If you need help studying for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CAPM practice test!
CAPM Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CAPM exam, you’ll need to have your high school diploma or GED and complete at least 23 hours of project management education.
If you meet these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 150 multiple-choice questions total, but only 135 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 15 unscored questions on the CAPM exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
All of the questions are multiple-choice, but some of them have an extra component to them:
- Multiple-choice: Select the best answer from a list of choices.
- Drag-and-drop: Drag items from one box to another in the correct order.
- Hot spot: Click the correct area within an image.
- Comic strip: Answer a question based on a scenario in a short comic strip.
- Animation: Answer a question after watching a short animated video.
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours, and you’ll get a 10-minute break exactly halfway through the exam (after question 75).
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the CAPM exam.
1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
36% of the exam
- Various project life cycles and processes
- Project management planning
- Project roles and responsibilities
- Following and executing planned strategies/frameworks
- Common problem-solving techniques
2. Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies
17% of the exam
- The appropriate time(s) to use a predictive approach
- Project management plan schedules
- Documenting project controls of predictive projects
3. Agile Frameworks/Methodologies
20% of the exam
- The appropriate time(s) to sue an adaptive approach
- Planning project iterations
- Documenting project controls for an adaptive project
- Components of an adaptive plan
- Preparing and executing task management steps
4. Business Analysis Frameworks
27% of the exam
- Business analysis roles and responsibilities
- Conducting stakeholder information
- Gathering requirements
- Product roadmaps
- The influence of project methodologies on business analysis processes
- Validating requirements through product delivery
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on PMI’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $300. If you’re a PMI member, you will only have to pay $225.
CAPM Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The scoring system for the CAPM exam is very simple. You get one point for each question you answer correctly, so the total number of questions you answer correctly is your final score.
Each section of the exam is scored individually and given a performance rating:
- Needs Improvement means you didn’t perform as well as expected.
- Below Target means you performed slightly below the expected level of proficiency.
- Target means you performed at the expected level of proficiency.
- Above Target means you performed better than expected.
Your score report will show your target level for each section of the exam, and you’ll also see your target level for the exam as a whole. Here’s an example of what this looks like:
PMI doesn’t publicly state what score you need in order to pass.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test up to two times per year.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full re-testing fee ($200) every time you retake the test.
FAQs
What is CAPM?
CAPM, which stands for Certified Associate in Project Management, is an entry-level certification for people interested in project management.
How many questions are on the CAPM exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the CAPM exam?
The exam is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CAPM exam?
The official passing score is unknown.
How much does the CAPM exam cost?
The testing fee is $300 ($225 for PMI members).