How to Pass the TOGAF Certification Test
Are You Preparing to Take the TOGAF Certification Exam?
What to Expect in the TOGAF Exams
- Should You Pursue TOGAF 9 or the newer 10th Edition?
- What to Expect in the TOGAF Standard 10th Edition Exams?
- What to Expect in the TOGAF 9 Exams?
Are You Preparing to Take the TOGAF Certification Exam?
Earning your TOGAF certification is one of the steps to develop your career as an enterprise architect. TOGAF certification demonstrates your familiarity with the industry-standard enterprise architecture framework.
TOGAF certification is earned by passing the TOGAF Foundation (Level 1) and TOGAF Practitioner (Level 2) exams.
Passing your TOGAF exams may seem intimidating, especially if you are just learning about TOGAF certification. In this post, we'll discuss everything you need to know about passing the TOGAF certification tests and earning your TOGAF certification.
What if I Fail the TOGAF Exam?
Every accredited trainer is given a proportion of their exam vouchers for re-takes. If you fail your TOGAF certification exam, you must wait at least one month before taking it again.
There is no cap to the number of times you take these tests.
Many architects have worked for years in their career. They are typically very busy and are not interested in being examined. Many of our students have been out of college for years and are worried about failing. The best way to get the certification benefits is on-demand eLearning TOGAF training. Learn what you need for certification at your pace. When you are ready, nail the TOGAF Certification test.
What Is TOGAF Certification?
The TOGAF Standard is both an industry standard framework and methodology for the field of enterprise architecture, including business architecture, IT architecture, and security architecture.
TOGAF Certification demonstrates that you know the TOGAF Standard and are able to apply the standard to developing enterprise architecture in different enterprise architecture use cases.
TOGAF Certification Exams
TOGAF certification requires passing a two-part exam.
The TOGAF Foundation (Part 1) exam questions are simple multiple choice. They cover understanding the TOGAF Standard. The TOGAF Foundation exam is a pre-requisite for the TOGAF part 2 exam.
The TOGAF Practitioner (Part 2 exam) questions are complex multiple choice. They are scenario-based and focus on doing architecture development in the TOGAF ADM.
You must pass both exams in order to get your TOGAF practitioner certification.
TOGAF Certification Pre-requisites
Anyone can take this TOGAF certification exams. No pre-requisites are required.
Applied Practitioner Badge
Accredited training courses will include the Learning Studies Exercises for the Applied Practitioner badge. You must pass the TOGAF Practitioner to be eligible for the Applied Practitioner badge
TOGAF Certification Benefits
The world’s leading enterprises use TOGAF Certification to confirm you know a common body of core knowledge about enterprise architecture. TOGAF certification is demonstrated to employers and peers your commitment to enterprise architecture as a profession.
Completing your TOGAF certification helps ensure that you and your business are complying with IT architecture industry standards.
IT architecture is advancing rapidly as digital transformation happens and new technology develops. Earning your certification in TOGAF 9 can demonstrate that you are using the highest level approach.
Enterprise Architecture Training and TOGAF Training
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What to Expect in the TOGAF Exams?
The TOGAF certification consist of two exams. You will take both of these exams electronically, much like other graduate and professional certification exams.
The Level 1 (TOGAF Foundation) part asks 40 questions to be completed within 60 minutes. The Foundation exam tests your knowledge of the terminology and basic concepts.
Level 2 (TOGAF Practitioner) asks eight scenario questions, to be completed within 90 minutes. Level 2 test candidates' ability to analyze and apply knowledge of the TOGAF standard.
Should You Pursue TOGAF 9 or the newer 10th Edition?
This is an easy question - pursue TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition!
While little changed inside the TOGAF Standard between TOGAF 9 and the 10th edition, there were huge changes in the certification program.
In our opinion, TOGAF 9 certification had little relevance. The TOGAF 9 certification mostly asked questions that were irrelevant to an enterprise architect due to its comprehensive end-to-end coverage.
In the 10th edition everything changed. Different bodies of knowledge were pulled out of the TOGAF Standard - a body of knowledge for an enterprise architect, one for an EA Team Leader, one for a business architect.
The practical value of the certification increased. The TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Certification is applicable to the knowledge of the standard to develop and govern enterprise architecture.
Most of the application of the TOGAF Standard is drawn from the Practitioner's Guide to Developing Enterprise Architecture
What to expect in the TOGAF Standard 10th Edition Exams?
There are two exams for certification in the TOGAF Standard 10th Edition Exams. Both of these exams are delivered electronically. Both are multiple choice.
The Level 1 (TOGAF Foundation) part asks 40 questions to be completed within 60 minutes. These questions are multiple choice; you have to answer 60% correctly to pass.
The TOGAF Foundation exam tests your knowledge of the terminology and basic concepts of TOGAF Standard. When you pass this exam The Open Group can certify you demonstrated understanding of the core concepts and terminology of the TOGAF standard.
Level 2 (TOGAF Practitioner) asks eight scenario questions. You have 90 minutes. Level 2 is designed to test your ability to analyze and apply the TOGAF Standard.
TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 Exam
Qualification upon passing is TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation. This is a prerequisite for the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner qualification.
Exam Summary
- Exam type: Multiple choice
- Number of questions: 40
- Pass score: 60% (24 out of 40 questions)
- Time limit: 60 minutes
- Additional time may be provided for people taking an English language exam for whom English is not their first language. Please see https://certification.opengroup.org/ESL for more information
- Open Book: No
- Retake policy: If you fail the test you must wait one month before another attempt
- Delivered at: Authorized Examination Provider Test Centers and via OnVUE Online Proctored
- Exam Exam Number: OGEA-101 - English
- Exam is also available in French and Simplified Chinese
Open Group Recommended Preparation
To prepare for a certification exam The Open Group recommends TOGAF training prior to taking the exam. Please note that we do not claim that by taking courses you are guaranteed to pass the certification exams, however we do state that training is an important component in certification preparation.
An Accredited Training Course covering the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Level 1 conformance requirements.
All Accredited Training Courses include the examination as part of the course fee. An exam voucher is provided to take the exam at The Open Group Examination Provider's test center.
TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 2 Exam
Qualification upon passing is TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner. You must have TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation as a prerequisite. You may also pass of the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 Exam on the same day at the same test center.
Exam Summary
- Exam type: Scenario Based, Complex Multiple Choice
- Number of questions: 8
- Pass score: 60% (24 out of 40 points)
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Additional time may be provided for people taking an English language exam for whom English is not their first language. Please see https://certification.opengroup.org/ESL for more information.
- Open Book: Yes
- An English electronic copy of the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Body of Knowledge is built into the exam. The Open Group's Examination Providers operate a clean exam room environment, so all applicable open book reference materials are provided electronically with the examination test, accessible by selecting the Reference button(s) from within the exam. In this case two pdf files are provided for the body of knowledge, the TOGAF Fundamental Content and the applicable TOGAF Series Guides.
- Retake policy: If you fail the test you must wait one month before another attempt
- Delivered at: Authorized Examination Provider Test Centers
- Exam Number: OGEA-102 (English)
- Exam is also available in French and Simplified Chinese
Open Group Recommended Preparation
The Open Group recommends TOGAF training prior to taking the exam. Please note that we do not claim that by taking courses you are guaranteed to pass the certification exams.
An Accredited Training Course covering the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Level 2 conformance requirements. See the Register of Accredited Training Courses.
All Accredited Training Courses include the examination as part of the course fee. An exam voucher is provided to take the exam at The Open Group Examination Provider's test center.
Next Step to Prepare for the TOGAF Certification Exam:
Take the exam after completing the TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Training Course
What to expect in the TOGAF 9 Exams?
The TOGAF certification exams consist of two parts. You will take both of these exams electronically, much like other graduate and professional certification exams.
The Level 1 (TOGAF Foundation) part asks 40 questions to be completed within 60 minutes. These questions are multiple choice; you have to answer 55% correctly to pass.
The TOGAF Foundation exam tests your knowledge of the terminology and basic concepts of TOGAF 9. Enterprise architects who pass this exam demonstrate that they understand the core concepts of the TOGAF standard.
Level 2 (TOGAF Certified) asks eight scenario questions, to be completed within 90 minutes. The Open Group asserts Level 2 goes beyond testing basic knowledge and comprehension of TOGAF 9.
Both TOGAF 9 exams test your your knowledge of the TOGAF 9 documentation.
TOGAF 9 Foundation Exam
- 40 multiple choice questions
- Pass mark 55%
- 60 minute time limit
- Closed Book
Preparing for TOGAF Part 1 Exam Question
TOGAF Foundation questions are knowledge based. The exam covers almost all the TOGAF Standard. Most students find the Foundation exam more difficult because of the specific knowledge and the scope.
Once you have an understanding of the TOGAF Standard, look at the exam exactly the same way you would an introductory college exam.
- Only the course material is relevant
- Keep the exam structure in mind. There will always be
- a best answer
- a dead wrong answer
- a distracting answer
- Assess the answers to remove distractions and wrong answers. Then select the best.
- Tag any question you are unsure of in the Pearson VUE software and come back to the question.
TOGAF part 1 exam questions
TOGAF Part 1 Sample Question
Complete this sentence - the ADM and Phase A are initiated by ______
A. the Architect seeing something that needs improvement
B. a request from the EA Team Sponsor
C. a Request for Architecture Work
D. a Project Charter
The correct answer is C - a request for architecture work. Every other answer is outside the TOGAF standard, even though they may be real-world triggers for developing architecture. This is an example of the TOGAF Framework, the concept of a Request for Work is universal. How it is expressed may vary.
In this example, you can remember the key input to Phase A - a Request for Architecture Work. Or attack the question logically - you can eliminate A & B because they are not universal. Then you can eliminate D because Project Charters are an implementation tool, good architecture is done to determine the change not execute the change decision.
The Level 1 Foundation exam requires good test taking habits. The scope of the TOGAF Standard provides a broad scope for questions.
As with all exams
- be well rested
- ensure you are focused on the exam
- read the question
- find the best TOGAF framework answer to the question asked
TOGAF 9 Certified Exam
- 8 multiple choice questions
- Pass mark 60%
- 90 minute time limit
- Open Book
Preparing for a TOGAF Part 2 Question
TOGAF Certified questions are application based. The exam is almost entirely focused on the development and use of enterprise architecture. Most students find the Certified exam easier.
Approach the exam the same way you would any exam. Take advantage of the fact that you can pass TOGAF Certified with either the best or second best answer.
Every TOGAF Certified question has a scenario. It explains some background to what the architect is doing. Then there will be a question. The question will always focus on something in the scenario.
- Only the question is relevant.
- Keep the exam structure in mind. There will always be
- a best answer
- a second best answer
- a poor answer
- a dead wrong answer
- Assess the answers to remove poor and wrong answers.
- Tag any question you are unsure of in the Pearson VUE software and come back to the question.
TOGAF Part 2 exam questions
TOGAF Part 2 Sample Question
Referring to the Scenario
You need to identify the most appropriate artifacts or activities for this iteration of the Architecture Development cycle. Based on the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2, select the best answer?
You will have 4 separate lists of artifacts (catalogs, matrices, diagrams, and other TOGAF documents) that you might prepare. The artifacts will be associated with activities you might perform.
To answer the question
-
- Identify exactly where you are in the Architecture Development Cycle. You will always be able to identify yourself in:
- Designing the Architecture Team (Preliminary Phase)
- Performing Architecture Development (Phase A, B, C, or D)
- Performing Planning (Phase E or F)
- Governing Execution (Phase G)
- Harvesting benefit (Phase H)
- Look in the Scenario for guides to the problem
- Make sure the Problem you identified is aligned with the question they asked you
- Where you have a list, look for how complete the list is and the TOGAF specificity of the list
- Identify exactly where you are in the Architecture Development Cycle. You will always be able to identify yourself in:
Discard any answer that is not aligned to the needs of where you are in the ADM. Look for clues such as concern or stakeholder to focus on the architecture problem the architect in the scenario is solving. Discard any answer that is not addressing the scenario stakeholders.
It is an Open Book exam. Look inside the TOGAF 9.2 Standard and compare the answers with the standard. Especially if you cannot remember the exact name of an artifact or activity.
Next Step to Prepare for the TOGAF Certification Exam:
Take the exam after completing the TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Training Course
TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Combined Part 1 and Part 2 Exam
This exam combines the Part 1 and Part 2 exams into one longer examination session. This is a combined TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 and Part 2 examination for candidates who want to achieve Level 2 certification directly.
Exam Summary
- Exam Type: Multiple choice for Part 1, Scenario Based Complex Multiple Choice for Part 2
- Number of questions: 48 (40 Part 1 & 8 Part 2)
- Pass score:
- Part 1: 60%, which means 24 or more points out of maximum of 40 points
- Part 2, the pass mark is 60%, which means 24 or more points out of a maximum of 40 points
- Note that you must pass both parts of the exam to achieve an overall pass result. If you fail either part you fail the examination, however you only need retake the examination(s) corresponding to the failed section(s)
- Time limit: 150 Minutes total
- 60 Minutes on TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1
- 90 Minutes on TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 2
- Once you complete the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Part 1 section you cannot return to it. There is no break between sections. Part 1 directly follows Part 2.
- Additional time may be provided for people taking an English language exam for whom English is not their first language. Please see https://certification.opengroup.org/ESL for more information.
- Open Book: Mixed
- Part 1: CLOSED
- Part 2: Open
- An English electronic copy of the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Body of Knowledge is built into the exam. The Open Group's Examination Providers operate a clean exam room environment, so all applicable open book reference materials are provided electronically with the examination test, accessible by selecting the Reference button(s) from within the exam. In this case two pdf files are provided for the body of knowledge, the TOGAF Fundamental Content and the applicable TOGAF Series Guides.
- Retake policy: If you fail you must wait one month before another attempt on any TOGAF Enterprise Architecture examination. This applies even if you only need to retake one of the two parts of the examination. This exam only leads to the TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Certified qualification. If you fail the Part 1 section you must later pass Part 2 to receive a certification.
- Delivered at: Authorized Examination Provider Test Centers
- Exam Number: OGEA-103
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How to Prepare for the TOGAF Certification Exams
The best way to prepare for obtaining your TOGAF 9 certification is taking the TOGAF standard training and get the tools you need to succeed on the exam on your first try. All Open Group accredited courses will include the cost of the exams themselves.
We recommend on-demand video-based training courses. We use these for our consultants. They provide the ability to learn at your pace, reviewing as often as you want. Skipping the parts you know well.
You should supplement your exam preparations by studying. Good training courses should include the TOGAF 9 Study Guide. The Study Guide includes the official practice exams. We strongly recommend using the TOGAF 9 practice exams as a diagnostic.
Combining on-demand video-based TOGAF training and the practice exam diagnostic allows you to review everything you are having trouble with.
Where Do I Get TOGAF Certification training?
You can choose to self-study for the TOGAF certification test or take a training course. Training itself does not give you your certification. You must pass the two exams to achieve certification.
Be sure to identify your needs for obtaining your certification before you select a course of study. It's also important to make sure you can afford the fee.
Selecting Your Training Provider
Getting your TOGAF certification training can be fairly straightforward, provided you know what to expect. TOGAF certification can also be invaluable to your career as an enterprise architect.
The best way to prepare is to enroll in an on-demand video TOGAF training course. These courses can ensure that you are prepared for both levels of the exam so that you can earn your certification on the first try.
Conexiam is committed to your professional development. We maintain an online self-help library and advanced hands-on practice enterprise architecture training. Have a question? We have answers! Send us a message today.
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Conclusion
Here is everything you need to know about passing the TOGAF certification tests. TOGAF certification is a benchmark for credibility and professionalism in the workplace.
There are two TOGAF certification tests - Foundation (Level 1) and Practitioner (Level 2). Each test is multiple choice. Pearson VUE or your TOGAF training provider will administer the exams.
