IIBA Exam: CBAP, CCBA, and ECBA Certification Exam Patterns Discussed

Business analysis is an ever-changing field requiring individuals to update their skills and knowledge regularly. Certification tests are one approach to demonstrating mastery of the subject, and IIBA Exam is a popular way to get certified in business analysis.  

Getting certified also significantly increases the salary. According to Payscale, a Certified Business Analysis earns an average of £52,000 per year, whereas a non-certified business analyst gets an average pay of £38,000 per year.  

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Exam is conducted at three levels: Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). Acing the IIBA Exam requires a person to deeply understand the exam patterns for CBAP, CCBA, and EBCA certifications. 

Table of Contents

1) Overview of the IIBA Exam 

2) IIBA ECBA exam pattern 

    a) ECBA exam eligibility 

    b) ECBA exam syllabus and topics 

    c) ECBA exam pattern and fee 

3) CCBA Certification exam pattern 

    a) CCBA exam eligibility  

    b) CCBA exam syllabus and topics  

    c) CCBA exam pattern and fee 

4) CBAP Certification exam pattern 

     a) CBAP exam eligibility 

     b) CBAP exam pattern 

     c) CBAP exam syllabus and topics 

5) How to prepare for IIBA certifications 

6) Conclusion 

Overview of the IIBA Exam 

IIBA is a leading professional body in the business analysis community. It offers various certifications for business analysis professionals that vouch for their skills and competency. Business analysts can earn three levels of certification from the IIBA: 

a) Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)  

b) Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)   

c) Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)  

The ECBA certification is the entry-level certification for professionals new to business analysis. According to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Guide, this certification focuses on foundational knowledge and includes business analysis, planning and monitoring, and many more.  

The CCBA certification is intended for mid-level professionals with two to three years of business analysis experience. This certification focuses on knowledge and abilities, including requirements analysis and design, solution evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. Earning the certification showcases your ability to lead and work on bigger or more complex projects.   

The CBAP certification is the highest level and is intended for senior-level professionals with five years or more of business analysis experience. Advanced topics such as business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and cooperation, strategy analysis, etc., are covered in this certification.


 

IIBA ECBA exam pattern 

ECBA certification is perfect for someone wanting to start a business analysis career. Getting recognised with IIBA ECBA certification validates that you have the necessary skills and foundation knowledge to be a competent business analyst. The ECBA exam is relatively easy compared to CCBA and CBAP exams and is a great way to start your career as a business analyst. 

ECBA exam eligibility 

To take this exam, you must have some prerequisites that the IIBA officially prescribes. The eligibility criteria for the ECBA exam are as follows:

a) You must have a registered account with the IIBA.   

b) You must agree with the Code of Conduct.   

c) Agree to the Terms and Conditions.   

Note: As of 26th April 2023, 21 hours of Professional Development (PD) is no longer required. This is a part of the updated IIBA eligibility. IIBA certifications and exams will also have a new fee structure. 

ECBA exam syllabus and topics 

The syllabus and topics for the ECBA is based on the BABOK Guide. ECBA exam will have the following topics:
 

                                                                                                                Source: IIBA 
 

ECBA exam pattern and fee 

ECBA exam is conducted online in the remote proctored format.  

Exam structure
 

                                                                                                                      Source: IIBA             

Exam fee 

                                                                                                                  Source: IIBA

Start your business analysis career right with IIBA® Entry Certificate In Business Analysis (ECBA™) and training course. 

IIBA CCBA exam pattern 

CCBA certification is a level 2 examination offered by the IIBA for individuals with two to three years of relevant experience in business analysis. The certificate recognises that the individual is capable of handling more complex projects. 

CCBA exam eligibility 

To take the CCBA exam, you must clear these eligibility criteria.  

a) 21 professional development hours  

b) 3,750 work history hours  

c) Two references  

The professional development hours must be within four years and align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas. PD hours can be obtained from IIBA-accredited training courses or institutions.  

For work history, the individual must have 3,750 hours of work experience, roughly equal to two to three years. The work experience must align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas and must include  

a) Minimum of 900 hours in each of the two knowledge Areas or;  

b) Minimum of 500 hours in each of the four knowledge Areas.  

For references, you must give two persons' references who must know you for at least six months. They can be a CCBA/CBAP certified individual, a career manager or a client. The reference must provide the work email (not personal emails with Gmail or Yahoo mail). 

CCBA exam syllabus and topics 

The syllabus and topics for the ECBA is based on the BABOK Guide. ECBA exam will have the following topics:
 

                                                                                                                        Source: IIBA 

CCBA exam pattern and fee 

CCBA exam is conducted online in the remote proctored format or can be taken at a PSI test centre. 

Exam structure
 

                                                                                                                            Source: IIBA 
 

Exam fee 
 

                                                                                                                      Source: IIBA 

Take the next step in your business analysis career and validate your skills with IIBA® Certification Of Competency In Business Analysis (CCBA®) and training course. 

IIBA CBAP exam pattern 

CBAP exam is the level 3 exam that is apt for individuals with over five years of experience. This certifies that the individual is capable of leading complex projects with confidence. 

CBAP exam eligibility 

To take the CBAP exam, you must clear these eligibility criteria.  

a) 35 professional development hours  

b) 7,500 work history hours  

c) Two references  

The professional development hours must be completed within four years and align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas. 35 hours of professional development can be obtained from IIBA-accredited training courses or institutions.  

For work history, the individual must have 7,500 hours of work experience, approximately equal to five-six years. The work experience must align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas and include a minimum of 900 hours that must be completed in each of the four knowledge areas, amounting to 3600 hours.    

For references, you must give two persons' references who must know you for at least six months. They can be a CCBA/CBAP certified individual, a career manager or a client. The reference must provide the work email (not personal emails with Gmail or Yahoo mail). 

CBAP exam syllabus and topics 

The syllabus and topics for the ECBA are based on the BABOK Guide. ECBA exam will have the following topics:
 

                                                                                                                  Source: IIBA

CABP exam pattern and fee

The CABP exam is conducted online in a remote proctored format or can be taken at a PSI test centre. If you choose to take the exam from home, ensure everything is set up. A stable and fast internet, a PC or laptop, a working webcam and a microphone are required to give the exam.   

Choose a place that is comfortable and where there is no distraction. If you do not want to take any chances, you can choose to write the exam at a PSI test centre which will be a computer-based exam. 

Exam structure
 

                                                                                                                 Source: IIBA
 

Exam fee 

                                                                                                                   Source: IIBA
 

Are you an experienced business analyst? It’s time to get certified with IIBA® Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®). 

How to prepare for IIBA exam certifications 

The preparation for the IIBA certifications exam is similar in many ways, whether you are going for ECBA or CBAP certification. Here are some general tips to help you prepare for IIBA exams.   

a) BABOK Guide is your best friend: Before starting your preparation, you must understand the syllabus for your certification level. The syllabus is based on BABOK Guide, so you must get the guide first. Treat it as your primary source for learning. However, you can also refer to other books and resources to enhance your understanding of a topic.   

b) Enrol in a training course: If you are not very confident in preparing, you can enrol in an IIBA-certified training.   

c) Practice with sample question papers and mock tests: Sample papers are available on the IIBA website and can be downloaded to practice for the exam.   

d) Keep notes of important concepts that might need revision: Prepare easy-to-read notes for each topic in the given syllabus. 

Conclusion 

The certification offered by the IIBA is one of the best in the industry for business analysts. There are IIBA certifications that suit every person's requirements and professional experiences. Regardless of whether you have just started your career or possess years of experience, there is an IIBA Exam certification that suits you. ECBA are for newcomers to the industry, CCBA is for professionals with some experience, and CABP is for individuals with more than five years of experience. Understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and overall structure is crucial to ace and get certified