Certified Internal Auditor Course & Syllabus: Detailed Guide

Are you confused about the new CIA certification updates? Here you can learn about the updates and the way the syllabus has changed. Students must follow the CIA exam changes integrated by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) in 2025, the updated sections of the CIA exam, and the updated languages in which the CIA exam will be conducted.

What is the CIA Course?

A globally recognized certification, the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) course enhances professionals in Internal Auditing. The certification validates various skills in auditing, risk management, internal controls, and governance best practices. You can learn how to become an Auditor with this course implementation. Below are the updated exam changes in 2025, the updated CIA parts, and in which languages they will be released in the future.

CIA Exam Changes in 2025

There are key changes in the CIA exam in 2025, which the students must follow through. The syllabus of the CIA exam has also gone through some changes, which students must know before they start preparing for the exam. This certification is quite helpful for emerging finance careers in 2025. Below are the core changes of the 2025 CIA syllabus:

• The new CIA syllabus incorporates the Global Internal Audit Standards. It is closely aligned with the standards, thus replacing the previous CIA framework in January 2025.
• There are some sections of the CIA syllabus that have been consolidated in the new syllabus. Even the weightage has also changed based on the new syllabus.
• The updated syllabus aims to minimize faults and overlaps between the two different parts.
• The new syllabus also focuses on the practical execution of auditing, communication, and risk-based planning.

CIA Overall Structure

There are three parts of the CIA exam, where the first part is focused on the standards of auditing. The second part of the course is about the internal auditing process, and the last part is about the current syllabus, which covers the management of the internal audit function. 

To appear for the exams, students should know and understand the CIA eligibility criteria. It is one of the global certifications that might help aspirants in the market land remote finance jobs.

In the Part 1 exam, there are 125 questions to be answered by the students within 150 minutes. In the Part 2 exam, there are 100 questions, which the students must answer within 120 minutes. Even in Part 3, there are an additional 100 questions, with the exam time being 120 minutes. Students must attain 80% or 600 out of 750 marks.

Updated CIA Exam Syllabus

Below is the CIA Exam syllabus of three parts, which align well with each other. The International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) is integrated to be a single framework that leads students to prepare effectively for CIA course exams. If you qualify for the CIA certification, you are ready for some of the highest-paying finance jobs in India.

CIA Part 1: Internal Audit Fundamentals

Four key areas have been restructured into the previously known part known as “essentials of internal auditing”. Students learn about executing the various duties as an auditor, which encompass integrity, professional care, competency, confidentiality, and objectivity. Ethics also play a significant role in risk management, internal and external auditing, and governance.

Topics in this Part	Weightage
Ethics and Professionalism	20%
Foundations of Internal Auditing	35%
Governance, Risk Management, and Control	30%
Fraud Risks	15%

 

CIA Part 2: Internal Audit Engagement

Three sections were previously known as the “practices of internal auditing”. There are various aspects in this part that engage the planning process of internal auditing. Students develop knowledge into Principle 13 of the Standards, gathering information, analysis, and evaluation of other principles 14. Furthermore, there are communication and engagement supervision lessons to be covered in this part.

Topics in this Part	Weightage
Engagement Planning	50%
Engagement Supervision and Communication	10%
Information Gathering, Analysis, and Evaluation	40%

 

CIA Part 3: Internal Audit Function

This part was previously known as “Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing”. Four sections in this part cover the business knowledge for internal auditing of the CIA certification. It emphasizes the engagement and operations of the internal audit.

This paper enhances the knowledge of the students towards interpreting the data, integrating, and evaluating the audit outcome. When students are studying the CIA course after graduation, they are ready for top finance and accounting careers.

Topics in this Part	Weightage
Internal Audit Operations	25%
Engagement Results and Monitoring	45%
Internal Audit Plan	15%
Quality of the Internal Audit Function	15%

 

Exam Language Availability

If you are wondering about language barriers when applying for the Certified Internal Auditor course, learn about the various languages in which the exams can be taken. Aspirants have to follow the schedules, and the updated CIA exams will be available in multiple languages from the following release dates.

Languages in which the CIA Exam is Available	Release Date
English	May 28, 2025
Portugese	September 28, 2025
Japanese	July 28, 2025
Thai, Korean	August 28, 2025
Spanish, French	October 28, 2025
Turkish, Russian	December 28, 2025
Chinese Simplified, Arabic	September 28, 2026
Chinese Traditional	January 28, 2026
Polish, German	November 28. 2025
Challenge Exams	2026

 

Wrapping Up!

In conclusion, Certified Internal Auditor certification is a well-recognized credential globally. It enhances the career prospects of aspirant auditors and helps them attain higher-salary job opportunities. Students have to follow the exam structure and the updated syllabus so that they can pass the CIA exam.

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Frequently Asked Questions on CIA Course & Syllabus

How to study CIA exam?

The following are the study tips for students appearing for the CIA exam likely creating a system for notes, preparing for the multiple choice questions, becoming a strategic reader, and studying based on a schedule. 

How many papers are in the CIA?

There are three exams that the student needs to attend to receive the CIA qualification and pass it.

What is the best CIA study material?

There are some of the best CIA study materials available, like Gleim CIA Review, Lambers CIA Review, the IIA CIA Exam Review, and Lambers CIA Review.

Which part of the CIA is the most difficult?

The most difficult part of the CIA exam is part 3. The reason why it is challenging is because of the 6.5 hours of the exam.

Is the CIA exam online?

The CIA exam online proctoring is discontinued due to issues in the integrity of the IIA certification program. It is only a test center delivery model where students can sit for the CIA exam.