How to pass the CBAP Certification Exam
The CBAP is a standout certification and is among the most sought-after titles in the corporate world. It’s a major affirmation for senior business experts and is being pursued by business experts around the world. But how do you become a CBAP?
Business investigation experts must sit for a three-and-a-half-hour situational examination dependent on the BABOK: the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge. Qualified people who pass this exam are granted the title of Certified Business Analysis Professional, or CBAP for short.
Although it may sound cut-and-dry, the truth is that this certification process can be very difficult and time-consuming. But if you follow these tips to pass the CBAP exam, your experience should be much easier!
Check it out below:
Top 11 Steps to Pass The CBAP Exam
1. Don’t rely on memorization
The CBAP exam is complicated and will test many facets of your mental abilities. Although you may have found considerable success studying for other exams and classes with rote memorization, this approach will not be helpful when studying for this exam. You should investigate and assess the ideas presented in your study material as opposed to simply reviewing the terms and concepts at a surface level.
2. Set a Detailed CBAP Study Plan
Having an action plan is vital, regardless of what exam you’re getting ready for. Get hold of the the best Certified Business Analysis Professional study materials materials and choose how long you have and how much time you need to get ready for the exam. Don’t even bother taking the test if you know you don’t have enough time to fully prepare yourself.
Defining an objective and trying your best to accomplish it can take you incredibly far when it comes to test prep.
How long does it take to study for the CBAP exam?
Generally speaking, a 3-month study period is enough for most students planning to take the CBAP exam. However, take more or less time if you feel that you need to.
3. Practice your math skills
There are various questions and sections of the CBAP exam that are essentially math-based word problems. Some of these are focused specifically on ROI (Return on Investment) counts and others cover more extensive and broader topics. In order to handle these sections, you should brush up on your general math knowledge.
4. Layer your learning
Once you’ve taken some time to brush up on your arithmetic, you should focus on grasping the exam specifics. The CBAP exam is based around several different KA, short for Knowledge Areas; these are the same KA’s in which exam takers are required to be experienced. Consequently, you should have some experience in at least 4 of the 6 KA’s, but you still need to layer your study time to emphasize the remaining two.
For quick reference, here’s a list of the 6 Knowledge Areas that relate to passing the CBAP exam:
- Business Analysis Planning/Monitoring
- Enterprise Analysis
- Requirements Analysis
- Requirements Management/Communication
- Solution Assessment/Validation
- Elicitation
5. Consult the BABOK
When you study for the CBAP exam, make sure to pull from the terms and concepts utilized in the BABOK. After all, this is the foundation for the exam’s contents and grading scale. Even if you’re personal experience in the relevant knowledge areas conflict with some of the BABOK’s definitions and terminology, it is important to work within this framework. Essentially, this body of knowledge should be considered the final word on any of your study ambiguities.
6. Practice MCQ’s
A sizeable portion of the CBAP is made of multiple-choice questions, or MCQ’s for short. When preparing for this portion of the exam, practice questions are your friend; they can be found online for free or with a study course through a company like Simplilearn. Remember to focus on the structure of these practice questions as well as the answers themselves; your goal is to determine the most correct answer every time.
7. Study contextual analyses
This is another section of the CBAP exam that asks test takers to analyze a more in-depth prompt: usually around a page in length. Although this section will take the format of other exam questions, your approach to solving them should be a bit different in order to maximize your chances of success:
Here’s the best way to approach contextual analysis questions, both while studying practice versions and attempting the real thing:
- Briefly skim the entire written prompt. Try to identify some key terms and concepts from your study sessions and how they relate to each other.
- Look over all of the potential answers to the question(s). Remember, you’re looking for the one that is the most correct.
- Go back and re-read the prompt carefully and compare the information, concepts, and terms with the answers you studied.
While this isn’t a foolproof strategy that will ensure you get every question correct, it is an effective method of preparing yourself to make an informed decision without wasting too much time.
8. Demonstrate your knowledge
Although it’s important to study and retain the material provided in the BABOK, having the capacity to apply those ideas is additionally essential. In the CBAP exam, you’ll encounter various situational conditions as previously mentioned; a unique comprehension of the six KA’s is incredibly helpful in this context, if not absolutely necessary. You have to utilize your business investigation experience as well as your BABOK knowledge in order to pass the CBAP exam.
9. Use CBAP Exam Flash Cards
It’s true that the very first tip mentioned here states that you shouldn’t rely on memorization to carry you through the test. And that point still stands; however, you shouldn’t disregard memorization entirely since it can still help you understand certain terms and formulas.
The best way to enhance your memory in these areas is to use flashcards at multiple times in your study period. This is a fun and refreshing method to boost your memory that can even be done with a partner or study group. You can make physical cards for yourself, find some online through a program or app, or buy a deck from an educational company. Additionally, some test prep courses like Simplilearn will provide flashcards for this very purpose.
10. Use a CBAP Exam Simulator
An extremely effective method to test your insight is by finding or making a CBAP test simulation. Many prep course companies like Simplilearn provide accurate replicas of the full exam which can help you acclimate to the test structure and time constraints. However, you will achieve the best results by going all the way with the simulation experience by turning your physical study space into a replica testing center. This is the most effective way by far to reduce pre-exam anxiety, which can otherwise have a disastrous effect on your final CBAP score.
11. Take a CBAP Prep Course
All of the steps outlined above are helpful but they have one thing in common: they require a great deal of time and effort to simply prepare for them! Finding practice questions, tests, and flashcards can be difficult, as is sketching out a viable study schedule. It’s all very intimidating and a student can become overwhelmed very quickly.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to cut down on all this stress and effort: enroll in a CBAP prep course!
Getting a formal education through a professional educator can significantly assist you with preparing quicker and more effectively for the CBAP exam. We personally recommend enrolling in a course through Simplilearn since they offer one of the best packages at an appealing price that guarantees a high likelihood of success.
Sleep well
Last but not least, ensure you get a decent amount of sleep for your entire study schedule. Sleep is an important part of the healing and regulation process of the brain; staying well-rested will ensure that you actually remember everything you study for the exam!
The most important thing is that you have a full night of solid rest right before taking the exam. This will help you to take this challenging test with your full strength and can also reduce your pre-test anxiety.
Hopefully you learned something new after reading this guide to effective CBAP study tips. Good luck with your CBAP journey!
