The recent takeover of Wiley by UWorld has left many in the test prep community wondering about the long-term viability of Wiley’s offerings or if they will continue at all. Until we have a clearer picture, we’re hesitant to give it our recommendation.
The Certified Internal Auditor designation is a globally recognized certification for internal auditors and is granted after passing three different parts of the CIA exam.
Most people who succeed on the CIA exam have one thing in common: They enroll in an efficient and effective CIA review course to boost their chances of passing.
But with a large number of CIA exam prep choices, how are you supposed to decide on which one to use? So many claim to be the best, but only a few courses are truly worth your time.
One of the many courses vying for your enrollment is Wiley CIA Review. But what do they have to offer, and are they really worth your money? Keep reading to learn more:
Overview Of Wiley Efficient Learning
Wiley first acquired Efficient Learning Inc. in November 2012. Since then, they have used their software platform to elevate their online courses. They offer students and test takers around the world a mobile-optimized course for all their test-taking needs. Their prep courses focus on bite-sized lessons and individual mentoring, as well as flexible exam planners.
Wiley has made several updates to their study materials over the years in an attempt to keep up with industry trends. However, some of these updates are more effective than others. Recently, Wiley’s CIA test prep options have been acquired by UWorld, a medical test prep giant. There is no clear picture of what will happen going forward, so we will only list what is currently on the market for Wiley for 2023.
Wiley CIA Review offers the following for CIA students:
- CIA Study Guides & Focus Notes
- Test Bank With 6,800+ CIA Practice Questions
- 3 Full-Length Mock Exams
- Unlimited Practice Sessions and Tests
- 48 Hour Free Trial
What’s Included With Wiley CIA Review
Comprehensive Study Text
Wiley CIA courses offer a book covering all IIA content requirements for each part of the test. These are filled with illustrations, easy-to-understand diagrams, and line drawings, all designed to aid subject matter recall. It also includes many multiple-choice questions and answers; in fact, Wiley has the largest volume of CIA practice questions out of every other prep course.
Online CIA Test Bank
These question sets are designed to tag weak areas for practice and sharpen your CIA skills. Over 6,800 questions can be used to create unlimited custom practice sessions and tests.
Wiley’s CIA exam questions also have multiple methods of interaction that further enhance their effectiveness:
Questions can be answered in two different modes. Study mode shows you explanations for each question and delivers instant feedback upon completion of each question. Alternatively, the exam mode treats the question session as a test and saves feedback and answer rationales for the end of the session.
This is definitely the strongest aspect of Wiley’s CIA study materials. Everything else they offer can be considered a bonus that supplements this solid foundation.
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- CIA VS. CPA: What’s Better?
- Best Accounting Certifications
- What Does An Internal Auditor Do?
- How To Become A CIA
Focus Notes
Wiley’s CIA focus notes reinforce knowledge of Internal Audit basics by being a concise and easy-to-read study aid. Reading focus notes allows you to review all the skills and concepts required to pass the CIA. Additionally, they also include references to authoritative literature and teach effective test-taking strategies. Consequently, focus notes are a simple and focused method to maximize study time and reinforce the day’s lessons.
Wiley CIAexcel Pricing
Wiley sells their program CIA Review in three parts with an optional full-package bundle. Each part can be bought individually and comes with all the study guides, focus notes, and practice questions related to that part. All three parts can also be purchased as a bundle for $375. However, spending a little bit more on their Wiley CIA Review Course will net you all the CIA resources Wiley has to offer, including video lectures and performance metrics. This used to run you $750 but is currently on sale for just $550.
Wiley also provides both a two-day free trial and a 20% student discount. To qualify for the student discount, you must have been enrolled in college within 90 days of the date on which you ordered the course.
Wiley CIA Pros & Cons
Wiley’s CIA Exam Review has a few added positives and negatives worth discussing:
Pro – Bundle Pricing: The study materials bundle is an extremely handy package. Students can pay only for what they need at reasonable prices. Typically services charge more for buying individual parts, but Wiley has a more reasonable pricing policy when it comes to student needs.
Pro – Written by a CIA Expert: Wiley’s content author has written over 60 study aids to prepare students for certification tests. He currently holds 24 professional certifications and has four master’s degrees in management, accounting, industrial engineering, and chemical engineering.
Con – Limited Mock Exams: Although Wiley includes a ton of practice questions, there are disappointingly few mock exams. Fortunately, you can jerry-rig extra practice exams using this gigantic library, although it would be nice to see Wiley add at least one more for each part of the CIA exam.
Con – Uncertain Updates: With Wiley’s recent acquisition, there’s a cloud of uncertainty regarding the future upkeep of their CIA course. Even though Wiley traditionally maintained their content with timely updates, given the change in ownership, it’s unclear if the same level of diligence will be applied moving forward. Potential students should be cautious, as the course might not reflect the most recent changes or standards in the industry.
Con – Interface and Navigation: Some users have mentioned that navigating Wiley’s CIA platform can be a bit of a maze. While the content is thorough, the user experience sometimes lacks intuitiveness, which can lead to unnecessary time spent figuring out where specific resources are or how to progress optimally through the course. Especially when preparing for an exam as rigorous as the CIA, students need a seamless interface that doesn’t hinder their study flow.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wiley CIA
For more insight into this prep course, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Wiley:
A: The free trial offered by Wiley grants access to the CIA test bank for 48 hours. You can study 6,800+ questions and take unlimited practice tests before deciding if the service is worth your money.
A: Paying for Wiley’s CIA Review will grant one year of access to the test bank. Furthermore, you will be given your focus notes and study guides permanently.
Ideal Customer
For those of you still on the fence, here are a few more things to know about Wiley:
- If you like breaking your study sessions into manageable chunks, this is the course for you.
- If you want access to a wealth of study materials, this is the course for you.
- If you like to work in person with an instructor, this isn’t the course for you.
- If you like to study on your tablet or smartphone, this is the course for you.
Final Recommendation
In the past, we’ve lauded Wiley’s CIA Review for its expansive study materials and unparalleled question bank, making it a top choice for thorough exam preparation. Their approach has always been geared towards students wanting a comprehensive learning experience. However, due to the recent sale of Wiley, we’re currently withholding our recommendation. It’s important for students to consider the potential changes or updates that might arise from this transition before committing.
