Guide to Certification

Self Study....

Or you’re on your

own but not alone!

TAPUniversity

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For additional material and reprint

permission, please contact us at

402.429.9805

1520 South 70th, Ste 106

Lincoln NE 68506

David Kohrell, MA, PMP, CBAP

Self Directed Certification Prep

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• Can feel lonely and frustrating

• Yet there are advantages

• You need a game plan and ability to find one to three ―go-to’s‖

On your own but not alone

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• Many professionals prepare for their certification without the support of a bootcamp or formal class

– It’s not easy

– But it is possible

• You need to manage your risk

– Negative risks

• Not getting it, gaps in information

• Discipline

– Positive risks

• You typically will retain more than from a ―wizard‖ / ―pupil‖ relationship

On your own but not alone

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• Manage your risks

– Discipline

• A bit like preparing for a marathon or triathlon without a local group

• Find an online group

• Find best resources online

• Bite off your preparation in 30 to 45 minute a day chunks

– Focus on the positive

• Retention from a ―wizard‖ to ―pupil‖ seminar is at best 20% 3-5 days after the event

• If you learn on your own, leveraging your learning style, you will retain over 70%!

On your own but not alone

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• Manage your risks – 3 go to’s

– Project Management, ISACA based exams and CISSP have a mature online delivery system

• We will explore:

– PMP

– CBAP and

– CISA/M/GEIT

– Agile/SCRUM and CBAP are new and evolving

CISA/M/GEIT with CISA as ex.

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– Background. The ISACA exams are paper based administered twice a year (June and December). ISACA does provide a lot of direct support!

– Hypothetical scenario – 25 to 30 days to study

– For ISACA your 3 go-to’s need to include

• 1. The review manual and test bank

• 2. An online forum that lets you ask about specific questions – ―hey about that hashed, private key, um, ok, confused over here‖ as well as additional material from ISACA (it’s part of your membership) on that area

• 3. A schedule that charts your exam date back to current date – you have 24 days. PLUG in 30 minutes to 2 hours every day!

CISA/M/GEIT with CISA as ex.

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• ISACA Go To’s

– Online Learning Course – complete course is $450.

• http://www.isaca.org/Education/Online-Learning/Pages/default.aspx

– Manual $105

• https://www.isaca.org/bookstore/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Product_code=CRM10

– Test bank $185

• https://www.isaca.org/bookstore/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Product_code=CDB10W

CISA/M/GEIT

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Module 1—The IS Audit ProcessModule 2—CISA's Role in IT GovernanceModule 3—CISA's Role in Systems and Infrastructure Life Cycle ManagementModule 4—CISA's Role in IT Service Delivery and SupportModule 5—CISA's Role in Protection of Information AssetsModule 6—CISA's Role in Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

PMP® Background

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• The Project Management Professional (PMP®) is one of the largest certifications in terms of raw number and market appeal (well over 300,000 PMPs)

• PMI does NOT release questions though some practice quizzes available at PMI.org

• Mature in the sense of 3rd Party tools, on the market place for over 10 years and through 3 PMBOK® editions

PMP® Self Study Strategy

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• TAPUniversity provides global support to PMP students online

– Self Study Option - $189.00 – all content and material, complete it and you’ll earn 35 contact hours. You provide the drive and ―sweat equity‖

– Instructor lead - $775.00 – all content, material and a coach/instructor who will lead you through as well as other students. Guarantee applies. 35 contact hours. 6 months access

– Blended – in Midwest of the U.S. opportunity to combine online and in person $975.00

PMP® Self Study Strategy

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• Other 3rd party tools

– Top 3 review guides

• Andrew Crowe’s ―The PMP Exam, How to Pass on Your First Try‖

• Rita Mulcahy ―Accelerating Learning to Pass the PMI PMP exam…‖

• Kim Heldman, ―PMP Study Guide‖

– TAPUniversity’s Workbook (WEMSHA) –developed to help you drive in your long term memory and critical thinking

IIBA’s Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP ®)

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• Background

– The new kid on the block. Testing began in late 2006. Total CBAP®’s is nearing 1,000 (or .3%)

– Application is the toughest part of the climb

– Exam is 150 questions, 3 hours

– So far it appears to be a bit more straight forward exam, assesses what’s expressed in the Exam Guidance

IIBA’s Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP ®) Strategy

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• Two prong

– 1. Many courses have sprung up over last 10 to 12 years to help with content understanding (i.e., ―Business Analysis Fundamentals‖ or ―User Driven Requirements Elicitation‖ or ―Agile / SCRUM for the BA‖). Some are tied to a movement or methodology (see Agile or Use Case or FDD).

• Determine if you need to know more about the underlying content

– 2. Cottage industry for exam preparation has also sprung up

• Decide how much time and money do you need to invest

IIBA’s Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP®) Strategy

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• TAPUniversity’s Approach

– CBAP ® preparation lines up perfectly for a self preparation strategy

– Investment made and continued through BABOK ® 1.62 and 2.0 based test banks. IIBA E.E.P #075 – 1 class – BA Foundations (CBAP® prep)

– Course is targeted to Self Directed learner, who could use a bit of support (on your own but not alone)!

– Though a small sample size (less than 30) – 100% pass rate!

– Price $189.00.

– References available for your review.

Questions and Contact

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Please contact us at

402.429.9805

1520 South 70th, Ste 106

Lincoln NE 68506

David Kohrell, MA, PMP, CBAP

Also LinkedIn –

http://www.linkedin.com/in/dkohrell

Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn Groups -

TAPUniversity