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ECBA Certifcation 2025 (Quick Snapshot)

  • Certification: ECBA® (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™)

  • Best for: Beginners, graduates, or anyone switching into business analysis

  • Exam: 50 questions, 75 minutes (updated July 2025)

  • Fees: From USD $395 or less (bundled pricing)

  • Study Time: Around 6–8 weeks

  • PM Training School Course: Self-paced, affordable, supportive


Why ECBA is a Great First Step

If you’re curious about a career in business analysis but don’t know where to start, the ECBA® certification from IIBA® is designed for you.

The exam proves you understand the basics of business analysis and can start applying them on projects. With demand for business analysts growing fast (projected 14% growth by 2032 in the U.S. alone), ECBA can be a great way to stand out when applying for roles.


What’s New in the ECBA Certification 2025 Exam?

IIBA recently updated the exam (from July 21, 2025), making it more practical and learner-friendly:

  • Still 50 questions, but you now get 75 minutes instead of 60.

  • Stronger focus on real-world scenarios instead of memorizing theory.

  • Built around the BACCM® (Business Analysis Core Concept Model), which makes the exam more relevant to actual project work.

This shift means you’ll spend less time cramming and more time learning how to think like a business analyst.


ECBA Certification Requirements

The good news? You don’t need years of work experience to sit for the ECBA exam.

Here’s all you need:

  • No business analysis work experience required

  • 21 professional development (PD) hours in the past 4 years

  • Agree to the IIBA Code of Conduct

  • Complete the online application

If that “21 PD hours” part sounds intimidating — don’t worry. Courses like the PM Training School ECBA program are designed to cover this requirement in an easy, structured way.


Exam Structure

Area

Business Analysis Knowledge

Knowledge Areas (BABOK® v3)

Techniques

Focus

Foundations, BA role, competencies

Requirements, Elicitation, Strategy, Solution Evaluation

User Stories, SWOT, Use Cases, Process Modelling

  • 50 multiple-choice questions

  • 75 minutes to complete

  • Delivered online with a proctor, so you can take it from home


How Much Does the ECBA Cost in 2025?

IIBA has made things simpler with a bundle that includes everything you need.

Fee Type

Standard Bundle

Student Bundle

Price USD

Up to $395 (region-based)

Up to $315 (region-based)

What You Get

Membership, exam, practice test, and learning journey

Same inclusions at a student discount

Learning with PM Training School

Here’s where the preparation piece comes in. The ECBA exam is friendlier now, but you’ll still need guidance. That’s where PM Training School’s ECBA Self-Paced Course comes in.

It’s designed to be:

  • Affordable → Normally $399, currently just $249

  • Flexible → Study on your phone, laptop, or tablet whenever it suits you

  • Complete → Includes 21 PD hours, so you tick off the eligibility box right away

  • Supportive → Access practice exams, flashcards, study groups, and mentor advice

  • Confidence-Building → Mock tests let you practice until you feel ready

👉 Explore the course here: PM Training School ECBA Self-Paced Course

Students often tell us it feels easy to follow, motivating, and exam-focused — the kind of course that makes you feel “Yes, I can actually do this.”


How to Prepare Without Stress

Think of ECBA prep like a gentle learning curve:

  1. Get to know the BABOK® Guide basics (don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize every page).
  2. Join a structured course so you’re not lost in a sea of PDFs.
  3. Practice with mock questions — they make the real exam feel familiar.
  4. Set aside 6–8 weeks of steady, not rushed, study.
  5. Book your exam soon after finishing training, while everything is fresh.

ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP (the “Career Ladder”)

Certification

ECBA

CCBA

CBAP

Who It’s For

Beginners, career switchers, graduates

Mid-level BAs

Senior BAs, leaders

Experience Needed

None

~3,750 hours

~7,500 hours

ECBA is your entry point — once you gain experience, you can climb to CCBA and CBAP.


FAQs

Is ECBA good for beginners?

 Absolutely. It’s made for people starting their business analysis journey.

How much should I study?

Most learners feel ready after 6–8 weeks of steady prep.

Why choose PM Training School?

Because you get affordability, flexibility, supportive mentors, and a proven structure that aligns with the latest 2025 exam updates.


Final Thoughts

The updated ECBA exam is friendlier, fairer, and more practical than ever. With the right support, it can be a confidence-boosting first step into business analysis.

If you’d like a structured, affordable, and supportive way to get ready, the PM Training School ECBA Self-Paced Course could be the perfect fit.

👉 Check out the ECBA Course here

And if you’d like to stay inspired with more career tips, case studies, and training insights, don’t forget to follow PM Training School on LinkedIn.

  • Dr Faiz Rasool
    CEO and Founder at PM Training School (PMI Premier and SAFe Transformation Partner)

    Faiz runs PM Training School, a PMI's Premier Authorised Training Partner and SAFe Bronze transformation partner. Dr Faiz Rasool is a multi-award winning Agile and Business Transformation Consultant, Speaker, Trainer and Coach who finely combines on one hand an in-depth knowledge and grasp of Project/Programme/Portfolio Management and on the other hand, experience and expertise in Business Strategy, Business Analysis and Change Management. A rare mix of competencies that perfectly blend and are needed for driving corporate growth. Faiz have demonstrated a track record of driving growth, managing successful transformation projects, improving Business Process, and successfully creating solutions for complex business problems. Faiz brings a mix of best practice thinking, practical experience and working knowledge of the local operating environment to projects and consulting engagements.

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