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A business analyst is meeting with stakeholders to understand why the organization is experiencing a 15% decline in customer retention. Which technique would be MOST appropriate to identify the underlying cause of this business problem?

Brainstorming

Root cause analysis

Mind mapping

Focus groups

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PMI-PBA Exam

200

Total Questions

175 scored + 25 pretest

Pass/Fail

Scoring

Psychometric

4 hrs

Exam Duration

PMI

$405-555

Exam Fee

PMI member/non-member

35%

Analysis Domain

Largest domain

8 years

Experience Window

PMI requirement

The PMI-PBA exam has 200 questions (175 scored + 25 pretest) in 4 hours. Five domains: Analysis (35%), Planning (22%), Needs Assessment (18%), Traceability and Monitoring (15%), and Evaluation (10%). Requires secondary degree + 36 months BA experience + 35 hours BA education OR 4-year degree + 24 months + 35 hours. PMI member fee $405, non-member $555.

Sample PMI-PBA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PMI-PBA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A business analyst is meeting with stakeholders to understand why the organization is experiencing a 15% decline in customer retention. Which technique would be MOST appropriate to identify the underlying cause of this business problem?

A.Brainstorming

B.Root cause analysis

C.Mind mapping

D.Focus groups

Explanation: Root cause analysis is the most appropriate technique for identifying the underlying cause of a business problem. While brainstorming generates ideas, mind mapping organizes thoughts, and focus groups gather opinions, root cause analysis specifically investigates the fundamental reason why a problem occurs. The "5 Whys" technique and fishbone diagrams are common root cause analysis tools.

2During stakeholder analysis, a business analyst maps stakeholders based on their level of influence and interest in the project. Where should stakeholders with HIGH influence and HIGH interest be managed?

A.Keep informed

B.Monitor

C.Keep satisfied

D.Manage closely

Explanation: Stakeholders with high influence and high interest should be managed closely. These are typically key players who can significantly impact project success and are deeply engaged. The power/interest grid categorizes stakeholders into four groups: Manage Closely (high power, high interest), Keep Satisfied (high power, low interest), Keep Informed (low power, high interest), and Monitor (low power, low interest).

3A retail company wants to understand the gap between their current inventory management capabilities and the desired state of real-time inventory tracking. Which technique should the business analyst use?

A.SWOT analysis

B.Gap analysis

C.Cost-benefit analysis

D.Process modeling

Explanation: Gap analysis is the appropriate technique for comparing the current state (as-is) with the desired future state (to-be) to identify differences that need to be addressed. SWOT analysis evaluates strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Cost-benefit analysis compares costs and benefits. Process modeling documents how work is performed.

4A business analyst is documenting the solution scope for a new customer relationship management system. Which element is LEAST likely to be included in the solution scope statement?

A.Features and functions to be included

B.Stakeholders affected by the solution

C.Quality assurance testing procedures

D.Constraints and assumptions

Explanation: Quality assurance testing procedures are least likely to be included in a solution scope statement. The solution scope defines WHAT the solution will and will not include—features, functions, stakeholders affected, constraints, and assumptions. Testing procedures are part of the implementation and validation activities that occur later in the project lifecycle.

5When developing a business case, which component provides the financial justification by comparing the expected benefits to the required investment?

A.Risk assessment

B.Feasibility analysis

C.Cost-benefit analysis

D.Stakeholder impact assessment

Explanation: Cost-benefit analysis provides the financial justification by comparing expected benefits (quantified in monetary terms) to the required investment. It helps decision-makers understand the return on investment and whether the proposed solution is economically viable.

6A business analyst is identifying stakeholders for a new banking mobile app project. Which stakeholder would be classified as a "secondary stakeholder"?

A.Bank customers who will use the app

B.The mobile app development team

C.Banking regulators who oversee compliance

D.The project sponsor funding the initiative

Explanation: Banking regulators would be classified as secondary stakeholders. Secondary stakeholders are those affected by the project or its outcomes but are not directly involved in the work. Bank customers are primary beneficiaries, the development team are project team members, and the project sponsor is a key decision-maker.

7During a problem analysis session, the business analyst asks "Why is customer satisfaction declining?" and continues to ask "Why?" four more times to drill down to the fundamental cause. Which technique is being used?

A.Fishbone diagram

B.Five Whys

C.Pareto analysis

D.Decision tree analysis

Explanation: The "Five Whys" technique involves asking "Why?" repeatedly to move from symptoms to root causes. It is a simple but powerful root cause analysis tool. A fishbone diagram categorizes potential causes into groups. Pareto analysis identifies the vital few causes from the trivial many.

8A manufacturing company is considering implementing a new ERP system. The business analyst is assessing whether the organization has sufficient resources, capabilities, and commitment to successfully adopt the solution. What type of feasibility is being evaluated?

A.Technical feasibility

B.Economic feasibility

C.Operational feasibility

D.Schedule feasibility

Explanation: Operational feasibility assesses whether the organization has the resources, capabilities, culture, and commitment to successfully implement and operate the proposed solution. Technical feasibility evaluates whether the technology exists. Economic feasibility examines cost-effectiveness. Schedule feasibility determines if the timeline is achievable.

9A business analyst is facilitating a workshop to identify business requirements for a new expense reporting system. Midway through, participants begin debating whether the system should be web-based or mobile-first. What should the analyst do FIRST?

A.Schedule a separate meeting to discuss technology options

B.Document both approaches as alternatives

C.Remind participants to focus on business needs, not solution design

D.Invite IT architects to provide technical guidance

Explanation: The business analyst should first remind participants to focus on business needs rather than solution design. During needs assessment, the goal is to understand the business problem and requirements, not to design the solution. Premature solutioning can constrain thinking and lead to suboptimal outcomes.

10A business analyst is creating a requirements management plan. Which component defines how changes to requirements will be requested, evaluated, and approved?

A.Traceability approach

B.Prioritization process

C.Change control process

D.Communication plan

Explanation: The change control process defines how changes to requirements will be requested, evaluated, and approved. It establishes the governance for managing requirement changes to ensure they are properly analyzed for impact before being approved or rejected.

About the PMI-PBA Exam

The PMI-PBA (Professional in Business Analysis) exam validates expertise in business analysis including needs assessment, business analysis planning, requirements elicitation and analysis, traceability and monitoring, and solution evaluation. The exam has 200 questions (175 scored + 25 pretest).

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours (240 minutes)

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (psychometrically determined)

Exam Fee

$405 (members) / $555 (non-members) (Project Management Institute (PMI) / Pearson VUE)

PMI-PBA Exam Content Outline

18%

Needs Assessment

Identify business problems, assess current capabilities, define desired future state, conduct stakeholder analysis, and develop the business case

22%

Planning

Create business analysis approach, develop stakeholder engagement strategies, define governance and information management approaches

35%

Analysis

Elicit requirements, conduct collaborative workshops, analyze and model requirements, define acceptance criteria, validate and verify requirements

15%

Traceability and Monitoring

Establish traceability approach, maintain requirements traceability, manage requirements changes, manage requirements life cycle

10%

Evaluation

Evaluate solution performance, determine solution limitations, assess enterprise limitations, recommend solutions for identified problems

How to Pass the PMI-PBA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/Fail (psychometrically determined)
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: 4 hours (240 minutes)
Exam fee: $405 (members) / $555 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PMI-PBA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on Analysis (35%) — master requirements elicitation techniques, modeling methods (process flows, use cases, user stories), and validation approaches

2Know all requirements elicitation techniques: interviews, workshops, focus groups, surveys, observation, prototyping, document analysis, interface analysis

3Understand traceability concepts: horizontal traceability (requirements to deliverables), vertical traceability (strategy to detailed requirements), and traceability matrix

4Study stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies — know how to identify, categorize, and engage different stakeholder types throughout the project

5Learn requirements prioritization techniques: MoSCoW (Must, Should, Could, Won't), weighted ranking, timeboxing/budgeting, and Kano model

6Practice with scenario-based questions — PMI exams focus on application, not memorization. Understand the context and think like a BA

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PMI-PBA certification?

PMI-PBA (Professional in Business Analysis) is a PMI certification that validates expertise in business analysis. It is designed for professionals who work with stakeholders to define requirements and shape project outputs to achieve business objectives.

How many questions are on the PMI-PBA exam?

The PMI-PBA exam has 200 questions (175 scored + 25 pretest) in 4 hours (240 minutes). The exam uses a psychometric pass/fail scoring system. Administered at Pearson VUE centers worldwide.

What are the prerequisites for the PMI-PBA exam?

Path 1: Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate degree) + 36 months business analysis experience + 35 contact hours of BA education. Path 2: Four-year degree + 24 months experience + 35 contact hours. Experience must be within the last 8 years.

What is the PMI-PBA exam format?

The exam is 4 hours with 200 multiple-choice questions. The five domains are: Analysis (35%), Planning (22%), Needs Assessment (18%), Traceability and Monitoring (15%), and Evaluation (10%). Questions test knowledge of business analysis tools, techniques, and best practices.

How should I prepare for the PMI-PBA exam?

Plan for 120-180 hours of study over 10-14 weeks. Focus heavily on Analysis (35%) — master requirements elicitation techniques, modeling methods, and validation approaches. Also prioritize Planning (22%). Use the PMI Guide to Business Analysis and practice with scenario-based questions.