A free CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) cheat sheet: the three parts, question counts, the 600 scaled passing score, eligibility and the CPE requirement.
By The Exam Atlas Editorial Team · Verified 2026-06-07
A final-revision summary of the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) credential. Study aid only. The CIA is an internal-audit designation from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), not an intelligence agency.
The three parts
Part
Title
Questions
Time
Part 1
Essentials of Internal Auditing
125
2.5 hours
Part 2
Practice of Internal Auditing
100
2 hours
Part 3
Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing
100
2 hours
Scoring
Item
Detail
Format
Multiple-choice, computer-based (Pearson VUE)
Scale
250-750 scaled score
Pass mark
600 on each part
Eligibility (one of)
Route
Requirement
Master’s degree
+ 1 year internal-audit experience
Bachelor’s degree
+ 2 years internal-audit experience
Experience only
5 years internal-audit experience
Student path
Final-year bachelor’s / eligible grad students may sit first
Keeping it active
Requirement
Detail
CPE (practising)
40 hours per year, including 2 in ethics
CPE (non-practising)
20 hours per year
Reporting
Self-report to The IIA annually
Reminders
Take the parts in order - Essentials, Practice, Business Knowledge - budget extra time for Part 3, register for a part only when ready (180-day scheduling window), and log qualifying experience as you go. Confirm current fees and syllabus with The IIA.
FAQ
Can I use notes in the CIA exam?
No. The CIA is a proctored, computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE test centre. Use this for final revision before exam day only.
