- OG0-091 is 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, from The Open Group.
- Passing score is 24/40 (60%), and there are no prerequisites to sit the exam.
- ADM Phases is the single largest domain, worth 22.5% (9 of 40 questions).
- The 2026 fee is $375 as an exam booking fee or $400 as a retail voucher.
Overview: What OG0-091 Actually Is
OG0-091 is the exam code for the TOGAF 9 Part 1 Examination, administered by The Open Group as the entry-level test in the TOGAF 9 certification track. Passing OG0-091 earns you the TOGAF 9 Foundation credential, which confirms you understand the terminology, structure, and core concepts of the TOGAF 9 framework at a knowledge level rather than an applied level. It is not a standalone "nice to have" badge - it is the first of two exams that together make up full TOGAF 9 Certified status, with OG0-092 (Part 2) testing application of the concepts you learn for Part 1.
If you're comparing this exam to other certification paths, it helps to think of OG0-091 as a knowledge checkpoint on the way to a practitioner-level credential. For a broader explanation of the credential's identity and history, see OG0-091 Certification and OG0-091 Meaning.
Exam Format and Mechanics
Unlike scenario-heavy certification exams that ask you to apply frameworks to case studies, OG0-091 sticks to a straightforward format: 40 simple multiple-choice questions, one correct answer per question, delivered in a 60-minute window. There is no case study component on Part 1 - that style of question appears on OG0-092, the Part 2 exam, not here.
To pass, you need 24 out of 40 questions correct - a 60% passing score. Because every question carries equal weight and there's no partial credit for reasoning, the exam rewards precise recall of TOGAF terminology and structure over general architecture experience. This is one of the reasons candidates who assume "real-world experience" will carry them sometimes stumble - the exam is checking whether you know the TOGAF 9 Standard's specific vocabulary and phase structure, not whether you can architect systems.
The exam is closed book and supervised, delivered either at a Pearson VUE authorized test center or remotely through OnVUE. There are no prerequisites - anyone can register and sit OG0-091 without prior certifications or work experience requirements, which is unusual among professional certifications and part of why it's often used as an onboarding credential for teams new to enterprise architecture.
For a deeper breakdown of how difficult candidates actually find this format in practice, see How Hard Is the OG0-091 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
The 11 Domains Behind the Exam
The entire body of knowledge for OG0-091 is the TOGAF 9 Standard, Version 9.2, but that standard is broken into 11 weighted domains for exam purposes. Understanding the weighting is arguably more useful than reading the standard cover to cover, because it tells you exactly where your study hours produce the most return.
| Domain | Weight | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: Basic Concepts | 7.5% | 3 |
| Domain 2: Core Concepts | 7.5% | 3 |
| Domain 3: Introduction to the ADM | 7.5% | 3 |
| Domain 4: The Enterprise Continuum and Tools | 10% | 4 |
| Domain 5: ADM Phases | 22.5% | 9 |
| Domain 6: ADM Guidelines and Techniques | 15% | 6 |
| Domain 7: Architecture Governance | 10% | 4 |
| Domain 8: Architecture Views, Viewpoints, and Stakeholders | 5% | 2 |
| Domain 9: Building Blocks | 5% | 2 |
| Domain 10: ADM Deliverables | 5% | 2 |
| Domain 11: TOGAF Reference Models | 5% | 2 |
A full walkthrough of what each domain actually covers, with sample question angles, is available in OG0-091 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 11 Content Areas. Below are quick notes on the three biggest-weighted domains and the foundational ones that anchor everything else.
Domain 5: ADM Phases (22.5%)
This is the largest domain on the exam at 9 of 40 questions, covering the full Architecture Development Method cycle - Preliminary Phase, Phases A through H, and Requirements Management. Candidates must know the purpose, inputs, and outputs of each phase, not just the phase names in order.
- Know what triggers movement from one phase to the next
- Memorize the objectives of each lettered phase (A-H)
- Understand the role of Requirements Management as the central hub of the cycle
Domain 6: ADM Guidelines and Techniques (15%)
The second-heaviest domain, covering techniques like gap analysis, risk management, business scenarios, and adapting the ADM for different purposes (e.g., security architecture, SOA).
- Understand why and when the ADM is adapted, not just how
- Be able to distinguish similar-sounding techniques from each other
Domains 1-3: Basic Concepts, Core Concepts, Introduction to the ADM
Together these three foundational domains account for 22.5% of the exam - roughly the same weight as ADM Phases alone. They cover TOGAF's structure, definitions of architecture, stakeholder concepts, and how the ADM cycle fits into the overall standard.
- Get definitions exact - the exam tests precise terminology
- Understand the relationship between the ADM and the rest of the TOGAF document structure
If you want domain-by-domain study guides rather than a single combined overview, dedicated breakdowns exist for the early domains: Domain 1: Basic Concepts, Domain 2: Core Concepts, Domain 3: Introduction to the ADM, and Domain 4: The Enterprise Continuum and Tools.
Registration, Fees, and Delivery
For 2026, candidates can sit OG0-091 in one of two payment structures: a $375 exam booking fee paid directly for a scheduled exam session, or a $400 retail voucher fee purchased in advance and redeemed later. The voucher route offers scheduling flexibility if you're not ready to commit to a specific date yet, while the direct booking fee is slightly cheaper if you already know when you'll test.
Delivery happens through Pearson VUE authorized test centers or via OnVUE online proctoring for candidates who prefer to test from home or office. Both delivery modes use the same 40-question, 60-minute format and the same 60% passing threshold - choosing OnVUE doesn't change the difficulty, only the logistics.
For the full cost picture - including how OG0-091 pricing compares to bundled exam options and what "retail voucher" actually means in practice - see OG0-091 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
What Passing Actually Gets You
Passing OG0-091 immediately earns the TOGAF 9 Foundation certification. This credential does not expire and carries no renewal or continuing-education requirement - once you pass, it's permanent on your record, which is a meaningful difference from certifications that require annual maintenance fees or recertification exams.
Just as important: a passing score on OG0-091 gives you partial credit toward TOGAF 9 Certified, the higher-level designation. To reach TOGAF 9 Certified, you still need to pass OG0-092 (Part 2), which tests your ability to apply ADM concepts to scenario-based questions. OG0-091 is the mandatory first step in that path, not an optional detour.
People sometimes ask whether the Foundation-only credential is worth pursuing on its own, without immediately continuing to Part 2. That question is worth answering honestly rather than generically - see Is the OG0-091 Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 for a fuller ROI discussion, and OG0-091 Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis if you're weighing the credential against career impact.
Key Takeaway
TOGAF 9 Foundation from OG0-091 is permanent - no expiration, no renewal fees - and it directly counts toward TOGAF 9 Certified if you later pass OG0-092.
Who Takes OG0-091 and Why
OG0-091 attracts a fairly specific set of professionals rather than a general IT audience. The exam is commonly pursued by:
- Enterprise and solution architects who need a shared vocabulary with clients or teams already using TOGAF
- Consultants at firms where TOGAF Foundation is a stated requirement for architecture engagements
- IT professionals transitioning into architecture roles from development, infrastructure, or business analysis backgrounds
- Government and large-enterprise employees whose organizations have standardized on TOGAF for architecture governance
Because there are no prerequisites, it's also common for people early in their careers to sit OG0-091 as a credential-building step before they have hands-on architecture experience. If you're researching how this plays out in job postings and hiring practices, OG0-091 Jobs covers what employers actually look for. For terminology questions that come up around the certification name itself, see What Does OG0-091 Stand For? and What Does OG0-091 Mean?.
Preparing Around the Domain Weighting
Because ADM Phases and ADM Guidelines and Techniques together make up 37.5% of the exam, an efficient study plan front-loads those domains rather than working through the TOGAF standard in document order. A short, domain-aware schedule looks like this:
Foundational Domains
- Study Domains 1-3 (Basic Concepts, Core Concepts, Introduction to the ADM)
- Build a glossary of exact TOGAF terminology
Highest-Weight Domain
- Focus entirely on Domain 5: ADM Phases
- Drill the objectives and outputs of each phase, A through H
Second-Highest-Weight Domain
- Study Domain 6: ADM Guidelines and Techniques
- Review Domains 4 and 7 (Enterprise Continuum, Architecture Governance)
Remaining Domains and Practice
- Cover Domains 8-11 (lower-weight but still tested)
- Take timed practice exams to build 60-minute pacing
Timed practice matters here specifically because of the exam's pace: 60 minutes for 40 questions gives you an average of 90 seconds per question, and simple multiple-choice format means there's little room for second-guessing. A structured plan like this is expanded in much greater detail in the OG0-091 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, and you can benchmark your readiness using full-length questions on our practice test platform before booking your actual exam date.
It's also worth checking how other candidates have actually performed against this format before you schedule your own attempt - see OG0-091 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows for the available data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. OG0-091 is the exam code; TOGAF 9 Foundation is the credential you earn by passing it. They refer to the same certification event.
No. OG0-091 has no prerequisites. Anyone can register and take the exam regardless of professional background or prior certifications.
You need 24 out of 40 correct to pass, which means you can miss up to 16 questions and still achieve the 60% passing score.
No. TOGAF 9 Foundation, earned by passing OG0-091, does not expire and has no renewal or continuing-education requirement.
OG0-091 (Part 1) tests foundational knowledge with simple multiple-choice questions. OG0-092 (Part 2) tests applied knowledge using scenario-based questions and is required to reach TOGAF 9 Certified status.