For seasoned Business Analysis professionals, earning the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) title is the ultimate goal. Acknowledged worldwide, it denotes a degree of proficiency and knowledge that surpasses customary standards in the field. After years of developing their knowledge of organizational needs, requirements, and solution facilitation, earning the CBAP Certification is a significant step toward career progress and a confirmation of one’s ability.
In this blog, we provide a thorough overview of all the aspects of CBAP Certification. We’ll go over the details of this certification and the importance of obtaining this prestigious certification, how it might improve your reputation in the workplace. This guide will offer helpful advice and links to aid you on your path to earning your CBAP Certification.
What is CBAP Certification?
CBAP Certification is the most prestigious qualification for experienced Business Analysts. The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), located in Canada, grants this accreditation.
This certification requires an in-depth knowledge of Business Analysis processes, activities, and concepts based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK). It also assesses how well you can use the information and abilities in practical situations.
Who should get CBAP Certified?
A CBAP credential is ideal for:
- Those with extensive business analysis experience (5+ years)
- Those who hold the CCBA designation
- Product Managers
- Consultants who are not BAs
- Professionals in training for hybrid Business Analysis, such as Project Managers, Quality Assurance (QA) Specialists, Change/Transformation Managers, and Designers.
What are the benefits of CBAP Certification?
CBAP Certification is considered the Gold Standard among Business Analyst certifications. Achieving this certification offers numerous advantages:
I. Growth in compensation:
As per the International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) 2022 Global Business Analysis Salary Survey Report, Business Analysts who hold an IIBA CBAP® Certification earn 25% more vs. non-certified ones.
Alternatively, CBAP certified professionals have an all-time high growth rate of 14%, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, compared to the 5% average growth rate of all professions.
II. Credibility and recognition as a Business Analyst:
Increased visibility inside the company and in the market, as well as more opportunities for career progression
III. Professional networking opportunity:
Being a part of the exclusive BA community gives you access to a wealth of professional contacts, including other Business Analysis experts and knowledgeable peers.
IV. Professional Development:
Assists in keeping abreast of current practices and trends in the industry.
V. Global community of Business Analysts:
Assists in creating a structure and common language for efficient stakeholder communication.
What are the eligibility criteria to become CBAP Certified?
CBAP Certification is a professional certification for individuals with significant experience in the field of Business Analysis. The CBAP 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 CBAP 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 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
Cost of CBAP Certification
The cost of CBAP Certification includes three main components: membership fees, application fees, and exam fees. Membership fees vary based on your country of residence. The application fee is non-refundable and set at USD 145. Examination fees are USD 350 for members and USD 505 for non-members.
The Certification fee details are provided in the table below:
| Cost Head | Region I | Region II | Region III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership fees | $139 | $89 | $55 |
| Application Fees | $145 | $145 | $145 |
| Exam Fees (Members) | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Exam Fees (Non-members) | $505 | $505 | $505 |
- 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…
How are fees calculated for your country/region?
I. In the United States of America, the total cost of CBAP Certification is as follows:
The Membership fee amounts to USD 139, the Application fee is USD 145, and the Exam fee total USD 350, resulting in a total fee of USD 634.
II. In India, the total cost of CBAP Certification is as follows:
The Membership fee is USD 55, the Application fee is USD 145, and the Exam fee total USD 350, resulting in a total fee of USD 550.
What is the CBAP Certification syllabus?
The computer-based CBAP Certification exam can be taken at a PSI testing center or online using a proctor format. As a result, people who take online remote proctored tests can do so from the comfort of their own homes with desktop or laptop computers provided they have a functional webcam, microphone, and internet connection.
People who take the exam remotely have more convenience and flexibility because they can select a time and date that fits best with their schedules. It is crucial to remember that there are rules and specifications that people must adhere to when taking the exam virtually, such as having a peaceful, well-lit testing space free of any forbidden objects.
The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) guide, version 3, serves as the foundation for the certification test. Thus, knowledge domains, methodologies, perspectives, and skills make up the framework of the BABOK guide.
The weightage of all the knowledge areas is as follows:
| Knowledge Areas | Weightage |
| Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring | 14% |
| Elicitation & Collaboration | 12% |
| Requirements Life Cycle Management | 15% |
| Strategy Analysis | 15% |
| Requirements Analysis and Design Definition | 30% |
| Solution Evaluation | 14% |
CBAP Exam Pattern – What is the format?
Exam questions for the CBAP Certification are multiple-choice. Therefore, the purpose of the questions is to assess your proficiency with the BABOK structure and principles. Both scenario- and case-study-based questions are included. The actual data indicates that the percentage of questions based on case studies could range from 20% to 35%. The case studies are lengthy (one or two pages), and they serve as the basis for several questions.
- 120 MCQs are present.
- The exam lasts for 210 minutes (3.5 hours)
- There will be four answer choices for each question.
- There will only be one right response for each question.
- There is no negative marking.
The application of BABOK ideas forms the basis of CBAP questions. CBAP Exam questions are available for free trial.
Steps to Submit a CBAP Application Process
Candidates for the CBAP must submit an application in an effort to prove they meet the requirements for eligibility. The actions that must be taken in order to submit a CBAP application to IIBA are listed below:
Step 1: Use your login information to access the IIBA website or register for an account.
Step 2: Choose CBAP certification, then submit your application and pay the cost.
Note: There are no refunds or transfers for the application fee
Step 3: Record your hours in the BA Development Log (Professional Development Hours + Work History Hours).
- Professional Development: Within the last four years, a minimum of 35 hours must have been completed. The course material must be structured formally, not just be a presentation, and directly correspond with the BABOK® Guide v3.0.
- Work History: In accordance with the BABOK® Guide, at least 7,500 hours of business analysis work experience must have been completed within the last ten years. This equates to at least 3,600 hours, or 900 hours minimum in each of the four knowledge areas, out of the necessary total.
Step 4: Give two references from the following: a career manager, an internal or external client, or a CBAP® recipient.
Step 5: Accept the “Code of Conduct” and the “Terms and Conditions” before submitting the application.
How can I schedule the CBAP exam?
1. Within one year from the approval date of your application, ensure to pay the exam fee before the application expires.
2. Select your preferred date and time to schedule the exam. You have the flexibility to take the exam up to three times within the one-year application period. However, for the second and third attempts, you’ll need to pay the exam rewrite fee.
CBAP Preparation Resources
CBAP exam is not an easy exam to crack. The primary study material is Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) but you need more than just the BABOK. Here is a list of important preparation resources, provided by Techcanvass. These preparation materials are time-tested and have proven to be very effective:
- CBAP Question Bank with over 1200 questions – the questions are divided chapter wise and knowledge areas wise. There are case study based questions and full length tests as well. In addition, there are performance analysis reports.
- CBAP Revision Guide – Our experts have developed a revision guide based on BABOK, which is easier to study as compared to BABOK. It is also a summarized version almost 50% of the size of BABOK (excluding the chapter end questions and quizzes).
- Mind Maps – You will get Mind maps for BABOK chapters and that’s a great resource for revising BABOK and having a mental visualization of BABOK
- Quick Revision Tables – Entire BABOK in 20 pages, that’s the best way to revise BABOK.
- Recorded Sessions – All the sessions of live online training are recorded and provided to you for unlimited access.
What to expect in the exam?
- There will be scenario- and case-study-based questions, each lasting one to one and a half pages. Every case study will also have more than one question.
- There will be some questions that need mathematical calculations, thus a calculator will be available.
- Although it may appear that there are several right answers to a question, this is untrue. As a result, it’s critical to focus on small things.
What not to expect in the exam?
- The test is easy to take and understand.
- There is more than enough time to answer all 120 questions.
- BABOK provides straightforward questions on the different tasks and methods.
- It is sufficient to have a great deal of expertise as a business analyst to be able to answer every question and pass the test.
CBAP Recertification – How to renew?
The CBAP certification needs to be renewed through the recertification process after its three-year expiration date. Recertifying shows that a certified professional has stayed current with changes in the business analysis industry and is necessary to preserve the CBAP certification. During the three-year certification period, a certain amount of Professional Development (PD) hours must be completed. Additionally, an application and fee must be submitted to the IIBA in order to be recertified.
The procedures below must be completed in order to recertify CBAP:
1. Compile the necessary PD hours:
During the course of the three-year certification cycle, CBAP requires 60 PD hours. Of these 60 hours, at least 35 hours have to come from Category 2 activities, which are conferences, formal training, and courses on business analysis. Volunteering, mentorship, and self-directed study are examples of Category 1 activities that can be used to fulfill the remaining 25 hours.
2. Keep track of PD hours:
Record all of the professional development activities you completed during the certification cycle. Transcripts or certificates of attendance serve as proof of completion.
3. Send in the application for recertification:
Fill out the recertification form that may be found on the IIBA website. Details of the professional development activities done during the certification cycle are included in the application, and you must supply supporting documentation for each activity
4. Cover the cost of recertification:
When submitting the recertification application, the recertification cost must be paid. The cost varies according to your IIBA membership status.
5. Evaluation of applications
The IIBA will assess the recertification application and supporting documentation upon receipt of the application and fee in order to ascertain if the applicant has fulfilled the requirements for recertification. The CBAP certification will be renewed for an additional three-year cycle if the application is accepted.
6. Maintain certification
The certified professional must continue to fulfill the recertification requirements every three years in order to preserve their CBAP certification after it has been renewed.
Conclusion
The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) offers the esteemed CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) credential, which is accepted around the world for seasoned business analysts. A business analyst’s professional credibility is increased, and prospects for career progression are unlocked, as evidenced by their CBAP certification.
Are you a seasoned business analyst seeking to learn about industry best practices and progress in your career?
We have helped many professionals crack the CBAP exam in the first attempt. If you are also planning for this certification, View our CBAP Preparation Course to know more.
In-depth instruction covering BABOK v3 is provided by our trainers, who are Industry professionals and CBAP certified. The sessions are conducted on the weekends. Most importantly, our training approach has a holistic approach including:
- Live Online sessions
- Mock questions practice workshops
- Doubt-clearing sessions
