FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON COMPUTER BASED-TESTING

1. What is Computer-Based Testing (CBT)?
   CBT, as defined by The IIA, is the delivery of our existing certification examinations by computer at a pre-determined, proctored vendor site. The vendor that The IIA has chosen is Pearson VUE.
2. Who is Pearson VUE and why are they a good partner for The IIA?
   Pearson VUE administers 40 million examinations a year in 145 countries worldwide in multiple languages. They are a leader in global computer-based test administration. Pearson VUE's technology investments ensure leading-edge security and provide improved service to IIA candidates.
3. Are any of The IIA examinations offered on the Internet?
   No. The IIA's high standards for examination security and integrity can only be guaranteed in a secure, proctored environment. Therefore, the CIA and specialty examinations will be available only at established Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.
4. Why is The IIA changing from pencil-and-paper examinations to CBT?
   The implementation of CBT strengthens The IIA's commitment to serving the internal audit community through a valid and reliable examination process. It also provides numerous benefits to candidates, including:
   
   
   • Providing candidates with the convenience of scheduling their tests on the available dates, times, and locations most appropriate for them.
   • Providing candidates with faster scoring and results.
   • Providing the candidate with a professional examination environment that allows for maximum concentration on the examination with limited external disturbances.
   • Offering candidates a reliable and consistent testing environment, where there is little or no variability between each candidate's experiences.
   • Reducing the risk of candidate response errors caused by transferring answers from an examination booklet to an answer sheet.
   • Providing more frequent test administration.
     
     
5. When will the change take place?
   The IIA will begin administering computer-based examinations globally on 5 May 2008.
6. Will The IIA’s specialty examinations [Certification in Control Self-Assessment® (CCSA®), Certified Government Auditing Professional® (CGAP®), and Certified Financial Services Auditor® (CFSA®)] be transitioned to CBT?
   Yes. All IIA specialty examinations will be offered by CBT starting 5 May 2008.
7. Will candidates have a choice of taking the examinations in either paper-and-pencil or computer-based format?
   No. Starting in 2008, the CIA and specialty examinations will be offered in computer-based format and candidates cannot opt for another delivery method.
8. If candidates have previously passed parts of the CIA examination, will they retain the passed parts?
   Candidates passing parts before January 2008 will retain the parts that they passed, as in the past, and will sit for any remaining parts using CBT.
9. What is The IIA’s policy for retaking an examination after an unsuccessful attempt?
   Candidates who do not pass an examination part or specialty examination must wait 90 days to retake the examination part or specialty examination.
10. How is Professional Recognition Credit for Part IV of the CIA examination affected by these changes?
    Professional Recognition Credit is not affected by the change to CBT. Candidates with eligible certifications will still receive credit for Part IV of the CIA examination through the Professional Recognition Credit programme.
11. Does it take more time to complete the computerised test compared to the paper version?
    Experience with computerised testing reveals that it usually takes less time to complete the test. There are no test booklets and answer sheets to manage, and no need to transfer answers manually to an answer sheet.
12. What computer skills are needed to take examinations via CBT?
    Candidates are expected to be familiar with the use of a mouse and keyboard. Candidates must also be able to use a four function online calculator. A short tutorial will be available to each candidate at the testing center prior to taking the examination. The tutorial will also be available to candidates online for review before the examination. Candidates will no longer bring calculators to the examination site. A calculator will either be provided at the testing center by Pearson VUE or will be available on the computer.
13. How much time will candidates have to complete each examination?
    CIA examination - Candidates will be allowed two hours and 45 minutes of test time. The testing session for the CIA examination will be three hours per part. This allows enough time for a tutorial prior to the start of the examination and a survey at the completion of the examination.
    IIA Specialty Examinations (Certification in Control Self-Assessment, Certified Government Auditing Professional, and Certified Financial Services Auditor) - Candidates will be allowed three hours and 15 minutes of test time. The testing session for each specialty examination will be three hours and 30 minutes. This allows enough time for a tutorial prior to the start of the examination and a survey at the completion of the examination.
14. What will be the format of the examination?
    Examination questions will remain multiple-choice (M/C) with four options from which to choose.
15. Will the content of the examinations change?
    The content of the CIA examination and the three IIA specialty examinations will not change. Although the number of examination questions will be reduced, questions on the computer-based examination will cover the same subject matter as those on the pencil-and-paper examination.
16. How many questions will be contained on each examination?
    
    

    Examination	Number of Questions	Test Time
    Certified Internal Auditor
    Part I	100 M/C questions	2 hours and 45 minutes
    Part II	100 M/C questions	2 hours and 45 minutes
    Part III	100 M/C questions	2 hours and 45 minutes
    Part IV	100 M/C questions	2 hours and 45 minutes
    IIA Specialty Examinations
    Certification in Control Self-Assessment	125 M/C questions	3 hours and 15 minutes
    Certified Government Auditing Professional	125 M/C questions	3 hours and 15 minutes
    Certified Financial Services Auditor	125 M/C questions	3 hours and 15 minutes

    
    
17. When taking the computer-based examination, may a candidate return to previous questions to review them or change answers?
    Yes. During the time allowed for the examination, candidates may move freely within the examination. Candidates may return to previous questions, change their answers, and mark questions that they would like to review before completing the examination. However, once the candidate completes the examination or the test time is over, the candidate can no longer access any examination questions.
18. With CBT, will the application/registration process change for the CIA or specialty examinations?
    Registration will begin on 1 April 2008. Some aspects of the application/registration process will change. For examination, upon registering for an examination part or specialty examination, a candidate will have six months to sit for that examination part or specialty examination. These processes are being finalised, and the programme brochure and application forms will be updated and available in March 2008. Further information will be posted on our Web site as available.
19. How do candidates schedule an examination?
    In order to schedule an examination, candidates must have successfully completed all of the necessary application/registration steps and received correspondence from IIA Malaysia, with instructions on scheduling their examination. Once CBT begins, tests will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier that candidates schedule appointments, the better their chances are of obtaining the location, date, and time of their choice. Walk-in testing is not allowed. Please note that the application and registration process may vary in countries where the examinations are administered through agreements with local IIA institutes.
20. Do all four examination parts have to be taken at the same time?
    No. All four examination parts can be taken in the same time period by choice, but single parts may be taken as in the past.
21. Upon transition to CBT, what will be the cost of the CIA and specialty examinations?
    
    
22. Why is the price of the examination increasing?
    To deliver increased levels of security and additional services, a third-party CBT provider has been contracted. There are additional costs associated with these improved services, and these costs are included in the new pricing. The candidate is receiving increased access and flexibility, faster turnaround time of results, and a more professional, secure testing environment.
23. Where will the examination be administered?
    The CIA and specialty examinations will be administered through the worldwide network of Pearson VUE Testing Centers. The Pearson VUE network increases the availability of the examination from approximately 250 examination sites to over 400 examination sites. Please check the Web site in March 2008 for a list of eligible examination sites.
24. What languages will be available through CBT?
    The examination will be available in the same languages that are currently available through paper-and-pencil testing. In Malaysia, the examinations will be in English.
    
    For further information, please contact