The PMI CAPM exam is associated with the same-name certification offered by the Project Management Institute to those who are just beginning their career in the rapidly evolving field of project management. In addition, it’s a great exam to opt for those team members, who plan to gain the project management skills and demonstrate them in their current role. What's more, this CAPM evaluation is not only a great start on your professional journey but also a starting point on the exciting path of PMI accreditation.

Appropriate Accreditation Overview

The PMI accreditation pathway includes a number of certifications, and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is one of them. Its main goal is to confirm the candidates' solid knowledge of the core processes of project management.

Moreover, this accreditation is fundamental to some of the more advanced qualification tracks. So, by successfully passing the CAPM exam and receiving the appropriate certificate, you can proceed to the PMI PMP designation. Which will certainly advance your career, especially now that projects are a major factor in business success.

Primary Audience And Prerequisites

Given that this is an entry-level certification, the expected candidates are practitioners interested in effective ways to manage projects, as well as members of project teams in need of formal confirmation of their expertise. Thus, having this certificate will be useful not only for beginners but also for those who already have some experience in this area. Moreover, the obtained certification is valid for 3 years, after which you will need to go through the re-certification procedure.

It is important to note that the vendor also does not impose strict preconditions. All you need is high school education and at least 23 hours of project management training completed by the time you take the relevant exam.

Exam Details

As mentioned above, to receive this accreditation, you must achieve a passing score on the CAPM evaluation. In other words, you need to complete 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours. And to be admitted to this proctored exam, you need to register in advance, choose a suitable date and delivery format as well as pay the registration fee. In more detail, the amount for PMI members will be $225, while non-members will have to pay $300 to get an exam voucher.

It is important to note that the final evaluation can be taken either at one of the authorized testing centers located nearby or online. In addition, candidates may not always pass this exam on the first attempt, so remember that you may try to take the exam no more than 3 times during the year.

Tested Skills And knowledge

So, the first thing every responsible candidate should do is review the list of topics and skills that will be covered on the CAPM exam. Therefore, if you download the official exam content outline, you will realize that the questions will be related to the following knowledge areas:

• Project Management Introduction
• Project Environment
• Project Manager Role
• Project Integration Management
• Project Scope Management
• Project Schedule Management
• Project Cost Management
• Project Quality Management
• Project Resource Management
• Project Communication Management
• Project Risk Management
• Project Procurement Management
• Project Stakeholder Management

Training Process And Training Materials

Needless to say, preparation in such an important matter as the certification exam is the main thing. Whether you have experience or you are new to project management, you should study all the topics and hone all the required skills beforehand.

To do it on your own with the help of the Internet and forums is possible, but quite problematic. The PMI CAPM exam requires a more comprehensive approach. Therefore, the official vendor has developed a number of preparatory tools that thoroughly prepare candidates for the final test. So, when training, you can use the following:

CAPM Handbook

You understand that once you know what to expect from the exam, the learning process will go much easier. That's why the official website offers you a document that includes all the necessary information about this certification, from registration for the corresponding exam to the recertification procedure.

So if you're interested in how to fill out an online application, which testing center to choose, how to prepare for an online test, or when to expect the results, you can find it all in this CAPM handbook.

Official PMI Online Course

To comprehensively prepare candidates for the final PMI CAPM exam, the vendor has developed a Project Management Basics study course. Even though this basic training program is designed for beginners, it will also help you verify your understanding and knowledge of the project management process.

In 23 training hours, for example, you can master the terminology associated with project management, learn the basic standards, and explore the relationship between basic concepts and processes. All material is presented in 20-minute practical modules, and as a knowledge reinforcement, you will be offered a three-hour hands-on exam. In addition, this course includes a tool to track your own progress, which is very important in self-study.

(PMBOK Guide) A Guide To The Project Management Body Of Knowledge

This guide is the primary source of up-to-date information for preparing for the PMI CAPM exam. It also comes in handy when you take the course mentioned above, as it summarizes all the necessary knowledge. Moreover, this edition includes The Standard for Project Management, which carries an additional body of expertise.

As a result, by working with this guide, you will master the 12 basic principles of project management, as well as the eight domains of project performance that are critical to effectively achieving assigned goals.

Final Words

So, if you want to effectively manage more interesting and meaningful projects or add improved project management skills to your current responsibilities, the CAPM certification is right for you. And now when you are familiar with the PMI CAPM exam in all the details, all you need to do is to register and start studying. Fortunately, PMI doesn't leave you behind and offers many tools for quality preparation. Don't write them off. It's the key to your career advancement!