Posts tagged: CIA Studying

Three Weeks Until Exam Day!

May 8, 2013, by No comments yet

 

Written By CIA Exam Blogger Tracy C.

Three weeks to go until exam day! This week I’m going to ramp up my studying and devote more time to it. I just finished a busy few weeks of work, but things should be a little slower now. This will give me more time to study in the evenings. I hope to finish the last few study units this week so I can move on to reviewing for my exam.

While studying, I’ve found it to be helpful to write down the key points that I want to emphasize in my review. I’m not a big proponent of highlighting things in my study book. I think if I started highlighting, the entire book would end up highlighted. For me, it is easiest to go through the entire lesson’s materials and make a list of the areas I need to work on. I learn much better from my own handwritten notes. I tend to write things out for myself in ways that are easy to remember as well. I like to write my notes so that someone who knows nothing about internal auditing could understand them. I have a pretty short attention span, so I need to keep things succinct for my review. However, I think the Gleim CIA study system does a great job of that to begin with. The format is easy to study and there isn’t a lot of unnecessary and overly complicated content.

I think the most important tool in the Gleim CIA study system is the audiovisual presentation. I gain a much better understanding of the concept when someone explains it to me out loud, as opposed to strictly reading the written materials. With the combination of audiovisuals and writing down important points, I should be able to easily review for the CIA exam. So by next weekend, I should be finished with the study units and ready to move on to my review.

Thanks,

Tracy

 

Focusing on CIA Exam Studying

April 8, 2013, by No comments yet

Written By Gleim CIA Exam Blogger Tracy C.

Hello fellow CIA Exam candidates! It’s been a busy week trying to get my study plan together. I finally registered to take my first part of the exam this week. I’m going to be taking it at the end of April, so I need to make the most of my study time. My goal is to do the bulk of my studying on the weekends. I want to get through at least two to three study units on the weekends and one study unit during the week. I have a busy few weeks coming up since I will be working on another new client. It will be important for me to devote as much time as possible to studying over the upcoming weekends.

I have been working on Study Units 1 and 2. It has been hard to get back into studying mode after being out of it for so long. I have been focusing solely on work for the past several months, so it has been a while since I’ve had to spread my attention between work and studying. I tried, unsuccessfully, to take the CPA when I first started working. I graduated with my MBA two weeks before I began working, so I didn’t have a lot of time to focus on the CPA between graduation and work. I tried to manage my time, but I was traveling non-stop for work. I found out that I couldn’t devote as much time to studying as I wanted, and I chose to focus on work. I’m now ready to get back to studying. I am not traveling for work and the busy season is over, so I will have more time. I have chosen to take the CIA now to focus on something more specialized. It is also specific to what I am currently working on. After I pass the CIA exam, I will go back to studying for the CPA exam, but for now I want to focus on CIA.

 

Welcome CIA Blogger Bev M.!

March 18, 2013, by 1 comment

 

Written By Guest Blogger Bev M. for the Gleim CIA Blog.

Hello, fellow CIA exam candidates. My name is Bev and I plan on sitting for Part 1 of the CIA exam in April. I filled out my application last Friday and sent it off. Now I just need to gather my transcripts and get my experience signed off. I have been an internal auditor for almost six years. Never in a million years did I think I would be an auditor, but I accidentally found my niche and plan on making a career out of the internal audit profession. I worked for a Fortune 500 company for the last five years and then decided I wanted to get into public accounting.

I started working for one of the Big 4 accounting firms in April of 2012. I worked in their internal audit department, and one of the things we are pushed to get is a certification. I studied for the auditing part of the CPA exam and realized that the material is somewhat similar to what is tested on the CIA exam. I decided last week that I was going to pursue a CIA designation and see what happens. After all, the correspondence from the IIA states that you can increase your salary by 40%. Who doesn’t want an increase in salary? I plan on staying at work at least 2 hours after everyone leaves to study. I have too many distractions (television and a cute basset hound) at home. I will be using Gleim materials during my journey, hence my being on this blog. This blog is my way of keeping myself accountable and on task.

 

 

CIA Exam Studying Off Track

February 20, 2013, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Chris.

I had intended to read the study material over my study break, but guests were visiting my home like never before. I had to put the books aside and entertain them. I am now back on track and am really committed to the completion of the CIA course.  To make up for the lost time, I am going to study for at least four hours a day. I want to make it a policy to complete at least one study unit each and every day.

After going through the whole outline, I will go for the test prep software. This is where it matters most. I hope to answer more than two hundred questions per day. I will continue doing this until I achieve a score of about 95%. Questions in the test prep software give a good measure of one’s performance. At least you know where you stand. It is a must that these questions be done. A friend of mine once attempted the CIA examination without going through the questions in the test prep software, and it was a disaster. Actually, the test prep software tells whether you are ready for the examination or not.

The test prep software kit also helps one to identify areas in which they are strong or weak. In other words one becomes aware of areas in which he needs to concentrate on. Your studying becomes more effective by using the Gleim Test Prep Software.

Until next time, ciao!!!

CIA Studying – Thanks for all the support, fellow bloggers!

January 17, 2013, by No comments yet

Written By Guest Blogger Chris M.

Hi, folks. I hope you are all doing well.

I regularly read blogs written by contributors to the CIA blog section. To say the least, I have been inspired. When I feel like giving up, these blogs encourage me to keep going. I would like to express my gratitude to the Gleim team for giving us such a platform to share notes on the CIA study course. I have learned a lot just by reading what has been published in the Gleim blog. I have gained valuable techniques on how to study, as well as how to tackle tough CIA exam questions.

I am in the homestretch myself. I am close to being a Certified Internal Auditor, an authority on my own. I am about to achieve this with the Gleim study material, which I have also recommended to some other aspiring CIAs. The Gleim course can prepare you for the test in the shortest possible time. However, having the Gleim study material does not absolve you from hard work. The material will help you to pass, but you will need to play your part. You will often need to burn the midnight oil in order to achieve success.

The Test Prep software will also play an important role in your studies. After mastering the concepts in the study material, you need to practice answering the test prep questions. I have passed Parts 1 and 2 using the Gleim review system. The Gleim system gives you insight on where you stand in terms of the exam preparation. Your shortcomings are revealed when you practice by answering these questions.

Until next time, ciao!

 

Happy Studying Day – Study Tips To Help When Life Gets Busy

January 4, 2013, by 2 comments

Written By Guest Blogger Mrs. U

Hello everyone,

I am thinking about what Gleim study units I will review this week. Exciting, right? It is especially hard for me to stay focused right now. My kids are busy this week, the phone keeps ringing, and there are many social gatherings to attend. I want to spend quality time with my girls, I want to attend the parties. I want to stay connected. However, I want to pass Part 1 of the CIA exam, too! It is so tempting to fall behind during when life gets busy! We are all in the same boat, and time is a scarce commodity. With this post, I want to share some study tips that hopefully will get gets us through this hectic time and inspire us to forge ahead:

1. Study early in the morning, especially if family is in town or you are entertaining. You want to get the studying done while you are alert and things are quiet.
2. Tell your family and friends that you are studying for a major exam. Everyone will appreciate your honesty. If they know you have a goal in mind, they will know you are not just blowing them off.
3. Use your time wisely. If you plan to study each day, just do it! Don’t call your sister, text your husband, or chat with the kids. Have study time. When it is over, it is over. Then you can socialize.
4. Continue doing a little bit each day. I plan to study 30-45 minutes each day.
5. Reward yourself. I love sweets, so when I complete my daily studying goal, I reward myself with a treat. This is very easy to do;  however, there are consequences (weight gain), so don’t overdo it!

Finally, I want to say that this can be an especially hard for a working parent. You may have some time off of work this week, but then you realize you have to study. It is very hard, but it can be done. Don’t give up! I want to succeed, and I know you do, too! Let’s keep at it!

Remember, success lies ahead.

 

 

CIA Exam Studying On A Friday Night

December 14, 2012, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Mrs. U.

It is Friday night. Normally, I would hire a nanny and head out to the movies or dinner with my hubby. Instead, I am thinking about all the CIA exam studying I have to do. The week has flown by, and I did not get a chance to study as much as I had planned. With the beginning of another audit trimester at hand, I found myself falling behind with my study routine. As a result, I am using Friday night to play catch up. I will start by reviewing the Gleim study unit menu and the results of the Gleim Diagnostic Quiz to really help me hone in on the most important study areas.

For the two areas I plan to tackle, I start by reviewing the audiovisual presentation, taking notes as appropriate. Next, I take the multiple-choice and true/false test questions for each area. I love the fact that each study unit is broken down into manageable sections and there are performance reports that keep track of your scores. My goal is to make 85% or higher on each section, so I take the quizzes repeatedly until I feel comfortable that I have grasped the concepts. Currently, I am in the 70% range, so I know a lot of work lies ahead.

After completing each section, I analyze my answer choices to understand why my results were correct or incorrect. I cross-reference the information in the textbook to the information online to ensure that I have a thorough understanding of the study material. In the Gleim test session, the multiple-choice questions are timed. This feature is excellent, because it helps me pace myself and prepare for the actual exam. I really hope my CIA study strategy pays off because I really do miss my Friday date nights.

 

Competing Priorities: CIA Exam Studying

November 19, 2012, by No comments yet

Written by Guest Blogger Mrs. U

This week, I received my study materials from Gleim.  I was thrilled because I have already scheduled my exam to take Part 1. As a working parent, I am sure you can understand how easy it can be to procrastinate when it comes to studying for the CIA exam.  There are so many competing priorities: work, home, family, laundry, sleep, and work. The list goes on and on. And, yes, I mentioned work twice for a reason! Here is where the Gleim CIA study system comes in handy.  I really appreciate the fact that Gleim structured their CIA material to really focus on the key concepts and content needed to pass the CIA exam.  I like the way the online modules have different question types (multiple-choice, true/false) and that they provide explanations to the answers for each question.

 

I also like reviewing the online learning sections because they can be accessed from any computer at any time, and I have found them to be very interactive and helpful. I want to share with you some key things that I have found useful in staying motivated to study.

 

1. Book 30 mins on your calendar each day for CIA. For me, during lunch and before or after work hours are best.

2. Commit to reviewing at least 50-100 Gleim practice questions each week.

3. Jot down any questions or comments in the notes section so you can go back and review as needed.

4. Pick a date and schedule your exam.

I really look forward to sharing my studying journey with everyone, and I hope that some of you can relate and benefit from my posts.

Thanks. Success . . . lies ahead.

 

 

CIA Studying Hints

October 9, 2012, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Chris.

Hi, fellow students. I hope I find you well.

My studies are going very well and according to plan.

Let me share with you some hints on how I study. I study three hours a day. I take a 30-minute break between each hour of studying. Reading without intervals makes one tire easily. Intervals are very important as one needs to re-energize. Intervals also help you to comprehend whatever you are reading or studying. You should always be in a relaxed mood whenever you are studying. Do not be tense. If you are tense, you will definitely lose concentration.

I have heard others say that they concentrate better when they are listening to music. I myself have tried it but came to the conclusion that I cannot serve two masters at a time. Either I listen to the music or I turn it off and concentrate on my studies. One should also avoid studying while in bed as this will make you fall asleep easily.

Time is a resource that is never recovered, so use it wisely. When it comes to study time, never procrastinate. I would urge all CIA candidates to switch off their cell phones as they study. Also, try to avoid surfing the Internet, unless you are doing it for study purposes.

I hope that with these few hints I have helped someone who is aspiring to be a Certified Internal Auditor.

Until next time, Ciao!

 

CIA Part 3: The Beginning

October 5, 2012, by No comments yet

 

Written By Guest Blogger Chris.

Hi, fellow students. I hope you are doing well with your studies. Mine are going very well. I hope to complete the CIA course in the near future, but this will call for hard work, discipline, and determination.

I have just finished going through the course outline for CIA Part 3. The course outline covers quite a wide range of topics that includes financial accounting, managerial accounting, business processes, economics, and information technology. The issue is not only about auditing but knowing other aspects that make businesses function.

One thing I have realized about the accounting part of the CIA course is that the topics are covered as per the International Accounting Standards (IAS). This equips the modern day’s internal auditor with the relevant knowledge when examining the accounting records of a company. An internal auditor should be able to assess whether decisions are made in the best interests of the organization. An analysis of the financial information should be made by the internal auditor in order to assist the decision makers.

I have realized that the course outline demands hard work and discipline. I have to stay focused. I am going to employ the same studying methods I have employed in the previous CIA parts. For me they have proved to be effective and success is guaranteed.