# PECB ISO 22301 Lead Implementer: study planner Question counts and levels come from PECB's ISO 22301 Lead Implementer Candidate Handbook, version 1.5 (2026), read on 2 October 2026. The hours are our suggestion: each domain gets the same share of your time as it has of the 80 questions. Check the current handbook before you start in case the counts have changed. ## Hours by domain | Domain | Questions | Share | 10 hours | 20 hours | 30 hours | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1. Fundamental principles and concepts of a business continuity management system (BCMS) | 8 | 10% | 1 | 2 | 3 | | 2. Business continuity management system (BCMS) requirements | 7 | 8.75% | 0.75 | 1.75 | 2.5 | | 3. Planning of a BCMS implementation based on ISO 22301 | 18 | 22.5% | 2.25 | 4.5 | 6.75 | | 4. Implementation of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 | 18 | 22.5% | 2.25 | 4.5 | 6.75 | | 5. Monitoring and measurement of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 | 12 | 15% | 1.5 | 3 | 4.5 | | 6. Continual improvement of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 | 10 | 12.5% | 1.25 | 2.5 | 3.75 | | 7. Preparation for a BCMS certification audit | 7 | 8.75% | 1 | 1.75 | 2.75 | | **Total** | **80** | **100%** | **10** | **20** | **30** | Hours are in quarter hours: 0.25 is 15 minutes, 0.5 is 30 minutes and 0.75 is 45 minutes. The 20-hour column is exact, at 15 minutes per question. At 10 hours (7.5 minutes per question) and 30 hours (22.5 minutes per question), domains 2 and 7 fall exactly halfway between quarter hours, so we round domain 2 down and domain 7 up by 7.5 minutes each. Domain 2 is the requirements of ISO 22301, and the standard is on your desk. Every column still sums to its budget. ## Hours by level | Level | Domains | Questions | Share | 10 hours | 20 hours | 30 hours | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Comprehension, application, analysis | 1, 2, 3 and 7 | 40 | 50% | 5 | 10 | 15 | | Evaluation | 4, 5 and 6 | 40 | 50% | 5 | 10 | 15 | | **Total** | | **80** | **100%** | **10** | **20** | **30** | ## Pace for timed practice | Set | Questions | Time at the exam's average pace | |---|---|---| | One question | 1 | 2 minutes 15 seconds | | One scenario set | 5 | 11 minutes 15 seconds | | Short timed set | 20 | 45 minutes | | Half the paper | 40 | 1 hour 30 minutes | | Full paper | 80 | 3 hours | ## 1. Fundamental principles and concepts of a business continuity management system (BCMS) 8 questions, 10%. Level: comprehension, application, analysis. Matching course day, on our reading of PECB's agenda: day 1. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 1, 2 or 3 - [ ] Course materials for this domain read once, start to finish - [ ] Key terms defined in your own words in the notes you take during the course (our suggestion) - [ ] Practice questions done untimed, every rationale read - [ ] One timed set at 2 minutes 15 seconds a question ## 2. Business continuity management system (BCMS) requirements 7 questions, 8.75%. Level: comprehension, application, analysis. Matching course day, on our reading: day 1. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 0.75, 1.75 or 2.5 - [ ] Hard copy of ISO 22301 tabbed by clause, 4 to 10, so you can find your way around it fast (our suggestion) - [ ] Lookups timed with the standard open; any page that takes over a minute gets a tab (our suggestion) - [ ] Practice questions done untimed, every rationale read - [ ] One timed set at 2 minutes 15 seconds a question ## 3. Planning of a BCMS implementation based on ISO 22301 18 questions, 22.5%. Level: comprehension, application, analysis. Matching course day, on our reading: day 2. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 2.25, 4.5 or 6.75 - [ ] Course materials for this domain read, and the pages you will need tabbed - [ ] Scope, policy, objectives, communication plan and gap analysis each explained in two sentences in your course notes (our suggestion) - [ ] Practice questions done untimed, every rationale read - [ ] One timed set at 2 minutes 15 seconds a question ## 4. Implementation of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 18 questions, 22.5%. Level: evaluation. Matching course day, on our reading: day 3. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 2.25, 4.5 or 6.75 - [ ] Course materials for this domain read, and the pages you will need tabbed - [ ] One business impact analysis worked through on paper for a process you know (our suggestion) - [ ] At least half the hours spent on practice questions (our suggestion) - [ ] For every practice question, said why each wrong option is wrong before checking the answer - [ ] Scenario sets done as sets of five, timed at 11 minutes 15 seconds a set ## 5. Monitoring and measurement of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 12 questions, 15%. Level: evaluation. Matching course day, on our reading: day 4. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 1.5, 3 or 4.5 - [ ] Course materials for this domain read, and the pages you will need tabbed - [ ] At least half the hours spent on practice questions (our suggestion) - [ ] For every practice question, said why each wrong option is wrong before checking the answer - [ ] Scenario sets done as sets of five, timed at 11 minutes 15 seconds a set ## 6. Continual improvement of a BCMS based on ISO 22301 10 questions, 12.5%. Level: evaluation. Matching course day, on our reading: day 4. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 1.25, 2.5 or 3.75 - [ ] Course materials for this domain read, and the pages you will need tabbed - [ ] At least half the hours spent on practice questions (our suggestion) - [ ] For every practice question, said why each wrong option is wrong before checking the answer - [ ] Scenario sets done as sets of five, timed at 11 minutes 15 seconds a set ## 7. Preparation for a BCMS certification audit 7 questions, 8.75%. Level: comprehension, application, analysis. Matching course day, on our reading: day 4. - [ ] Hours in the calendar: 1, 1.75 or 2.75 - [ ] Stage 1, stage 2, surveillance and recertification audits told apart in your course notes (our suggestion) - [ ] Practice questions done untimed, every rationale read - [ ] One timed set at 2 minutes 15 seconds a question ## Before day five - [ ] Materials ready: a hard copy of ISO 22301, your training course materials and the personal notes you took during the course, in the PECB Exams app or printed (PECB rule) - [ ] Notes written outside course hours? Ask your trainer or PECB whether they count before you rely on them (our suggestion) - [ ] Valid ID ready: national ID card, driver's license or passport (PECB rule) - [ ] Be there, or logged in, at least 30 minutes before the start (PECB rule)