Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) for candidates who want to gain more responsibility or add project management skills into their current role. CAPM certification exam offers recognition to practitioners having an interest or have just started a career in project management. Moreover, this exam is good for project team members who wish to demonstrate their project management knowledge. This certification exam provides knowledge of the principles and terminology within the PMBOK Guide that offers best practices in project management.
However, the candidates who contribute specialized skills to a project team can benefit from this certification by aligning their work with project managers. And, for those who do not have project experience but want to start a career in project management can also apply for this certification.
Prerequisites for the Exam
The Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm) Requirements are as follows:
- Candidates applying for the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam must hold a secondary degree that can be a high school diploma associate’s degree or the global equivalent.
- They must have 23 hours of project management education completed by the time you sit for the exam.
Exam Details
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. However, out of these 150 questions, 15 are pretest questions that do not affect the score and are used in examinations as an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions. Candidates will be given a maximum of three hours to complete the exam. CAPM exam can be given in the English language but this exam is also available in other languages that include Arabic Hebrew, Brazilian Portuguese Italian, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, French, Russian, German, Spanish and Turkish. This exam will cost US$225 for members and US$300 for non-members.
Certification Process
Check out the CAPM Interview Questions to prepare for your interview.
Course Structure
Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm) Course covers the following domains:
Domain 1 Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts – 36%
Task 1 Demonstrate an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes.
- Distinguish between a project, program, and a portfolio.
- Distinguish between a project and operations.
- Distinguish between predictive and adaptive approaches.
- Distinguish between issues, risks, assumptions, and constraints.
- Review/critique project scope.
- Apply the project management code of ethics to scenarios (refer to PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct).
- Explain how a project can be a vehicle for change.
Task 2 Demonstrate an understanding of project management planning.
- Describe the purpose and importance of cost, quality, risk, schedule, etc.
- Distinguish between the different deliverables of a project management plan versus product management plan.
- Distinguish differences between a milestone and a task duration.
- Determine the number and type of resources in a project.
- Use a risk register in a given situation.
- Use a stakeholder register in a given situation.
- Explain project closure and transitions.
Task 3 Demonstrate an understanding of project roles and responsibilities.
- Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of project managers and project sponsors.
- Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of the project team and the project sponsor.
- Explain the importance of the role the project manager plays (e.g., initiator, negotiator, listener, coach, working member, and facilitator).
- Explain the differences between leadership and management.
- Explain emotional intelligence (EQ) and its impact on project management.
Task 4 Determine how to follow and execute planned strategies or frameworks (e.g., communication, risks, etc.).
- Give examples of how it is appropriate to respond to a planned strategy or framework (e.g., communication, risk, etc.).
- Explain project initiation and benefit planning.
Task 5 Demonstrate an understanding of common problem-solving tools and techniques.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of a meeting.
- Explain the purpose of focus groups, standup meetings, brainstorming, etc.
Domain 2 Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies – 17%
Task 1 Explain when it is appropriate to use a predictive, plan-based approach.
- Identify the suitability of a predictive, plan-based approach for the organizational structure (e.g., virtual, colocation, matrix structure, hierarchical, etc.).
- Determine the activities within each process.
- Give examples of typical activities within each process.
- Distinguish the differences between various project components.
Task 2 Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule.
- Apply critical path methods.
- Calculate schedule variance.
- Explain work breakdown structures (WBS).
- Explain work packages.
- Apply a quality management plan.
- Apply an integration management plan.
Task 3 Determine how to document project controls of predictive, planbased projects.
- Identify artifacts that are used in predictive, plan-based projects.
- Calculate cost and schedule variances.
Domain 3 Agile Frameworks/Methodologies – 20%
Task 1 Explain when it is appropriate to use an adaptive approach.
- Compare the pros and cons of adaptive and predictive, plan-based projects.
- Identify the suitability of adaptive approaches for the organizational structure (e.g., virtual, colocation, matrix structure, hierarchical, etc.).
- Identify organizational process assets and enterprise environmental factors that facilitate the use of adaptive approaches.
Task 2 Determine how to plan project iterations.
- Distinguish the logical units of iterations.
- Interpret the pros and cons of the iteration.
- Translate this WBS to an adaptive iteration.
- Determine inputs for scope.
- Explain the importance of adaptive project tracking versus predictive, plan-based tracking.
Task 3 Determine how to document project controls for an adaptive project.
- Identify artifacts that are used in adaptive projects.
Task 4 Explain the components of an adaptive plan.
- Distinguish between the components of different adaptive methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), Scaled Adaptive Framework (SAFe®), Kanban, etc.).
Task 5 Determine how to prepare and execute task management steps.
- Interpret success criteria of an adaptive project management task.
- Prioritize tasks in adaptive project management.
Domain 4 Business Analysis Frameworks – 27%
Task 1 Demonstrate an understanding of business analysis (BA) roles and responsibilities.
- Distinguish between stakeholder roles (e.g., process owner, process manager, product manager, product owner, etc.).
- Outline the need for roles and responsibilities (Why do you need to identify stakeholders in the first place?).
- Differentiate between internal and external roles.
Task 2 Determine how to conduct stakeholder communication.
- Recommend the most appropriate communication channel/tool (e.g., reporting, presentation, etc.).
- Demonstrate why communication is important for a business analyst between various teams (features, requirements, etc.).
Task 3 Determine how to gather requirements.
- Match tools to scenarios (e.g., user stories, use cases, etc.).
- Identify the requirements gathering approach for a situation (e.g., conduct stakeholder interviews, surveys, workshops, lessons learned, etc.).
- Explain a requirements traceability matrix/product backlog.
Task 4 Demonstrate an understanding of product roadmaps.
- Explain the application of a product roadmap.
- Determine which components go to which releases.
Task 5 Determine how project methodologies influence business analysis processes.
- Determine the role of a business analyst in adaptive and/or predictive, plan-based approaches.
Task 6 Validate requirements through product delivery.
- Define acceptance criteria (the action of defining changes based on the situation).
- Determine if a project/product is ready for delivery based on a requirements traceability matrix/product backlog.
Exam Policies
PMI provides various certification exam related policies that help candidates to understand the terms and the procedures of the exam Some of them include:
Exam Rescheduling Policy
Candidates who want to reschedule or cancel an online proctored exam or center-based exam can do it up to 48 hours before the scheduled exam appointment. However, late rescheduling and cancellations will result in a fee. So, it is recommended to reschedule or cancel the exam as soon as you know you won’t be able to make the appointment. Candidates who reschedule or cancel their exam within 30 days of your scheduled appointment, then there is a charge fee of US$70. And, candidates need to reschedule or cancel your appointment before you are within 48 hours of exam appointment (local time). After that, candidates will not be able to cancel your appointment and will forfeit the entire exam fee if you do not show up.
CAPM Exam Refund Policy
Candidates can request a refund within 30 days from the date of purchase and they cannot schedule or take the certification exam within that time frame. After the refund is processed, the application will be closed and the eligibility period will no longer be valid. If a scheduled exam is canceled and rescheduled outside of 30 days from the date of purchase, up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled testing date, there is a rescheduling fee applied. Within 48 hours of the scheduled testing date, all fees and the ability to reschedule are forfeits.
Test Accommodations for the Examination
Candidates who want accommodation during the examination can request the administration of any PMI examination. With this they can have modification due to disability, handicap or medical condition that may affect your ability to take the examination. Moreover, there are no additional costs for test accommodations.
CAPM Re-certification Policy
After passing the CAPM examination, candidates are certified for a period of five years. However, before the end of the five-year certification cycle, candidates have the option to pursue recertification or, if eligible, apply for any other PMI certifications. And, those who wait until the month before your certification expires to apply for certification renewal, then they have 12 months to take the examination, but only one month in which to take the examination to be considered for recertification.
However, for obtaining a refund for the CAPM recertification, candidates must submit a written request to PMI at least one month before the examination eligibility expiration date. For initial examination fees, if you have not taken the examination, PMI will grant a refund of US$125 for members and US$200 for nonmembers. For the reexamination fee, PMI will grant a refund of US$50 for members and US$100 for nonmembers. However, if a candidate’s one-year eligibility period ends without taking the examination then they will not receive a refund.
For More Check Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Exam FAQs
Preparation Guide for CAPM Exam
Here is the ultimate preparation guide to equip you with the all the right Certified Associate In Project Management Capm Study Material. Lets get started on your Certified Associate In Project Management (Capm) Exam Preparation journey.
Review CAPM Handbook
PMI provides a CAPM Handbook for candidates that contain information on how you can apply for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. However, this handbook applies to online proctored testing candidates as well as center-based candidates. PMI recommends all CAPM certification applicants to read this entire handbook. Moreover, the main motive of this handbook is to provide you with important information about the policies and procedures for obtaining and renewing the CAPM certification. This handbook will help candidates in:
- Finding information on each policy or procedure
- Finding tips and important information by reading NOTES throughout the handbook
- Accessing the online application system and other information
PMI Online Course
PMI offers candidates PMI online courses for developing project management skills and preparing with Project Management Basics. However, this course will help candidates to prepare for the CAPM certification exam. This course is created by PMI and validated by CAPM and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification holders. Candidates in this will learn about:
- Learning modules
- Project management vocabulary
- Testing knowledge with exam-prep questions in every module
PMBOK Guide
PMI gives candidates access to a guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge that is the PMBOK Guide. This guide provides trending and emerging practices with tailoring considerations. Moreover, this will enhance strategic and Business Knowledge with having a new section on the role of the project manager.
Join a PMI Chapter
PMI includes the PM community that will help candidates to become a member of the local PMI chapter. However, by joining a local PMI chapter, candidates can tap into a new network of your PM community. This includes:
- Joining an inner circle of PMs in which candidates can make connections with people in the field of project management or those just starting out in this.
- This also has exclusive events that will improve the candidate’s skills by attending chapters and learning how to approach new challenges from people who have faced similar obstacles in the past.
- Discover relevant job opportunities by building a network and gain insider connections at companies to find new opportunities.
Exam Practice Tests
This can be a very essential part that can help you to prepare better for the exam. That is to say, Capm Certified Associate In Project Management Practice Exams are important as by assessing yourself with these tests you will know about your weak and strong areas. We all know time plays an essential role during the exam. So, by practicing you will be able to improve your answering skills that will result in saving a lot of time. Moreover, the best way to start doing practice tests is after completing one full topic as this will work as a revision part for you. So, make sure to find the best practice sources.
