Taking (and passing) the ECBA examination

- [Instructor] All right. Time to sit down and pass that ECBA exam. So you read the first question, and you're not quite sure of the answer. Don't worry. You're prepped not only with the content, but now a structured approach to answering each question correctly. Here is what you do. Answer what you know. Skip what you don't. Go back and answer the skip questions. Flag any uncertain answers. Review and confirm answers for all of the flagged questions. Review all your answers then submit and pass. All right. Let's talk about what the structure actually means. For answering questions, first, read each question carefully, and notice what they are asking for. Is it a task, technique, core concept? This will instantly help you ensure you're picking the right answer as you can eliminate any of the other answers that aren't what the question is asking for. Now, as you read the question, ask yourself, "What would the BA standard choose?" Or what would the "BABOK Guide" say?" The answer is yes. How would the book answer it? Consider the books. "The BA Standard" and "BABOK Guide" on every question, and it will help you select the best answer. As there will be questions that have some good answers, but you always want the best answer, and yep, the best book answer. Okay. But that first question you're not sure of, skip it. Yes, it's okay. You have time. Oh yeah. I'm going to remind you to take the whole time. No matter how confident you are, use the entire time to go through all questions, and even double-check answers. Now, say you skip the question, just keep going. Your first time through is just answer the questions you're absolutely sure of. Don't worry if you're skipping lots of questions. Just read every question, and get through the exam. This will actually settle you. As well as you will see, all the content and can get more comfortable to focus in and get your answer correct. So after you walk through the whole exam, go back to the beginning, and answer those questions you skipped. If you're unsure of the answer or don't feel comfortable with your answer, then flag it, and keep going until every question has an answer. Now go back and review your flagged answers. Just jump to each flagged answer, and make sure it sounds right. When you're comfortable with your selection, then unflag it. Be real careful not to change answers though. Most times your first guest is actually correct. So again, I really tell people to not change answers as much as possible. Finally, with whatever time is left, go back to the first question, and read your question with your selected answer. It should sound correct. For example, the question, "What is a technique that involves watching how people work to understand business processes, and elicit requirements?" I would read this as a statement with my answer as a technique that involves watching how people work to understand business processes, and elicit requirements is observation, and yeah, that sounds like a true statement. So then just continue until you have a great answer for every question. No penalty for guessing here, and reread each response to feel confident. Keep going until time is up, and you submit your exam. And the best part, is you'll find out you passed right after you submit, and then all that's left is to sit back and smile, seeing that you have just passed the ECBA examination, and now are a Certified Business Analyst.