CBAP RESOURCE GUIDE TOP 5 TIPS FOR PASSING YOUR CBAP OR CCBA EXAM (INCLUDING SOME THAT YOU'D NEVER GUESS!) 1. Know the BABOK Guide Both the CBAP and CCBA exams are based almost exclusively on the BABOK. Answer questions like the BABOK would, not from your experience. The people we coach who have failed their exam tend to answer too heavily from experience and not from what the BABOK lists as an accepted practice. Focus your time on the KAs you are least experienced and comfortable with. Spend more time on them. Study in accordance with the question percentages that IIBA says are on their exams. + Top CBAP fees ote Tips CBAP and CCBA Guide! Before you invest any more time or money in your preparation, get a copy of the BABOK Guide and read it all ‘The way through. English, French, Portuguese, German and Spanish editions are available. 2. Study one Knowledge Area at a Time Do practice exam questions after you read and study the KA. It doesn't matter which one you start with. Tools like our Online Study Exams are ideal to let you drill ona RA-and use feedback for your incorrect answers to go straight back to the BABOK to read why you answered wrong. We've found that to be the most effective way to learn the BABOK.Percentages by KA you will be ested on, Taken fromthe BA's CBAP and CCBA Handbooks CBAP Question % CCBA Question % Business Analysis Planning... lJ Elicitation Req 2 en sis Bi Requirem Morenreee netic 3. Absorb the BABOK For some people it means reading the BABOK again. For some it means attending a study Regardless of your learning group or class to discuss the topics, and for style, make sure you plan others it means doing lots and lots of practice enough time for this step. exams. Know your learning style and use it to Our research shows that your advantage. successful CBAP/CCBA candidates spend 100 hours of study time on average before their exams. Traits ‘Action-oriented; gets to the point; ice exams frst; reading practical application; immediate | a CBAP Study Guide more than the and fast learning is best BABOK Guide; compressing study time using study aids like tables Wants and likes details thorough | Reading the BABOK twice or more; processors; research-oriented; | writing own exam questions; likes data/facts while learning | memorizing key parts ofthe BABOK: doing practice exams last Know your preferred earning style and study accordingly. Reflective; needs time to process | Joining a study group and/or ‘and review with others; likes taking a class; spreading out structured activities while learning | ‘preparation over time; doing practice exams last Experiential; likes to be involved; | Taking a class; using flashcards spontaneous; likes interaction _| witha friend; making up questions while learning cn the fy; doing practice exams throughout Primary Learning StylesDo at least 2-3 simulated and timed exams before taking your real one. Get a sense for how longit takes you to answer questions so you are not surprised come exam day. 4. Final Preparation Inyour final preparation phase, begin practicing exams, Preferably, you should take 150-question exams like the real one, Our Online Study Exams providea simulation mode that randomices —— questions from the various KAs in the same proportion as you will see on your actual exam. When you sit for your exam you want to be as ready for the whole experience as you can be. Doing a time 5. Day of Exam Here is your secret weapon to passing your exam: reduce your test anxiety. Many people fail their exam due to being overly anxious, despite being prepared. Top 4 Exam Day Tips Do something that relaxes you - walk, jog, sing (a colleague did this), do yoga, get a massage (one candidate stayed overnight ina hotel near the testing center to reduce SG) family distractions and exam stress). Doa “brain dump” of critical concepts before you start your exam. You will reduce test anxiety simply by taking action and writing down key mnemonics, ITTOs (Inputs-Tasks-Techniques-Outputs), or tricky terms (think: validate vs. verity). Ey Ee couple of timed simulations gets you ready for “prime Don't schedule the exam too early to allow you time to relax. Caveat - ifyou are truly a morning person, you may want to schedule early anyway. Just remember to leave plenty of time to get to your exam. A bonus anxiety-reducer is to write on top of your white board or sheet of paper: “I will pass this exam!” This kind of positive thinking has been shown to improve scores in school exams and it will help you pass your CBAP or CCBA. That's one more tip you wouldn't have guessed!hope these tips helped! Good luck ‘on your exam preparation! Top CBAP Tips For more information, resources, and exam preparation products visi www.watermarklearning.com/CBAP_ Copyright Watermark Learning 2015