In 2024, the Institute of Internal Auditors celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Certified Internal Auditor designation. Hundreds of thousands of ambitious professionals grabbed their certification—and now, it’s your turn.
However, finding the right CIA review course can be overwhelming.
I’m here to help. Gleim CIA Review is one of the best CIA prep courses on the market, but it isn’t right for everyone. In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know and give you the details to decide whether Gleim is the right CIA prep course for you.
Is Gleim CIA Review Right for You?
- If you want unlimited access, Gleim’s Premium CIA Review System offers access until you pass, ensuring you’re never rushed.
- If you need personalized guidance, Gleim’s personal counselors and accounting experts will help with logistics and mastering tough concepts.
- If you’re budget-conscious, Gleim’s higher price point may feel steep compared to other CIA prep courses.
- If you value realistic practice, Gleim’s massive question bank and six mock exams are ideal for mastering the exam format.
- If you’re looking for a pass guarantee, Gleim may not be for you, as it doesn’t offer monetary refunds for exam failure.
Gleim: Home of the First CIA Review Course
Gleim is best known for their massive CPA question banks, but they offer so much more than just CPA resources. They also cater to aspiring CMAs and EAs, help with earning your FMAA, and even help professionals fulfill their CPE requirements.
The company just celebrated their 50th anniversary and, according to Gleim:
“We created the world’s first CIA review course in 1980, and 99% of CIAs who choose it say they’d recommend it to others.”
If that isn’t a great pitch, I don’t know what is. But it’s one thing to hear a company say they’re great. Today, I’ll outline the facts so you can develop your own opinion.
Gleim CIA Package Comparison
| Premium CIA Review System | Traditional CIA Review System | CIA Test Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,249.00 | $1,099.00 | $499.00 |
| Access | Access Until You Pass® Guarantee | 18 Months | 18 Months |
| Financing | Starts at $113/mo | Starts at $100/mo | Starts at $46/mo |
| Course | SmartAdapt™ Course | SmartAdapt™ Course | N/A |
| Books | Digital and Printed Books | Digital and Printed Books | Digital Books |
| Audio Lectures | Yes | Yes | No |
| Video Lectures | 45+ Hours | No | No |
| Question Bank | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Practice Exams | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Mock Exams | 6 | 3 | N/A |
| Digital Flashcards | Yes | No | No |
| Support | Email, Phone, Chat, Personal Counselors, Accounting Experts | Email, Phone, Chat, Personal Counselors | Email, Phone, Chat |
Course Content: Gleim CIA Review Systems
$1,000 is a major investment. So, before you take the plunge, let’s take a comprehensive look at everything your money is going towards.
Lessons and Structure
Gleim features a myriad of ways to learn, including 45+ hours of video lectures, digital and printed books to study from, and Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ adaptive course. They’ve also added 230+ step-by-step video walkthroughs for practice questions, which help reinforce exam strategy by showing how to approach each question logically and avoid common traps.
The best part? All of Gleim’s study materials are created in line with the IIA’s exam syllabus, ensuring you’re not wasting a second studying something you won’t find on the actual exam.
As far as practice materials are concerned, look forward to 3,000+ practice questions that mirror past CIA Exam questions, exam-emulating quizzes, up to six mock exams, and even final review resources to conclude your study journey on a high note.
If you couldn’t tell, the Gleim CIA Review course is passionate about materials that provide unmatched exam-day emulation. This gives students a feel for the exam environment, format, and topics before the big day, breeding familiarity, quickness, and, consequently, unshakeable confidence.
“Gleim got me through all 3 parts on the first try.”
u/Idunaz
Technology
Gleim’s adaptive technology may sound intimidating, but I’ll translate the jargon: the SmartAdapt™ course is like having your very own exam mentor who tells you which areas need more work and which you can close the book on. This technology connects to your course progress and practice materials, allowing students to drill through their weaknesses in a practice exam. Monitor your progress and performance through detailed visual analytics.
Bonuses
Great news: with Gleim, you’re getting more materials than just books and practice questions.
Here are some of the bonuses to look forward to, depending on the package you choose:
- Rapid Review Outlines
- Digital Flashcards
- Walkthrough Videos
- Gleim’s CIA Audio Lectures
- Interactive Study Planner
Value, Access, and Guarantees
While Gleim’s cost is on the higher end, their value far surpasses what you’d assume from the price tag. After all, being the first CIA review course provider lends some reliability and trustworthiness but also a lot of knowledge and experience built up over time. If you want a course you can count on, look no further than Gleim.
Access is 18 months for the Traditional System and CIA Test Bank, but if you invest in the Premium CIA Review System, you can access all course materials until you pass your CIA exams.
One student raves,
“I highly recommend Gleim as it does align with the exam nicely and the practice questions are really great. Plus you can extend until you pass it if you buy the most expensive one so you don’t need to worry too much about having to buy it again.”
Student Support
In any package, you can contact the support team via phone, email, and chat. However, climbing to a higher tier unlocks features like Gleim’s personal counselors and accounting experts.
Your new team of personal counselors will guide you through the logistics of taking the exam. Which part should you take first? When should you schedule your exams? How do you plan an effective study schedule based on your free time and lifestyle? And, of course: what do you need to do to pass? Plus, if you struggle to keep your nose to the grindstone, they’re a phenomenal resource for staying accountable.
Meanwhile, Gleim’s accounting experts are here to answer all of your burning questions and dissect complex concepts for you, turning your weak areas into massive advantages. Together, these support options craft a superb strategy for exam-day success.
“I bought Gleim Access Until You Pass. My personal counselor was Dale for the entire journey. I passed every part on the first attempt. I didn’t have prior experience in the field.”
u/Traditional-Bit6446
Gleim CIA Review Discount Code
Gleim CIA Review is a trusted Certified Internal Auditor exam prep leader, offering comprehensive study materials and expert support. Start your journey to becoming a Certified Internal Auditor today!
Pros
- Best Questions Out There: Not only are you getting a huge number of practice questions, you’re getting questions nearly identical to what you’ll find on the actual exams.
- Suite of Support: In addition to typical assistance options like call, email, and chat, students in higher tiers unlock personal counselors and accounting experts.
- Access Until You Pass: With Gleim’s Premium CIA Review System, students unlock unlimited course access until they pass every stage of the CIA exam.
- Efficient Education: Learn more and study less thanks to Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ technology, which helps you strengthen your weak areas and spend your time wisely.
- Practice Forever: Just want to drill through MCQs? Take unlimited practice exams and test your knowledge through up to six mock exam simulations.
Cons
- On the Spendy Side: Though Gleim is well worth the price, their packages are pricier than most competitors’ offers.
- No Pass Guarantee: Gleim offers unlimited access until you pass, but students aren’t eligible for monetary compensation if they fail the CIA exam.
Gleim CIA Review
Bottom Line: Is Gleim CIA Worth the Investment?
If you want a reliable CIA prep course with an impeccable reputation, look no further than Gleim. You’ll receive some of the best practice resources on the market—3,000+ practice questions, unlimited practice exams, and up to six mock exams—all with an intense similarity to the questions on the actual exam. Plus, thanks to study coaching and the opportunity to get personalized responses from accounting experts, you’ll never have to feel like you’re on your own.
Gleim CIA Review was the first, and, to this day, they’re one of the best.
FAQs
Yes, Gleim provides 3,000+ realistic practice questions, SmartAdapt™ adaptive learning, and expert support, making it one of the most comprehensive courses available.
Gleim’s packages range from $499 for the Test Bank to $1,249 for the Premium CIA Review System with unlimited access.
Gleim CIA Review is one of the best courses due to its adaptive learning, unmatched question bank, and premium support. Alternatives include Becker and Surgent CIA Review.
Part 3 (Business Knowledge for Internal Auditing) is widely considered the hardest due to its broad coverage of non-auditing topics like IT, finance, and operations.
Use Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ to target weaknesses, drill practice questions, and simulate the exam with mock tests to build confidence and familiarity.
