If you are looking to advance your career as a business analyst, obtaining the IIBA CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the profession. The CBAP certification is a globally recognized credential that validates your skills, knowledge, and experience in business analysis. In this article, we will discuss how to pass the CBAP exam, its exam objectives, exam details, who should take the exam, prerequisites, and related books that can help you pass your exam.
Exam Objectives:
The CBAP exam covers several topics that are essential to business analysis, including:
- Business analysis planning and monitoring
- Elicitation and collaboration
- Requirements life cycle management
- Strategy analysis
- Requirements analysis and design definition
- Solution evaluation
These topics are further divided into several sub-topics, and you can find the complete list of exam objectives on the IIBA website.
Who Should Take the Exam?
The CBAP exam is designed for senior business analysts who have at least 7500 hours of work experience in business analysis, along with a minimum of 35 hours of professional development in the last four years. The certification is ideal for business analysts who are looking to take their careers to the next level, including those in roles such as:
- Business analysts
- Senior business analysts
- Business systems analysts
- Requirements engineers
- Process analysts
- Product managers
- Project managers
Prerequisites and Qualifications:
To qualify for the CBAP certification, you must have at least 7500 hours of work experience in business analysis in the past ten years. You must also have a minimum of 35 hours of professional development in the last four years. Additionally, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Hold a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation from IIBA
- Hold a Certified Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) designation from IIBA
- Have a business analysis experience equivalent to 7500 hours and 21 hours of professional development in the last four years
Related Books:
There are several books available that can help you prepare for the CBAP exam, including:
- BABOK Guide v3: A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) Secrets To Acing The Exam and Successful Finding And Landing Your Next Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) Certified Job by Virginia Newman
- The PMI Guide to Business Analysis by Project Management Institute
- Business Analysis Techniques: 99 Essential Tools for Success by James Cadle, Debra Paul, and Paul Turner
- CBAP Certification Study Guide v3.0 by Susan Weese and Terri Wagner
Exam Details:
The CBAP exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, and you will have three and a half hours to complete it.
The exam is delivered through a computer-based testing system, and you can take it at any IIBA-approved testing center. The cost of the exam varies by location, but it typically ranges from $505 to $555 for IIBA members and from $575 to $625 for non-members.
The passing score for the exam is not disclosed by IIBA, but you will receive a pass or fail status immediately after completing the exam. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after a waiting period of at least 90 days. However, you will need to pay the full exam fee each time you retake the exam.
In conclusion, passing the CBAP exam requires a strong understanding of business analysis principles and practices, as well as extensive experience in the field. By preparing thoroughly, studying the exam objectives, and using relevant study materials, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and obtaining the CBAP certification.