According to the Institute of Internal Auditors, the CIA exam pass rate starts at just 44% for Part I. This is a relatively low passing rate compared to other professional exams.
If you are considering becoming a CIA, you probably already know that the exam is no walk in the park.
But instead of panicking, let’s take a look at the details— and see what these numbers actually tell us.
Keep reading to learn more about how hard the CIA exam is and why the majority of people fail it (and tips to try to beat the odds).
Overview – How Many People Fail the CIA Exam?
Latest CIA Exam Pass Rates
First, before we get into what the stats mean, I think we should review them. Here are the CIA exam pass rates for the last three years along with the other IIA exams.
| IIA Exams | Current Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| CIA Part 1 | 44% |
| CIA Part 2 | 48% |
| CIA Part 3 | 56% |
| CIA Challenge Exam | 47% |
| CRMA | 45% |
| IAP | 71% |
Unfortunately, the majority of CIA candidates fail the exam.
The best way to improve your odds is to know the material, of course, and that takes a lot of studying with a lot of quality materials. But the best CIA prep courses can be spendy, so you have to choose the right one carefully.
International CIA Exam Passing Rates
The CIA exam is offered in 14 languages in countries around the world, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
Unfortunately, the IIA does not publish a regional or country breakdown of passing rates, so we can’t analyze whether this would affect pass rates.
CIA Exam Section Pass Rates
Let’s recap the section pass rates:
- Part 1: 44%
- Part 2: 48%
- Part 3: 56%
Now, in theory, this doesn’t make much sense. Part 1 focuses more on the basics of internal auditing, and the content tends to get more advanced as you move through the ranks. So, in theory, the pass rates should be decreasing.
So then… why are they increasing?
It’s tough to know for sure, but I have a few theories:
- Prepared students pass, and if you can successfully prepare for and pass Part 1, you likely have the skills needed to prepare for and pass Part 2
- Naturally, a lot of candidates have to retake Part 1, and that’s more prep and practice in refining your test-taking skills
- Passing builds confidence, and confidence builds passing
Ultimately, the biggest piece of insight I can give you is that yes, every part is hard, but Part 1 may be the hardest. So, once you’re over that hump? Ride that momentum to the end.
Why are CIA Exam Pass Rates so Low?
There are so many different reasons and factors that cause candidates to fail the exam. Here are some of the main reasons why people don’t succeed. Take a look and make sure you know what to do so you don’t fall into the same trap when you are preparing for the exam.
Lack of Sufficient and Appropriate Preparation
By far the biggest reason people fail the exam is their lack of preparation. If you properly prepare for the exam, you can confidently say that the CIA exam was easy. But, most candidates don’t properly prepare. They typically study with the wrong study materials and don’t study enough. Quantity and quality of preparation must be carefully considered.
During orientations given by the IIA, prospective candidates are allowed to take diagnostic exams to get a feel of the exam and light evaluation on their readiness level. Based on this you can see how much you will need to study for the exam. If your readiness level is low, you will need to study more and vice versa.
The best way to prepare for the CIA exam is to get a review course that matches your learning style. Remember quality and quantity must be looked. You have to get a quality review course that will help you learn and understand the concepts effectively. Then you have to put in the time to actually use the review course (quantity).
Find a review course that will work for you and dig into it!
Internal Auditing is a Specialized Niche
Even an experienced external auditor will have a few adjustments to make in deciding to shift career to internal audit. From objectives to consider, risk assessment, and to audit focus, internal audit employs a different approach as compared to an external audit. To the majority of candidates, the concepts and methods applied in internal auditing may be unfamiliar.
Keep in mind, the CIA exam isn’t just about answering the question, “Do you know how to audit?” You need to know how to audit based on the IIA’s specific guidelines.
Different Educational Backgrounds
One reason some people struggle with the CIA exam is that not every candidate comes in with the same background. The IIA keeps its eligibility requirements broad, which opens the certification to people from different industries and career paths. That’s a good thing, but it also means some candidates start off less familiar with parts of the exam.
This tends to show up most on Part 3, which leans more heavily into business topics. For candidates coming from fields like healthcare, engineering, or other specialized areas, some of that material may feel unfamiliar at first. That doesn’t mean they can’t pass. It just means they may need more time and a more deliberate study plan to close those gaps.
A lot of candidates from non-business backgrounds still pass the CIA exam. The bigger issue is underestimating how much time and effort it can take to get comfortable with concepts that aren’t already part of your day-to-day work.
Lack of Relevant Experience
Another reason some candidates struggle with the CIA exam is that meeting the experience requirement isn’t the same as having the right kind of experience for the exam itself.
The IIA looks at the type and amount of work experience a candidate has, but that doesn’t always reflect how closely that experience matches professional internal audit standards. So even if someone qualifies to sit for the exam, that doesn’t mean the material will feel familiar or easy to apply.
That gap can become a real problem. The CIA exam is built around internal audit standards and best practices, so candidates are often tested on what strong audit work should look like, not just what they happen to do in their current role. If your day-to-day experience doesn’t line up closely with those expectations, parts of the exam may feel harder than expected.
This is especially important for candidates whose organizations don’t follow the IIA framework closely or don’t use a structured audit methodology. In those cases, it’s easy to assume your work experience has prepared you more than it actually has.
If that sounds familiar, it doesn’t mean you can’t pass. It just means you may need to spend more time comparing your real-world experience to what the exam expects and filling in any gaps before test day.
Bottom Line
There’s no reason to fail the CIA exam. If you follow the right program and put in the work, it’ll still be a challenge, but it’ll be one you can conquer. My recommendation is to find a review course that works for you and start studying—sooner, not later.
You will be glad you did when you get your passing score!
