Overview
Certified Business Analysis Professional Certification (CBAP) is the most reputed certification for business analysts. This certification is awarded by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Canada.
Based on the Business Analysis Body Of Knowledge (BABOK), this certification demands a thorough understanding of business analysis practices, activities, and principles. It also tests your ability to apply the knowledge and skill in real-life scenarios.
This article is a comprehensive guide on IIBA CBAP. We also provide steps for preparation with useful resources.
Is CBAP worth it?
CBAP Certification is the Gold Standard of Business Analyst certifications. Getting Certified brings in many advantages:
- Growth in Compensation: As per the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) 2022 Global Business Analysis Salary Survey Report, business analysts who hold certified business analysis professional certification earn 25% more vs. non-certified ones
- Credibility and recognition as a business analyst: Higher recognition and greater possibility of career advancement within the organization as well as the overall market
- Professional Networking opportunity: A member of the elite BA professional community providing invaluable networking opportunities in order to interact with knowledgeable peers and other business analysis professionals.
- Professional Growth: Helps you stay updated with the latest industry practices and trends
- Global community of business analysts: Helps you develop a common language and framework for effective communication with stakeholders.
Eligibility Requirements
It is a professional certification for individuals with significant experience in the field of business analysis. This certification is ideal for professionals who are senior members of the business analysis community with more than five years of practical business analysis experience. Being the most advanced level certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), it has more stringent eligibility criteria as compared to the intermediate level Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and basic level Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA).
Candidates must meet the following requirements to acquire the designation:
- You need to have a minimum of 7,500 hours of Business Analysis work experience within the past 10 years. (You can consider this in order to be approximately 5 years of business analysis experience)
- Within this experience, you need to have at least 3,600 hours of the 7,500 hours of Business Analysis work experience in 4 out of the 6 Knowledge Areas defined in BABOK® Guide Version 3. Each of the 4 areas must have a minimum of 900 hours of experience
- You must have completed a minimum of 35 hours of Professional Development within the last 4 years
- You need to provide two references from a Career Manager, Client, or a Certified Business Analysis Professional
- You must agree to the Code of Conduct
- You must agree to the Terms and Conditions
- You need to pass the exam
Total cost of Certification
The Certification cost comprises 3 components – membership fees, application fees, and exam fees. The membership fees depend on your country of residence. The application fee is USD 145, which is non-refundable, whereas the examination fee is USD 350 for members and USD 505 for non-members.
The Certification fee details are provided in the table below:
- Region I Countries: United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates & more…
- Region II Countries: Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa & more…
- Region III Countries: India, Argentina, Pakistan & More…
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Certification Cost in USA
Total Certification cost in the United States of America is – Membership fee is USD 139, Application fee is USD 145, and the exam fee is USD 350 resulting in a total fee of USD 634.
Certification Cost in Canada
Total Certification cost in Canada is – Membership fee is USD 139, Application fee is USD 145, and the exam fee is USD 350 resulting in a total fee of USD 634.
Certification Cost in India
Total Certification cost in the United States of America is – Membership fee is USD 55, Application fee is USD 145, and the exam fee is USD 350 resulting in a total fee of USD 550.
Exam Information
The Exam can be taken from home as well as from a PSI test centre. Lets have a look at the exam syllabus, exam format and duration.
Syllabus
This is a computer-based exam and can be taken either online via a proctor format or at a PSI test center. So in online remote proctored exams individuals can take the exams from the comfort of their own homes, using their desktop or laptop computers, as long as they have a reliable internet connection, a working webcam, and a microphone.
Taking the exam remotely provides individuals with greater flexibility and convenience, as they can choose a date and time that works best for their schedule. However, it is important to note that there are certain requirements and guidelines that individuals must follow when taking the exam remotely, such as having a quiet and well-lit testing environment and not having any prohibited items in the testing area.
The certification exam is based on the Business analysis body of knowledge (BABOK) guide v3. So, The BABOK guide is structured into knowledge areas, techniques, perspectives, and competencies.
The weightage of the knowledge areas is provided below:
Exam Pattern and format
It is a multiple-choice question-based exam. so, The questions are designed to test your ability to apply the BABOK concepts and framework. There is a mix of scenario and case-study-based questions. The empirical data suggests that the case study-based questions could be anywhere between 20%-35%. The case studies are large (one or two pages) and multiple questions are based on the case studies.
- There are 120 MCQs
- The duration of the exam is 210 minutes (3.5 hours)
- Each question will have four options
- Every question will have one correct answer
- There is no negative marking
Exam Questions are based on the application of BABOK concepts. You can try CBAP Exam questions for Free.
What to expect in the exam?
- Questions will be scenario-based and case-study (1-1.5 pages long) based in nature. There will also be multiple questions in each case study.
- A few questions will need mathematical calculations hence a calculator will be provided for them.
- It may seem that there are also multiple correct answers to a question which is not the case. Hence, it is important to pay attention to minute details.
Explore our CBAP Certification Preparation Course
What not to expect in the exam?
- The exam is simple and straightforward.
- There is abundant time at hand in order to solve 120 questions.
- There are direct questions from BABOK on the various tasks and techniques.
- Extensive experience as a business analyst is enough in order to answer all questions and pass the exam.
Preparation approach
It is the most reputed business analyst certification but its not an easy exam. Preparation is all about planning and consistency. In this section, I will share tips and preparation resources. It is also applicable for CCBA.
Preparation Tips
The preparation must follow a structured approach. Here are some tips to achieve that:
- Give yourself sufficient prep time
- Read BABOK as many times as you need
- Practice with Mock tests
- Participate in study groups
- Master BABOK Techniques
- Use mind maps to recall terms and concepts
You can read about these in Top 7 CBAP Preparation tips.
Application Process
The applicants need to submit an application in an attempt to demonstrate that they fulfill the eligibility criteria. Below are the steps that need to be carried out to submit an application –
Step-1: Log in to the IIBA site with your credentials or create an account.
Step-2: Select CBAP certification and pay the application fee.
Note: (The application fee is also non-refundable and non-transferable)
Step-3: Next, log your hours (Professional Development Hours + Work History Hours in the BA Development Log)
- Professional Development: Must have a minimum of 35 hours within the last 4 years. The course content must directly align with BABOK® Guide v3.0, be formal in structure, and not simply a presentation.
- Work History: Requires a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analysis work experience within the last 10 years that aligns with the BABOK® Guide. This includes a minimum of 900 hours each in each of the 4 Knowledge Areas, for a total of at least 3,600 of the required total.
Step-4: Provide two references, who can either be a CBAP® recipient, a Career Manager, or a Client (internal or external).
Step-5: Agree to the “Terms and Conditions” and “Code of Conduct” and submit the application.
Preparation Resources
All the resources provided by Techcanvass have questions that cover all six knowledge areas of the BABOK Guide and are presented in a format similar to what you would encounter in the exam. Here are some of them:
- We offer CBAP Exam Questions Bank to help you assess your knowledge of the exam content and identify areas where you may need to focus your studies.
- Our CBAP practice tests are case study-based, which means that they present real-world scenarios that require the application of BABOK knowledge and skills to solve.
Our free CBAP sample questions are designed to help individuals prepare for the certification exam. These questions are a mix of multiple-choice questions, scenario-based questions, and fill-in-the-blank questions, which can help individuals become familiar with the types of questions that they may encounter on the actual exam.
Scheduling Exam
- One year from the date or approval of the application, pay the exam fee before the application lapses.
- Schedule the exam on your preferred date and time. You can take the exam up to 3 times within your 1-year application period at any time (after paying the exam rewrite fee for the 2nd and 3rd attempts).
Explore our CBAP Certification Preparation Course
CBAP Recertification
How long is the certification valid?
It is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed through the recertification process. Recertification is required to maintain the designation and also demonstrates that the certified professional has kept up with the latest developments in the field of business analysis.
How to renew it?
The recertification process involves earning a certain number of Professional Development (PD) hours during the three-year certification period and submitting a recertification application and fee to the IIBA.
To get recertified, the following steps must be followed:
I. Obtain the required PD hours:
Certified Business analysis professional certification requires 60 PD hours over the three-year certification cycle. Of these 60 hours, a minimum of 35 hours must be from Category 2 activities, which include formal training, courses, and conferences related to business analysis. The remaining 25 hours can be from Category 1 activities, which include self-directed learning, mentoring, and volunteering.
II. Document PD hours:
Keep a record of all the PD activities completed during the certification cycle. You must have evidence of completion, such as certificates of attendance or transcripts.
III. Submit the recertification application:
Complete the recertification application, which is available on the IIBA website. The application includes details of the PD activities completed during the certification cycle, and you must provide supporting evidence for each activity.
IV. Pay the recertification fee:
The recertification fee must be paid at the time of submitting the recertification application. The fee varies depending on whether you are an IIBA member or not.
V. Application review
Once the recertification application and fee have been submitted, the IIBA will review the application and supporting evidence to determine if the applicant has met the recertification requirements. If the application is approved, the certification will be renewed for another three-year cycle.
VI. Maintain certification:
Once the certification has been renewed, the certified professional must continue to meet the recertification requirements every three years to maintain the certification.
Conclusion
Certified Business Analysis Professional Certification is a prestigious certification for experienced business analysts, recognized globally by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). This certification demonstrates a business analyst’s expertise in the field, enhances their professional credibility, and opens up opportunities for career advancement.
Are you an experienced Business Analyst Professional looking to advance your career and learn about the industry’s best practices?
Explore our CBAP Certification Preparation Course
We offer comprehensive training covering BABOK v3 with live online classes by our experienced and certified professionals, dedicated workshops to help you solve scenario and case-study based questions, and doubt clearing sessions to ensure all your questions are answered.
CBAP FAQs
Q. 1 What is CBAP certification?
A. Certified business analysis professional Certification is a globally recognized certification for experienced business analysts. It is awarded by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Canada.
Q. 2 How do I apply for certification?
A. You can apply for the certification online by visiting IIBA website. Visit the IIBA CBAP Certification website to apply online.
Q. 3 Which is harder CBAP or PMP?
A. Both the exams are not so easy from a difficulty perspective. You need to be able to apply the theoretical concepts in real-life scenarios.
Q. 4 What is the salary of Certified business analysis professional in India?
A. The Certified Business Analysts earn a salary of US $ 96,053 per annum as per the IIBA Survey data published in 2024. The CBAP Business Analyst salary in India varies from INR 600,000 to 18,00,000.
Q. 5 What is the failure rate?
A. Based on our learner’s feedback, we believe that the failure rate in the exam is 30-35%. Please note that this is based on last 8 years of our training effort.
Q. 6 How many attempts are allowed?
A. You can make two attempts in one year once your application is approved and accepted. Please note that you can take this exam from home as well as from a test centre.
Q. 7 Can a fresher do this certification?
A. No, a fresher is NOT eligible for the Certification. You must have at least 7,500 hours of Business analysis experience in the last 10 years.
Q. 8 Does the exam have negative marking?
A. No, there is no negative marking in the exam.
Q. 9 How long does it take to pass CBAP?
A. Our experience suggests that if you study for around 150-175 hours, you should pass the exam. Studying BABOK is key to success and you must master BABOK knowledge areas, tasks and concepts.
Q. 10 What is the passing mark for CBAP?
A. The passing marks for the exam is in the range of 65-70% but it’s important to note that you must pass in all the six knowledge areas.
It means that even if you have 100% score in any one knowledge area but less than 50% is another (Which is lower than each knowledge area passing marks), you will not get certification.
Q. 11 How can I enrol for preparation training course?
A. You can visit the CBAP training course page and may enrol for the course. There are multiple options for enrolment. We also have a good bundle offer with IIBA fees.
Q. 12 What are the eligibility criteria?
A. You need to have a minimum of 7,500 hours of Business analysis work experience in the last 10 years and 35 hours of professional development.
Q. 13 What is the exam format?
A. It’s a 3.5-hour long exam with 120 multiple choice questions (MCQs). Please note that only one answer is correct.
Q. 14 How can I prepare for the exam?
A. Learn and master BABOK, practice well with the mock questions and analyse your performance to reach an optimal level. These steps will help you clear the exam.
Q. 15 How long is the certification valid?
A. This certification is valid for three years.
Q. 16 Can I renew my certification?
A. Yes, you can renew by earning Continuing Development Units (CDUs) and paying renewal fees.
Q. 17 What are the knowledge areas in BABOK?
A. There are six knowledge areas, including Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring, Elicitation and collaboration, Requirements life cycle management, Strategy analysis, Requirements analysis and design definition and Solution evaluation.
Q. 18 How valuable is CBAP?
A. Specifically, Business Analysts who hold this Certification earn 19% than non-certified BAs. Top industries that employ BAs are IT, Finance/Insurance, Government and Public Sector, Services, and Healthcare/Social Services. Find more here – https://techcanvass.com/blogs/what-is-the-value-of-cbap-certification.aspx
