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Examinations

ACI Examination
Information

ACI operates two examinations: the Foundation Examination and the Lead Auditor Examination. Both are administered by ACI-approved examination centres and ATPs during or after approved training courses.

Examinations

Two ACI Examinations

Select the examination relevant to your target grade.

Entry Level

Foundation Examination

For Provisional Auditor (PA) and Associate Auditor (AA) grades
Format Multiple-choice examination — 40 questions
Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
Delivery Administered at the end of an ACI-approved Foundation or Internal Auditor training course
Content Management system principles, auditing terminology, ISO standards framework, audit planning basics
Validity Examination results are valid for 3 years from the date of the exam
Resit Policy One free resit within 6 months; additional resits at £50 per attempt
70%
Pass Mark
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Professional Level

Lead Auditor Examination

For Auditor (AU) and Lead Auditor (LA) grades
Format Scenario-based examination — written responses to audit case studies
Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
Delivery Administered at the end of an ACI-approved Lead Auditor training course (Day 5)
Content Audit planning and execution, nonconformity identification, corrective action assessment, audit reporting, team leadership
Validity Examination results are valid for 3 years from the date of the exam
Resit Policy One free resit within 6 months; additional resits at £75 per attempt
65%
Pass Mark
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Preparation

How to Prepare

ACI examinations are integrated into approved training courses. No separate preparation is required, but the following resources can help.

Attend the Full Course

Both examinations are designed to be passed by delegates who fully attend and participate in the relevant ACI-approved training course. The course content directly maps to the exam topics.

Review the Standard

Familiarise yourself with the structure and clauses of the management system standard relevant to your certification scheme (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001). Focus on Clauses 4–10.

Understand ISO 19011

ISO 19011 provides guidelines for auditing management systems. Understanding the audit principles, audit programme management, and auditor competence requirements is essential for the Lead Auditor exam.

Policies

Examination Policies

Key policies governing ACI examinations.

Reasonable Adjustments

ACI provides reasonable adjustments for candidates with documented disabilities or additional needs. Notify your ATP at least 14 days before the examination.

Special Circumstances

If you are unable to sit the examination due to illness or emergency, contact ACI within 48 hours for rescheduling. A medical certificate may be required.

Malpractice

Any form of cheating, collusion, or impersonation will result in immediate disqualification, cancellation of results, and potential lifetime ban from ACI examinations.

Appeals

Candidates may appeal their examination result within 30 days by submitting a written appeal to ACI. A re-mark fee of £50 applies, refunded if the result changes.

Result Notification

Examination results for the Foundation exam are issued on the day. Lead Auditor exam results are issued within 10 working days by email.

Language

All ACI examinations are conducted in English. Translation dictionaries are permitted but electronic devices are not.

Ready to Take Your Exam?

Find an ACI-approved training course that includes the examination for your target grade.

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