Hmmm my experience was entirely different... But I guess if you're signing up for a business analyst position, things might differ? Yeah I do get technical questions as well - concepts and understanding of some areas in programming and business sector.

With cert in hand or not (if you're going to grad that is), wasn't the key factor in determining your eligible , it was the self-presentation and well as how good you tackle the questions, showing them confidence in yourself at the same time showing them respect.

btw the company's follows the reward-the-hard/smartworker concept and is very much performance-based. If you carry out your work diligently, you'll be rewarded in some ways. To top that, if you're on probation and you get confirmed (and you've performed well), you'll get somewhat a good raise

That's my input though