7. Sit for and PASS the CIA exam while you are in control.

HOW TO TAKE THE CIA EXAM

Gleim makes taking the CIA a breeze. We prepare you so there are no surprises. You will be totally in control and you will be confident. The more you know about the exam process, the more confidence and control you will have and the better you will perform.

Reexamination candidates: You have already experienced the exam process but were not successful. Welcome to Gleim! Please study this study unit carefully to help you refine your exam execution!

The following explanation includes examination site instructions, rules, and procedures. You have to be prepared as to what to expect so you are not distracted from your mission of passing the exam!

A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

Being in control is fun and gives you confidence. You are in control with Gleim CIA Complete System. Enjoy your competitive advantage, which is based upon a systematic, thorough review of all material tested on the CIA exam. It is not hit or miss. The Gleim method does not involve guessing about what will appear on the next CIA exam. You will be prepared for any and all questions. If a question appears difficult to you, it will be more difficult for other candidates.

You are doing your best. No one can ask for more. Be proud. You are exercising leadership skills by planning your preparation program for the CIA exam and then adjusting those plans as part of your control process.

You will do the same thing when you take the exam: YOUR BEST. Again, no one can ask for more.

EXAMINATION SITES

The CBT CIA examinations are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers, which are located throughout the United States and the world. A complete list of these test centers, addresses, and driving directions can be found at www.pearsonvue.com/iia. Click on the "Locate a Test Center" link at the top of the screen, and then choose the country and region in which you would like to take your exam.

If you require testing accommodations because of a special need, call a Pearson VUE agent at the time of registration for assistance.

STAYING IN A HOTEL

If it is not convenient to drive to the exam site from home on test day, consider reserving a hotel room near the exam site. The objective is to avoid distractions and provide complete control over your sleep and study schedule. Make sure the hotel suits you and you will feel good about staying there. Look at the rooms. Do they have a desk or table for study? Are the beds, pillows, etc., comfortable? Are restaurants, room service, exercise opportunities, and swimming pools available? Is late checkout available? Is the hotel near a noisy road or intersection?

Schedule your meals, beverages, and exercise to maximize your rest. After weeks of review and study, the best method to obtain maximum points is a great night of sleep. Use both an alarm clock and a wake-up call to ensure that you get up on time. You may want to take your own alarm clock.

Provide adequate time to bathe, dress, eat, check out of the hotel, and get to the exam site. Do not get up too early to try to cram because you may become frustrated. You want to wake up feeling good and being in control so you will stay in control throughout the exam.

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear comfortable clothes. Sweats, shorts, and jeans are very appropriate. Wear several layers so you can add or remove shirts and sweaters. Generally, wear what you wear when you are most comfortable studying. Remember that coats, umbrellas, books, purses, and attache cases are not allowed in the testing room and are only accommodated at the exam site through the use of a small locker. Thus, you should not take something that you do not want to lose. Have an umbrella, raincoat, or other special clothing available in your nearby hotel or car, as appropriate.

EATING AND PHYSICAL COMFORT

Your physical comfort during the exam can be affected by what you choose to eat prior to the exam. The proper foods can give you the energy to get through the exam with a clear head. Consider the following:

Choose foods with complex carbohydrates (such as breads, rice, and vegetables) for sustained energy. Avoid chocolates and sweets that produce quick highs and lows in temperament during the exam.
Avoid stimulants or depressants that could alter your thinking.
Don't rush your meal or choose foods that are not easily digested (fast food).

Remember, your goal is a clear, focused mind and a positive mental attitude.

WHAT TO TAKE TO THE EXAM

Pearson VUE will NOT allow you to bring anything into the exam room, including food or drinks. Be prepared to have a drink during breaks.

Do not bring any study notes or materials to the exam on your person, e.g., in pockets. If any such notes fall out of your pocket during the exam, you will be accused of cheating. The exam proctor and exam administration system are focused on preventing any cheating.

CBT PREPARATION

Your examination will be taken on a computer at the Pearson VUE testing center. You do not need any computer experience or typing skills to take your examination. Before you start the examination, you will be able to take a tutorial on the testing system if you wish. You have used the Gleim CIA Test Prep CD-Rom and Gleim Online so you will be completely familiar and comfortable with the CBT format. You can also access a tutorial/demo on the CBT experience at Pearson VUE on their website (www.vue.com/athena).

CIA TESTING PROCEDURES AT PEARSON VUE

The following procedures for taking the CIA exam at Pearson VUE were adapted from The IIA's 2008 Candidate Handbook.

Arrive 30 minutes early and bring your Authorization to Test notification and/or your confirmation letter and your identification (see below).
The test center administrator will show you where to store your personal items. You must place all personal belongings, including purses, wallets, watches, jewelry, cell phone, etc. in the storage lockers (or other secured location) provided by the test center. You will be given the key to your locker, which must be returned to the test center staff when you leave. The lockers are very small and are not intended to hold large items. Do not bring anything to the test center unless it is absolutely necessary. Neither test center personnel, Pearson VUE, nor The IIA will be responsible for lost or stolen items.
The administrator will provide you with a copy of the Candidate Rules Agreement. You must accept the terms of this agreement in order to take an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
You must provide one form of acceptable identification (e.g., driver's license, passport, military identification, etc.). The administrator will verify that the name on the identification matches the name on the exam registration. You must keep this identification with you at all times during the exam. If you leave the testing room for any reason, you will be required to show your identification to be re-admitted.
1. Identification must contain your name exactly as you provided it during your registration process, have a permanently-affixed photo of your face, and be current (non-expired). Employee or student IDs will not be accepted.
The administrator will capture your signature and verify that your signature matches that on your identification (if any).
Your fingerprint will be captured, and a digital photograph of your face will be made.
If you have brought a translation dictionary, the administrator will check it to be certain that it is acceptable and does not contain any markings or inserted material.
(Please note that the only item that a candidate may bring to the test that is allowed in the testing room is a language translation dictionary. This dictionary may not contain definitions of terms. It cannot have anything written or highlighted in the book nor can it contain any added notes or documents inserted into the book.)
You will be offered an erasable note board and pen on which you can take notes during the exam. You must return this to the administrator prior to leaving the test center. You cannot take any notes from the test center.
An onscreen calculator will be available during the exam. If you prefer a hand-held calculator and the test center has one available, you may request to be provided with one. You will not be allowed to bring a personal calculator or any other such device with you into the testing room.
You will be required to sign the test center log and you will be admitted to the test. Your test will start within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time. If circumstances arise, other than candidate error, which delay your session more than 30 mintues, you will be given the choice of continuing to wait or rescheduling your appointment.
If you leave the testing room for any reason, you will be required to sign the test center log and show your identification. You may also be required to provide a fingerprint when leaving or re-entering the testing room.
You will not be allowed to bring any food or drink into the testing room.
You will be escorted to a workstation by the exam proctor. You must remain in your seat during the exam, except when authorized to leave the testing room.
After you are logged into your exam, proceed through the introductory screens without delay. [There is a 10-minute time limit on the initial screens and, if that time limit is exceeded, the exam session will automatically begin.]
If you encounter ANY computer problem, report it immediately to the exam proctor.
When you finish the exam, leave the testing room quietly, turn in your note board, and sign the test center log. The test center staff will provide you with a printed "unofficial" score report and dismiss you after completing all necessary procedures.
NOTE: Your score will become official once The IIA publishes the score to The IIA Certification Candidate Management System. This normally takes a few days. Exam scores may be suspended, voided, or otherwise invalidated after becoming official if The IIA discovers errors or evidence of cheating or other improper activity.

EXAMINATION TACTICS

Dressing for exam success means emphasizing comfort, not appearance. Be prepared to adjust for changes in temperature, e.g., remove a sweater or put on a coat. Do not bring notes, this text, other books, etc., to the exam. You will only make yourself nervous and confused by trying to cram during the last 5 minutes before the exam. Books are not allowed in the exam room anyway.
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you arrive less than 30 minutes before your scheduled time, you may be denied the ability to take your exam on that day and forfeit your registration fee. This early check-in allows time for you to sign in and for staff to verify your identification.
Bring your Authorization to Test notification and/or your confirmation letter and at least one valid form of identification with you.
Read the exam instructions carefully.
Answer the 100 questions in chronological order. Flag any questions that you are leaving for later or you wish to review.
You have 165 minutes (2 hours 45 minutes) to answer 100 questions. If you allocate 1.25 minutes per question, you will use only 125 minutes, leaving 40 minutes to complete Steps 7 and 8. If you use the Gleim Time Management System (see Subunit 4.4) to pace yourself during the exam, you will have adequate time to complete each part.
After you worked through all 100 questions, you should return to the questions you flagged and make a final selection, i.e., your best answer.
- Review each question carefully. If you made an obvious mistake, e.g., misread the question, make the correction. Do not, however, begin changing answers and second-guessing yourself. Your first answer to each question should be based on the systematic question-answering technique that you have practiced throughout your preparation program.
Upon exiting the testing room, you will receive a print out of your unofficial exam results. Your score will become official once The IIA publishes the score to the CCMS within a few days.
As soon as you return home from your exam, please email, fax, or write to us with your comments on our materials. We are particularly interested in which topics need to be added or expanded. We are not asking about specific CIA questions. Rather, we are asking for feedback on our materials. Use the last two pages in each Gleim book to send us your comments. This approach is approved by The IIA.
Re-review this tactics list and be confident in maximizing your score.

CIA CANDIDATE MISCONDUCT AND CHEATING

Pearson VUE staff is trained to watch for unusual behavior and incidents during the exam. Exam sessions are audio/videotaped to document the occurrence of any unusual activity, and candidate misconduct will be reported to The IIA for investigation.

If you violate any of the testing rules, attempt to remove test items from the center, or are disruptive to other candidates, your exam may be terminated and/or your test scores invalidated.

The IIA and its Board of Regents consider candidate misconduct related to the certification process a serious offense. Incidents of candidate misconduct will be referred to The IIA's International Ethics Committee for action.

REPORTING CONCERNS

If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding the testing experience or with exam questions, please email them to certification@theiia.org. Please note that while The IIA will review all comments provided regarding exam questions, all scored exam questions have been validated before administration of the exam. The IIA will not regrade or otherwise change a candidate's grade after the test administration based on these comments.