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AAISM preparation guide
AAISM cost: exam, application, maintenance and prep fees
Direct answer
To sit the AAISM exam and apply for the credential, an ISACA member pays US$509 (US$459 exam plus US$50 application) and a non-member pays US$649 (US$599 plus US$50). Maintenance is then US$20 a year for members or US$35 for non-members, and that one fee covers every ISACA Advanced credential you hold. Preparation and retakes are extra.
These are ISACA's prices on October 12, 2026, in US dollars, before taxes. Taxes, exchange rates and chapter dues vary; check ISACA's checkout before paying.
Your CISM or CISSP must stay active, so its own maintenance continues. For CISM, that is US$45 a year for members or US$85 for non-members.
Start AAISM baselineAAISM costs (checked October 12, 2026)
| Cost | Member / non-member | When |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | US$459 / US$599 | Required; you then have six months to sit |
| Application processing | US$50 / US$50 | Required, after you pass, within five years |
| Annual maintenance | US$20 / US$35 | Required each year, due 1 January; covers all Advanced credentials |
| ISACA professional membership | US$145 a year | Optional; chapter dues extra |
| QAE database (six months) | US$249 / US$349 | Optional |
| Retake | US$459 / US$599 | Only if needed; up to four attempts in 12 months |
| Rescore request | US$75 / US$75 | Optional, within 30 days of results |
Original teaching example
One attempt with the QAE. Member: US$145 membership + US$459 exam + US$249 QAE + US$50 application = US$903. Non-member: US$599 exam + US$349 QAE + US$50 application = US$998.
Membership saves US$95 in this budget, before chapter dues. On the exam alone, the member discount (US$140) is US$5 less than the membership fee.
Is ISACA membership worth it for AAISM?
Yes if you buy the QAE; not quite if you buy only the exam.
With the QAE, the member savings (US$140 on the exam and US$100 on the QAE) exceed the US$145 fee. Membership also lowers annual maintenance from US$35 to US$20.
What a retake costs
The full exam fee for each attempt.
ISACA allows four attempts in a rolling 12 months, waiting 30, then 90, then 90 days between them.
Other official prep
The Review Manual, Online Review Course and Virtual Workshop are optional.
Check ISACA's store for their current prices. ISACA's free 12-question quiz costs nothing.
Cost in India and other countries
ISACA prices the exam in US dollars.
CertArc doesn't publish converted figures because taxes and exchange rates change. Use ISACA's checkout for your local total.
CertArc's AAISM access
The baseline and a free trial come first; plans are on the pricing page.
CertArc's prices are read from live configuration on the pricing page rather than repeated here.
Sources and fact check
Source checked: 2026-10-12
- Study methods and examples are independent CertArc teaching guidance. ISACA's pages are the authority for exam rules and fees, which can change.
- Practice results do not convert to an official score or guarantee a pass. CertArc is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISACA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total cost of AAISM?
At least US$509 for members or US$649 for non-members to sit and apply, then US$20 or US$35 a year.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, US$50, paid after you pass.
If I hold CISM, do I pay two maintenance fees?
Yes. CISM maintenance (US$45 or US$85) is separate. The Advanced fee covers AAISM, AAIA and AAIR together.
Do I pay again to retake?
Yes, the full exam fee for each attempt.
Is the QAE required?
No. It is optional official practice: a six-month subscription to a pool of 200+ questions.
