Hot News
The IIBA has extended the application deadline for the Atlanta, Houston, and Minneapolis exams. The new dates are:
- Atlanta – April 27, 2007
- Houston – May 7, 2007
- Minneapolis – May 7, 2007
B2T Tip
The application process may seem like a daunting task, but you can do it. Break it down into small chunks and take it one step at a time. The most challenging part will be documenting your work history. Dedicate some uninterrupted time to try and tackle this task. Don't go overboard with details. Make sure to highlight the tasks you performed and the deliverables you created for each project.
Q & A
Question: What are the requirements to sit for the CBAP exam?
Answer: You must have
- 5 years (7500 hrs) of business analysis work experience in the last ten years
- documented experience and expertise in at least four of the six knowledge areas of the BABOK
- a high school or equivalent education
- 21 hours of professional development in the last four years directly related to business analysis or the underlying fundamentals
Q: What information is required on the application?
A: There are six main categories on the application.
- Personal Information: Name, contact info, IIBA Member data
- Company Information: The name, size and primary business activity
- Work Experience: Project dates and description, contact information of someone who can verify the project and your work, organizational info, your total hours on the project, your total business analysis hours on the project, and a description of your business analysis activities (tasks and deliverables).
- Knowledge Area Expertise: Complete a task survey related for 4 of the 6 knowledge areas and underlying fundamentals covered in the BABOK.
- Education history
- Professional Development: Information related to training meeting the necessary 21 hours of professional development.
Q: How long does it take to complete the application?
A: Give yourself between 6 and 10 hrs to complete the application. The number of projects you need to document is the key variable in the amount of time needed to complete the application.
Q: I am having a hard time finding contact information for a manager on a project. What should I do?
A: You can list a project team member, project sponsor, or SME that can vouch for the project and your business analysis tasks and deliverables.
Q: Did the IIBA scrutinize the applicants? Were any audited?
A: The application is a major part of your certification. The IIBA ensures that qualified individuals sit for the exam. I was asked to supply more information after I submitted my application. I know of one person whose application was audited and the IIBA announced that some applicants were not approved for the first exam.
If you have any questions related to the IIBA CBAP exam application process please add a comment to this blog entry.
2 Comments
Is the IIBA looking for BABOK specified tasks and deliverables? I am struggling with this section as the terminology they use at my company may be different from the standard. I don’t want to make it appear that I am using only their terms. However, I don’t want to use terms that may be a red flag for the application process.
Ted,
I can not say for sure since the application approval process is not shared outside of the certification committte, but I recommend you use the terminology used in the BOK. Part of what the IIBA is trying to do is build a common terminology. Everyone is aware that we are not all using consistent terms. The key is to make sure the committee reviewing your application can understand what tasks and deliverables you have experience with.
One other note: If you get your application in early enough the committee should have time to work with you if there are any questions about your application.
I hope that helps and best of luck to you!