Later I am going to share my experience of the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam in Bratislava, even though I live in Budapest. For a period Budapest center was closed. So I took Part 1, and Part 3 in Bratislava, Part 2 in Budapest. A colleague asked me a great question: Why traveling abroad instead of taking the exam via OnVUE (online proctoring) at home, when the Budapest exam center was not available?
Since the CIA exam structure changed on May 28, 2025, - as far as I know - online proctoring is no longer an option for this certification. However, even when it was available, I deliberately chose the test center. Here is why:
1. Technical Accountability
In the OnVUE system, the candidate is responsible for the IT requirements (stable internet, hardware, and software). If your connection drops or your computer crashes, you risk failing the exam or losing your fee.
I’ve experienced a technical failure firsthand in a test center. My computer froze, and the session was unrecoverable. Because it happened at a Pearson VUE center, it wasn't my responsibility. The staff helped me file an inquiry, the exam was cancelled without a "fail" grade, and I could re-register with no additional fee. Having that safety net is invaluable for such a high-stakes exam.
2. The "Strict Proctor" vs. "Exam Integrity" Dilemma
Online proctoring is incredibly strict to combat cheating. While I understand that such strictness is inevitable to maintain the integrity of the certification, it creates an added layer of stress for the candidate.
Normal habits—like silent moving your lips while reading a tough question, stretching, or looking at the ceiling while thinking—can be flagged as suspicious behavior by an online proctor. I’ve read countless stories of candidates being suspended for such innocent movements. Conversely, we’ve all seen the "How to cheat online" videos, which likely explains the extreme vigilance.
Experience in Bratislava and Budapest exam center
In the professional environments of the Bratislava and Budapest test centers, the conditions were fair, reliable, and allowed me to focus purely on the exam. I would give 5 out of 5 to both centers.
Final Thought on Ethics
There’s a deep irony in those "how to cheat" videos. If some people are willing to cheat to earn the CIA title, how can they ever be an ethical Internal Auditor? Integrity is the foundation of our profession.
To me, traveling to a test center wasn't just about logistics—it was about ensuring a fair and professional environment for a milestone in my career.
Have you had any experience with OnVUE exams? Let’s discuss in the comments!
