hopingtopass
Posts: 17
Joined: Jul 2012
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Wednesday July 11, 2012 9:54 AM
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<< HI
I HAVE A IIA BOOK AND EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT THE GLEIM BOOK, WILL I HAVE ENOUGH PREPARATION OR ONE NEEDS A GLEIM BOOK. PLEASE HELP >>
I believe IIA "CIA Learning System" course is okay AS LONG AS YOU SUPPLEMENT IT with Gleim MCQ test question download or the 2004 Exam CD.
I strongly believe that implementing many practice exam questions is critical to success on an exam such as this, as it presents you with various different questions about the same concepts, further enforcing those concepts.
In addition to Gleim providing 700 questions for Part 1, they provide questions as a downloaded program which you can use anytime (even without an internet connection). CIA Learning System questions can only be accessed online.
You may also be able to borrow Gleim books from your local IIA chapter, if you wish to supplement IIA system with Gleim system. Not all IIA chapters offer this service/resource, but I know that some do.
I do not believe it is cost effective to purchase both systems, as it would be less expensive to retake each of the 4 exams, than to purchase a second set of training materials.
Below is my assessment of what I have seen with the IIA & Gleim Materials...
IIA
Printed materials/books seem to be easier to read than the Gleim books (i.e., more spacing between paragraphs/sections).
Online-only access to questions is a weakness
There are too few questions in IIA program
System comes with printable "Glossary Definition" flashcards
Gleim
I have read that Gleim tends to be too detailed (i.e., covering topics/concepts that you do not necessarily need to know to pass exam), leading to excessive preparation time.
Downloadable question database, with analysis of weak areas/topics, allowing you to pinpoint where you need to spend more time
Audio CDs included
Money-back guarantee or replacement of materials with updated materials until you pass (if you purchase complete set)
True/False questions included as a learning tool in online training materials (IIA claims this is not necessary, and may be confusing to candidates, as exam does not contain True/False questions....however, while reviewing free tutorial for Gleim, I found that answering True/False questions helps to reinforce concepts, perhaps even better than MCQs)
In summary.....I wish I would have purchased Gleim instead of IIA CIA Learning System. My decision was based on (1) easier to read print materials and (2) the existence of flashcards. Pricing is comparable, with IIA system being only $75 less expensive, but with no free replacement of materials if a new version of materials is published before you achieve certification (only Gleim provides free update.......but only with complete set).
However, I believe if you supplement IIA materials with Gleim questions download, you would be okay. Having not yet taken any of the exams, though, I do not know for certain.
Bottom Line? Regardless of which system you use, as long as you really understand the concepts and do many practice questions, you will pass eventually.
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ownloadable gleims questions (above 800) means software? or it is 800 questions other than software.
