Are the questions in the question bank the same as they are on the exam?

We frequently hear from students after they take an exam, “The questions on the exam were different than the practice software!” Yes, that is both correct and expected because the examiners are constantly adding new questions to the exam that are different than the previously released exam questions. If the questions tested on the exam were available in advance, you could prepare for the exam just by memorizing all of the questions. The CMA, CPA, or CIA would not be a very valuable professional certification if this were the case.

What this means for you is that the books and videos that teach you the concepts are the most important part of your studies. If you understand the topics tested on the exam, you can answer any questions asked, even if it they are different than the ones you practiced. Just memorizing how to answer the questions that have been asked before will not prepare you to answer the new and different questions that you will see on the exam.

Brian Hock, CMA, CIA