2/13/2018 Seven Steps to Passing the CBAP® or CCBA® Exam: A Foolproof Plan

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Seven Steps to Passing the CBAP® or CCBA® Exam: A

Foolproof Plan

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The CBAP® (Certi ed Business Analysis Professional) certi cation was begun in late 2006 to screen, test, and certi
quali ed and senior BAs. The CCBA® (Certi ed Competency in Business Analysis) was added in 2011 for intermed
level BAs. As of this writing, we number about 5900 CBAPs and over 800 CCBAs around the world, with more bein
added every week. For those who value business analysis as a profession the CBAP and CCBA have become the “g
standards” of our profession, much like the PMP® and CAPM® are for project management.

WHAT ARE THE CBAP AND CCBA AND WHY BECOME CERTIFIED?

The CBAP and CCBA were created by the IIBA® (International Institute of Business Analysis). For those of you who
don’t know of it, the IIBA is a non-pro t organization created to promote the growth and professionalism of busin
analysis. A large part of IIBA’s mission is to document and maintain standards for business analysis, and to recogn
and certify practitioners. Visit www.IIBA.org for more information, including quali cations you’ll need to apply for
exam.

We estimate there are probably thousands of eligible people thinking about or wanting to become certi ed, but w
haven’t started yet. There is no doubt that both the CBAP and CCBA applications and the exams are di cult. Yet,
people do make it through the process! This article brie y summarizes the CBAP and CCBA programs, and how el
business analysts can create a “foolproof” plan to obtain their certi cation. Bear in mind that any certi cation plan
only foolproof if you personalize it, commit to it, and follow it. The majority of the article covers the crucial steps fo
your plan and several tips to help you execute it to become certi ed.

PREPARATION PLAN

Step 1: Obtain and Skim the BABOK®

One of the main creations of the IIBA has been its Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (called the
BABOK® Guide for short). The BABOK Guide compiles the generally accepted knowledge and practices in the BA
profession. There are currently two versions in e ect, 2.0 and 3.0. Many of the details in this article pertain to vers
2, the version the CBAP and CCBA exams at present are based on. The overall plan steps are valid for both version

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The other signi cant creation of the IIBA has been the CBAP and CCBA credentials. The authors are proud to be
among the world’s rst CBAPs (numbers 16 and 21). The CBAP and CCBA exams are based almost exclusively on t
BABOK, so the guide is essential to have and to read. You can download it for free from the IIBA if you are a memb
and if not, you can purchase a PDF copy from IIBA, or a paper copy through Amazon.com. Endorsed Education
Providers (EEPs) like Watermark Learning will give you a free hard-cover copy of the BABOK® Guide when you atte
CBAP prep class. The BABOK Guide is a solid framework, and worth the cost. Not only will it help you prepare for t
CBAP or CCBA exams, but it can be a valuable reference of the commonly accepted practices for business analysis

The original and updated certi cation exams came from BA task analysis studies. From those, committees of expe
have developed questions for the exam to test the business analysis knowledge of BAs. The questions are based o
the BABOK, so knowledge of the information in this guide is essential for passing the exam. We encourage CBAP/C
candidates to read the entire guide at least once. Step 1, though, should be to skim the guide and familiarize your
with the BABOK tasks, which will help you complete your application.

Step 2: Apply for the Exam

Before scheduling an exam, you must apply for it and be accepted by IIBA to sit for the exam. The application
requirements are rigorous, and designed for intermediate- to senior-level business analysts. The sidebar lists the
requirements for the exam, which you must meet before you apply. If possible, complete your application and get
approved before doing any serious self-study or taking a prep class.

1. Visit the IIBA Certi cation page on IIBA.Org as your “home” for applying
for the CBAP/CCBA. You will be asked to register rst. It has links to the
online application and other useful information. Download the applicable
Certi cation Handbook to read an overview of each process.

2. Start your online application. We suggest you complete the Candidate

Reference section rst.

i. You need to add two references who can attest to your BA knowledge
and skills. They can be managers, peers, clients, or other CBAPs or
CCBAs.

ii. Your references will receive an email form to be completed and

returned electronically to the IIBA. Your application can’t be completed
until your references return their forms, which is why we advise
starting with this step.

3. Complete the Personal Information and Education sections. These are

both simple and self-explanatory. You need a high school or higher
education, and be prepared to produce a transcript to prove it. You may be
audited as Rich was, and you will then need the transcript.

4. The Work Experience section is extensive and the most di cult. Before
you start, create an electronic record of your projects so you can copy and paste into the online applicatio
Your session may time out if you are interrupted, and you may lose what you entered. Check our CBAP-CCB
resources page for a time-saving and frustration-reducing template to use.

5. Your application requires a $125 USD fee for applying and it is non-refundable. There is also an exam fee o
$325 USD (for members and $450 USD for non-members of IIBA). The IIBA will collect the application fee on

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when you apply. You will need to send them a check later for the exam once your application has been
accepted.

6. You will need to agree to the IIBA Code of Conduct during the application process.

7. Submit your application, pay your fee, and then wait for approval. The IIBA promises a 21-day or better
response on all applications. Some students tell us their applications have been questioned, so you may be
asked to provide more information.

Step 3: Read the Entire BABOK

One your application is submitted, you should begin your preparation in earnest. We recommend that both CBAP
CCBA candidates read the entire BABOK before doing any other preparation. You won’t want to try this in one sitt
but plan to read it over time and take notes as you do.

Choose any Knowledge Area (KA) you feel comfortable with to start, since business analysis is iterative and non-lin
Start by listing out the Knowledge Areas and their tasks. There are seven Knowledge Areas, and 32 tasks among th
as the following chart shows. Note that the Underlying Competencies Knowledge Area has no tasks and is not liste
Some candidates nd it helpful to read a chapter at a time from a study guide, such as the one we wrote, in
conjunction with each KA from the BABOK Guide.

Most people encounter a terminology “eye opener” when reading through the BABOK. What we mean by this is th
some or even many of the terms in the BABOK don’t agree with your actual practice of business analysis. The task
and techniques that are brand new to you are one thing, and you will have some learning to do. We consider this
positive for BA practitioners, since the exam leads us to discover and learn new things.

The trouble you will more likely have is dealing with di erent terms for the same thing. For instance, we have wor
with software packages since 1980 and are quite familiar with them. Although commonly used in some organizati
Rich’s rst reaction to the term “COTS” in the BABOK was “what are they talking about?” After discovering COTS wa
just an acronym for “Commercial-O -The-Shelf” software packages, he adjusted his own terminology to match the
BABOK. You will undoubtedly have your own moments of “terminology tension” as you adjust to the IIBA terms.
Remember to use and study the BABOK terms, even if they are “wrong” (we mean that tongue in cheek).

Step 4: Absorb the BABOK

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Some people may be able to read the BABOK and then pass the exam. Most of us, though, need something more,
a foolproof plan should include additional study to help absorb the key concepts of the BABOK. The three main
methods are the following:

Study Groups
Classes
Individual Study

Study groups are e ective ways for many people to study. Being part of a group that RESEARCH FINDING
meets regularly can be motivating for participants to keep up with studying. Participants
We have done two info
report that they learn from each other, they learn by teaching each other, and by letting
research studies of CBA
people “think out loud.” These are all helpful learning aids. You can also bene t in a study and CCBA recipients, an
group from using prepared or self-made ashcards of key terms and concepts and the median study time
our survey has been 10
working with a partner to coach and encourage each other. Visit our CBAP-CCBA
hours of study time (80
resources page for a free template to create your own ash cards. hours after taking a CBA
preparation class). Som
Prep class. Another bene cial study method is to attend a CBAP/CCBA preparation class, have reported as many
whether in-person or virtually. A class is a way to get your study o to a quick start or as 200+ hours, but that is
a review and to give you con dence right before taking the exam. It also helps you to the high end. Our resea
also reveals that the ide
compress your study time. You get the bene t of learning from the instructor and other
time to take the exam i
students, some of whom you might be able to keep in touch with after class, and form anywhere from 6-8 wee
your own informal study group. after taking a prep class
to 3 months. 
Individual study. If group learning is not your preferred way, or you don’t have access to
study groups or classes, you need to try the individual approach. Even if you take a class or participate in a study
group, you will likely need to do some individual studying. You can create your own study outlines and ashcards
you read the BABOK, and practice using them on your own.

Study by Style. Research from Insights Corporation shows that individuals study according to a few preferred sty
Table 1 summarizes the four basic learning styles and o ers some ideas for how to orient your approach to
preparation according to your preferred style.

BLUE
RED
Give me the details
Action-oriented
Thorough processing
Get to the point
Research
Practical action
Data/facts
Immediate and fast

Study Tips:
Study Tips:
Re-Read BABOK
Take practice exams
Take Notes
Re-Read Study Guides
Complete practice exams
Use Mnemonics
Study your notes

YELLOW
GREEN
Experiential
Re ective Get me involved
Give me time to process and review Interactive

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Structured activities Spontaneous

Study Tips: Study Tips:

Practice Exams Flashcards with a “buddy”

Training Class Training Class
Flashcards Take practice exams
Notes revie Audio Flashcards

Table 1: Learning Styles by Color. © 2000 Andrew Lothian, Insights Learning. 

Step 5: Take Practice Exam Questions

In addition to the above methods, practice exams are a great way to prepare. Based on our own exam preparatio
experience a suggested approach is to use a study guide that also contain practice questions in them. Use online
exam simulators for practice answering questions via computer. Take numerous practice exams and keep track o
your progress. For the Knowledge Areas you are not scoring well on, do additional reading and studying. Practice
exams are the best feedback in your preparation because they let you know how well you are absorbing the BABO
There are a few online exam simulators available on the web. Visit our CBAP/CCBA products page for a link to our
study exam and exam simulator.

Step 6: Do Final Preparation

Whatever your methods or style of studying, you will want to spend your nal preparation by focusing on areas yo
have had trouble with. If you kept track of your practice exam results, focus your nal preparation time on the
Knowledge Areas, tasks, or techniques that were the most challenging. If you can, practice taking exam questions
those subjects. Make sure to re-read the BABOK in the areas you are struggling with. Rich did this before his exam
it helped.

To help internalize important BABOK terminology and concepts that may be di erent from “real life,” many peopl
nd practicing with ashcards bene cial in the nal preparation stages. Start with a broad cross-section of terms a
concepts, and narrow them down to the ones you have trouble with. Some people like the tactile feel of paper or
cardboard ashcards, while others prefer “virtual” ashcards on a computer. There are also audio ashcards avail
to use while you are driving, walking, or exercising.

Your nal preparation step should be to get plenty of rest the night before the
REST WELL = TEST WELL
exam. You will be better served by having a relaxed and rested mind before the
exam than by staying up late and cramming. We know of one person who booked You will be better served by
having a relaxed and rested m
a room at a hotel the night before her exam to ensure she would be relaxed and
before your exam than by stay
refreshed for the exam. Not everyone needs to or is able to go to that extreme, up late and cramming.
but it demonstrates a great commitment to preparing for the exam.

Step 7: Do a “Brain Dump,” then Pass the Exam

On exam day, make sure you eat a nourishing breakfast or lunch to give you energy during the exam. Drink “enou
water, but not too much. You are able to visit the restroom during the exam, but it uses up some of your allotted t
for nishing the exam.

You won’t be able to bring anything into the exam that could help you answer questions. You will need to place th
into a locker or other storage when you check in for the exam. You should be able to obtain a white board and

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markers or note paper and a pencil at the exam site, and we encourage you to use them during the exam. We adv
for both the CBAP/CCBA and PMP exams that you do a “brain dump” at the start of the exam. Write down key term
mnemonics, formulae, lists, and sequences. This will help to clear your brain, relieve some test anxiety, and serve
reference for you during the exam.

The exam is comprised of 150 multiple-choice questions, some of them very di cult, some fairly easy, and most a
challenging. Intensive exams like the CBAP or CCBA will typically challenge you by giving you di cult questions at
beginning. Don’t get intimated by this! Skip any di cult questions until you nd one you are con dent of, even if t
means skipping the rst ve or ten. One stressed but successful candidate said she spent 20 minutes on the rst
question, which was quite di cult. Better to skip the hard ones at rst than devote 20 minutes to one. You have 3
hours for all the questions, so you will have plenty of time to go back and review any questions you skipped. You c
review any of the questions throughout the exam, and add answers to the questions you skipped after you’ve bui
some con dence and momentum.

SUMMARY

If you are like most BA professionals, you haven’t taken a major exam like this in a long time, if ever. With the cost
the exam, the amount of time needed to study, and the pressure to pass, you want to make sure you succeed. Th
article laid out a foolproof plan for passing the CBAP or CCBA exam in seven steps:

Step 1: Obtain and Skim the BABOK

Step 2: Apply for the Exam
Step 3: Read the Entire BABOK
Step 4: Absorb the BABOK
Step 5: Take Practice Exam Questions
Step 6: Do Final Preparation
Step 7: Do a “Brain Dump,” then Pass the Exam

If you follow these 7 steps and devote the 80-100+ hours of study time needed, you will greatly increase your odd
passing. Above all, try to enjoy the experience. Obtaining a professional certi cation is an enriching experience, an
one to be savored. Well, now that you have your plan, it’s time to get started and become CBAP or CCBA certi ed!

IIBA®, the IIBA® logo, A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge®, BABOK®, and the CBAP® and CCBA
logos are registered trademarks owned by the International Institute of Business Analysis. PMP® and CAPM® are
registered trademarks of the Project Management Institute. 

Authors: Richard Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA and Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, PMI-PBA

Since 1992, Watermark Learning has translated the complexity of industry standards into practical application thr
engaging and informative business analysis, project management, and agile training and coaching. With our acade
partner, Auburn University, Watermark Learning provides Masters Certi cate Programs to help organizations be m
productive, and assist individuals in their professional growth. Watermark Learning is an IIBA Endorsed Education
Provider and a PMI Global Registered Education Provider. Our CBAP/CCBA Certi cation Preparation class, CBAP-C
Online Study Exams, and CBAP Certi cation Study Guide have helped 56% of all CBAP/CCBA recipients pass the CB
and CCBA exams. 

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For more information, contact us at 800-646-9362 (US), or +1-952-921-0900, or visit us at

www.WatermarkLearning.com.

Posted in: CBAP, IIBA & BABOK

Like this article:   24 members liked this article

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COMMENTS

mmonteleone posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 4:23 PM

Thanks for this summary on preparing for the exams. It reminded me of my PMP/CBAP exam prep
experience. I like your comment "enjoy the experience." Looking back, I honestly can say I enjoyed
the journey. It was like training for the NY Marathon - 80% of the runners that show-up at the
starting line nish and crossing the nish line is a great con dence booster. Most of life is about
showing up.

cstandrew posted on Thursday, January 28, 2016 1:59 PM

This is great. Is there one for the new exam PMI-PBA?
This one is a bit di erent from the CBAP.

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Rich_Larson posted on Thursday, February 11, 2016 3:35 PM

@Mark, thanks for weighing in and con rming how you enjoyed the journey.

@cstandrew - do you mean a similar article listing steps to pass the PMI-PBA? Not yet, but we will.
We do have some blogs posted that might help in the meantime; please visit:
http://www.watermarklearning.com/blog/category/pmi-pba/.

Only registered users may post comments.

ARTICLE/PAPER CATEGORIES

Activity Diagram CBAP Class Diagram

CoE/CoP for Business Analysts Data Analysis & Modeling Decision Management

Elicitation (BABOK KA) Enterprise Analysis (BABOK KA) Estimation

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Getting Started as a Business IIBA & BABOK Interviewing & Hiring Business
Systems Analyst Systems Analysts

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Sigma, SPICE, etc.)

Requirements Analysis (BABOK KA) Requirements Management and Salary Info for the Business
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SDLC, Process, and Methodologies Analytical and Problem Solving Security Analysis
Skills

Sequence Diagram Service Oriented Architecture Soft Skills

(SOA)

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Testing & Quality Assurance (QA) Tools Uni ed Modeling Language (UML

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