Your Essential Guide to the 2025 CIA Exam Changes
The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation is the only globally recognized certification for internal auditors. With over 50 years of legacy, the CIA credential represents the gold standard in the internal audit profession.
Earning your CIA means:
● Demonstrating essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
● Gaining international credibility and professional recognition.
● Being equipped to deliver internal audit services anywhere in the world.
What’s Changing on the 2025 CIA Exam?
To keep pace with evolving audit practices and to reflect the latest Global Internal Audit Standards, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is implementing important changes to the CIA Exam effective May 2025.
Key Reasons for the Update:
● Align with the IIA’s new Global Internal Audit Standards
● Reflect the current global practice of internal auditing
● Minimize content overlap across exam parts
● Clarify the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to pass
Despite these changes, the exam format, timing, and scoring remain the same (more details below).
New Titles and Structure of Each CIA Exam Part (Effective 2025)
The three exam parts will remain, but their titles and domain structures will be revised for clarity and relevance:
Part | Old Title | New Title (2025) |
---|---|---|
Part 1 | Essentials of Internal Auditing | Internal Audit Fundamentals |
Part 2 | Practice of Internal Auditing | Internal Audit Engagement |
Part 3 | Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing | Internal Audit Function |
Part 1 Syllabus: Stronger Emphasis on Fundamentals and Ethics
Old Domains | New Domains (2025) | |
---|---|---|
Foundations of Internal Auditing (15%) | → | Foundations of Internal Auditing (35%) |
Independence and Objectivity (15%) | → | Ethics and Professionalism (20%) |
Proficiency and Due Professional Care (18%) | ||
Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (7%) | ||
Governance, Risk Management, and Control (35%) | → | Governance, Risk Management, and Control (30%) |
Fraud Risks (10%) | → | Fraud Risks (15%) |
Notable Change: Fewer domains, but deeper focus—especially in ethics and governance.
Part 2 Syllabus: Streamlined to Focus on Engagement Execution
Old Domains | New Domains (2025) | |
---|---|---|
Managing the Internal Audit Activity (20%) | ||
Planning the Engagement (20%) | → | Engagement Planning (50%) |
Performing the Engagement (40%) | → | Information Gathering, Analysis, and Evaluation (40%) |
Communicating Engagement Results and Monitoring Progress (20%) | → | Engagement Supervision and Communication (10%) |
Notable Change: Heavier emphasis on planning and fieldwork execution with a simplified final reporting domain.
Part 3 Syllabus: Realigning Business Knowledge into Audit Functions
Old Domains | New Domains (2025) | |
---|---|---|
Business Acumen (35%) | → | Internal Audit Operations (25%) |
Information Security (25%) | → | Internal Audit Plan (15%) |
Information Technology (20%) | → | Quality of the Internal Audit Function (15%) |
Financial Management (20%) | → | Engagement Results and Monitoring (45%) |
Notable Change: Consolidates broad business topics into functional internal audit activities with stronger outcome measurement.
What Stays the Same in the 2025 CIA Exam Format?
While the syllabus is changing, the exam structure, timing, and scoring remain unchanged:
Component | Details |
---|---|
Parts | 3 exam parts |
Format | Multiple-choice questions |
Questions | Part 1: 125 questionsParts 2 & 3: 100 questions each |
Time Limits | Part 1: 2.5 hoursParts 2 & 3: 2 hours each |
Passing Score | 600 (out of 750) |
Fees | Part 1: $310 (member) / $445 (non-member)Parts 2 & 3: $280 / $415 |
Already passed a part? You don’t have to retake it! But future exam sittings after the update must follow the new syllabus.
Transition Timeline
● May 2025: English-language CIA Exam changes take effect.
● Other language versions will follow in phases through September 2026.
● Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) exam (equivalent to Part 1) will follow the same update schedule.
Smart Preparation Tips for the 2025 CIA Exam
To stay ahead of the syllabus change, candidates should:
Key Focus Areas:
● Ethics and Governance (Part 1)
● Planning and Evaluation (Part 2)
● Audit Function Performance (Part 3)
Best Study Strategies:
● Choose providers with 2025-compliant materials (e.g., Becker, UWorld, Gleim)
● Use mock exams and question banks for practice
● Build a targeted study plan that aligns with the new domain weightings
Final Words: Why Now Is the Time to Pursue the CIA Certification
The 2025 CIA Exam update is a major step forward, bringing enhanced clarity, relevance, and alignment with global audit practices. Whether you're just starting or finishing up, the CIA remains a powerful investment in your career.
Becoming a CIA is more than passing a test—it's earning a globally respected credential that proves your ability to lead and succeed in internal auditing.
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