary years of professional experience but serve as a valuable tool for self-assessment and familiarity with the exam format.
Evaluating Free Practice Resources for UK Consumers
For UK-based candidates, accessing these resources is straightforward as they are all online platforms. When choosing a resource, it is advisable to consider the source's reliability. Official resources from ISACA are the most authoritative. Third-party platforms like CertStud, which offer a free trial and transparent pricing for extended access, can be useful for additional practice. The platform explicitly states that no credit card is required to access the initial free questions.
Resources that use terminology like "dumps" should be approached with caution, as they may not always reflect the most current or accurate exam content. It is also important to ensure that any practice questions used are aligned with the latest CISM exam objectives, as the exam content can be updated periodically. The sources mention that content is aligned with the latest objectives, but candidates should verify this with ISACA's official website.
For those preparing for the CISM exam in the UK, utilising a combination of free practice questions from reputable sources, alongside official ISACA study guides and materials, is a prudent approach. The free questions provide an opportunity to test knowledge and identify areas requiring further study, which can help in creating an effective and efficient study plan.
Conclusion
Free CISM practice questions are available from several online platforms, including the official ISACA website and various third-party educational services. These resources offer candidates a way to preview the exam's difficulty, format, and domain coverage without an initial financial commitment. The official CISM exam comprises 150 questions across four domains, with a significant emphasis on Information Security Program Development & Management and Information Security Incident Management. While free questions are a helpful preparatory tool, they should be used in conjunction with comprehensive study materials and should not be considered a replacement for the required professional experience. UK-based individuals preparing for the CISM certification can access these resources online to aid their study efforts.