PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): exam guide, passing score and how to prepare
Every question and every answer is checked twice before you see it.
What the CAPM exam covers, what to check before you book, the ideas people mix up, and a simple way to prepare. Last updated .
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Before exam day: what to know about CAPM
The real exam is run by the provider. These are the details people look for before they book.
We have not published exam-day details for CAPM because we could not confirm them on an official provider page. Use the provider’s own page to check the exam length, number of questions, passing score and retake rules.
Your exam-day checklist
- Confirm the details above on the provider’s page the day you book. Formats and rules change.
- Match your name and ID. The name on your registration usually has to match your identification. Check the provider’s ID rules.
- Test your set-up early if you take the exam online: camera, microphone, internet and a clear desk. Providers publish a system test.
- Know the rules for breaks and materials before you sit. Read the candidate agreement.
- Rehearse at exam pace. Take your last practice test with a timer and no notes.
What the CAPM exam covers
The PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam is about project management fundamentals for people starting out. Always check the provider’s official exam guide for the current objectives, fees and format.
Roles this can lead to
- Project coordinator
- Junior project manager
- Project or PMO assistant
- Business analyst
Easy to mix up on the CAPM exam
Exam questions often use two ideas that sound alike. Learn the difference once and several questions become easy.
| Pair | The key difference | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Risk or Issue | A risk is an uncertain future event that may affect objectives, while an issue is a problem that has already occurred. | Log it as a risk while it might happen and plan a response; log it as an issue once it is happening and needs resolution. |
| Quality assurance or Quality control | Quality assurance focuses on whether processes are followed and effective, while quality control inspects deliverables to check they meet requirements. | Use assurance to audit how work is done; use control to test or inspect the finished output. |
| Predictive approach or Agile approach | A predictive approach plans scope, schedule and cost up front, while an agile approach delivers in iterations and adapts to changing requirements. | Choose predictive when requirements are stable and well understood; choose agile when requirements are likely to evolve and early feedback matters. |
| Program or Portfolio | A program groups related projects managed together for combined benefits, while a portfolio groups projects and programs to meet strategic objectives. | Think program when projects share a common outcome; think portfolio when selecting and balancing investments across the organisation. |
Study notes written by us. Always check the provider’s exam guide for the current objectives.
How to prepare in four steps
- Read the official exam guideNote the domains and their weights on the provider’s page.
- Take Test 1 as a baseline150 questions in 180 minutes, no notes.
- Fix the gapsRead every explanation and keep an error log.
- Repeat to 80%Two timed tests in a row, then book the exam.
See how we explain every option
Each option in our tests has a reason: why the right answer is right and what trap each wrong option sets.
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Which document formally authorises a project and gives the project manager the authority to apply organisational resources to project activities?
Illustration from the project and agile topic area. An original question written for this exam’s topics, not an actual exam question.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CAPM exam?
The PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam is about project management fundamentals for people starting out. We rate it entry level level in our guide to help you choose.
Who should take CAPM?
It suits people in or moving toward roles such as Project coordinator, Junior project manager, Project or PMO assistant. A certificate supports an application but does not guarantee a job.
How should I prepare for CAPM?
Read the provider's official exam guide, take one timed practice test as a baseline, fix the topics you missed, then repeat until you reach about 80 percent twice in a row. Our CAPM study plan shows the pace.
Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any certification vendor or exam body. Certification names, exam codes and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the exam a practice product prepares for. Our questions are original and are not actual exam questions.