CIA exam format
Part 1 is 125 questions in 150 minutes. Parts 2 and 3 are 100 questions in 120 minutes each. Domain names and weights changed in the 2025 syllabus - older materials may still show 2019 part titles. Part 1 is 125 questions in 150 minutes. Use MiloPrep tools to plan hours for CIA alongside practice in the app.
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Total sittings
3
Structure
3 parts
Combined content time
390 min
Combined item count
325
Who this fits
Fits you if
- Internal auditors, risk and controls staff, and governance professionals who want the globally recognised internal audit certification.
Skip if
- Candidates who need a CPA licence for external attest, or who want a corporate FP&A programme such as CMA rather than assurance work.
How to use the format numbers
Step 1
Study the 2025 syllabus titles, not legacy names
If your notes still say Essentials / Practice / Business Knowledge, remap them to Fundamentals / Engagement / Function before you drill. Tie this stage to the published CIA weights before you expand reading. Watch for: Memorising Standard numbers without practising scenario questions that ask which Standard or principle applies.
Step 2
Anchor Part 1 on Standards and ethics scenarios
Foundations and Ethics are large. Practise which principle applies, not only definitions. Tie this stage to the published CIA weights before you expand reading. Watch for: Jumping to fieldwork techniques without locking down risk-based planning and scope decisions that dominate Part 2 weight.
Step 3
Give Engagement Planning half your Part 2 time
Planning is half of Part 2 under the 2025 weights. Scope and risk-based planning deserve calendar priority. Tie this stage to the published CIA weights before you expand reading. Watch for: Studying only engagement fieldwork from older Part 2 materials and missing the 2025 Part 3 emphasis on function-level quality and results monitoring.
Step 4
Treat Part 3 as function management
Operations, plan, quality, and results monitoring are the job of running internal audit - not a business trivia quiz. Tie this stage to the published CIA weights before you expand reading. Watch for: Memorising Standard numbers without practising scenario questions that ask which Standard or principle applies.
Step 5
Sit timed mocks at true durations
150 minutes for Part 1, 120 for Parts 2 and 3. Review misses by domain weight. Tie this stage to the published CIA weights before you expand reading. Watch for: Jumping to fieldwork techniques without locking down risk-based planning and scope decisions that dominate Part 2 weight.
Step 6
Match practice blocks to sitting length
At least once a week, practise a continuous block close to published content time. Timing skill decays faster than concept recall.
Format readiness checklist
- Know question format and duration for the next sitting
- Have run one timed block within 20% of published length
- Have practised any non-MCQ format the sitting uses
- Have a pacing plan for the first and last 30 minutes
- Have confirmed break rules on the awarding-body page
- Have listed all 3 sittings on a calendar with recovery gaps
CIA study-week checklist
- Open the CIA hub and mark which sittings you will book first.
- Spend at least one block on Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals high-weight topics.
- Run one mixed set, then log every stem you missed with the correct rule.
- Schedule one timed block near published sitting length this week.
- Revisit one troubleshooting symptom from the hub and apply the next step.
Standards application stems: Ask which Standard or principle governs the scenario. Number recall without application underperforms.
Engagement planning decisions: Practise objectives, scope, and resource choices before fieldwork technique drills.
If using 2019 part names and failing new mocks, Print the 2025 domain map and re-file every note under the new part titles.
If part 2 fieldwork feels fine but scores lag, Make planning scenarios half of every Part 2 study block.
Treat 3 sittings as separate format projects — do not assume one timed mock covers every CIA part.
If mocks are accurate on content but late on the clock, cut new reading and raise timed format blocks for two weeks.
| Part | Focus reminder | Common failure |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals | Standards, ethics, governance, risk, control, and fraud fundamentals. 125 questions in 150 | Memorising Standard numbers without practising scenario questions that ask which Standard |
| Part 2 - Internal Audit Engagement | How engagements are planned, performed, supervised, and communicated. 100 questions in 120 | Jumping to fieldwork techniques without locking down risk-based planning and scope decisio |
| Part 3 - Internal Audit Function | Running the internal audit function: operations, planning, quality, and engagement results | Studying only engagement fieldwork from older Part 2 materials and missing the 2025 Part 3 |
Sitting-by-sitting format
| Part | Format | Questions | Duration | Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals | Multiple choice | 125 | 150 min | 1 |
| Part 2 - Internal Audit Engagement | Multiple choice | 100 | 120 min | 1 |
| Part 3 - Internal Audit Function | Multiple choice | 100 | 120 min | 1 |
Confirm numbers on official pages
Part question counts, durations, and domain weights follow The IIA’s 2025 CIA syllabus refresh. Part titles and domain names changed from the 2019 syllabus; older prep materials may still use prior part names. Confirm the active syllabus PDF on theiia.org before treating any domain percentage as final for your sitting.
How we review structure facts
MiloPrep cites awarding-body materials for CIA. Fees and pass rates are excluded when they move too often to state as facts.
Stat highlight — sittings
CIA is tracked here as 3 sittings (3 parts). Combined published content time across those sittings is about 390 minutes before breaks — use that to size weekly stamina work, then confirm live rules on Institute of Internal Auditors.
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Next steps
CIA hub
Overview of Certified Internal Auditor.
Open hubPart 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals practice
Blueprint and sample practice for Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals.
PracticePart 2 - Internal Audit Engagement practice
Blueprint and sample practice for Part 2 - Internal Audit Engagement.
PracticePart 3 - Internal Audit Function practice
Blueprint and sample practice for Part 3 - Internal Audit Function.
PracticeCIA FAQs
- How many parts is the CIA exam?
- Three parts under the 2025 syllabus: Internal Audit Fundamentals, Internal Audit Engagement, and Internal Audit Function.
- How long is each CIA part?
- Part 1 is 125 questions in 150 minutes. Parts 2 and 3 are 100 questions in 120 minutes each.
- Did the CIA syllabus change in 2025?
- Yes. Part titles and domain weights were revised. Confirm the active IIA syllabus PDF before you study from older outlines.
- Does MiloPrep cover all three CIA parts?
- Yes. The all-access subscription includes practice for all three parts.
- Where do these CIA facts come from?
- From The IIA’s CIA materials linked in the official source callout, including the 2025 syllabus change documentation.
- How many sittings does the CIA exam include?
- CIA is structured as 3 parts. On this site we track 3 sittings: Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals, Part 2 - Internal Audit Engagement, Part 3 - Internal Audit Function. Confirm current windows on Institute of Internal Auditors pages.
- What question format should I expect on CIA Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals?
- Part 1 - Internal Audit Fundamentals uses Multiple choice across about 125 scored items, with roughly 150 minutes of content time. Always re-check Institute of Internal Auditors before you book.