It's no surprise that the certification of business analysts is more sought after today than ever

before. Worldwide the demand for qualified practitioners, and the ability for them to quickly
demonstrate their capabilities in requirements management and development, continues to grow.

Growing almost as quickly is the number of people taking the Certified Business Analysis
Professional TM (CBAP®) exam. The 150-question exam is based on the International Institute
of Business Analysts' (IIBA®) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®). This
constantly evolving business analyst's handbook reflects the most current, generally accepted
business practices, and is one of the best references in preparing for the challenging multiple-
choice exam.

So what does this mean to you? For those looking to take their careers forward, or to give
themselves an advantage over the competition in the job market, the CBAP certification can
mean an advanced career path, documented professional expertise and a positive impact on your
organization. The exam is as challenging as the certification is valuable, but the time you take to
prepare, from collecting and submitting your extensive application materials, is well worthwhile.

As with any standardized testing, there are literally hundreds of sources for information, tips and
strategies. From that mountain of information, here are 10 widely recognized best practices for
applying for, preparing for and taking the CBAP exam.

1. Take your time, part 1. Even applying to sit for the exam will take a significant amount
of time. Most experts and CBAPs agree that you should give yourself at least eight hours
total to complete the application. Yes, you read that right. Eight total hours. (When you
read #2 below, you'll understand why.)

Read each question and section carefully. Answer to the best of your ability and take the
time to really focus on the application.

To further minimize omissions and errors - or the odds of having your application
rejected - always use the IIBA-supplied templates, available with the application at
http://www.theiiba.org/ under "get certified."
2. Know the requirements and fees. To successfully apply for the exam, you must
demonstrate your professional experience, specifically in indentifying business needs and
determining the best solutions for business problems. The completed application must
meet the following five requirements:
1. Work Experience: 7,500 hours of verifiable, hands-on business analysis work
over the 10 years preceding your exam application.
2. Knowledge Areas: Demonstrable experience and expertise in at least four of the
six knowledge areas: Enterprise Analysis, Requirements Planning and
Management, Requirements Elicitation, Requirements Analysis and
Documentation, Requirements Communication, Solution Assessment and
Validation, and Business Analysis Fundamentals.
3. Education: High school or equivalent
4. Professional Development: 21 hours of verifiable coursework in the past four
years, directly related to business analysis.
 5. References: Two references from a career manager, client (internal or external) or
CBAP are required. These references must indicate that you are a suitable
candidate for the CBAP® certification.

Next, consider applying for IIBA membership before applying for the exam. As
you will see below, the fee schedule for the exam varies, depending on whether or
not you are an IIBA member, with savings of $125 for members (exactly the
amount of the application fee). Consider the idea that you will probably join IIBA
after gaining your certification- so why not essentially apply for "free?"

Fees:

IIBA® $95 USD Paid annually.

membership
fee:
Application Fee $125 USD This fee pays for the processing and
administration of your application.

It is non-refundable.

Exam Fee - $325 USD The fee pays for the initial exam sitting and
will NOT be reimbursed if you do not pass the
for exam.
IIBA®Members

Exam Fee - $450 USD The fee pays for the initial exam sitting and
will NOT be reimbursed if you do not pass the
for non-IIBA® exam.
Members

Please note: You can submit both the application and the exam fees with your application. If
your application is declined, you will be reimbursed the exam fee.

3. Know your study style. Once you've applied, you can then expect to devote a substantial
amount of your time and attention to preparation. Experts estimate total "ideal" study
time at anywhere from six weeks to six months.

Before jumping in, have a clear understanding of how you learn and retain information.
This point can't be stressed enough. Quite simply, what many people forget, especially if
they haven't taken an examination in some time, is that not every study method works for
every person.

For example, you may be a visual learner, or perhaps you remember spoken words more
readily. Do you do better taking classes and interacting with others or working through
 study guides on your own? Tailoring your preparation to your style will save you hours -
if not days - of frustration and increase your confidence on exam day.
4. Know your resources. With the vast number of available study methods and resources,
narrow your choices by creating a list of study resources and be very selective, keeping in
mind your personal style (#3 above). CBAP study guides featuring practice examinations
are available, as well as business analysis courses to help you prepare for the exam,
maintain your certification, and build upon your existing skills.

Regardless of the preparation regimen you ultimately choose, it's wise to contact your
local IIBA chapter. Many chapters offer study groups, or you can leverage the knowledge
of peers who have already achieved their CBAP® certification.
5. Get a flash of brilliance. Even in this age of palm-sized computers and high-speed
mobile Internet, one popular preparation method is decidedly "low-tech." Many CBAPs
laud flash cards as study tools for exam terms and definitions of each knowledge area -
so much so that the study technique is actually featured in many preparation courses.
Even if you've chosen not to take a formal course, consider making some flash cards for
yourself. They're an easy, efficient way to study anywhere.
6. Demonstrate intimate knowledge. Memorizing terms and knowing the BABOK is just
one part of passing the CBAP exam. Since the exam uses situational scenarios
throughout, understanding of language, usage and context for all six knowledge areas is
also very important. Success depends on your ability to align your business analysis
experience with the exam questions.
7. Know your activities. Next, memorize the tasks and activities within each knowledge
area. If you aren't already, become familiar with the input and output of each activity
across all knowledge areas. Knowing what you're supposed to get out of a solution will
increase your confidence as you work your way through the examination.
You can get a feel for activities by creating your own small models for each knowledge
area or by using the models included in many of the available classes or guides.
8. Know your modeling. Usage, process, flow, data and behavior models are all areas
tested on the exam. Since the exam focuses on practical, situation-based questions, it's
very important to devote significant time to practicing modeling and more importantly,
becoming familiar with when to apply each.
9. Practice, Practice, Practice. All the studying in the world is for naught if you're
surprised when you sit down for the actual exam. Whatever your preparation method, be
sure to develop a plan for practicing with CBAP-format questions or full-blown practice
examinations. Set aside three hours, find a quiet spot, and work your way through. After
a few practice exams, and knowing exactly what to expect, the real one won't seem so
intimidating.
10. Take your time, part 2. The night before the exam, don't try to cram or re-read the
BABOK. Just get a good night's rest - it is a three-hour-long, taxing test, and being
focused and alert is the best favor you can do for yourself.

On the day of the exam, dress comfortably and bring paper and pencil to work out your
answers. Most testing facilities provide these, but it never hurts to be prepared.

If you've memorized items, you are allowed to write on the exam booklet, so get them
written down before you begin - it will give you one less thing to think about.

Finally, put everything you've learned to use and pace yourself. You're not scored on how
quickly you complete the exam and rushing leads to costly mistakes. If you do not pass
the exam, you must wait three months before you are allowed to re-take it.

Scoring the exam takes up to 30 days and results will include knowledge area
breakdowns for those who have not passed.

Without proper preparation, the CBAP examination can be intimidating. However, if you
solidify your skills and knowledge and take advantage of your experience as a Business
Analysis professional, you'll have your certification sooner than you think.

Good luck.