CIA 2025 vs. 2017
The CIA exam is changing in 2025. The changes are partly due to changes in the “Standards”, now referred to as the Global Internal Audit Standards, that were released in January 2024, and are effective by January 2025. The current (till May 2025) CIA exam is based on the Standards that were released in 2017. Read through to learn more about the changes to the CIA exam, and how they may affect your exam preparation.
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Get Study Material NowWhat is the CIA exam syllabus?
The CIA exam syllabus is an outline that summarizes the topics covered in the CIA exam. The exam syllabus serves as a guide to help candidates identify the content on which they will be tested to earn the CIA certification. For more details about the current exam syllabus click here
What is changing?
The 2025 exam will reflect changes in internal audit Standards. The IIA released an updated version of the Standards, Global Internal Audit Standards, in January 2024. The updated Standards are set to be effective by January 2025. The CIA exam syllabus will be updated to reflect the changes in the standards, in addition to other changes based on feedback that the IIA collected through a global job analysis.
CIA 2025 vs. 2017 Outline
Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals |
|
2025 |
2017 |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Internal Auditing - 35% | Foundations of internal auditing - 15% |
| Ethics and Professionalism - 20% | Independence and objectivity - 15% |
| Governance, Risk Management, and Control - 30% | Proficiency and due professional care - 18% |
| Fraud Risks - 15% | Quality assurance and improvement program - 7% |
| Governance, risk management, and control - 35% | |
| Fraud risks - 10% | |
Part 2 - Internal Audit Engagement |
|
2025 |
2017 |
|---|---|
| Engagement Planning (50%) | Managing the internal audit function - 20% |
| Information Gathering, Analysis, and Evaluation (40%) | Planning the engagement - 20% |
| Engagement Supervision and Communication (10%) | Performing the engagement - 40% |
| Communicating engagement results and monitoring progress - 20% | |
Part 3 - Internal Audit Function |
|
2025 |
2017 |
|---|---|
| Internal Audit Operations - 25% | Business acumen - 35% |
| Internal Audit Plan - 15% | Information security - 25% |
| Quality of the Internal Audit Function - 15% | Information technology - 20% |
| Engagement Results and Monitoring - 45% | Engagement Results and Monitoring (45%) |
Why is it changing?
The CIA exam syllabus is changing to ensure that the exam’s content remains current and valid. The IIA periodically conducts a global job analysis study. The IIA conducted a global CIA job analysis study in 2023 using an external psychometrician to ensure the independence of the study. The results of the study confirmed the need to revise the current three-part CIA exam, another reason for the change is to align the exam with the new Global Internal Audit Standards.
According to the IIA, the updated CIA exam syllabus will:
- be up to date with the current global practice of internal auditing,
- create greater alignment between the CIA syllabus and the new IIA’s Global Internal Audit Standards,
- minimize duplication and overlap among the three exam parts, and clarify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that exam candidates must possess to pass the exam.
What are the new Standards?
The Standards consist of 15 guiding Principles. Each Principle is supported by Standards that outline requirements, considerations for implementation, and examples of evidence of conformance. Taken together, these elements assist internal auditors in achieving the Principles and fulfilling the Purpose of Internal Auditing. You can find the new 2024 standards here.
When will the changes be applied to the exam?
The new syllabus is published and will take effect for the English version of the exam and Challenge exams starting May 1, 2025, while other languages will be updated later. Candidates will continue to sit for the current exams until the revised exams are released. Here are the new exam release dates for all languages:
|
Languages |
Release date |
|
English, CIA Challenge Exams |
28 May 2025 |
|
Japanese |
28 July 2025 |
|
Thai, Korean |
28 August 2025 |
|
Portuguese |
28 September 2025 |
|
Spanish, French |
28 October 2025 |
|
Polish, German |
28 November 2025 |
|
Turkish, Russian |
28 December 2025 |
|
Chinese Traditional |
28 January 2026 |
|
Chinese Simplified, Arabic |
28 September 2026 |
|
Challenge Exams |
2026 - month to be determined |
How will these changes affect your exam preparation?
The updated version of the exam (based on 2024 Standards) will be released until May 1, 2025 for English, while other languages will be released later on. You can continue to sit for the CIA exams based on the current version until the updated version is released. The IIA will release further information for candidates who haven’t passed the 3 exam parts by the release date of the new exam. We will post all updates related to the 2025 CIA exam on this page.
Should I take the current exam or wait for 2025 exams?
On average, it takes around 4 months to clear the 3 CIA exam parts. If you’re starting to study for the exam late 2024 or early 2025, you have enough time to pass the 3 parts before the changes take effect.
You will not have to retake exam parts that you pass based on the 2017 version if you do not finish your exams before May 2025 (English version)
If you’re starting to study for the exam after March 2025:
- Clear part 1 and/or part 2 based on the current version, then clear part 3 based on the new version. OR
- Prepare for all 3 exams based on the 2025 version.
What should I buy now?
If you purchase 2017 study materials, you will automatically get a free online upgrade to 2025 study materials.
