Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) Practice Exam
Unlock your potential as a leader in enterprise IT governance with our expertly crafted CGEIT Practice Exam—designed to help you pass with confidence and master the strategic frameworks that drive modern IT governance.
What Is the CGEIT Certification?
The CGEIT (Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT) is a globally recognized credential offered by ISACA for professionals who manage, advise on, or support enterprise IT governance. This certification validates your ability to align IT with business strategy, manage IT investments, mitigate risks, and ensure value delivery through effective governance frameworks.
Whether you’re a CIO, IT auditor, governance professional, or consultant, the CGEIT credential demonstrates your expertise in integrating enterprise goals with robust IT governance practices.
What You Will Learn
This CGEIT Practice Exam from Exam Sage is designed to ensure that you:
Understand enterprise IT governance frameworks and principles
Can align IT with organizational strategies and objectives
Are proficient in performance measurement and value delivery from IT investments
Know how to assess and manage IT-related risks effectively
Are familiar with optimizing IT resources and capabilities
Can evaluate and design governance structures and processes
Key Topics Covered
Our practice exam includes comprehensive, up-to-date questions across all five CGEIT domains:
Governance of Enterprise IT
IT governance frameworks (COBIT, ISO/IEC 38500, etc.)
Stakeholder engagement and governance strategy
Policies, procedures, and assurance mechanisms
IT Resources
Optimization of information, infrastructure, applications, and people
Vendor and outsourcing management
IT service and performance management
Benefits Realization
Value delivery from IT-enabled investments
Business case development
Benefits management and measurement
Risk Optimization
Enterprise risk management (ERM) principles
IT risk assessment and mitigation
Compliance with regulatory and legal requirements
Strategic Management
IT strategic planning
Aligning IT with organizational goals
Performance metrics and measurement systems
Each question includes detailed explanations to help reinforce concepts, correct misunderstandings, and build confidence as you prepare for the real exam.
Why Choose Exam Sage for CGEIT Prep?
At Exam Sage, we specialize in providing realistic, high-quality, exam-focused practice tests that help professionals succeed. Our CGEIT practice exam is meticulously developed by governance and IT risk experts to mirror the actual exam format and difficulty level.
✅ Plenty of challenging, scenario-based questions
✅ Up-to-date content reflecting the latest ISACA exam blueprint
✅ Instant feedback with in-depth explanations
✅ Perfect for midterm reviews, final prep, or gap analysis
Who This Is For
IT Governance Managers
Enterprise Architects
IT Risk and Compliance Officers
CIOs, CTOs, and senior IT leaders
Consultants involved in IT strategy and governance
Candidates preparing to pass the ISACA CGEIT certification exam on the first try
Get Certified with Confidence
Studying for the CGEIT exam requires more than memorizing terms—it demands mastery of concepts that span business strategy, risk management, and IT alignment. This practice exam gives you a competitive edge through immersive, real-world scenarios and rigorous testing.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or reinforcing your knowledge before exam day, Exam Sage is your trusted source for effective and efficient exam prep.
Prepare smarter, lead stronger—start your CGEIT certification journey with Exam Sage today.
Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of IT governance?
A) To ensure IT investments deliver value and align with business objectives
B) To manage IT infrastructure and operations efficiently
C) To oversee IT project execution and technical details
D) To develop IT policies and procedures
Answer: A
Explanation: The primary purpose of IT governance is to ensure that IT investments deliver value and are aligned with the overall business objectives of the organization.
Which of the following is a key component of an effective IT governance framework?
A) Clear organizational structures and decision rights
B) Detailed IT project plans
C) Vendor management contracts
D) IT service desk support processes
Answer: A
Explanation: Effective IT governance requires clear organizational structures and defined decision rights to ensure accountability and proper oversight.
What is the most important factor in aligning IT strategy with business strategy?
A) Having a large IT budget
B) Frequent communication between IT and business leaders
C) Using the latest technology trends
D) Outsourcing IT services
Answer: B
Explanation: Frequent and effective communication between IT and business leaders ensures IT strategy supports and aligns with business goals.
Which of the following is a key risk management activity in enterprise IT governance?
A) Monitoring regulatory compliance
B) Conducting user training sessions
C) Developing software applications
D) Managing helpdesk tickets
Answer: A
Explanation: Monitoring regulatory compliance is critical to risk management in IT governance to ensure adherence to laws and standards.
What role does the board of directors play in IT governance?
A) Overseeing IT operational tasks
B) Providing strategic direction and oversight of IT governance
C) Managing IT vendors
D) Writing IT policies
Answer: B
Explanation: The board provides strategic direction and oversight for IT governance but does not involve itself in operational tasks.
Which framework is widely used to support IT governance by providing best practices for IT service management?
A) COBIT
B) ITIL
C) PRINCE2
D) Six Sigma
Answer: B
Explanation: ITIL is a best practice framework focused on IT service management and is often used to support IT governance.
What does the “value delivery” domain in CGEIT primarily focus on?
A) Ensuring that IT delivers promised benefits to the business
B) IT infrastructure management
C) Compliance with audit requirements
D) Data backup and recovery processes
Answer: A
Explanation: The value delivery domain focuses on ensuring IT delivers business benefits and value from IT investments.
Which of the following best describes “risk optimization” in IT governance?
A) Eliminating all IT risks completely
B) Balancing risk and reward in IT decisions
C) Ignoring low-impact risks
D) Transferring risks to third-party vendors
Answer: B
Explanation: Risk optimization involves balancing IT risks with the potential rewards to make informed decisions.
How should an enterprise prioritize IT investments?
A) Based on the highest cost projects
B) By aligning them with business objectives and expected benefits
C) According to technology trends
D) By selecting projects that require minimal resources
Answer: B
Explanation: Prioritization should be based on alignment with business objectives and the value or benefits expected.
What is the purpose of a RACI matrix in IT governance?
A) To define roles and responsibilities for IT processes and decisions
B) To document IT policies
C) To track software development progress
D) To monitor IT service levels
Answer: A
Explanation: A RACI matrix clarifies who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for tasks and decisions.
Which of the following is a primary responsibility of an enterprise IT governance committee?
A) Managing daily IT operations
B) Reviewing and approving IT strategy and policies
C) Coding software applications
D) Configuring network devices
Answer: B
Explanation: IT governance committees review and approve IT strategies and policies to ensure alignment with business needs.
What is the best approach to ensure compliance with external regulations in IT governance?
A) Implement automated monitoring and reporting tools
B) Delegate compliance to IT operations staff
C) Focus on technology rather than processes
D) Ignore regulations if they are not relevant to IT
Answer: A
Explanation: Automated tools help ensure continuous monitoring and compliance with regulations.
In the context of CGEIT, what does “strategic management” refer to?
A) Developing an IT project plan
B) Creating and maintaining a governance system that supports business objectives
C) Conducting IT risk assessments
D) Managing daily IT helpdesk issues
Answer: B
Explanation: Strategic management involves creating and maintaining governance systems that ensure IT supports business strategies.
Which of the following is a benefit of integrating enterprise risk management (ERM) with IT governance?
A) Better alignment of IT risks with overall enterprise risks
B) Faster software development cycles
C) Increased IT staffing levels
D) Reduced focus on IT security
Answer: A
Explanation: Integrating ERM with IT governance ensures IT risks are managed within the context of overall enterprise risks.
How can an organization measure the success of IT governance?
A) By the number of IT projects completed
B) Through metrics that reflect IT’s contribution to business value and risk management
C) By tracking IT staff utilization
D) Through technology adoption rates
Answer: B
Explanation: Success is measured by metrics indicating how IT governance contributes to value delivery and risk mitigation.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective IT governance?
A) Clear accountability
B) Alignment with organizational goals
C) Centralized decision-making without business input
D) Transparent communication
Answer: C
Explanation: Effective IT governance requires collaboration and input from both IT and business stakeholders, not centralized decision-making alone.
What is the primary focus of the CGEIT domain “Benefits Realization”?
A) Ensuring IT projects are delivered on time
B) Maximizing the value and benefits derived from IT-enabled investments
C) Minimizing IT costs
D) Automating IT processes
Answer: B
Explanation: Benefits Realization focuses on ensuring that IT investments deliver the intended value to the organization.
How does IT governance contribute to regulatory compliance?
A) By establishing policies, controls, and oversight mechanisms
B) By automating network management
C) By hiring more IT staff
D) By reducing IT budgets
Answer: A
Explanation: IT governance ensures compliance through policies, controls, and oversight aligned with regulatory requirements.
What role does communication play in IT governance?
A) It is essential for aligning IT and business objectives and managing stakeholder expectations
B) It is used only for IT project updates
C) It is unnecessary in mature organizations
D) It focuses mainly on technical team meetings
Answer: A
Explanation: Communication is critical for alignment and managing expectations among all stakeholders.
Which statement best describes the relationship between IT governance and enterprise governance?
A) IT governance is a subset of enterprise governance focused on IT resources and processes
B) Enterprise governance is only concerned with financial controls
C) IT governance replaces enterprise governance in organizations
D) They operate independently without overlap
Answer: A
Explanation: IT governance is part of the broader enterprise governance framework, focusing on IT resources.
What is the primary focus of IT risk management within governance?
A) Identifying, assessing, and mitigating IT risks to acceptable levels
B) Increasing IT project budgets
C) Hiring more IT staff
D) Developing software faster
Answer: A
Explanation: IT risk management involves identifying and controlling IT-related risks to protect the enterprise.
Which of the following tools is commonly used to evaluate IT governance maturity?
A) COBIT Maturity Model
B) SWOT analysis
C) PERT chart
D) Gantt chart
Answer: A
Explanation: The COBIT maturity model assesses the maturity of IT governance processes and practices.
What is the most effective way to align IT performance metrics with business goals?
A) Define metrics that directly relate to business outcomes and benefits
B) Use only technical IT metrics
C) Focus on IT budget variance
D) Measure only project completion times
Answer: A
Explanation: Metrics should reflect business outcomes to ensure IT contributes value to the enterprise.
What is the significance of the “Accountability” principle in IT governance?
A) It ensures that individuals and groups are responsible for their decisions and actions
B) It reduces IT budgets
C) It delegates all decisions to external vendors
D) It eliminates the need for documentation
Answer: A
Explanation: Accountability means clearly defining who is responsible for IT-related decisions and their consequences.
Which activity helps ensure that IT policies are effectively implemented?
A) Regular audits and compliance checks
B) Developing new software
C) Reducing IT staffing
D) Outsourcing IT functions
Answer: A
Explanation: Regular audits verify that IT policies and controls are followed properly.
Why is stakeholder engagement important in IT governance?
A) It ensures diverse viewpoints are considered and increases buy-in for IT initiatives
B) It slows down decision-making
C) It reduces IT budgets
D) It complicates IT operations
Answer: A
Explanation: Engaging stakeholders helps gather input and gain support for governance decisions.
Which CGEIT domain focuses on the establishment of IT governance structures?
A) Governance of Enterprise IT
B) Risk Optimization
C) Benefits Realization
D) Strategic Management
Answer: A
Explanation: The Governance of Enterprise IT domain involves establishing governance frameworks, roles, and structures.
What is the best way to ensure IT governance frameworks remain relevant?
A) Periodic review and updating based on changes in business and technology
B) Implement once and never change
C) Outsource governance entirely
D) Focus only on cost-cutting
Answer: A
Explanation: Governance frameworks must be reviewed and updated regularly to stay aligned with evolving needs.
What does an effective IT governance framework typically include?
A) Policies, procedures, roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics
B) Only technical standards
C) Only project schedules
D) Only IT budget plans
Answer: A
Explanation: A comprehensive IT governance framework covers all aspects of governance, including policies and performance metrics.
Which of the following best describes the concept of “Value Governance” in CGEIT?
A) Ensuring IT investments maximize business value and benefits
B) Focusing on cost-cutting in IT operations
C) Automating IT processes
D) Managing IT infrastructure
Answer: A
Explanation: Value governance is about maximizing the business value and benefits from IT-enabled investments.
What is the purpose of establishing an IT steering committee?
A) To manage day-to-day IT operations
B) To provide strategic guidance and prioritize IT initiatives aligned with business goals
C) To handle IT helpdesk tickets
D) To develop software applications
Answer: B
Explanation: An IT steering committee is responsible for providing strategic guidance and prioritizing IT projects to ensure alignment with business objectives.
Which of the following best describes a balanced scorecard in IT governance?
A) A financial report for the IT department
B) A tool to measure IT performance across multiple perspectives, including financial, customer, internal processes, and learning/growth
C) A technical audit checklist
D) A project management tool
Answer: B
Explanation: The balanced scorecard provides a comprehensive performance measurement framework across several dimensions to ensure balanced IT governance.
How can IT governance frameworks help in managing third-party risks?
A) By defining controls and monitoring requirements for vendors and service providers
B) By delegating all risks to the vendors
C) By ignoring third-party risks
D) By only focusing on internal IT risks
Answer: A
Explanation: Effective IT governance frameworks include vendor management practices that define controls and monitor third-party risk.
What is the most important consideration when implementing an IT governance framework?
A) Choosing the most popular framework
B) Tailoring the framework to the organization’s size, culture, and business needs
C) Implementing the framework as-is without changes
D) Using it only for compliance purposes
Answer: B
Explanation: IT governance frameworks should be customized to fit the specific needs and context of the organization.
Which of the following is a common challenge in achieving effective IT governance?
A) Lack of executive support and sponsorship
B) Excessive IT budgets
C) Overstaffed IT departments
D) Too many business users involved
Answer: A
Explanation: Lack of support from top executives is a major barrier to effective IT governance.
What is a key benefit of IT governance maturity assessments?
A) Identifying gaps and areas for improvement in IT governance practices
B) Increasing IT operational costs
C) Automating software deployments
D) Recruiting IT staff
Answer: A
Explanation: Maturity assessments help organizations evaluate their current governance state and plan improvements.
Which document typically outlines the roles and responsibilities of IT governance participants?
A) RACI matrix
B) Network topology diagram
C) Software requirement specification
D) Project charter
Answer: A
Explanation: The RACI matrix clearly defines who is responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed for governance roles.
What is the purpose of IT policies in governance?
A) To provide formal guidance and rules for IT-related decisions and actions
B) To document hardware inventory
C) To plan IT projects
D) To define helpdesk procedures
Answer: A
Explanation: IT policies establish rules and guidelines that govern IT activities and decisions.
How does enterprise architecture support IT governance?
A) By providing a structured framework to align IT capabilities with business goals
B) By managing IT helpdesk tickets
C) By developing software code
D) By configuring network devices
Answer: A
Explanation: Enterprise architecture helps align IT infrastructure and applications with business strategies and governance.
Which governance activity focuses on monitoring performance and ensuring compliance?
A) Assurance
B) Project planning
C) Software development
D) Network configuration
Answer: A
Explanation: Assurance activities monitor governance effectiveness and compliance with policies and regulations.
What is the role of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in IT governance?
A) To provide measurable values that indicate how well IT objectives are being achieved
B) To describe project scope
C) To list IT inventory
D) To define coding standards
Answer: A
Explanation: KPIs help measure progress toward IT governance and business goals.
Which of the following is a principle of IT governance?
A) Transparency
B) Secrecy
C) Informality
D) Centralized decision-making without stakeholder input
Answer: A
Explanation: Transparency is fundamental to IT governance, ensuring decisions and processes are visible and understandable.
What is the benefit of aligning IT risk management with enterprise risk management (ERM)?
A) Holistic risk view and better resource allocation
B) Reduced need for IT staff
C) Faster IT deployments
D) Ignoring non-IT risks
Answer: A
Explanation: Aligning IT risk with ERM provides a comprehensive understanding of organizational risks and better prioritization.
Which of the following best describes “control objectives” in IT governance?
A) Specific goals that controls aim to achieve to mitigate risks
B) Software development milestones
C) Hardware installation guidelines
D) IT budgeting principles
Answer: A
Explanation: Control objectives define what governance controls are designed to achieve to manage risks effectively.
What is the first step in establishing an IT governance framework?
A) Assessing current IT and business environment and needs
B) Writing detailed IT policies
C) Hiring external auditors
D) Purchasing software tools
Answer: A
Explanation: Understanding the existing environment and requirements is essential before implementing governance structures.
Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of effective IT governance?
A) Continuous improvement
B) Alignment with business strategy
C) Lack of accountability
D) Stakeholder involvement
Answer: C
Explanation: Lack of accountability is a governance weakness, not a characteristic of effective governance.
How can organizations ensure IT governance policies remain relevant?
A) Regularly reviewing and updating policies to reflect changes in business and technology
B) Creating policies once and never reviewing them
C) Outsourcing policy development
D) Ignoring changes in regulations
Answer: A
Explanation: Regular updates keep policies aligned with evolving business and regulatory requirements.
What is the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) in IT governance?
A) Leading IT strategy development and governance implementation
B) Managing helpdesk calls
C) Writing software code
D) Configuring network hardware
Answer: A
Explanation: The CIO typically leads IT governance efforts, ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy.
Which domain of CGEIT includes ensuring IT investments provide business value?
A) Benefits Realization
B) Risk Optimization
C) Strategic Management
D) Governance of Enterprise IT
Answer: A
Explanation: The Benefits Realization domain focuses on maximizing the value of IT investments.
What is the significance of “stakeholder analysis” in IT governance?
A) Identifying and understanding stakeholders’ interests and influence to manage expectations effectively
B) Tracking IT assets
C) Managing software releases
D) Configuring network firewalls
Answer: A
Explanation: Stakeholder analysis helps tailor governance communication and decision-making to address interests.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of IT risk appetite?
A) The amount of risk an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of objectives
B) The number of IT incidents tolerated
C) The IT budget limit
D) The number of IT projects approved
Answer: A
Explanation: Risk appetite defines the level of risk the enterprise is willing to accept.
What is a primary goal of IT performance management?
A) Ensuring IT delivers services efficiently and meets business expectations
B) Managing network devices
C) Writing software documentation
D) Hiring IT staff
Answer: A
Explanation: IT performance management focuses on service delivery quality and alignment with business needs.
How does COBIT support IT governance?
A) By providing a comprehensive framework of processes, controls, and metrics aligned with business goals
B) By managing network configurations
C) By developing software applications
D) By performing helpdesk functions
Answer: A
Explanation: COBIT offers a governance framework that aligns IT processes and controls with business objectives.
What is an important factor in ensuring effective IT governance reporting?
A) Timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of information provided to decision-makers
B) Lengthy and technical reports
C) Reporting only financial metrics
D) Excluding business leaders from reporting
Answer: A
Explanation: Effective reporting must be timely, accurate, and relevant to support governance decisions.
Which of the following is a key benefit of embedding IT governance into enterprise governance?
A) Consistent risk management and strategic alignment across the organization
B) Reduced IT budgets
C) Outsourcing all IT functions
D) Ignoring IT risks
Answer: A
Explanation: Embedding IT governance into enterprise governance ensures cohesive strategy and risk management.
How can organizations ensure that IT governance responsibilities are clearly understood?
A) Through clear documentation and communication of roles and responsibilities
B) By informal verbal agreements
C) By delegating all responsibilities to IT staff
D) By avoiding role definitions
Answer: A
Explanation: Clear documentation and communication prevent confusion and ensure accountability.
Which of the following describes the relationship between IT governance and IT management?
A) IT governance sets the direction and policies; IT management executes and operates within that framework
B) IT governance manages day-to-day IT tasks
C) IT management controls IT governance decisions
D) They are unrelated
Answer: A
Explanation: Governance provides oversight and direction, while management handles operations and execution.
What is the primary benefit of a risk register in IT governance?
A) Documenting and tracking identified IT risks and mitigation actions
B) Managing software releases
C) Tracking helpdesk calls
D) Scheduling IT training
Answer: A
Explanation: A risk register is a tool for systematically tracking risks and their treatments.
How does IT governance help in optimizing IT costs?
A) By prioritizing investments that deliver maximum business value and eliminating waste
B) By cutting IT staff
C) By delaying IT projects
D) By reducing IT training budgets
Answer: A
Explanation: Governance helps ensure IT resources are used efficiently for high-value activities.
Which of the following is a fundamental principle of IT governance related to decision-making?
A) Decisions should be made at the right level with appropriate authority
B) All decisions should be centralized
C) Decisions should be delayed indefinitely
D) IT staff should make all decisions
Answer: A
Explanation: Effective governance requires decisions to be made at appropriate levels with clear authority.
