IIBA Business Analysis CBAP/CCBA FAQ
1. What are the CBAP and CCBA Certifications?
The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®), has created the Certified Business Analysis Professional® (CBAP) and Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA), credentials awarded to candidates who have successfully demonstrated their expertise in this field. The CBAP designation is awarded to business analysis practitioners with 7500 hours or more of BA experience, and the CCBA is for those with 3750 or more hours of applicable experience. Both credentials require passing a comprehensive examination, based on the IIBA® Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®) that is designed to objectively assess and measure business analysis knowledge and experience
2. What are the education or work experience requirements needed?
To be eligible for CBAP or CCBA Certification, you must meet the following requirements:
Requirement
| Particulars | CBAP | CCBA |
|---|---|---|
| BA Experience | 7500 hours of BA experience over the past 10 years | 3750 hours of BA experience over the past 7 years |
| Knowledge Area | 900+ hours in at least 4 of the 6 core BABOK® Knowledge Areas | 900+ hours in at least 2 of the 6 coreBABOK® Knowledge Areas –OR– 500 hours in 4 of the 6 Knowledge Areas |
| Education | High School or College Degree | High School or College Degree |
| Professional Development | 21 Hours in past 4 Years | 21 Hours in past 4 Years |
| References | Two references from a career manager, client, or a CBAP | Two references from a career manager, client, or a CBAP |
| Additional | Signed Code of Conduct | Signed Code of Conduct |
| Fees | $125 application plus $325 exam fee ($450 for non-members) | $125 application plus $325 exam fee ($450 for non-members) |
| Renewal | Once every 3 years; need 60 CDUs for renewal | Once every 3 years; need CDUs for renewal (unknown at this time) |
3. How many questions are on the version 2.0 exam?
Both the CBAP and CCBA exams have 150 multiple-choice questions.
4. What is the difference between CCBA credentials and CBAP credentials?
Besides the hours requirements noted above, the two exams emphasize different things. The CBAP exam has many situation-based questions that require candidates to apply their knowledge of the BABOK®. The CCBA exam is mostly comprised of knowledge and fact-oriented questions about tasks and techniques in the BABOK®.
5. Can I use your CBAP study materials to study for the CCBA exam?
Yes! According to the IIBA, the blueprint for the CCBA exam is very similar to that of the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) exam. Specifically, the CCBA exam is different from the CBAP exam in that the CCBA exam presents mostly knowledge-based, factual questions drawing from the concepts presented in the BABOK® Guide.
6. What are the 2.0 exams based on?
The CBAP exam is based mostly on the tasks and techniques identified in the BABOK®, version 2.0, which was released March 31, 2009. As noted separately, the questions contain some knowledge and fact questions, and many situational questions. The latter will test your ability to apply the BABOK® information to real life. The current exam switched over to the 2.0 version on August 1, 2009. While most information for the CBAP exam is contained in the BABOK®, it is not the sole source of questions on the exam. The BABOK® references other sources that CBAP candidates may find helpful. The CCBA exam is based solely on the BABOK®, with knowledge-based questions only. It was introduced January 1, 2011.
7. How do I sign up for the exam and what does it cost?
The exam is the final requirement for CBAP or CCBA certification and anyone desiring to take an exam must first apply for certification and pass the initial screening process. Once the IIBA® determines your qualifications to sit for an exam, you must schedule with the official testing agency to reserve a date for a computerized exam. You will receive an email with instructions once your reservation is approved. Visit www.IIBA.org for the complete process.
Total cost (application plus exam) for IIBA® members is $450 USD.
Total cost (application plus exam) for non-members is $575 USD.
Candidates can save money on the cost of the exam by applying for IIBA® membership. The cost of membership is $95/year. NOTE: costs are subject to change without notice. Check withwww.IIBA.org for the current prices.
8. Is it enough to read and study only the BABOK® Guide, or should I be studying other sources of knowledge about the topics in the BABOKGuide?
The BABOK Guide should be your main resource and it will provide much of the reference material you need. Watermark Learning's CBAP Certification Study Guide (2nd Edition) is another resource we recommend, and is highly focused on the exam. Mastering the Requirements Process (2nd Edition) by Suzanne and James Robertson, and Software Requirements, Second Edition, by Karl Wiegers may also be helpful.
9. Where can we access a formal class to prepare for the exam? Are they offered by the IIBA®?
Ciel Consulting has classes for CBAP and CCBA classes scheduled throughout the year. We offer these classes in person. The IIBA® does not provide any formal training.
10. Are there practice exams readily available? How can I get them? Does the IIBA® provide sample tests through the website?
The IIBA® does not provide sample tests. There are some online exams available,
11. What percentage is required to pass the CBAP or CCBA?
The IIBA® has not published percentages yet. Our best guess for that is because the sample size of examinees is small enough so that they cannot yet assign an exact "cut score" for either exam. Assume you will need to score 70% or better to pass.
12. What is the overall first time pass rate of those taking the CBAP or CCBA?
The latest numbers we have heard put the pass rate at between 80% and 90%. Note that is not an official number, just our best guess. It is high partly because the IIBA® screens applications so well and demands so many years of experience. It is also high because examinees so far have been super-prepared to pass.
13. What is the best way to demonstrate that I meet the requirement of 7500 or 3750 hours?
You need 7500 or 3750 hours spent on business activities, and not just working hours. IIBA®has online applications to complete with project information. The form asks for information such as project name, start/end date, your role, project organization and contact, and project hours spent doing business analysis tasks as well as describing the tasks and your deliverables. The IIBA® audits a certain number of applications, so the hours you list should be as accurate as possible. Visit our CBAP Resources page to download a complimentary application worksheet to help you organize your hours.
14. The online CBAP and CCBA application lists non-BA tasks for projects. Should I put down any non-BA hours on my application?
Here is the situation. If you indicate any non-BA tasks, the IIBA® will deduct a proportionate percentage of hours from your reported project hours. Let us say you worked 1000 hours on a project, and indicated 3 tasks, 2 of which were BA work and one was a PM task. The IIBA® will then deduct 33% or 333 hours from your 1000 hours, leaving you a net of only 667 hours to count towards your total. Take this into account as you report hours and tasks on your application. Our advice: only report BA tasks and only BA hours to avoid having any hours deducted. See the IIBA's own FAQ document for more information on www.IIBA.org for details on this.
15. Do I need experience in all of the Knowledge Areas to apply?
No, the IIBA® has established you need 900+ hours in at least 4 of the 6 core Knowledge Areas (KAs) to apply for the CBAP. For the CCBA, you need 900+ hours in 2 of the core KAs or 500+ hours in 4 of the 6 core KAs.
16. How long does it take to get approved to take the exam once you complete the application?
Within two weeks of receiving your application package, IIBA® will notify you that your application is being processed. The IIBA® will then assess the application for completeness and fulfillment of the CBAP or CCBA certification requirements. The IIBA® will notify you, via email, of the results of this assessment within 21 days of receiving the application.
17. Where can I get the BABOK® book to study for the exam?
You can download it from the IIBA® web site. Visit www.IIBA.org and go to the "Professional Development" section and look for the BABOK menu item. That release of the BABOK® is the basis for the current CBAP and CCBA exams.
18. What counts towards the required 21 professional development hours?
Any business analysis training topic, such as requirements elicitation, requirements analysis or modeling courses, requirements planning/managing, etc. Training on related fields such as project management or software testing do not count towards the 21 hours. Nearly every Watermark Learning BA course applies to the 21 hours. Contact us if you have any questions.
19. Can we send the CBAP application without having the needed 21 hours, and once accepted we then take the course that gives us 21 hours?
You must have the 21 hours of courses before you submit your application. You do not need to submit a course certificate with your application, but be prepared to provide one if you are audited.