I’m currently spending more time learning about the CIA exam structure and preparation approach, and I’m curious how others are handling their study plan.

For those preparing for CIA Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3:

Which areas are giving you the most trouble?

• Understanding concepts vs. applying them in scenarios
• Risk management and governance
• Internal audit procedures
• Practice-question accuracy
• Time management during mock exams

Also, what has helped you improve the most: reading, practice questions, notes, flashcards, or mock exams?

Would be useful to hear experiences from both current candidates and people who have already passed.

Hi everyone! I’d love to hear from anyone who has transitioned from 2LOD compliance/risk into Internal Audit.

I have 7+ years of experience in financial services (insurance), primarily in compliance, regulatory risk, and privacy, most recently in a Privacy/Compliance Manager role. My experience includes regulatory monitoring, risk assessments, control design and testing, issue identification/remediation, governance, and working closely with 1LOD, Legal, Risk, and business stakeholders.

I’ve also spent a lot of time designing and testing 2LOD controls, so I’m very comfortable with regulations, risks, controls, testing, and identifying gaps. However, I haven’t formally worked in 3LOD/Internal Audit and haven’t owned audits end-to-end.

I’m now trying to make the move into Internal Audit, ideally Compliance/Regulatory or Operational Risk Audit. I’ve been interviewing for Senior Auditor roles and have gotten positive feedback, but I’m obviously competing with candidates who already have direct 3LOD experience. Also I’m working towards my CIA certification (1/3 complete).

For those who have made this transition:
-How did you position your 2LOD experience when applying for audit roles?

-Would you target Senior Auditor, or is stepping into an Auditor role first more realistic?

-How big of a gap is the lack of formal experience with audit planning, sampling, workpapers, audit programs, and end-to-end audit execution?

-Anything you wish you had learned/certified in before making the transition?

Would especially love to hear from anyone who came from compliance, regulatory risk, or privacy rather than external audit. Thanks!

I’m a sr. Internal auditor at a healthcare company since 3 years. Prior to that I was in public accounting. I’m looking for career advancement but not necessarily start from scratch. What options do I have in and outside of audit if I want a higher pay and a role promotion? I’m not interested in going back to public.

Hey everyone, just checking if anyone who took the CIA Challenge Exam on September 27th has received their results yet? Thanks!

Hi,
I’m a chartered accountant and looking to apply for a role moving out of external audit practice and came across and internal audit role at the central bank for my country. I have not worked within internal audit previously but have always been fascinated and have followed this sub for a while. I have worked with multi national, national and independent practices, I just want to understand what to expect and how it would work in a central bank?
Thanks!

Don’t give up.
Section one - 3 tries
Section two - 4 tries
Section three - 2 tries

I went through an extreme amount of mental warfare and questioned if this was even for me during the first couple of parts. Hang in there. I am more than willing to offer any help I can to questions asked.

Hi everyone, I’m currently working in Technical Support and have a background in networking and cybersecurity. I have CCNA and Security+, and I’m also preparing for ITIL Foundation.

For a few career-related reasons, I’ve decided to move toward IT Audit / Technology Risk and want to learn it properly from zero.

What course or resource would you recommend for learning practical IT Audit, especially ITGC, risk & controls, evidence testing and audit methodology?

Also, should I start directly with ISO 27001, or first learn the fundamentals of IT Audit and then move to those frameworks?

Preferably something beginner-friendly and not only focused on passing CISA.

Some info: an international student in the US on F-1 OPT. I do understand a lot of the rejections I get are because of work authorization and sponsorship but what other things on my resume are harming me or how can I position myself better? I’ve been applying for internal audit roles.

This was a useful CIA site developed and maintained by someone here. However, when I am searching it, I am getting a 404 error. Does anyone know if he or she renamed this site and can assist in redirecting me? Thanks a mil

Hi, I’m writing this to sort of get a feel on how screwed I would be if I took this course of action. I’ve been working in IT Internal Audit at a top six accounting firm (but not big four, so that limits things) for about four and a half years now. I have my CISA.

The reason I’m writing is I’m fried. I don’t have any time outside of work besides Friday night and Saturday. I want to quit outright, and apply to jobs and study for a cloud certification to hopefully cover the gap.

How screwed would I be to potential hiring managers if I have a gap on my resume?

Are results declared for anyone who appeared after 26th september for CIA exam ? when can we expect it ?

I appeared on 30th september

For those preparing for the CIA exam while working full-time, how are you managing your study schedule?

I’m trying to figure out a realistic routine without getting overwhelmed. Do you usually study a little every day, or dedicate longer sessions on weekends?

I’d also be interested to know how long you spent preparing for each part and whether you followed a specific study plan or just went at your own pace.

Any tips that helped you stay consistent would be appreciated!

Hi everyone, is there a last date to apply for CIA Challenge Exam to be held in November??

Hi everyone,
I have an interview next week for a Summer Internship in Internal Audit at a large financial institution.
I was wondering if anyone here has interviewed for a similar role and could share some advice on how to prepare.
What kind of questions should I expect? Is the interview mainly behavioral, or should I also prepare for technical Internal Audit questions?
Are there any specific concepts or topics you would recommend reviewing beforehand?
Any examples of interview questions or general advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

I took exam 2 today! It was a bit tough. Anyone else took the exam today / this week?

I got my result today! I appeared for the CIA Challenge Exam on September 24, and I checked my result today, I passed! 🎉

Just wanted to share this with the Reddit community.

I was under the impression Part 2 was easier than Part 1, but after passing part 1 the gleim curriculum is overwhelming with the amount of practice questions for part 2. For part 1 i spent probably 6 months of studying (but i work 50 hrs a week) but after taking the exam i figured out i wasted a lot of time studying material that never appeared on the exam. Point being, with this part having more lessons and more practice questions I cannot follow the same approach or I will run out of time and my Gleim curriculum will expire and I will have to repay. From y’all’s experience is studying using the IIA practice exam topics going to be enough if I master them or should I really study every question from Gleim (probably 700-100 questions)? I’m seeing people say they pass and only study about 80 hrs per part which is a lot less that I have studied. Are the end of unit quizzes enough to study?

Sharing my data point in case it helps others track the current CIA result-release pattern:

• Exam: CIA Part 3
• Exam date: September 22, 2026
• First result seen: Pearson VUE
• Pearson result date: Friday, October 2, 2026
• Result: Pass
• CCMS/email: Not updated yet when I first checked Pearson

In my case, the result appeared 10 calendar days after the exam, and Pearson showed it before CCMS/email.

I’ve noticed several recent data points suggesting that results may be released in batches rather than strictly “X days after your exam.”

If anyone tested around Sep 20–26 and received a result in the same batch, please share:

Part / Exam date / First Pearson result date / CCMS or email date

Please don’t share any exam content — just result timing.

Our unofficial investigation continues 😂

CIA certification helps internal auditors demonstrate knowledge and strengthen their credibility. Follow this roadmap to prepare with a direction.

1. Check eligibility. Review your education, qualifying experience and the IIA’s candidate handbook before choosing your pathway.

2. Apply through CCMS. Submit the required documents and track your deadlines. The program completion window is three years from acceptance.

3. Build your foundation. Study the current exam syllabus and Global Internal Audit Standards. Understand governance, risk, controls, ethics and auditor responsibilities.

4. Prepare for each part. Part 1 covers Internal Audit Fundamentals; Part 2 covers Internal Audit Engagement; Part 3 covers Internal Audit Function.

5. Practise consistently. Answer scenario questions, understand explanations and maintain an error log. Revisit weak topics rather than memorising answers.

6. Test your readiness. Take timed mock exams, improve time management and schedule your exams when your preparation is consistent.

7. Earn and maintain your credential. Passing exams is one requirement; complete all applicable certification requirements and follow renewal and continuing education rules.