FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is computer-based testing (CBT)?
CBT, as defined by the IIA, is the delivery of our existing certification exams by computer at a pre-determined proctored vendor site. Candidates will answer the questions electronically on a computer provided at the site.
2. Who will administer the exams?
The vendor that the IIA has chosen is Pearson VUE. Their technology investments ensure leading-edge security as well as providing improved service to IIA candidates.
3. When will the exams be offered?
The CIA and specialty exams will be offered throughout the year. The exams will be offered five days a week, excluding week-ends and public holidays. Candidates can sit for the exams even when our office is closed, as long as the Pearson VUE site is available. Please note that some sites may close over the December/January holiday period.
4. What terminology is used?
Application: Previously referred to as ‘registration’. A one-time event for new candidates. The application is accompanied by a once off non-refundable fee. This amount covers the initial application that gives the candidate access to the exam program.

Registration: This occurs each time a candidate wants to sit for an exam/part and is accompanied by an exam registration fee.
5. Where will the exam be administered?
Please click here to visit Pearson VUE for more info.
6. How do candidates schedule an exam?
Candidates must register with the IIA SA, which will ensure that all access requirements are met. Once a registration has been approved, the IIA SA will issue the necessary correspondence to the candidate with instructions on how to schedule the exam, as well as the documentation needed to identify the candidate at the Pearson Vue site. Candidates must then contact Pearson Vue and arrange for an appointment to sit for the exam. Please note that tests will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier that candidates schedule appointments, the better their chances are of obtaining the location, date, and time of their choice. Walk-in testing is not allowed.
7. How many questions will be contained on each exam?

Exam

Number of Questions

Test Time

Certified Internal Auditor

CIA Part I

100 M/C* questions

2 hours and 45 minutes

CIA Part II

100 M/C* questions

2 hours and 45 minutes

CIA Part III

100 M/C* questions

2 hours and 45 minutes

CIA Part IV

100 M/C* questions

2 hours and 45 minutes

Specialty Exams

Certification in Control Self-Assessment

125 M/C* questions

3 hours and 15 minutes

Certified Government Auditing Professional

125 M/C* questions

3 hours and 15 minutes

Certified Financial Services Auditor

125 M/C* questions

3 hours and 15 minutes

* M/C = Multiple Choice

8. What is the cost of the CIA and specialty exams?
Please click here to refer to "IIA SA Certification Application and Exam Registration Pricing" page.
9. Why is the cost of writing the exam higher than in previous years?

  • Pearson Vue will deliver increased levels of security and additional services - these are additional costs which were previously not incurred as the proctoring services were provided by volunteers, and often the venues were also supplied to the IIA SA free of charge.

  • South Africa no longer appears on the World Bank's poverty list which previously allowed us to receive significant discounts on the price charged to the IIA SA by the IIA Inc. In addition, the IIA Inc increased fees in preparation for CBT. Initially, the IIA SA absorbed these increased prices and did not pass the higher rates on to our members. Candidates can however be assured that the IIA SA seeks only to cover costs and not profit from certification.
10. What are the benefits of computer-based testing?

The implementation of CBT provides numerous benefits to candidates, including:

  • More frequent test administration.

  • The convenience of scheduling tests on the available dates, times, and locations most convenient for candidates.

  • Faster scoring and results. Candidates will receive preliminary results immediately after taking the exam.

  • A professional exam environment that allows for maximum concentration on the exam with limited external disturbances.

  • A reliable and consistent testing environment, where there is little or no variability between each candidate's experience.

  • A reduced risk of candidate response errors caused by transferring answers from an exam booklet to an answer sheet.

  • No likelihood of examination sheets being lost in transit from SA to the USA.

11. How long does a candidate have to complete the CIA or specialty programs? Will the eligibility period change with CBT?

A candidate’s program eligibility will expire, if:

  • It has been two years from the date that the candidate’s application was approved, AND

  • The candidate has not successfully completed all required exams, AND

  • The candidate has not sat for an exam part in the past two years, AND

  • The candidate does not have a current open registration for an exam part. (An open registration is defined as a paid registration for an exam part for which the candidate has not yet sat)

12. What is The IIA's policy for retaking the exam after an unsuccessful attempt?
All candidates who fail a part will have a uniform 90-day waiting period before being allowed to retake the failed part.
13. How is Professional Recognition Credit for Part IV of the CIA exam affected by these changes?
Professional Recognition Credit is not affected by the change to CBT. Candidates with eligible certifications will still receive credit for Part IV of the CIA exam through the Professional Recognition Credit program.
14. Does it take more time to complete the computerized test compared to the paper version?
Experience with computerized testing reveals that it usually takes less time to complete the test. There are no test booklet and answer sheet to manage, and no need to transfer answers manually to an answer sheet.
15. What computer skills are needed to take exams via CBT?
Candidates are expected to be familiar with the use of a mouse and keyboard. Candidates must also be able to use a four-function online calculator. A short tutorial will be available to each candidate at the testing centre prior to taking the exam. The tutorial will also be available to candidates online for review before the exam. Candidates will no longer bring calculators to the exam site. A calculator will either be provided at the testing centre by Pearson VUE or will be available on the computer.
16. What is the format of the exam?
Exam questions remain multiple-choice (M/C) with four options from which to choose.
17. Has the content of the exams changed?
The content of the CIA exam and the three IIA specialty exams have not changed. Although the number of exam questions have been reduced, questions on the computer-based exam cover the same subject matter as those on the old pencil-and-paper exam.
18. When taking the computer-based exam, may a candidate return to previous questions to review them or change answers?
Yes. During the time allowed for the exam, candidates may move freely within the exam. Candidates may return to previous questions, change their answers, and mark questions that they would like to review before completing the exam. However, once the candidate completes the exam or the test time is over, the candidate can no longer access any exam questions.
19. Has the passing standard changed for the CIA or specialty exams with CBT?
The passing standards have not changed.
20. Do all four exam parts have to be taken at the same time?
No. All four exam parts can be taken at the same time by choice, but single parts may be taken as in the past. However, candidates may not take the same part more than once over a 90-day period.

For more information please e-mail: certification@iiasa.org.za