- A
It ensures that all controls are tested equally.
Why wrong: Incorrect; risk-based approach prioritizes higher-risk areas, not equal testing.
- B
It reduces the overall cost of the audit.
Why wrong: While cost may be a benefit, the primary benefit is focusing on high-risk areas.
- C
It focuses audit efforts on areas with the highest risk.
Correct; the risk-based approach directs resources to areas of greatest risk.
- D
It guarantees the detection of material misstatements.
Why wrong: Incorrect; it does not guarantee detection, only prioritizes risk.
Question 27 of 984
CISA Information System Auditing Process Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information system auditing process. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An IS auditor is planning an audit of an organization's IT infrastructure. Which of the following is the PRIMARY benefit of using a risk-based approach?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It focuses audit efforts on areas with the highest risk.
A risk-based approach allows the auditor to focus on areas with higher risk, thereby optimizing the use of audit resources and ensuring that significant risks are addressed.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It ensures that all controls are tested equally.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; risk-based approach prioritizes higher-risk areas, not equal testing.
- ✗
It reduces the overall cost of the audit.
Why it's wrong here
While cost may be a benefit, the primary benefit is focusing on high-risk areas.
- ✓
It focuses audit efforts on areas with the highest risk.
Why this is correct
Correct; the risk-based approach directs resources to areas of greatest risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
It guarantees the detection of material misstatements.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; it does not guarantee detection, only prioritizes risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CISA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CISA OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
Information System Auditing Process — This question tests Information System Auditing Process — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It focuses audit efforts on areas with the highest risk. — A risk-based approach allows the auditor to focus on areas with higher risk, thereby optimizing the use of audit resources and ensuring that significant risks are addressed.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CISA OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISA practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISACA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISA exam.
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