Professional certification can help you land the perfect job, or even get you promoted within your company. It can be a powerful boost to your career, but it’s not always easy to figure out how to get started in the first place. This guide on CBAP certification training will walk you through everything you need to know about how to get certified, and how it can affect your career path.
What is CBAP®?
The Certified Business Analysis Professional certification is a premier recognition of professional achievement. Earning CBAP® demonstrates your in-depth knowledge of business analysis and assures employers, peers, and others that you have achieved superior performance in your field.
Why Should I Get It?
The CBAP® (Certified Business Analysis Professional) certification is a rigorous and professional credential. Whether you’re working in a consulting role or as a corporate analyst, it will serve as proof of your expertise in business analysis.
After all, your clients are hiring you for what you know—the CBAP certification proves that you know exactly what they need. It may even open up new work opportunities, especially if employers perceive you as higher-skilled or valuable because of it.
More and more companies want their employees to be certified, too; business analysts are getting picked out from among applicants because their credentials prove they have a solid understanding of important concepts and methodologies. Put simply: The CBAP certification distinguishes you from other business analysts in terms of skill and knowledge.
How do I Pass?
CBAP is a notoriously difficult exam. While CBAP certifications are highly respected, passing your certification can be quite challenging. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for and sit for your exam.
Remember that nothing is more important than taking your preparation seriously—not just studying, but making sure you’re doing it in a way that keeps you from getting overwhelmed or burned out. Don’t wait until several days before your test date to cram; instead, start studying early so you’ll have enough time left over to rest and recuperate before taking your certification exam. Remember that if all else fails, there’s no shame in asking for help!
How does CBAP® Help Me Advance My Career?
The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certification from IIBA helps you achieve your goal of becoming a recognized subject matter expert.
Earning a recognized business analysis certification shows employers that you’re serious about your work, that you’ve dedicated yourself to building your skills and knowledge, and ultimately it will help earn you an increased salary or promotion. Because of its stringent requirements for professional experience and practical application, earning CBAP online training certification is not for everyone.
Do I Need My MBA for CBAP®?
The CBAP® exam is intended for professionals who have a bachelor’s degree and have several years of project management experience. Candidates are typically generalists, but with an emphasis on project management.
This means that there’s no specialization in any particular area; nor does it mean that candidates need a master’s degree. Most candidates complete an average of 2,500 hours of formal education or training before taking the exam.
Which Course Should I Take?
There are several Certificates of Business Analysis and Planning (CBAP) course options. This is a starting point to help you determine which course is right for you. After reading about them, talk with peers and other professionals.
Seek out as much information as possible before making your decision. Once you know what course or courses seem like a good fit, start looking at CBAP training providers.
Their websites should list course offerings and pricing information—and most CBAP instructors are familiar with these courses, so they can also help advise on how each one works best for different individuals and businesses.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
CBAP certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s understanding of project management best practices and ability to plan, organize direct, control, and monitor projects. CBAP certification requires at least 5 years of project management experience, 12 months of which must be in program/project leadership roles.
Candidates also need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in business/technology. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions broken down into six categories: Project Integration Management; Initiating Process Group; Planning Process Group; Executing Process Group; Monitoring & Controlling Process Group; Closing Process Group. Applicants are allowed 90 minutes for each section with a total time limit of four hours for completion of all sections combined.
What are the Requirements?
There are specific requirements for CBAP certification. To become certified, you must have at least four years of experience as a project manager and attend a week-long certification course. The certification itself is valid for three years and can be renewed by earning 60 hours of Project Management Institute (PMI) continuing education credits every three years after that.
If you don’t think you meet these basic requirements, consider scheduling one of our free 30-minute consultations with an Accredited Business Analysis ProfessionalTM near you!
What’s the Best Approach to Passing this Exam?
If you want to succeed in business analysis, you need an in-depth understanding of not only processes and tools but also strategy and organizational goals. Since a lot of studying goes into passing your certification exam, you must choose an approach that works for you.
The best way to study is by breaking down your study schedule into manageable steps. One month before your exam date, create a realistic action plan with specific deadlines for each task so you can continue at a steady pace for as long as possible.
How Can I Learn More About CBAP® Training Options?
If you want to learn more about CBAP training, attend one of our free webinars. There are numerous free resources and guides on our website to help you decide whether you want certification or not.
If you’re still unsure, or want additional information before investing in any kind of certification program, sign up for a webinar that answers all your questions and can help clarify things for you. It’s a great way to get impartial advice about getting certified without having to ask anyone for recommendations.
