Foolproof Plan to

Passing the CBAP® Exam

Benefits of Earning the
CBAP Certification
Obtaining the CBAP or CCBA certification can be a valuable step in your business
analysis career. Here are some reasons why you might consider pursuing either
of these certifications:

Professional Recognition Career Advancement

CBAP and CCBA certifications are globally Certification can open new career opportunities
recognized credentials that demonstrate and boost earning potential, as many employers
your commitment and competence in prefer or require certified business analysts for
business analysis. senior or leadership roles.

Enhanced Knowledge Networking Opportunities Competitive Advantage

Preparing for the CBAP or CCBA exams Certifications can connect you with a community In a competitive job market, CBAP or CCBA
involves a thorough review of the BABOK® Guide, of certified business analysts, providing certification can set you apart by showcasing
enhancing your knowledge of business analysis opportunities to network, share experiences, your commitment to continuous learning and
principles and practices and learn from others in the field. professional development.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 2
 Client & Stakeholder Trust Employer Benefits Global Mobility
Clients and stakeholders often have greater Employers gain from having certified business CBAP and CCBA certifications are recognized
confidence in certified professionals, as they are analysts on their teams, as these professionals worldwide, making it easier to work
assured of your competency and adherence to are more likely to contribute to project success internationally or for global organizations.
industry standards. and enhance business outcomes.

How Do You
Stack Up?
Choosing between the CBAP and
CCBA certifications largely depends
on your level of experience and
career goals. See the chart for IIBA’s
certification requirements:

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 3
 Prepare With Confidence
A “Foolproof” Path to Success
Don’t know where to begin on your certification journey?
We’ve got a clear plan to help you achieve your CBAP or
CCBA certification.

Apply for the Exam & Get Approved

Dive into the Essential BABOK Guide

Take Practice Exams

Prepare for the Big Exam

By personalizing and committing to this plan, you’ll be
well on your way to passing the challenging exams.
Do Final Preparation
Our comprehensive path to success covers the
essential steps for creating a winning certification
Take the Exam and Succeed plan. From mastering the BABOK Guide® to applying
for the exam, we provide valuable tips to help you
stay on track and maximize your chances of success.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 4
 Apply for the Exam &
Get Approved
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.

If possible, complete your application and get it

approved before doing taking a prep class. We
recommend doing this because the application may
take longer than you think and will only delay your
certification preparation. Visit the IIBA Certification page
on [Link] as your homebase for applying for the CBAP/
CCBA. It has links to the online application and other
useful information. Download the applicable
Certification Handbook for your certification to
read an overview of each process.

Submit your application, pay your fee, and then wait

for approval. You will receive an email shortly after
submission of the application with either an approval or
flagged for an audit. If your application is audited, you
will be asked to provide more information.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 5
 Obtain and skim the BABOK® Guide Gather your references and document
before starting your application your education
One of the main creations of the IIBA has been You’ll need two references who can attest to your
A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® BA knowledge and skills. Make sure they have known
(BABOK® Guide). The BABOK Guide® compiles the you for at least 6 months. In addition, gather your
generally accepted knowledge and practices in the education and personal development information.
BA profession. Have a high school or higher education and transcripts
ready to prove it.
The CBAP and CCBA exams are based almost
exclusively on the BABOK Guide®, so the guide is We recommend that your first step be to skim the guide
essential to have and to read. You can download it for and familiarize yourself with the BABOK Guide® tasks,
free from the IIBA if you are a member, and if not, you which will help you complete your application.
can purchase a copy online. The BABOK Guide®is a solid
framework, and worth the cost. Not only will it help you
prepare for the CBAP or CCBA exams, but it will be
valuable after you get certified as a reference for the
commonly accepted practices for business analysis.

We recommend that your first step be to skim the guide

and familiarize yourself with the BABOK Guide® tasks,
which will help you complete your application.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 6
 Prepare Your Work Experience Understand the Associated Costs
The work experience section is extensive and the most Your CBAP or CCBA application requires a $145 USD
difficult. Before you start, create an electronic record of fee for applying and it is non-refundable. There is also
your projects so you can copy and paste into the online an exam fee of $350 USD for CBAP / $250 USD for
application. Your session may time out if you are CCBA for members ($505 USD CBAP / $405 CCBA
interrupted and you may lose what you entered. for non-members) of IIBA. The IIBA will collect the
Check our CBAP/CCBA Application Worksheet on the application fee online when you apply. You will need to
Watermark Learning website under Resources for a free pay for your exam once your application has
time-saving and frustration-reducing template been accepted.
to use.
Note: IIBA fees are as of this writing and may change.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 7
Dive Into the Essential BABOK® Guide
The first step towards becoming a certified business analyst begins with
diving into the BABOK® Guide. It’s worth taking your time to familiarize
yourself with the significant details; after all, you want to understand the
material well enough to apply it towards your career and future success.

By reading through the guide, you’ll realizewhat a treasure trove of

invaluable knowledge it is, and you’ll be ready to take on the next steps
towards obtaining your certification.

Tips for Tackling the BABOK® Guide

Plan regular study sessions, and allocate specific time slots for reading the BABOK® Guide.
Allocate Dedicated Study Time
Consistency is key to effective learning.

Familiarize yourself with the structure of the BABOK® Guide. It is divided into several parts,
Understand the Guide’s Structure including an introduction, Knowledge Areas (KA), techniques, underlying competencies,
and appendices.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 8
 Begin by reading the introduction of the BABOK® Guide. This section provides an overview
Start with the Introduction of business analysis and sets the context for the rest of the guide.

The core of the BABOK® Guide is organized into knowledge areas. Choose any Knowledge
Study the Knowledge Areas Area (KA) you feel comfortable with to start, since business analysis is iterative and no
n-linear. Start by listing out the Knowledge Areas and their tasks. There are six Knowledge
Areas, and 30 tasks among them. Some candidates find it helpful to read a chapter at a
time from a study guide, such as the one we offer, in conjunction with each KA from the
BABOK® Guide.

As you read through each Knowledge Area, practice applying the concepts to real-life
Practice Applying Concepts scenarios or projects you are familiar with. This will help you internalize the knowledge
and understand its practical implications.

Alongside knowledge areas, the BABOK® Guide covers various techniques and underlying
Review Techniques & Competencies competencies. Make sure to read and understand these sections as they are essential to
being a well-rounded business analyst and will be included on the exam.

Periodically assess your knowledge and understanding of the material. You can do this by
Practice Self-Assessment
attempting practice quizzes or questions related to each Knowledge Area.

Don’t rush through the guide. Take short breaks during your study sessions to reflect on
Take Breaks & Reflect what you’ve learned. This will help you consolidate your understanding.

Before moving on to the next knowledge area, review the previous section to reinforce your
Review Previous Sections learning and ensure you’ve retained the information.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 9
 Prepare for the Big Exam
A few people may be able to read the BABOK Guide and then pass the exam. Mostof us, though, need something
more, and a foolproof plan should include additional study to help absorb the key concepts of the BABOK Guide and
to practice answering exam questions.

Preparation Classes Study Groups Individual Study

One of the most beneficial study methods is Study groups are effective ways for many If group learning is not your preferred
to attend a CBAP/CCBA preparation class, people to study. Being part of a group way, or you don’t have access to study
whether in-person, virtually, or with our on that meets regularly can be motivating for groups or classes, you need to try the
demand option. A class is a great way to participants to keep up with studying. individual approach. Even if you take
get your study off to a quick start or as a Participants report that they learn from a class or participate in a study group,
review to give you confidence right before each other, they learn by teaching each you will likely need to do some individual
taking the exam. It also helps you to com- other, and by letting people “think out loud.” studying. You can create your own study
press your study time. You get the benefit You can also benefit in a study group from outlines and flashcards as you read the
of learning from the instructor and other using prepared or self-made flashcards of BABOK Guide, and practice using them on
students, some of whom you might be able key terms/concepts. Visit our Watermark your own.
to keep in touch with after class and form Learning resources page for a free template
your own informal study group. to create your own. Often local IIBA chapter
holds study groups throughout the year, so
check them out.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 10
 Take Practice Exams
In addition to the preparation methods mentioned,
practice exams are an essential way to prepare. Based on our
own exam prep experience, a suggested approach is to:

• Study key sections in the BABOK® Guide and supplement with a study
guide that also contains practice questions in them.
When averaging 70%
on simulation exams,
you should be ready for
• Use online exam simulators for practice answering questions for
those sections. the real thing.

• Take numerous practice exams and keep track of your progress.

• For the Knowledge Areas you are not scoring well on, do additional
reading and studying.

• Finish by taking several practice simulations to get a feel for the real
exam environment and to track your scores.

Practice exams are the best feedback in your preparation because

they let you know how well you are absorbing the BABOK® Guide.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 11
 Do Final Preparations
We have done a number of informal research studies of
CBAP and CCBA recipients, and the median study time in
our survey has been 100 hours of study time (reduced
by the hours spent in a CBAP or CCBA preparation class).
Some have reported as many as 200+ hours, but that is at
the high end. Our research also reveals that the ideal time
to take the exam is anywhere from 6-8 weeks to 3 months
after taking a prep class.

Whatever your methods or style of studying, you will want

to spend your final preparation by focusing on areas you
have had trouble with. If you keep track of your practice
exam results, you can focus your final preparation time on
the Knowledge Areas, tasks, or techniques that were the
most challenging.

If you can, practice taking exam questions on those

subjects. Make sure to re-read the BABOK® Guide in the
areas you are struggling with.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 12
 To help internalize important BABOK® Guide REST WELL = TEST WELL
terminology and concepts that may be different from
real life, many people find practicing with flashcards Your final preparation step should be to get plenty of rest
beneficial in the final preparation stages. Start with a the night before the exam. You will be better served by
broad cross-section of terms and concepts and narrow having a relaxed and rested mind before your exam than
them down to the ones you have trouble with. by staying up late and cramming.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 13
 Take the Exam & Succeed
Armed with your knowledge and preparations, you’re
ready to tackle the exam. Put your skills to the test
and prove your expertise in business analysis. With
dedication and focus, you can conquer the exam and earn
your certification.

You can take the CBAP and CCBA exam online at a

quiet place or at an onsite testing center. Regardless of
the location, you will be allowed a pen and blank paper,
and we encourage you to use them during the exam.
Writing down items may be helpful in addition to relieving
exam anxiety.

These intensive exams can typically challenge you with

difficult questions at the beginning. Don’t get intimated
by this! Flag and skip any difficult questions until you find
one you are confident of. Better to skip the hard ones at
first than devote 20 minutes to one. There is plenty of
time to go back and review any questions you skipped.
Review and answer the questions you skipped after
you’ve built some confidence and momentum.

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 14
 Day of Exam Tips

Fuel Your Body & Mind Stay Hydrated Do a ‘Brain Dump’

On exam day, make sure you eat a Drink enough water, but not too much. Do a “brain dump” at the start of the exam
nourishing breakfast or lunch to give you You can visit the restroom during the by writing down key terms, mnemonics,
energy during the exam. Do something exam, but it uses up some of your allotted formulas, lists, and sequences. This will
that relaxes you, such as exercising, time for finishing the exam. help to clear your brain, relieve some test
spending time with family, or reading. anxiety, and serve as a reference for you.

Summary
Watermark Learning can help you
With the exam cost, study time, and pressure to pass, you achieve your certification goals:
want to succeed. Following this plan and dedicating the
necessary
CBAP Exam hours will greatly boost your chances. Most
importantly, enjoy the journey—earning a professional • Register for one of our Certification Prep Courses
certification is an enriching experience to savor. Now that
• Check out our Exam Prep Study Materials
you have your plan, it’s time to get started and become
CBAP or CCBA certified!
• Take our Practice Exam Simulator

• Follow us on social for upcoming webinars

View CBAP/CCBA Courses

© Watermark Learning. All rights reserved. Foolproof Guide to Passing the CBAP Certification Exam • 15
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