CBAP and CCBA v3 Exam Update

IIBA has developed a new Business Analysis multi-level, competency-based certification framework that supports a BA’s career progression. Current CCBAs and CBAPs will map to levels 2 and 3, respectively, and will not be required to take the new exams. However, if an applicant has not taken the CCBA or CBAP exam prior to September 22, 2016, they will need to take the enhanced v3 exams. As the deadline for the changeover gets closer, we continue to learn more information on the new v3 program. Below are some of the highlights:

• v3 Exam (Level 2 and 3) Launch Date. The new v3 exams for CCBA and CBAP will be available at all test centers, starting on September 30, 2016. The exams will only be available in English at the launch. 

• Retakes. IIBA announced they will be dropping the 90-day period wait time for re-taking a failed exam. As of September 30, an applicant can take an exam up to 3 times per a 1 year application period, with no wait time required between exam takes. Applicants will still need to pay an exam fee for each take. 

• Eligibility Requirements. The CBAP exam will now require 35 hours of professional development in the last 4 years. This is an increase from the previous 21 hours, which will remain the requirement for the CCBA exam. 

• Applications. With the new v3 certification, the IIBA will be revising the online application itself. However, approved applications submitted prior to the revised online application will be accepted to take the revised exams.Applications not submitted prior to the revised online application will need to start the revised application. The current application will be available to view and print but it will not be editable. Work Experience and Professional Development information entered in My Profile will be available for the new application, and other migration support is being considered.

• v3 Exam Blueprints. IIBA has now released all three of their blueprints for their level 1-3 exams. These blueprints are guidelines giving the percentages of knowledge areas represented on each of the exams.
  • A new thing IIBA is adding for the v3 CBAP in support of the competency-based framework is case study questions. They have always had scenario-based questions, and will continue to have them for CBAP and CCBA. What’s new is lengthy, several hundred word case studies with 3-5 questions per study.
  • Take the exam blueprints seriously. They help you focus your study, and knowing them is part of a good preparation plan. For example, the CCBA exam only has 6% of its questions on Solution Evaluation. You won’t need to study that chapter of the BABOK Guide as much as Requirements Analysis and Design Definition. The latter, along with its associated techniques, represents nearly one third of the questions you will see on your exam and deserves extensive study.

  
  
  

• Recertification. Current CCBA and CBAP credential holders will be automatically grandfathered to Level 2 and 3, respectively, and you are not required to take the new exams. A revised recertification process will be communicated after September 30, but everyone will continue to recertify as per the current process. In other words, you will not have to recertify until your recertification anniversary date.

• v3 Certification FAQs. IIBA has created a Frequently Asked Questions page on their site. It has answers to common questions that we have fielded from certification candidates. The page’s URL is https://www.iiba.org/Certification-Recognition/certification2016/certificationFAQ.aspx. We strongly recommend you read the FAQs page and bookmark it so you can refer to it as you progress in your certification journey.

In summary, IIBA has released several changes to their certification program, and more are going to be announced. Check on IIBA.org for official notices. Watch our blog for announcements as we hear of them and as always, best wishes on getting your BA credential!