- A
The change was implemented without CAB approval.
The change required code modifications, so it should not have been standard; thus CAB approval was needed.
- B
The change did not include a backout plan.
Why wrong: A backout plan is important but not the most immediate concern given the misclassification.
- C
The change was implemented during business hours.
Why wrong: Timing is a consideration but not the core issue.
- D
The change was implemented without testing.
Why wrong: While testing is important, the primary issue is that the change was incorrectly categorized, bypassing CAB.
Question 876 of 984
CISA Practice Question: Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of information systems operations and business resilience. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a change management review, an IS auditor discovers that a recent database upgrade was implemented without prior approval from the Change Advisory Board (CAB) because it was classified as a 'standard change.' However, the change involved migrating to a new database version that required application code modifications. What should concern the auditor most?
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
✓
The change was implemented without CAB approval.
The core issue is that the change was misclassified as a 'standard change' to bypass CAB approval, but it required application code modifications, which means it was not pre-authorized and should have been treated as a normal or emergency change. Standard changes are low-risk, pre-approved, and typically involve no application code changes (e.g., applying a routine patch to a database that does not alter the schema or API). By bypassing CAB review, the organization lost the opportunity to assess risks, dependencies, and rollback procedures, which is a critical control failure in change management.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The change was implemented without CAB approval.
Why this is correct
The change required code modifications, so it should not have been standard; thus CAB approval was needed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The change did not include a backout plan.
Why it's wrong here
A backout plan is important but not the most immediate concern given the misclassification.
- ✗
The change was implemented during business hours.
Why it's wrong here
Timing is a consideration but not the core issue.
- ✗
The change was implemented without testing.
Why it's wrong here
While testing is important, the primary issue is that the change was incorrectly categorized, bypassing CAB.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus on the operational details (missing backout plan, business hours, testing) instead of recognizing that the misclassification of the change type is the fundamental control weakness that undermines the entire change management process.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In ITIL-based change management, a 'standard change' is a pre-approved, low-risk change that follows a documented procedure (e.g., applying a monthly security patch to a database that does not change the schema). However, migrating to a new database version (e.g., from MySQL 5.7 to 8.0) often introduces breaking changes, such as changes to SQL syntax, default authentication plugins, or optimizer behavior, which require application code modifications. This violates the definition of a standard change because it introduces new risks that must be evaluated by the CAB, including regression testing of the application layer and potential rollback complexity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CISA questions
984 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CISA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CISA practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Governance and Management of IT practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Governance and Management of IT.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development and Implementation.
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience.
Information System Auditing Process practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information System Auditing Process.
Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation.
Protection of Information Assets practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to Protection of Information Assets.
CISA fundamentals practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA fundamentals.
CISA scenario practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA scenario.
CISA troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CISA questions linked to CISA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CISA practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISA question test?
Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — This question tests Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The change was implemented without CAB approval. — The core issue is that the change was misclassified as a 'standard change' to bypass CAB approval, but it required application code modifications, which means it was not pre-authorized and should have been treated as a normal or emergency change. Standard changes are low-risk, pre-approved, and typically involve no application code changes (e.g., applying a routine patch to a database that does not alter the schema or API). By bypassing CAB review, the organization lost the opportunity to assess risks, dependencies, and rollback procedures, which is a critical control failure in change management.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.