Quick Look: Knowledge and Comprehension Exam Questions

Let's take a quick look at the knowledge and comprehension types of questions you may see on your CBAP® or CCBA™ exam. The majority of the questions folks seem to be facing fall into these two, straightforward categories of question types. I think it is important to be able to recognize the type of question you are being asked so you can arrive at the correct answer to that question.

Knowledge questions test your ability to know specific facts and recall information that you have learned. This information may be straight from the BABOK® Guide, or it may be something you have learned from another source or your own experience as a business analyst. These questions are very straightforward, and remind us of the traditional multiple choice exam questions. Here is an example of a knowledge question:

Which type of requirement typically describes high-level organizational needs?
   A.   Business
   B.   Stakeholder
   C.   Functional
   D.   Transition

This is a “define the term” question, and the correct answer is A. As stated in the BABOK® Guide glossary, business requirements describe the higher level business rationale for your project or initiative. Answering this question correctly requires you to recall the definitions for the different types of requirements described in the BABOK® Guide.
Comprehension questions require you to interpret facts and understand meanings. This is a step up from a knowledge question, where simple memorization and recall usually provides you with the correct answer. Here is an example of a comprehension question:

What type of requirements contains the environmental conditions of the solution?
   A.    Transition requirements
   B.    Stakeholder requirements
   C.    Business requirements
   D.    Solution requirements

This is a “check your understanding” question, and the correct answer is D. As stated in the BABOK® Guide glossary, solution requirements include both functional and non-functional requirements for a particular project. This question requires understanding of the requirements types and the knowledge that environmental conditions are nonfunctional requirements which are a subset of the solution requirements.

Well, that's it for our quick look at comprehension and knowledge questions. Beware that many questions and answers on your exam may not be "word for word" from the BABOK® Guide , so it is important that you be able to understand and relate what you know versus just memorizing things.

Susan