The Institute of Internal Auditors has a number of resources for CIA exam candidates, which can help you prepare for the exam. The site offers a book that includes 400 sample test questions, which can familiarize you with the style of the exam and test your knowledge before you study. Review the questions in this book and identify any content areas where you struggle. By assessing your knowledge before studying, you can identify your areas of weakness and focus on those as you prepare for the CIA exam.
Third-party organizations not associated with the IIA offer review courses for the CIA exam. If you struggle with studying on your own, these courses are an intensive way for you to study CIA exam content with the help of an instructor. These courses are available both online and in-person in many states. If you find yourself struggling in a specific area of the exam, you can take a course specific to that part, or you can take a review course that covers all four parts of the exam.
Understanding the requirements of the computer-based CIA exam will help eliminate any confusion on test day. First, you must meet the work experience requirements established by the IIA. You must work as an internal auditor for at least 24 months before sitting for the exam. In addition, you must hold a bachelor's degree and submit your transcripts to the IIA before you take the CIA exam. Making sure you meet these requirements can eliminate any confusion and stress on test day.
The CIA exam covers a lot of content, and it can be overwhelming when deciding where to start studying. Break each of the four parts down into specific subtopics to focus your studies. For example, you can break down Part 1, The Internal Audit Activity's Role in Governance, Risk and Control, into sections that include establishing internal audit priorities and planning the internal audit. Part 2, Conducting the Internal Audit Engagement, focuses on topics such as monitoring engagement outcomes, understanding fraud knowledge elements and understanding engagement tools. Breaking down these broad topics into specific subtopics will help focus your studies.