TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation (OGBA-101) is a closed-book exam with 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes. Passing requires 24 correct answers, and no prior certification is required. Its nine topic areas cover business architecture concepts, the ADM and techniques such as capability, value stream, information and organisation mapping. Holders of the older Business Architecture Level 1 credential can also consider a separate migration assessment.
What the OGBA-101 exam looks like
The exam has 40 simple multiple-choice questions, a 60-minute time limit, and a pass mark of 60%, which is 24 correct answers out of 40. It is closed book, supervised, and has no prerequisites.
Each correct answer earns one point: 24 ÷ 40 = 60%, the published pass mark. This is the standard OGBA-101 exam; the migration assessment described below uses different figures.
The exam is supervised at an authorised Pearson VUE test centre or remotely through OnVUE. Its Body of Knowledge is drawn from the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition.
Official sources: The Open Group TOGAF Exams Datasheet (PDF) — TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam section
Where the 40 questions sit: the nine topic areas
Value Streams has seven questions. Introduction and Concepts and Business Capabilities each have six. Four areas have three questions each; together those four account for 12 of the 40 questions.
The table gives the published allocation and a suggested revision question for each area. The revision prompts are study aids, not official question wording.
Use this map alongside your own gaps. Question allocation indicates coverage; it does not prescribe how much study time you personally need for a topic.
| Official topic area | Questions | Revision self-check (study advice) |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction and Concepts | 6 | Can I explain the exam's core concepts and key terms in plain language, without notes? |
| Introduction to the ADM | 5 | Can I describe what the Architecture Development Method is and why it matters to business architecture? |
| Business Modeling | 4 | Can I say what business modeling covers and how it relates to enterprise architecture in a TOGAF context? |
| Business Capabilities | 6 | Can I explain capability modeling and how capabilities support planning? |
| Value Streams | 7 | Can I describe what a value stream shows and how value stream analysis is used? |
| TOGAF Business Scenarios | 3 | Can I outline what the business scenario technique is for? |
| Information Mapping | 3 | Can I explain what information mapping captures at the business level? |
| Organization Mapping | 3 | Can I explain what an organization map represents? |
| Applying Business Architecture Techniques within the TOGAF ADM | 3 | Can I describe how the techniques connect to ADM work? |
Official sources: What Is the Exam Plan for the OGBA-101 TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam? (Open Group Helpdesk) — Exam Structure, Time Allowed, Passing Score
What the credential validates and who it suits
TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation validates basic knowledge and understanding of TOGAF Business Architecture concepts and techniques, focused on knowledge and comprehension. It suits people in business planning, organizational change, and enterprise transformation.
The overview groups the competencies into three areas: developing and maintaining a TOGAF Business Architecture, applying TOGAF Business Architecture techniques, and supporting organizational change through planning and decision-making.
The stated audience includes people responsible for business planning who want to apply the TOGAF Business Architecture approach, people who need competencies in these techniques, and roles involving business capabilities, value streams, organizational structures, and business modeling.
Business Architecture Foundation and Enterprise Architecture Foundation are separate certifications with different Bodies of Knowledge. Choose study materials for the certification you are taking; a similar credential name does not establish matching topic coverage.
Official sources: TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Certification Overview (Open Group Helpdesk) — Overview, Purpose, Competencies Gained, Target Audience; TOGAF Certification Portfolio (opengroup.org) — TOGAF Business Architecture Learning Path
Two routes to the same credential
You can take OGBA-101 without a prior TOGAF credential. If you already hold Business Architecture Level 1, you can also use the dedicated migration route.
The direct route is straightforward: prepare for and sit OGBA-101 at Pearson VUE, as described above. No prior TOGAF certification is required.
The migration route is different and should not be blended with the OGBA-101 format. According to The Open Group, candidates who hold the TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 certification credential can complete a set of self-study materials in The Open Group's learning management system, covering the changes between the two syllabuses in four additional modules. The assessment attached to this path is a closed-book multiple-choice test of 14 questions with a pass mark of 9/14 (64%) and 20 minutes allowed. Credit is given for the prior Level 1 learning, and the materials explain how to submit a self-study claim form for certification.
If you are unsure which route applies, check whether you hold the Business Architecture Level 1 credential. If you do, the migration path may be the shorter option; if not, OGBA-101 is the standard entry point.
Official sources: TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 to Foundation Migration Path (opengroup.org) — Q&A on learning path and assessment; The Open Group TOGAF Exams Datasheet (PDF) — TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam section
A preparation approach mapped to the official areas
Track coverage against all nine areas and use practice results to decide where further study is needed.
Start with the official topic list. Work through the corresponding learning outcomes and materials, then use complete practice questions with explanations to check what you understood. Allocate further study to the gaps you find.
Keep a coverage log separate from practice scores. The following example shows how to read an unfinished log without treating it as a predicted result.
Practice exercise
Your revision log shows you have completed study of seven of the nine official topic areas: Introduction and Concepts, Introduction to the ADM, Business Modeling, Business Capabilities, Value Streams, and TOGAF Business Scenarios are done, and you have also finished Information Mapping. You have not started Organization Mapping or Applying Business Architecture Techniques within the TOGAF ADM. Using the official exam plan's question allocations, what share of the published 40-question allocation covers material you have not yet studied, and what does that tell you about your preparation?
Show answer
Organization Mapping carries 3 questions and Applying Business Architecture Techniques within the TOGAF ADM carries 3 questions, so your unfinished areas cover 6 of the 40 published questions, or 15% of the allocation.
The two unfinished areas have three questions each: 3 + 3 = 6. The complete allocation is 6 + 5 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 40, so these areas represent 6 ÷ 40 = 15%. This measures coverage in the published plan. It does not predict lost marks: studying a topic does not guarantee a correct answer, and an unfinished topic does not guarantee a wrong one. Add the two areas to your remaining study work.
Official sources: What Is the Exam Plan for the OGBA-101 TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam? (Open Group Helpdesk) — Exam Structure, Time Allowed, Passing Score; TOGAF Certification Portfolio (opengroup.org) — TOGAF Business Architecture Learning Path
Your next steps
Choose the applicable route, check your study coverage, and confirm current booking requirements and fees.
For OGBA-101, use The Open Group's exam information and Pearson VUE booking service. If you hold Business Architecture Level 1, compare the official migration option before booking the full exam.
- Use the official learning requirements for the detailed reading list.
- Check your understanding across all nine published areas.
- Practise the format of the assessment you will actually take.
- Confirm the current fee, delivery option and booking requirements.
Official sources: The Open Group TOGAF Exams Datasheet (PDF) — TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam section; TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 to Foundation Migration Path (opengroup.org) — Q&A on learning path and assessment; TOGAF Certification Portfolio (opengroup.org) — TOGAF Business Architecture Learning Path
Official sources
Facts checked against official sources:
- The Open Group TOGAF Exams Datasheet (PDF)
- What Is the Exam Plan for the OGBA-101 TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Exam? (Open Group Helpdesk)
- TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation Certification Overview (Open Group Helpdesk)
- TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 to Foundation Migration Path (opengroup.org)
- TOGAF Certification Portfolio (opengroup.org)