CBAP Certification Success Stories
( An interview with our recently CBAP® Certified Master Business Analysis Training student )
When you read BABOK for the first time, you will be a lost wanderer. MCAL’s case-study based Online Classroom Master BA Training helped me really understand what is BABOK.
Business Analyst, Bangalore, India
Q. Tell us briefly about yourself
I have overall 10 years of experience in the IT Industry with around 6 years of Business Analysis experience. Currently, I am working as Business Analyst in a Software Entitlement project. Earlier I have worked in Quote to Cash domain. I have also contributed as Business Analyst in a Data Migration project.
Q. How did you get into the BA Role ?
I have overall 10 years of experience in the IT Industry with around 6 years of Business Analysis experience. Currently, I am working as Business Analyst in a Software Entitlement project. Earlier I have worked in Quote to Cash domain. I have also contributed as Business Analyst in a Data Migration project.
Career transition is never easy. My inherent observation and communication skills helped me.
Q. Why did you decide to pursue CBAP certification?
My first purpose for CBAP certification was to add more value to my profile as Business Analyst. But during my preparation, I realized that you get connected to the BA community. Although I was a practicing BA, I was not formally trained. To prepare for CBAP, I attended MCAL’s Online Classroom Master BA training which helped me to formalize my knowledge, reinforce my understanding as well as learn new BA tools and skills. This helped me to perform better on my projects too. I realized that as a CBAP recipient, you become part of an elite group to which you can contribute and obviously from which you can benefit. This convinced me to go for the CBAP certification.
As a CBAP recipient, you become part of an elite group.MCAL’s Online Classroom Master BA training helped me to formalize my (BA) knowledge.
Q. How did you prepare for the certification?
BABOK is the BIBLE for CBAP, but that doesn’t mean memorizing it will give you the certificate. I must have read BABOK at least 4 times and every time with a purpose of improving my understanding. Next important part of preparation is to answer as many mock tests possible. The mock tests will give an understanding about how to apply the BABOK concepts while answering the case study based questions. I believe about 6 weeks of focused efforts that include reading BABOK, making notes, and practicing mock tests is the best way to prepare for the exam.
believe about 6 weeks of focused efforts… are needed to pass the exam
Q. How did MCAL help you with your preparation?
MCAL had a very important role during the preparation phase. I attended their Online Classroom Master BA Training sitting conveniently at my home in Bangalore. BABOK is a complete theory; when you read for the first time for sure you will be a lost wanderer. MCAL’s Master BA Training was completely case study based. It was only after the MCAL training that I could understand BABOK. The materials in the form of flash cards were of great help. The real-life examples and scenarios helped to understand the topics even better. Mock tests also helped me understand where I was in pursuit of my CBAP certification.
Attended (MCAL’s) Online Classroom Master BA Training sitting conveniently at my home in BangaloreReal-life examples, scenarios, and mock tests (covered during the training) helped me
Q. Any tips for CBAP aspirants about the overall certification and specifically about the exam preparation?
There is no alternative to hard work when it comes to passing the CBAP exam. But prepare intelligently; as mentioned earlier don’t memorize BABOK. CBAP has only case-based questions so read BABOK to understand and connect to actual scenarios. Once you are prepared; give mock tests before going for the actual exam.
There is no alternative to hard work when it comes to passing the CBAP exam.
Q. How do you plan to leverage the CBAP certification going forward?
Firstly, it has already added a lot of value to my daily analysis work at the office. My business analysis approach has become much more systematic now. Secondly, I have started contributing back to the BA community using my certification experience and practical knowledge. I have conducted CBAP awareness sessions and I have helped a lot of people who got in touch with me to know more about the certification and exam preparation; in the process obviously, I have also enriched myself.Going forward, I am confident that the knowledge that I have gained via certification and my contribution to the BA community will help me become a better BA professional and achieve better career prospects.My best wishes to all the future CBAP aspirants.
asdfasCBAP has already added a lot of value to my daily (business) analysis work.I have started contributing back to the BA community…..df