- Why the 11 Domains Matter More Than a Generic Study Plan
- Domain-by-Domain Breakdown of All 11 Content Areas
- Exam Weighting vs. How You Should Actually Spend Study Time
- What "Simple Multiple-Choice" Really Means on OG0-091
- Registration, Fees, and Delivery Mechanics
- Who Actually Hires for This Certification
- A Domain-Sequenced Study Timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ADM Phases alone accounts for 9 of 40 questions - the single biggest domain by far.
- ADM Phases and ADM Guidelines and Techniques together make up 37.5% of the exam.
- You need 24 correct answers out of 40 in 60 minutes to pass.
- The body of knowledge is exclusively the TOGAF 9 Standard, Version 9.2, closed book.
Why the 11 Domains Matter More Than a Generic Study Plan
Most exam-prep advice tells you to "study a little every day" without ever explaining what you're actually studying. That approach fails on OG0-091 because the exam isn't evenly distributed - it's a weighted blueprint. The Open Group builds every version of this test from 11 defined content areas, and each area carries a specific percentage of the 40 questions you'll face. Ignore the weighting and you'll waste hours memorizing low-value trivia while under-preparing for the topics that actually decide whether you pass or fail.
This guide breaks down every one of the 11 domains exactly as The Open Group defines them, tells you how many questions to expect from each, and shows you how to allocate study time accordingly. If you want the broader first-attempt strategy this domain map feeds into, pair this with our OG0-091 Study Guide 2026, which covers pacing, resources, and exam-day tactics beyond content weighting alone.
Domain-by-Domain Breakdown of All 11 Content Areas
Below is every domain from the official OG0-091 blueprint, its weight, and what candidates need to actually know - not just memorize - to answer questions correctly.
Domain 1: Basic Concepts (7.5%)
Covers what an enterprise architecture is, why organizations adopt TOGAF, and the foundational vocabulary the rest of the standard builds on.
- Definitions of "enterprise," "architecture," and "framework" as TOGAF uses them
- The structure of the TOGAF document itself
For a full walkthrough, see our dedicated Domain 1: Basic Concepts study guide.
Domain 2: Core Concepts (7.5%)
Introduces the key structural elements of TOGAF: the ADM itself, the Enterprise Continuum, the Architecture Repository, and how they relate.
- Relationship between architecture domains (Business, Data, Application, Technology)
- How the Content Metamodel organizes architecture artifacts
Go deeper with our Domain 2: Core Concepts guide.
Domain 3: Introduction to the ADM (7.5%)
Tests whether you understand the ADM as an iterative cycle rather than a rigid checklist, including its phase-to-phase flow.
- The sequence of phases from Preliminary through Requirements Management
- Why Requirements Management sits at the center of the cycle
See our Domain 3: Introduction to the ADM guide for phase-by-phase context.
Domain 4: The Enterprise Continuum and Tools (10%)
Focuses on how architectures move from generic to organization-specific, and how repositories classify reusable assets.
- Architecture Continuum vs. Solutions Continuum
- Role of the Architecture Repository and reference models within it
Our Domain 4: The Enterprise Continuum and Tools guide covers this in detail.
Domain 5: ADM Phases (22.5%)
The single largest domain, worth 9 of 40 questions. You must know the purpose, inputs, and outputs of every ADM phase - Preliminary, Vision, Business Architecture, Information Systems Architectures, Technology Architecture, Opportunities and Solutions, Migration Planning, Implementation Governance, and Change Management.
- What each phase produces and hands off to the next
- Objectives specific to Phases A through H
- How phases loop back through Requirements Management
Domain 6: ADM Guidelines and Techniques (15%)
Tests practical application: adapting the ADM for different purposes, applying techniques like gap analysis, risk management, and business scenarios.
- When and why to iterate the ADM differently for security, SOA, or other specialized cases
- Stakeholder management and business transformation readiness techniques
Domain 7: Architecture Governance (10%)
Covers how organizations control architecture compliance, including governance bodies and the Architecture Contract.
- Purpose of the Architecture Board
- Role of compliance reviews in Phase G
Domain 8: Architecture Views, Viewpoints, and Stakeholders (5%)
Focuses on communicating architecture to different audiences through tailored representations.
- Difference between a view and a viewpoint
- How stakeholder concerns drive viewpoint selection
Domain 9: Building Blocks (5%)
Distinguishes Architecture Building Blocks (ABBs) from Solution Building Blocks (SBBs).
- Characteristics that define a well-formed building block
- How building blocks relate to the Architecture Repository
Domain 10: ADM Deliverables (5%)
Tests recognition of the major documents the ADM produces, such as the Architecture Definition Document and Architecture Requirements Specification.
- What distinguishes a deliverable from an artifact or building block
- Which phase produces which key deliverable
Domain 11: TOGAF Reference Models (5%)
Covers the Technical Reference Model (TRM) and the Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model (III-RM).
- Purpose and structure of the TRM
- What problem the III-RM is designed to solve
Exam Weighting vs. How You Should Actually Spend Study Time
Because the exam is only 40 questions in 60 minutes, every percentage point of weighting translates directly into a small but real number of questions. Use the table below to sanity-check your study allocation against the actual blueprint rather than spreading effort evenly across all 11 areas.
| Domain | Exam Weight | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| ADM Phases | 22.5% | 9 |
| ADM Guidelines and Techniques | 15% | 6 |
| The Enterprise Continuum and Tools | 10% | 4 |
| Architecture Governance | 10% | 4 |
| Basic Concepts | 7.5% | 3 |
| Core Concepts | 7.5% | 3 |
| Introduction to the ADM | 7.5% | 3 |
| Architecture Views, Viewpoints, and Stakeholders | 5% | 2 |
| Building Blocks | 5% | 2 |
| ADM Deliverables | 5% | 2 |
| TOGAF Reference Models | 5% | 2 |
Notice that a passing score of 24 out of 40 leaves almost no room for skipping the top two domains entirely. If you want a broader sense of how this weighting translates into real-world difficulty, our How Hard Is the OG0-091 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide walks through where candidates most commonly lose points.
Key Takeaway
Spend roughly a third of your total prep time on ADM Phases and ADM Guidelines and Techniques combined - they represent more exam weight than the other nine domains put together.
What "Simple Multiple-Choice" Really Means on OG0-091
The Open Group describes OG0-091 questions as "simple multiple-choice," which distinguishes them from the scenario-based, multi-part questions used on the TOGAF 9 Part 2 exam. In practice this means:
- Each question has one correct answer among typically four options - no "choose the three best" or weighted-scoring formats.
- Questions are short and definitional, testing recall of terms, phase purposes, and structural relationships rather than applied judgment.
- There is no case study or reference document provided during the exam - it is closed book, so recall must come from your own preparation, not the standard itself.
This format rewards precise terminology. Many incorrect answer choices on OG0-091 are "almost right" - they swap an ADM phase name, mix up a deliverable with an artifact, or confuse the Enterprise Continuum with the Architecture Repository. Read every option carefully before selecting one.
Registration, Fees, and Delivery Mechanics
Beyond content, a few logistical facts shape how you should plan your exam date:
- Delivery: OG0-091 is delivered through Pearson VUE authorized test centers or via OnVUE remote proctoring, so you can test from home or an office if you meet the technical requirements.
- Cost: Expect a $375 exam booking fee, or $400 if purchasing a retail voucher, for 2026.
- Format: 40 questions, 60 minutes, closed book, with a 60% (24/40) passing score.
- Prerequisites: None - anyone can register and sit the exam.
- Body of knowledge: The TOGAF 9 Standard, Version 9.2, exclusively.
- Credential validity: TOGAF 9 Foundation does not expire and requires no renewal once earned.
For a complete breakdown of every fee, voucher option, and potential hidden cost, see OG0-091 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you're still deciding whether the investment makes sense for your career, Is the OG0-091 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis weighs the credential against its cost and effort.
Who Actually Hires for This Certification
TOGAF 9 Foundation is rarely the end goal for employers - it's typically a baseline credential that opens the door to enterprise architecture, IT strategy, and business-technology alignment roles. Organizations running large-scale IT transformation programs, government agencies standardizing on architecture frameworks, and consulting firms that deliver architecture engagements frequently list TOGAF Foundation as a minimum qualification for architecture-adjacent positions.
Because the exam has no prerequisites, it's also common among project managers, business analysts, and solution architects who need shared vocabulary with enterprise architecture teams rather than a deep specialist role. If you're mapping this certification to specific job titles and responsibilities, OG0-091 Jobs covers common roles that request it, and OG0-091 Salary Guide 2026 looks at how the credential factors into compensation conversations.
A Domain-Sequenced Study Timeline
Rather than a generic weekly template, sequence your study around domain weight - heaviest domains first, while your energy and time are freshest, lighter domains last as review material.
ADM Phases and Introduction to the ADM
- Map all nine ADM phases, their objectives, and hand-off points
- Build a simple phase-by-phase reference sheet you can quiz yourself against
ADM Guidelines and Techniques, plus Architecture Governance
- Study iteration approaches and technique application scenarios
- Learn the governance bodies and compliance review process in Phase G
Enterprise Continuum, Core Concepts, and Basic Concepts
- Clarify the Architecture Continuum vs. Solutions Continuum distinction
- Review foundational terminology so it's automatic under time pressure
Remaining domains plus full timed practice
- Cover Views/Viewpoints, Building Blocks, Deliverables, and Reference Models
- Run full 40-question, 60-minute practice sessions to build pacing instinct
This sequencing works because it front-loads the domains worth the most points while leaving lighter, more definitional domains for the final review pass when your recall needs to be sharp but the material itself is simpler to refresh. For a more detailed week-by-week plan with resource recommendations, revisit the OG0-091 Study Guide 2026.
Practicing under real exam conditions matters as much as content review. Run full-length timed sets on our OG0-091 practice test platform so you internalize the 60-minute pace before exam day, and use the practice question bank to drill weak domains individually once you've identified them through diagnostic scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with ADM Phases since it carries 22.5% of the exam - 9 of 40 questions - more than any other domain.
No, but knowing the relative weighting helps you prioritize. Domains like ADM Phases and ADM Guidelines and Techniques deserve significantly more study time than 5%-weighted domains like Building Blocks or Reference Models.
No. It is supervised and closed book, so you cannot reference the TOGAF 9 Standard, Version 9.2 during the exam itself.
You need 24 out of 40 correct, which is a 60% passing score.
Yes. A passing result earns TOGAF 9 Foundation outright and also counts as partial credit toward the combined TOGAF 9 Certified designation.