The Business Analyst Test

This test is designed for the Business Analyst interview process. Like all tests it covers a core skill. In this case writing up a requirement/story. However, like the developer test (here), it probes something specific in a bit more detail; whether they think about the existing system, not just the requirement to be covered. The test is short and simple:

Online Calculator

We have some developers who are working on an online calculator. Currently the site only supports add, subtract and equals. The users are looking to add multiplication to the application. Write a use case to describe this work which could be presented straight to the developers.

Obviously this provides an opportunity to show they can write. Does the BA know how to structure a requirement/story, can they articulate themselves etc? However the test goes a little deeper than that. The average candidates will jot down a story that describes how the new functionality (the multiplication button) should be developed. Better candidates will take into account existing functions in the system, describing how their new function should relate to the existing ones. For example they’ll specify how the multiplication button behaves when it is pressed after each of the other functions or numbers. Better ones still will refer to BODMAS etc.

Posted on May 11th, 2011 in Team Development


  1. Ara January 10th, 2024
    23:25 GMT

    Appreciating the time and energy you put into your blog and in depth information you offer.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information.
    Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your
    RSS feeds to my Google account.

Have your say

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>




Safari hates me
IMPORTANT! To be able to proceed, you need to solve the following simple problem (so we know that you are a human) :-)

Add the numbers ( 3 + 14 ) and SUBTRACT two ?
Please leave these two fields as-is:

Talks (View on YouTube)