How to I study to pass CIA Exam?

I have been asked this question recently by a CIA exam (Conducted by Institute of Internal Auditors) candidate. Here is what we discussed:

1. IPPF: Gain proficiency in IPPF. The best way is to apply them, discuss them with your peers, team and seniors in the profession. LinkedIn have number of forum devoted to internal audit professions, where queries on internal audit is being posted for seeking guidance. Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) also has various groups to connect to its members.
2. www.theiia.org and www.iaonline.theiia.org are two website which a CIA aspirant must visit and go through various announcement, articles, guidelines, guidance, etc. They also host various blogs, including a blog by Richard Chambers, which contain very useful guidance to entry level to senior professionals alike.  These two are one the best source to develop clarity on subjects, understanding nuances of a topic.
3. Reference Material: “Any good material refers to other good material”. Follow this adage. Whenever you come across any good material, follow through all the reference material used in the article/ magazine/ book. This will help develop the depth and breadth of knowledge on the subject.
4. Practice Question and answer: IIA Learning systems offers sample question and answers. Similarly there are websites which offer sample Q&A. Attempting to answer Q&A will help sharpen the knowledge. Remember it is important to know why you are right, It is more important to know why you are not right/ wrong.
5. Become member of local IIA Chapter. They can provide local mentorship.
6. Attend the program organised by local IIA Chapter as they offer you a chance to learn and clarify doubts, if any.
7. There is no substitute to experience and/or a good book.

A search on Google for “CIA sample questions” gave following results:

1. https://na.theiia.org/certification/cia-certification/Pages/Sample-Exam-Questions.aspx
2. https://www.learncia.com/free-questions/
3. https://www.test-questions.com/iia-cia-exam-questions-19.php
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9781119204206.oth01
5. https://www.hockinternational.com/download/samples/CIA_Text_P1_Sample.pdf
6. https://iiaciapart1onlinetest.wordpress.com/tag/iia-cia-part1-exam-questions/

Some of my favorite blogs are:

1. https://normanmarks.wordpress.com/
2. https://riskacademy.blog/author/alexausrisk/

Other sources:

1. https://www.gleim.com/accounting/systemforsuccess/cia/index.php?page=0
2. https://ipasstheciaexam.com/cia-exam-faq/

Call for action:
Inputs/ comments/ suggestion: I welcome inputs/ comments / suggestions from readers on how to approach this issue. Feel free to correct me, educate me.
Share the Article: If you like it, share it. If you share it with others, and they comment, we all will get more learned.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed constitute the opinion of the author and the author alone; they do not represent the views and opinions of the author ’s employers, supervisors, nor do they represent the view of organizations, businesses or institutions the author is, or has been a part of.)