CBAP certification stands for Certified Business Analysis Professional which is a designation given to professionals who pass the CBAP certification exam. This particular certification is rather new to the business analysis industry and therefore there are only a small number of professionals who currently hold the CBAP certification. This means passing the exam and acquiring the CBAP certification can set you apart from other business analysts and give you an edge when looking for clients.

Benefits of CBAP Certification

The benefits of the CBAP certification are many. The test as a whole gives an objective, measurable example of professional achievement. Much as a lawyer sitting for the bar exam, it shows you know what you are doing. The CBAP certification hopes to set a consistent set of standards across the profession and remove some of the uncertainty when it comes to employers regarding what a business analyst brings to the table when it comes to value. CBAP certification looks to establish a best set of business practice methods for the entire profession. CBAP certification helps to give analysts a predictable level of expertise and knowledge so employers know the skill set of who they are hiring.

The CBAP certification gives you strong, clear cut skill examination and recognition of your career competence. It will enhance your career mobility allowing you to climb the ranks and attain better jobs. The CBAP certification identifies you to other as having the proper skills to do the job of business analyst.

CBAP Job Opportunities

Because holding the CBAP certification shows that you have significant business analyst experience, you are eligible for higher-level jobs in the business analyst world. You can hold manager level positions and are qualified to take care of bigger clients than those who do not hold the CBAP certification. While companies are just starting to require CBAP certification, it might not be a per-requisite for obtaining a job, but your company will likely want you to go sit for the exam once you qualify. The International Institute of Business Analysis is working very hard to make the CBAP certification a requirement for upper level business analysts to ensure the most knowledgeable analysts are in charge.

With all the problems in business speculation, the profession is seeking a way to prove legitimacy and require accountability from employees. By coming up with the CBAP certification exam, there is a outward proof of competence that did not formerly exist. This gives employers and clients a confidence in the business analyst that was not formerly possible.

Requirements for Sitting for CBAP Test

In order to make sure the certification has added value, a series of standards have been put in place for analysts to sit for the exam. This ensures they are dealing with competent professionals who already have experience in the field. You must have at least five years (7500 hours) of analyst experience within the past 10 years. This means working, consulting and training to complete the necessary time amount to sit for the CBAP certification exam. You must be at least a high school graduate and sign the Code of Ethical Conduct and Professional Standards form. This indicates your commitment to the industry standards and furthering the value of the CBAP certification by upholding such standards.

Analysts must focus on six knowledge areas, Enterprise Analysis, Requirements Planning, Requirements Elicitation, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Communication and Solution Assessment. You must have six months or 900 hours of work experience engaged directly with at least four of the six knowledge areas. You must have 21 hours of professional development which means attending conferences, seminars or training in the last three years. You need two references from managers, clients or already credentialed CBAP members stating you are a good candidate for the CBAP certification test.

The CBAP Exam

The CBAP certification exam consists of 150 questions based on the six categories of the business analysis body of knowledge. It is an electronic exam that takes a maximum of three hours to complete. By passing the exam you will show your thorough knowledge in all areas of business analysis and you will walk away with a CBAP certification, which is still only held by a limited number of people. Every three years you will be required to renew your CBAP certification by providing proof of your ongoing professional development including taking continuing education classes or attending conferences within the business analyst world. The requirement is currently 60 hours per three years.

CBAP Exam Preparation

In order to prepare for the exam, you should look into taking one of the CBAP certification training courses. This is your best resource when it comes to preparing for the exam. There are many paid courses available and the International Business Analysis Institute is currently rating all the existing classes in order to give you an idea of the best courses available. You will walk through a series of sample questions as well as review the six knowledge base areas so that you feel competent walking into the test. This means you are improving your chances of passing the exam and walking away with your CBAP Certification on your very first try. Because the CBAP certification is relatively new, you don’t have an extensive number of colleagues to turn to when it comes to finding out what the exam is like making the course even more important.

CBAP Sample Questions

You can run many CBAP certification sample questions by purchasing one of the many computer programs that will run you through the exam. The various software products tout different success rates, but many are in the high 90% range when it comes to students passing the CBAP certification exam after studying with the sample questions. This might be the right direction for you if you do not have time to take a course or if you just want to make sure you understand the process. By looking at former questions you can adequately prepare for whatever the CBAP certification exam throws at you.

The CBAP certification exam is relatively new, but provides a new level of professionalism to the business analyst profession.

Those undertaking CBAP training in order to be recognized as a Certified Business Analysis Professional by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) can utilize a number of traditional learning methods to ensure that their training is successful.

Understanding the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) set out by the IIBA is essential in order to successfully complete training. By using the likes of courses, workshops, seminars, books and online utilities, a trainee will be able to learn and understand the information and knowledge required to pass the CBAP exam.

CBAP Courses and Workshops

If you meet the strict requirements to achieve a CBAP certification (this includes having 7500 hours of hands-on experience as a business analyst) there are a variety of CBAP courses and CBAP training utilities open to you. Many of these are online courses that allow you to work at your own pace. This is particularly beneficial for those actively working in the field.

As well as online courses, CBAP training is also available in the classroom through the likes of workshops, seminars, mentoring, and Q&A sessions. This allows a trainee to seek the help of a professional and to ask the questions they need the answers to. Further assistance is available regardless of the type of training you complete. In class you bounce ideas off of others and utilize flash cards, whilst online options include study exams and preparation tasks.

CBAP Training Books

The particular bookstore you’re looking for might not be a physical store in your town. Chances are you’ll have a little more success checking an online bookstore. Regardless, there are a number of CBAP books available that offer the expertise and training you require.

For example, the ‘CBAP Certification Study Guide’ by Richard and Elizabeth Larson (now in its second edition from Watermark Learning Publications) offers a wealth of useful tips, question samples, ideas and information that allows the reader to understand what BABOK is and how to establish what it requires.

CBAP Sample Questions

Perhaps one of the best ways to approach CBAP training is to try out a range of CBAP sample questions. These are often available online, as part of a course, as well as within a book. Here are pair of multiple choice samples of what you can expect:

• Question 1: You have been asked to create a comprehensive report focusing on the application of a plan to transfer from one data system to another. What type of requirements are you working on?
  Answer 1: (a) Solution requirements; (b) Functional requirements; (c) Implementation (transition) requirements

• Question 2: Midway through a project, due to financial restraints, you, as a business analyst, are asked to change your business focus and concentrate your efforts on the most vital requirements of a company. What should you do first?
  Answer 2: (a) Prioritize requirements; (b) Verify requirements; (c) Organize requirements

The correct answers are in italic. The more of these questions you study during your CBAP training, the more familiar and comfortable you shall feel during the exam.

Using the above methods, you are likely to improve your chances of success when it comes to your CBAP training, EBAP exam and in turn your bid to become a business analyst professional.

As analysis becomes a more and more important aspect of the business world, many business analysts have decided to seek out IIBA certification to give them a step-up in the battle for attracting customers and clients, and taking full advantage of the growing industry. Below we shall look at a few of the important factors surrounding such business certificates.

What is IIBA Certification?

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) opened in 2006 to support and promote business analysis, an area of business that had been on the incline. The institute set out to provide analysts with a forum to work and liaise from whilst offering customers an obvious sign of quality.

The IIBA certification is bestowed upon those analysts that not only pass a course and exam but also have a wealth of hands-on experience across a number of business subjects. The IIBA offers both a Certificate of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and an accreditation as a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). The IIBA CBAP is regarded as the pinnacle of business endorsement.

The IIBA has issued and adheres to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK), a framework devised for senior business analysts. On the way to certification by the IIBA, an individual will be expected to know the subject matter of this framework inside and out.

What Are The Advantages of IIBA Certification?

For an individual, business certificates such as the CBAP offer the opportunity to stand out. Such an award shows that you are an expert in the field of business analysis, and that your expertise is as much founded on previous experience as it is academic achievement. Experience is something that should not be underestimated when it comes to making a good impression with clients.

To be accredited as a CBAP or even a CCBA shows any potential client that you can offer expertise and excellence. When a business comes to you for assistance it can remain confident that you have seen the potential pitfalls out there, as well as the most efficient and recognizable working practices, and will offer excellent value for money.

From a business point-of-view, having an IIBA certified analyst shows that your company is respected and trustworthy, as well as an expert in the field.

How Can I Achieve IIBA Certification?

The road to certification from the IIBA is fairly straightforward in principle. A business analyst takes an exam, proves that they have excellent subject knowledge, and is accredited. In reality there is a lot more work involved.

Once an analyst has the required amount of experience (7500 hours for an IIBA CBAP, as well as proven knowledge across various topics) he or she is eligible for certification. At this stage it is recommended that they take business analyst classes as well as training courses, preparation exams, and other useful learning tools.

Only when an analyst is fully comfortable with BABOK and the requirements of IIBA should they take the exam or test for accreditation. Once successful, IIBA certification will need to be refreshed after a designated time and on a regular basis.