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Tips and Tricks for CBAP Exam Preparation

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Recently I have passed CBAP certification in my first attempt. I’d like to share the tips and tricks that helped in my success, along with the valuable resources and guidance I received from the Techcanvass self-learning course and Techcanvass team.

CBAP Exam Information

Duration and Timeline – 3.5 hours (210 Minutes) without break.

No of Questions – 120 Multiple choice questions with no negative mark for wrong answers.

Question Pattern

– 5 Case studies, each case study contains 5 questions.

– 9-10 number calculation based questions.

– 85 to 90 Scenario based questions.

Why is it difficult to crack the CBAP exam ?

The CBAP doesn’t simply test memorization. It assesses your ability on how you apply business analysis concepts to real-world scenarios. Exam questions usually contain complex situations that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The rigorous eligibility requirement for the exam ensures only the seasoned and right candidates attend the certification exam. The exam duration itself is challenging. The exam contains 120 multiple choice questions with a time limit of 3.5 hours. The questions are often scenario-based and require a deep understanding of the BABOK guide to select the best answer.

CBAP Preparation Material

IIBA BABOK V3

Techcanvass course materials, question bank, webinars, study group and doubt clearing sessions.

Tips and tricks to crack CBAP in 1st attempt

  1. Focussed study plan

Consistency is the key in exam preparation. Create a plan by yourself at your own pace to cover all the concepts in BABOK. Constantly spending time per day towards a focused study based on the plan created by you in a calm environment paves way to yield remarkable results. Try to minimize distractions, find a quiet space, and immerse yourself in the BABOK Guide and supplementary materials shared by Techcanvass.

  1. Create a habit of taking notes

Active learning through taking notes by yourself is invaluable. As you study the BABOK Guide, note down key concepts, definitions, etc. These notes will become a personalized reference guide (knowledge foundation), helping your understanding about complex topics.

  1. BABOK Knowledge Areas and prioritizing it

BABOK contains 6 knowledge areas, Techniques, Underlying competencies. IIBA has assigned separate weightage for each knowledge area for CBAP exam. Once can prioritize based on the weightage given by IIBA to understand the concepts across the knowledge area. Start by studying the Business Analysis Core Concept Model (BACCM). It contains the six core concepts (Change, Need, Solution, Stakeholder, Value, Context) that are fundamental to business analysis. CBAP examination will contain a few questions from the underlying competencies section also. Therefore, spending time on studying the underlying competencies will not only help in clearing the examination but also in day-to-day activities.

  1. Mastering the BABOK Techniques

Mastering the techniques really helps to solve a hefty quantity of questions in the exam. Get familiar with each technique and, whenever possible, integrate them into your daily BA activities. This practical application will help to get deep understanding and make the concepts more relatable during the exam. In addition to this, these techniques are really helpful for business analysts to perform day to day activities.

  1. Mnemonics

To memorize the key terms related to the concepts in BABOK, you can create mnemonics on your own. I have created mnemonics for the key concepts like estimation techniques, risk management and treatment, impact analysis, requirement relation types, characteristics of requirements, Type of non-functional requirements etc.

  1. Flashcards

Flashcards are a portable and effective way to improve your knowledge about the concepts in BABOK. Create your own flashcards summarizing key concepts, definitions, and techniques. Carry at least 15 different sets of flashcards with you every day to review during commutes, breaks, or any spare moment.

  1. Get Good Preparation Resources

The Techcanvass self-learning course provides a variety of resources, including comprehensive study notes, practice tests, and a supportive study group. The notes provided by Techcanvass provide a detailed view of essential concepts, while the practice tests simulate the exam environment and identify areas for improvement. Techcanvass periodically conducts seminars, doubt clearing sessions. Make use of it to get more understanding about CBAP certification, tips & tricks, and guidance from experts.

  1. Get better understanding on knowledge area wise and technique wise details

Techcanvass offers a range of chapter-wise, scenario based, case study based and concept-wise tests. Regularly attempting these tests will help you evaluate your understanding of specific topics and identify any knowledge gaps that require further improvement.

  1. Full-Length Practice Tests: Building Confidence

Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions is vital for improving your time management and self-confidence towards your CBAP examination. Techcanvass provides multiple full-length tests that closely mirror the actual exam format, allowing you to improve your test-taking strategies and time management skills.

  1. Think through BABOK perspective

Try to attempt the exam questions by thinking through the BABOK perspective. This will help to omit potential incorrect answers from each question and selecting the right answer.

  1. Power of Study Group

The Techcanvass study group provides a platform for connecting with fellow CBAP aspirants. Engaging in discussions, sharing insights, and asking questions can deepen your understanding of the material and provide invaluable support throughout your preparation journey. In addition to this, create a learning group within your organization, this will really help you to inch towards completing the CBAP certification successfully in the first attempt.

  1. Exam Day Tips

Stay positive and motivated – Think about your goals.

Time management during exams – Do not spend too much time on a single question. If you are not able to answer the question, mark the question and move on to another question, come back to this question later.

Review answers – If you get time in the examination after answering all the questions try to review the answers again quickly.

Conclusion

Preparing for the CBAP exam can be a daunting task, but with a structured learning approach and resources, success is attainable. Techcanvass has been enabling Senior Business Analyst professionals to crack CBAP exam in the first attempt. 

Our CBAP Preparation course uses a learn and practice approach, which has proven to be successful. Industry professionals ensure that you grasp the BABOK concepts with real-life examples and scenarios.