You’re a business analyst who has been working in the field for a few years.
You’ve been considering taking the ECBA certification exam to demonstrate your proficiency in business analysis and potentially earn a higher salary.
But you’re not sure what the certification process entails or how to study for it. Here’s what you need to know about ECBA certification and the ECBA exam.
Table of Contents
What is ECBA Certification?
What is ECBA ? ECBA is the entry level business analyst certification with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). ECBA certification covers foundational knowledge on how to approach business analysis. This is a business analyst certification for beginners. The certification will help you demonstrate that you have the knowledge and be certified by a leading authority in business analysis, IIBA.
The IIBA ECBA certification is a good career choice for entry-level candidates. A recent college graduate who did not take business analyst training as part of their college courses could help their business analysis career choices by obtaining a ECBA to showcase their general business analyst knowledge.
In such a situation, earning an IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) could likely support you in getting an interview for a business analyst job. Any additional credentials you have can help make the difference in starting or landing a business analyst career or helping to develop your business analyst career further.
Challenges to Passing ECBA Certification
One of the common challenges people face when trying to pass the ECBA certification is not knowing how to study for it. The ECBA certification process entails an exam. To study for the ECBA certification, candidates can take courses and/or self-study using resources from IIBA and IIBA endorsed training providers such as Adaptive US
, Business Analysis Excellence, Agora Insights. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their skills in order to pass the ECBA certification exam.
Another common challenge people face is not knowing what the benefits of becoming certified are. The benefits of becoming ECBA certified include being able to demonstrate one’s proficiency in business analysis and potentially earning a higher salary.
What is the Benefit of Obtaining the ECBA Certification?
The IIBA list 5 major benefits from obtaining a ECBA certification:
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ECBA highlights you have the fundamental knowledge – a certificate can demonstrate your commitment, enthusiasm for learning, and your fundamental knowledge of business analysis.
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Help yours resume/CV -having a certificate can help your resume/CV stands out when applying for business analysis related roles.
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ECBA gives you an overview introduction to working in business analysis – a certificate can increase your marketability by showcasing your achievement and knowledge of the tools, techniques, and best practices of the industry to potential employers.
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Practice your interview skills – will help you demonstrate to potential employers you have the fundamental knowledge of the industry best practices for business analysis.
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Build your peer network -helps you build your business analysis network.
Additional benefits include;
- Personal satisfaction of accomplishment.
- Better job prospects.
- Better salary.
- More market opportunities.
- Improvement of overall performance.
Is ECBA Worth It?
The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis certification is a valuable asset for any business professional. It shows that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the world of business. Is ECBA worth it? The answer is yes!
The ECBA certification is recognised by employers worldwide. It is an internationally recognised business credential that will help you stand out from the competition. The ECBA certification is also a great way to improve your career prospects.
ECBA Certification Salary
The IIBA’s 2021 Global State of Business Analysis Report reports that the average business analyst who has a ECBA certification earns on average $82,163. The report also states that Business Analysis Professionals who hold an ECBA certificate earn 5% more vs non-certified professionals.
Who is Eligible for ECBA?
The IIBA ECBA is the entry level certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).
How do I Become a ECBA ?
To become a ECBA certified or Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), candidates must:
- Effective April 26, 2023, IIBA has eliminated the ECBA application process, the separate ECBA application fee, and the 21 Professional Development requirement necessary for eligibility.
- The streamlined process will consist of a new ECBA exam fee priced at $195 USD (for Members), $350 USD (for Non-Members) and $150 USD (for Corporate Members).
- When this new fee is paid, a candidate has one year from the date payment is received to schedule and attempt the exam.
How Long Does it Take to Study for ECBA?
Business Analyst Mentor recommends 6 weeks of study time, which can be reduced if you take ECBA training classes. The time you can devote to studying will determine how long that takes.
How Much does ECBA Cost ?
How much does ECBA certification cost? The IIBA ECBA certification cost and ECBA exam fee cost is as follows:-
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 150
- Member – $ 195
- Non-Member – $ 350
How Many ECBA are there in the World?
The IIBA keeps a record of how many ECBA certified in the world. On the September 30th 2021, IIBA recorded 6,163 ECBA professionals.
Formal Training from an IIBA-Endorsed Education Provider
You can take formal training from an IIBA-endorsed education provider to help you prepare and study for the IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) certification. The IIBA has a list of endorsed education providers (such as Adaptive US, Business Analysis Excellence, Agora Insights) who offer courses and training programs that meet the organisation’s standards and guidelines for business analysis education.
The IIBA provides a comprehensive Body of Knowledge (BABOK) guide that serves as a reference for business analysis practitioners and training providers. The endorsed education providers develop their training programs based on this guide and are periodically reviewed and audited by the IIBA to ensure they meet the organisation’s standards.
By completing a training program from an IIBA-endorsed education provider, a candidate can gain a deeper understanding of the essential knowledge areas of business analysis and develop the skills necessary to perform the tasks and responsibilities of a business analyst. Additionally, completing such a program can provide a valuable credential that can help in securing a job or advancing in a business analysis career.
ECBA Mock Questions
To help with your success of passing the ECBA exam it is good to choose a good ECBA question bank or ECBA mock exam questions to help your preparations. When deciding which resources to use it is worth checking reviews and look for a question bank that has sufficient number of questions.
The IIBA do have a ECBA exam blueprint to understand performance expectations for the ECBA designation on the exam blueprint, sample questions and links to each knowledge area.
Work experience as a business analyst does help in having the confidence to pass the ECBA exam, but one also needs to dedicate time to prepare from BABOK guide and ECBA mock questions to be able to clear the exam. it’s important to solve enough of sample ECBA questions to make one prepared for the exam.
Practicing ECBA mock test plays a vital role in clearing your ECBA certification exam on the first attempt, and mock tests are critical when it arrives at exam preparation for ECBA certification. If you can score 80% consistently in a sequence of mock tests, you can be confident that you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
ECBA Exam Information
This is a computer-based ECBA exam. The ECBA exam can be taken online via proctor format or at a PSI test centre. There is helpful information from the IIBA to prepare for the ECBA exam and understand guidelines.
Is ECBA Exam Online
Yes it is possible to take the ECBA exam online. ECBA exam remote online proctoring is available. This new option provides flexibility to take the ECBA exam online anywhere in the world. Test centre option is also still available, the choice is yours!
ECBA Digital Badges
IIBA have introduced digital badges as a way to share and validate business analysis certification achievements. So you can now have a ECBA digital badge to demonstrate your’e ECBA exam achievement.
Does ECBA Expire?
The ECBA exam certification from IIBA has no expiry.
How Many Questions in ECBA Exam ?
The ECBA exam consists of 50 multiple choice knowledge-based questions and must be completed in one hour.
Some useful tips to help pass the ECBA exam:
- You one hour to complete 50 multiple – choice questions. Allow yourself about 10 minutes to review your answers afterward as you answer the questions.
- Answer questions within one minute, mark the question for review after answering all questions, and do not take any breaks.
- Remember that the clock does not stop during the ECBA exam.
- Watch out for negative questions, such as (1) Questions that include NOT (2) Questions asking for items that are missing (3) Questions asking for the least likely answer.
- Choose answers that use BABoK terminology.
- Know the purpose of each knowledge area and task.
- Understand the stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
- Understand requirements characteristics.
- Understand the requirements tracing relationships.
- Go through the glossary in the back of the BABOK Guide to familiarise yourself with some of the terms.
- Seek an ECBA course from an IIBA endorsed ECBA training provider such as the recommended Adaptive US
, Business Analysis Excellence or Agora Insights. - Ensure the facilitator is IIBA certified and is familiar with BABOK version 3.
- Look for facilitators who are actively involved with IIBA.
- Make sure the facilitator presents information in a way that is clear and understandable to you.
- An ECBA course that includes simulation exams is recommended.
What is the ECBA Syllabus ?
The IIBA ECBA exam syllabus is weighted in the following IIBA knowledge areas:
What is the Pass Mark for ECBA Exam?
IIBA does not provide scores or scoring percentages for any of our certification exams. This is quite common practice for professional certifications provided by professional member associations like IIBA.
Performance indicators are provided to help candidates target either their preparation for an exam retake or, their plans to improve performance on the job. They are intended for the candidates’ support not for comparison with other candidates.
Best ECBA Online Training
Business Analyst Mentor recommends Adaptive US, Business Analysis Excellence, Agora Insights and Business Analysis Doctor as ECBA training course resources (including ECBA online training, ECBA prep courses) for your ECBA certification.
Use an endorsed ECBA training partner to compliment your business analysis work experience and gain the confidence to pass the ECBA exam by using the training partner to prepare using the BABOK resources and answering ECBA mock questions. An ECBA training partner will also guide you on how to prepare for ECBA exam.
Start to prepare six months before you plan to write the ECBA certification exam.