The CIA exam is one of the hardest exams in the world. In fact, the CIA exam pass rate was a discouraging 45% when averaged across all three parts in 2024.
So the question is: which prep course gives you the best chance to join the 45%?
Becker’s new CIA review course has a lot of potential, so I dug into the course materials myself to tell you everything you need to know. By the end of this guide, you’ll know whether Becker is the prep course of your dreams, or if the hunt isn’t quite over.
Is the Becker CIA Review Right for You?
- If you want to study only what’s actually tested, then Becker’s IIA-backed content ensures complete alignment with the updated CIA exam.
- If you like learning from your mistakes, Becker’s adaptive tech refocuses your study sessions on areas where you’re struggling most.
- If you enjoy tracking your progress, then Becker’s study planner and performance dashboard make it easy to stay organized and on track.
- If you prefer studying with others, the invite-only Becker CIA Facebook group offers community and accountability.
- If you rely on live classes or instructor-led learning, then Becker may fall short, as it’s an entirely self-paced course.
- If you’re on a tight budget, then Becker may be out of reach compared to more affordable options like Surgent or PRC.
GO TO BECKER – THE IIA CIA® EXAM REVIEW
Becker CIA Overview
In March 2025, Becker released their brand new CIA exam prep course, Becker—The IIA CIA® Exam Review. You may not have noticed if you’re more of a skimmer, but IIA is in that name: an acronym for the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Yes, it’s true: Becker and the IIA collaborated on and co-created a CIA review course, which I’m talking about today. The benefits of that are that you’ll have a course endorsed by the exam creators: exam-quality practice questions, all necessary material covered for the updated CIA exam syllabus, and simulated exams as close to the real thing as you’ll find.
But there’s more to the course than the partnership alone. You get unlimited practice exams driven by Becker’s Adapt2U technology, six simulated exams (two per part), digital textbooks, a customizable study planner, unlimited academic support, and even an invite to Becker’s CIA-specific Facebook study group. Plus, digital flashcards and lecture videos will drip release in May, June, and July 2025.
Pros
✅ The most realistic practice questions
✅ Study only relevant, confirmed topics for the exam
✅ More affordable than competitors like Gleim
✅ Virtual study group to stay connected during isolating study hours
✅ Adaptive learning technology creates more efficient study sessions
Cons
❌ More expensive than competitors like Surgent and PRC
❌ Newer course, so fewer testimonials and social proof
Becker CIA Discount
Becker’s CIA exam review course includes adaptive tools, expert instruction, and a structured learning path aligned with IIA standards. No Discounts on its CIA review courses and get started with focused, exam-ready training from a trusted provider.
Deep Dive Details of Becker’s CIA Review Course
Course Content and Structure
Becker’s CIA course structure is pretty straightforward, but effective. Read through the digital textbooks and topic outlines, following the order of the latest CIA exam syllabus. Then, take a break to practice what you’ve learned with some practice questions.
Follow the recommendations from your study planner so you know what to study, when, and keep an eye on your Adapt2U progress to understand the areas where you need to study more or less frequently.
Without videos, the process can be a little repetitive, but those will be out shortly for audiovisual learners. Further, it’ll be a relief for students to practice knowing they’re studying only the most relevant material in the format they’ll encounter on the real thing. To test that theory, I compared roughly 20 practice questions to those from past exams, and unsurprisingly, the wording is nearly identical.
However, the difficulty is slightly spiked—approximately 25% harder, if I were to assign a number. But don’t worry! That extra difficulty is on purpose, and part of Becker’s M.O. to overprepare students by making things a little more complicated than the real thing, so the actual CIA exams are a breeze.
Adaptive Learning Technology
Becker’s Adapt2U technology is the course’s personalized learning experience engine. Rather than treating every student the same, Adapt2U tailors your study path based on how you perform on practice questions and assessments.
As you progress through the course, it identifies your strengths and—more importantly—your weak spots, then adjusts the materials accordingly. Instead of wasting time reviewing topics you’ve already mastered, you’ll be guided toward the areas that actually need work. The result? You’re studying smarter, not longer.
After spending time in the course, I found Adapt2U refreshingly helpful. It started adjusting to my patterns within just a few practice sets, cutting down repetition and directing me toward weaker content areas with a surprising level of precision.
I liked how the study planner and performance tracking worked together—it always felt like I had a smart, behind-the-scenes tutor helping me navigate what to focus on next. It’s a huge upgrade from traditional study routines and makes the overall experience feel much more efficient and focused.
Access and Value
Becker—The IIA CIA® Exam Review course offers a 24-month access period, which is generous compared to Surgent’s 18 months and Gleim’s 18 months in the Traditional System and Test Bank packages. Gleim does offer their Access Until You Pass® Guarantee in the Premium System, though it costs several hundred dollars more than Becker’s CIA prep course.
Further, Surgent and Gleim feature a money-back pass guarantee on at least one of their courses, which is relatively common in the CIA exam prep world. However, Becker noticeably lacks one in this package. So, does IIA’s authority replace the need for a pass guarantee?
In my opinion, yes.
Becker is the only CIA course on the market with this level of partnership with the IIA, basically making them exclusive insiders to the “what’s on the CIA exam” club, boosting your chances to pass by only sharing the most relevant material. However, if a pass guarantee is make or break for your investment, consider Gleim or Surgent instead.
Student Support
I had the privilege to experience Becker’s student support firsthand through phone, email, and the Facebook study group. Through phone and email, responses are supposed to be within a 48-hour response time, but my replies were much closer to the 2 to 4-hour mark when sent during a weekday. Naturally, if I sent a message or called outside operating hours, it took closer to 24 hours to get a response, but I never had to wait longer than 48 hours.
As for the Facebook group, though support wasn’t always directly from Becker, there was always support available from fellow students. The group was surprisingly active, with several new posts a day, and all the members seemed eager and willing to help one another and schedule study sessions.
Let’s face it: studying for a huge exam can get lonely, even if you’re just doing it to review the course (that’s me). I can see students loving this study group as much as I did for that strong sense of community and camaraderie.
Final Verdict
Even though Becker isn’t 100% finished, I vouch for the available materials. After comparing the practice questions and exams for the real thing (and other courses), I am confident in saying that these are the best and closest match. Further, I think that knowing everything you’re studying is not only relevant but also updated for the newest version of the CIA exam will inspire confidence and peace of mind in future certified internal auditors.
Think Becker’s the right fit for you? Click here to grab your copy at a discount.
Whatever your decision, I wish you the best of luck on your CIA certification journey!
Think Becker’s the right fit for you?
GO TO BECKER – THE IIA CIA® EXAM REVIEW
FAQs
Part 3 is often considered the hardest due to its broad coverage of business, IT, and financial topics.
Yes—especially with its IIA partnership, realistic practice questions, unlimited practice tests, and adaptive tech streamlining your study.
The CPA exam is generally considered to be more difficult, but the CIA requires a deep understanding of internal auditing concepts.
Many candidates finish all three CIA exam parts within 6 to 12 months, though your timeline may vary based on your schedule and familiarity with the material.
Yes—it boosts your internal auditing credibility, career opportunities, and earning potential in the internal audit and risk fields.
Bryce Welker often contributes to Forbes, Inc.com, and AccountingToday.com as well as speaks frequently. He does this to assist others advance their careers. Bryce is the creator of more than 20 test preparation websites that aid individuals in passing certification tests.
