Keep Calm and Pass Your CBAP: 17 Tips
Key Takeaways
- Tailor your study plan to your learning style and practise under exam conditions
- Double-check your ID, booking, and workspace setup before exam day
- Start exam day with a calm routine and log in early for check-in
- Pace yourself, flag tough questions, and take a break if needed
- Confidence and preparation are key—use IIBA resources to stay on track!
The alarm buzzes, your heart skips a beat, and suddenly it’s here—the day of your Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) exam. All your study and preparation have led to this day.
To help you approach the CBAP or any other certification exam with confidence, let’s step into the shoes of a business analysis professional named Priya. We’ll journey with her as she navigates the nerves, excitement, and critical steps to perform her best on exam day.
Priya’s approach is drawn from an abundance of expert strategies and tips, including those from candidates who’ve walked this path before her.
Let’s get started!
Weeks Before the Scheduled Exam
1. Create a study strategy: Priya creates a study strategy that incorporates how she learns best—visually (others may be auditory or kinesthetic learners). She also reflects on her preferred study mode among the options available (live courses, on-demand courses, self-study) and decides to register for a live course that will meet virtually.2. Create a study plan and schedule: Priya registers for an IIBA Training Partner course and blocks time in her calendar for the scheduled sessions. She also blocks time for self-study to reinforce her learning between sessions.
3. Follow the plan and refine it if needed: Priya has been attending every session of her course but has difficulty staying focused in her evening self-study sessions. She decides to move her self-study sessions to early mornings, as she’s an early riser.
4. Reward yourself: Priya rewards herself with her favourite snack at the end of each training and study session, pleased that she’s preparing incrementally rather than cramming.
One Week Before
5. Confirm your ID and booking confirmation: Priya double-checks that the first and last name on her government-issued ID match her IIBA profile and booking confirmation. If they don’t match, she contacts IIBA Customer Support at info@iiba.org.
6. Review exam rules and requirements: Priya will be testing remotely from home. She reviews candidate FAQs, ensures her laptop, webcam, microphone, and internet connection meet all online proctoring requirements, and becomes familiar with the exam rules. She makes sure her colleague has information about the test center experience, as they’ve chosen to test at one.
7. Practice for exam day: Priya has access to practice questions through her training course. She decides to complete another set of practice questions, this time under similar conditions to what she’ll face on exam day: the same remote location, equipment, duration (including allowed break time), and time of day. She practises time management—not spending too much time on any one question and leaving time to revisit questions she’s flagged for review. She makes sure to answer every question in the allotted time. This boosts her confidence for the real thing on exam day.
The Night Before
8. Confirm exam details: Priya double-checks her exam time and sets any needed alarms and reminders to ensure she will be on time.
9. Prepare your workspace and equipment: She conducts a final check of her equipment, prepares her room, and clears her workspace per the exam rules.
10. Review key materials (briefly): One last glance at the study materials is fine, but she avoids last-minute cramming.
11. Prioritize rest: Priya sets aside her study materials and focuses on getting a good night’s sleep to be alert and calm for exam day.
Morning Routine
12. Start with a calm and confidence-building routine: On exam day, Priya wakes up early and engages in the morning routine she’s been practising all month. She does some gentle stretching, takes deep breaths, and then eats a healthy breakfast. Starting the day mindfully sets a positive and focused mindset.
13. Maintain a distraction-free environment: Priya checks the workspace she prepared the night before: a clean desk with only the allowed items (ID, a bottle of water with no label on it, and her 8.5x11” white board), proper lighting, and minimal distractions. She silences her phone but keeps it handy for check-in and puts her smartwatch in a drawer. This signals to her brain that it’s time to focus, not multitask.
14. Log in early: From her My IIBA portal, Priya clicks the goal button to enter the PSI system 30 minutes before the exam start time, giving herself time to complete check-in calmly.
Bonus tip: Your mindset matters just as much as your preparation. The “Preparing for My CBAP Exam” blog reminded her to stay confident. Stress is normal, but don’t let it take over your life.
Check-In
The proctor connects via chat. Priya shows her ID, completes the room scan, and confirms her desk is clear, with only the allowed items. The proctor confirms everything is ready, and she begins the exam feeling prepared and supported.
During the Exam
15. Read carefully and pace yourself: The CBAP exam has 120 case study and scenario-based questions and must be completed within 3.5 hours. Priya reads each passage and question carefully, to ensure she captures details and understands what is being asked. She keeps track of time to maintain steady progress and avoid last-minute panic.
16. Use flags strategically: She marks questions she’s unsure about and returns to them later, making sure she doesn’t get stuck or rush through challenging items.
17. Stay focused and reset when needed: Around question 90, Priya feels her focus slipping. She decides this would be a good time to take her one allowed break. She knows it’s crucial to be back in 15 minutes, at the latest, to resume testing. She sends the proctor a chat message to request a break, and once approved, stands up to stretch within camera view, takes a quick restroom break, and returns promptly. The timer on her exam has continued to roll, showing 12 minutes have passed. Back to testing!
Bonus tip: Having watched the “The Do’s and Don’ts of Online Proctored Exams” webinar (below), Priya recalls that simulating exam conditions, staying familiar with the interface, and maintaining confidence during practice can all help during the real exam.
After the Exam
Priya reviews flagged questions one last time and then clicks “End Test” and “OK.” Relief and pride wash over her. Later, she sees she has passed the CBAP exam—validation of all her preparation and focus.
Reflecting on her journey, Priya notes that preparation, focus, and mindset were equally important. She plans to share her experience with other candidates, knowing that community support helps everyone succeed.
Exam Day Takeaways
Like Priya, if you’re preparing for your first certification or aiming for the CBAP, consider these steps:
- Create a study strategy
- Create a study plan and schedule
- Follow the plan and refine it as needed
- Reward yourself
- Confirm your ID and booking confirmation
- Review exam rules and requirements
- Practice for exam day
- Confirm exam details
- Prepare your workspace and equipment
- Review key materials (briefly)
- Prioritize rest
- Start with a calm and confidence-building routine
- Maintain a distraction-free environment
- Log in early
- Read carefully and pace yourself
- Use flags strategically
- Stay focused and reset when needed
Helpful Resources
Priya’s story is fictional, but the lessons are real. Exam day doesn’t have to be intimidating. With preparation, a calm mindset, and awareness of the process, you can approach your CBAP exam or any other IIBA certification with confidence.
For more guidance and resources, explore:
- IIBA exam information – formats, scheduling, requirements, and FAQs
- The IIBA Guide to Online Remote Proctored Exams – a step-by-step setup and exam rules
- Exam format and navigation – exam interface and navigation
- Certification handbooks – detailed guidance from application to prep
By using these resources and following a structured preparation plan, you can take your certification journey with confidence and set yourself up for success.
Special offer: If you’re planning to take your certification exam before the end of the year, IIBA is offering a 20% exam rebate on all certification exams for members until December 30, 2025.*
*Terms and conditions apply.
About the Author
Colleen Wright is a skilled examination content developer, trainer, and certified career coach with experience in nonprofit credentialing, academic, and for-profit technical settings. She is dedicated to achieving impactful outcomes and is delighted to support the journeys of business analysis professionals through her work at IIBA.
