CAPM is PMI’s entry-level professional qualification: Certified Associate in Project Management.
The PMI is the Project Management Institute. For more, see: What is the PMI?
CAPM is designed to demonstrate that holders understand the fundamental knowledge, terminology, and processes of effective Project Management. Certification lasts 5 years – then you need to re-take the exam.
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Requirements (pre-requisites) for CAPM
Both of:
- Secondary degree
(high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent) - 23 hours of project management education completed by the time you sit your exam.
The Exam
- Based on the PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge, the PMBOK Guide. It covers Chapters 1-13 of 6th edition – ie Part 1 only. The questions are factual.
- Available in 13 languages
- 150 multiple choice Qns
(15 are pre-test and don’t affect score) – 135 scoring Qns - PMI does not publish its pass mark
- 3 hours – no breaks
- Exam available online
For more on the PMBOK, see: What is the PMBOK?
New from 2020:
CAPM certification holders need to earn 15 PDUs every three years to maintain the certification.
If I don’t yet qualify for the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam, is CAPM worth Getting?
Yes. ‘PMP versus CAPM’ is something of a false choice. For many Project Managers, it will be ‘PMP after CAPM’.
You might like our comprehensive article, ‘PMP versus CAPM: All You Need to Know’.
CAPM will be a stepping stone to PMP.
It can help you in many ways:
- You can’t take the PMP exam at the very start of your career. You’ll need at least 2-3 years of project management experience before you can take it. Realistically, this can be nearer to 5 years.
- CAPM is a valuable qualification in its own right.
- The qualification will help you secure roles that will give you experience.
- You’ll get a headstart in understanding the PMBOK Guide and the basic material.
- Practice at taking the PMI exams, and therefore extra confidence.
- Buying, trying, and owning some of the Exam prep resources.
- You can score CAPM Contact Hours for your PMP application.
Links to the PMI’s CAPM Resources…
- Exam Guidance
- Handbook
- Examinations Content Outline
- Sample Test Questions
(there are only two – which seems pathetic to me!)
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For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.
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