Lessons Learned: My PMI-PBA Journey

Preparing for PMI-PBA exam requires some time and proper planning. You'll need to set clear goals and objectives as a starting point. Everyone has a different way of learning, of course and you may need to customize your study approach, but here are some approach I've used on my PMI-PBA journey -

Create a high level plan:

Start with creating a high level plan with milestones and work backwards from your 'target exam date'. It's very tempting to just get cracking, but you'll thank yourself if you have a clear direction on what you’re trying to achieve. You'll also feel a sense of accomplishment marking off activities you’ve completed successfully on your plan. 

I recommend a time-boxed approach when you have a specific date in mind, and work backwards from the date. You can use any other approach you’re comfortable with.

 Pay special attention to the Exam Content Outline (ECO)

The most logical way I could think of to approach my study is to follow through how the ECO is sequenced. I also found it easier to study one domain at a time, allocating more hours to domains with higher percentage items on the test. For example:

1. Read Planning Domain ECO
2. Study Planning Domain
3. Re-read Planning Domain ECO (to ensure I understood each task)
4. Take Domain related exam

I found that this way, I’m aware of what the main tasks are in advance and I can focus my study on those areas instead.

Make use of Mnemonics to remember Tools & Techniques

Take advantage of mnemonic method, particularly when you’re approaching the Analysis Domain as it has the bulk of Tools & Techniques in the entire ECO.

 Study Tools & Techniques in relation to tasks they are closely associated with. For instance, Kano Analysis is a technique used to analyze product features from the customer point of view. Here, you will encounter Kano Analysis within the Analysis domain, but also keep in mind that Tools & Techniques are fluid and not prescribed under only one domain.

While we’re in this topic, I would not advise memorization of the Input, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs (ITTO’s). PMI-PBA exam is situation based and it’s highly unlikely that a question would be asking you to name ITTO’s under a particular process.

 Make use of the PMI materials at your disposal

As a PMI member, you’ll have access to both PMI Guide to Business Analysis and Business Analysis for Practitioners. Make use of these materials and go through them at least once.

 Take notes especially if you’re a linguistic type of learner (like me).

Do not, AND I mean DO NOT forget about the glossaries as they will help you in understanding the nuances of terms in relation to Business Analysis. This is specifically relevant if you’re taking the exam as a Project Manager or a PMP holder, since the definition of terms and application would vary.

Create a 'Brain Dump'

A Brain Dumb is figuratively dumping exam related contents of your mind into a piece of paper – like formulas, mnemonics, activity sequence etc. Personally, I find it helps in alleviating some exam stress when I know I have it with me.

‘Brain Dump’ is your new best friend 

Practice a timed Brain Dump and ideally, you’d be able to squeeze it in under the first few minutes of the exam.

Do Mock Exams the right way

What I mean by this is to plan a day where you can focus the full 4-hours to taking the mock exam. No phones, No distractions. I know this is easier said than done, but it is critical particularly in the last stages of your preparation journey.

 I’d advice not to take the same set of mock exams more than a couple of times. At this point you'll start to memorize the answers and the whole exercise would be useless 

Focus only on mock exams preferably at least one week before your scheduled exam.

Well those are my two cents in. What about you? What are your preferred study methods? Share below for your fellow aspirants. 

Happy Learning!!