Difference between CCBA & CBAP certification

CCBA: 

Certification Body: IIBA
Aimed at: Mid-level Business Analysis Professionals
Curriculum: BABoK 3.0
Work Experience: At least 3,750 hours of BA work experience aligned to the BABOK guide during the past seven years.
Knowledge Area Expertise: At least 900 hours within each of 2 of the six knowledge areas or at least 500 hours within each of the 4 of the six knowledge areas.
Professional development Training Hours: At least 21 hours of Professional development training over the last four years.
Reference required: Two references from a customer, career manager or CBAP recipient.
Exam Mode: Online
Exam fees:
Application Fee: $125
Certification Fee: $325 for members
            $450 for non-members

Exam Duration: 3 hours
Questions Pattern: Scenario-based Multiple choice questions
No. of Questions: 130
Difficulty level: Medium
In order to answer the questions, the candidate must do some analysis.

Brand value: Medium
Focuses on:
Elicitation and Collaboration – 20%
Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 32%
Strategy Analysis – 12%
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 12%
Requirements Life Cycle Management – 18%
Solution Evaluation – 6%

CBAP:

Certification Body: IIBA
Aimed at: Senior-level Business Analysis Professionals
Curriculum: BABoK 3.0
Work Experience: At least 7500 hours of BA work experience aligned to the BABOK guide during the past ten years.
Knowledge Area Expertise: At least 900 hours within each of 4 of the six knowledge areas.
Professional development Training Hours: At least 35 hours of Professional development training over the last four years.
Reference required: Two references from a customer, career manager or CBAP recipient.
Exam Mode: Online
Exam fees:
Application Fee: $125
Certification Fee: $325 for members
                         $450 for non-members

Exam Duration: 3.5 hours
Questions Pattern: Multiple choice questions related to the case.
No. of Questions: 120
Difficulty level: High
In order to answer the questions, the candidate must perform a good analysis.

Brand value: High
Organizations recognize this certification in their framework of competence.

Focuses on:
Elicitation and Collaboration – 12%
Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 30%
Strategy Analysis – 15%
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 14%
Requirements Life Cycle Management – 15%
Solution Evaluation – 14%

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Why do the Organizations hire CCBA or CBAP professionals

CCBA or CBAP professionals offer a number of benefits to the organization. 

• CCBA and CBAP provide opportunities for staff to advance, grow their careers and gain recognition.
• The candidate is recognized for their skills and knowledge. They ensure that suppliers, customers, staff, investors, and competitors comply with the industry standard.
• They provide assurance to stakeholders that the company is operating effectively.
• They use industry-based standardized Business Analytics techniques to achieve better outcomes which increase efficiency and consistency and are more reliable.
• The calculation process will help to improve staff responsibility, commitments, and motivation.
• The implementation and development of business analysis practices are conducted in accordance with the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) guidelines.
• Customers and business partners receive recognition from professional business analysts.

How to choose between CCBA and CBAP

While CBAP and CCBA Certification are related to business analysis, there is a significant difference between the two.

Both exams have a different focus. The CBAP exam consists of situation-based questions which ask the candidate to apply the knowledge they have acquired from BABOK. At the same time, the CCBA exam contains mostly factual and knowledge questions about techniques and tasks in BABOK. But CBAP study material can be used for preparing for the CCBA exam. If your experience matches with the CBAP, then proceeding with CBAP is the better choice than CCBA. If you cannot acquire the same experience as the CBAP, consider CCBA as a temporary certification that you can still be successful in leveraging your skills and broadening your experience in business analysis and Work towards CABP eligibility prior to the recertification period.

The CBAP is more challenging to attain than the CCBA; consequently, CBAP is more prestigious.

Preparation for the examination – CCBA vs CBAP

CCBA

One can attend the CCBA exam in the comfort of their home. Further, the preparation format for the CCBA exam requires covering the following topics thoroughly.:-

• BABOK V-3 Overview
• BA Process & Techniques
• Collaboration & Elicitation
• Strategy Analysis
• Requirement Analysis & Design Definition
• Estimation of solutions
• Business Analysis – Monitoring & Planning.
• Life Cycle Management needs
  So, after covering all these topics thoroughly, you will finally be ready to attempt the exam. While preparing for the CCBA exam, you need to remember some key points.
  1. Must have a good grasp of the BABOK guide version 3. Also, the aspirant should complete the Certification training well.
  2. To check the knowledge gaps, you must regularly attempt the mock tests and check the dashboard report.

CBAP

Like CCBA, you can attend the CBAP exam from anywhere and anytime, as it is an online exam. The exam duration is about 3.5 hours and includes 120 MCQ questions. Further, the preparation format for the CBAP exam also requires you to cover similar topics as we see in CCBA. The topics are similar, but the coverage ratio for the CBAP exam is different compared to the CCBA exam.
A survey says that an applicant must prepare atleast 90 to 120 hours for CCBA vs CBAP exam. Further, it would be better if an applicant gives 3 to 6 months to prepare for this exam. It would be sufficient time for better preparation. Moreover, taking mock tests with regular practice can give more confidence to clear the final exam.

Benefits of Getting The Certification

CCBA

CCBA Certification gives immense benefits as a Business Analyst, showcasing your BA skills and abilities. You can avail lots of help after getting certified in CCBA.

• It will give more opportunities as CCBA is a globally recognized certification.
• You can effectively and actively implement various Business Analysis skills.
• It will present your BA skills and specific industry standards for which global employers search.
• The intensive learning and preparation will give an extensive knowledge base. The various concepts will expand your knowledge and help businesses make the right decisions.
• These credentials will give you more confidence to work in a BA profile and help your career graph to grow.
• You can get a higher salary package or can see a hike in your existing pay with this Certification. Also, there are many chances to get promoted to the next level in a career.
• Further, you will enjoy the vast skill-set with in-depth knowledge.
• Also, the entity will get into a leading position with your efforts and skill base. Therefore, the business will bring more projects to work.

CBAP

CBAP credentials also offer many benefits as a Certified Business Analysis Professional, which showcases your BA skills. You can expect a lot of benefits after getting this certificate.

• This Certification will fill confidence within you by giving a higher weightage in your workplace.
• A practising BA can take advantage of the CBAP credentials.
• With the CBAP credentials, you can get more recognition, proficiency, ability, and skills.
• You will be able to implement effective business strategies.
• Further, this certificate will commit to the BA profession to work more effectively.
• Moreover, CBAP is the most prestigious Certification everyone wishes to pursue to become an expert Business Analyst.
• This Certification will further add more weight to your career growth.
• Thus, in the CCBA vs CBAP certifications, many aspirants prefer CBAP as the best career-oriented skill. It is the most recognized credential that every BA professional expects to get.

[ Related Article: certified business analysis professional ]

Conclusion: 

As business analysis is an essential element of any organization determining business needs, a professional business analyst is a must. Because of this, there is a high demand for highly qualified and expert analysts. Appearing for examinations like CCBA, CBAP makes it easy to prove your skills and enhance your profile to be selected from a reputable company. Based on the knowledge acquired during the certification course, the candidate could shape their future and lead the organization to heights. So choose a certification that’s right for you.