1. Why is the CAPM exam changing?

As the project management profession continues to evolve, we conduct extensive research to ensure our professional certifications, like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification, remain relevant so that earning one demonstrates a professional’s ability to meet the demands of projects and organizations across the globe.

After extensive market research and analysis, it was determined that because today’s project team members work in a variety of project environments and utilize different project approaches, the CAPM exam needed to be updated to include important trends in the profession not addressed in the current exam.

The new CAPM exam will better support project professionals in their career journeys by testing the skills entry and associate-level professionals need to understand project management fundamentals, as well as predictive, adaptive, and business analysis principles. The new CAPM Exam Content Outline is now available with more information about the exam content domains.

2. How often is the CAPM exam updated?

Every few years PMI conducts an analysis to determine whether the current version of the exam is still testing the skills that are required for someone who holds the certification. This type of analysis helps to ensure that PMI professional certifications, like the CAPM certification, remain relevant and valuable to candidates and organizations alike.

3. When will the new CAPM exam be available?

We are actively working to update the CAPM exam. The new exam is expected to be available early next year. More details will be available soon.

4. Can I still take the current CAPM exam?

You may take the current exam (based on the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition) until
the new exam is available. More details will be available soon.

5. What is the difference between the current and the new exam?

The current CAPM exam tests solely the concepts included in the PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition. The new CAPM exam will continue to test the common practices and fundamentals of project management but will expand to integrate content across traditional, business analysis, and agile principles – all to ensure professionals know how to use different project delivery approaches. To see what new concepts will be tested on the new CAPM exam, please view the new Exam Content Outline here.

6. Is the new exam based solely on the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition?

No, it is important to note that the volunteers creating the new exam questions are doing so based on the Exam Content Outline. For each question, volunteers must consult the CAPM reference titles, which include the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition, PMIstandards+™, and five other titles, and identify two that reinforce the concept being tested in the question. This rigorous process ensures the question is testing the candidate on the appropriate knowledge.

7. In addition to the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition and PMIstandards+, what other references is the exam based on?

All exam questions are based on the Exam Content Outline, written and extensively reviewed by subject matter experts, and can be found in a minimum of two references: The PMI Guide to Business Analysis, Business Analysis for Practitioners: A Practice Guide, Agile Practice Guide, The Project Management Answer Book, and Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Hybrid. Reading each book on the reference list is not a requirement, but candidates may find it helpful to read them.

8. How can I gain access to PMIstandards+?

PMI members can access PMIstandards+ for free and non-members can access it via a monthly subscription.

9. Will there be an opportunity to take the new exam as part of a pilot?

Yes, CAPM candidates will have an opportunity to take the new exam on a limited basis (the “pilot period”). More details on the pilot period and how to participate will be available soon.

10. Is the eligibility criteria changing with the new exam?

The education and experience eligibility requirements for the CAPM examination will not change. However, new exam prep course options will be available and will replace the existing Project Management Basics online course.

11. Will the scoring method be changed?

No, the scoring method for the CAPM examination will not be changed.

12. Will the price change?

At this time, we do not anticipate any changes to the pricing for the CAPM exam. If you participate in the pilot for the new exam, you will be eligible to receive a discount on the exam fee. More details will be available soon.

13. Will the exam details report be changed?

No, we will not make changes to the CAPM exam details report. Please note that if you sit for the new exam during the pilot period, there will be a slight delay in receiving your exam details report. More details will be available soon.

14. Will PMI offer a CAPM exam prep course to go with the new exam?

We will offer new CAPM exam prep options, including an instructor-led course and an on-demand, self-paced online course, allowing candidates to select the option that works best for them. More details will be available soon.

15. Do I need to take the Project Management Basics online course to prepare for the new exam?

No, the Project Management Basics course will not be aligned with the new CAPM exam. This is because the new CAPM exam will cover new content areas that are not represented in the current Project Management Basics course. However, this course will continue to be offered as a Professional Development Unit opportunity. New CAPM training content and courseware will be offered, and more details will be available soon.

16. Will I need to take another prep course because the exam is being updated?

If you are scheduled to take the current CAPM exam, you do not need to take an additional prep course. There will be no changes to your exam prep or testing experience.

17. Will there be any changes to the day-of exam experience?

Candidates will continue to have the ability to sit for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or to take the exam via our online proctored solution. The exam will remain 3 hours in duration with 150 total questions. However, we have added a 10-minute break at the halfway mark of the exam (after 75 questions are completed).

18. Will PMI Authorized Training Partners (ATPs) be informed about the new CAPM exam and will they be teaching courses based on the current exam or the new exam version?

Our ATPs have been informed of the new exam and those that offer CAPM exam courses will have the option to update their curriculum accordingly, aligned to the new Exam Content Outline. Please review the CAPM Exam Content Outline for more information.

19. How can I sign up for the current CAPM exam?

To take the current CAPM exam, we encourage you to complete your application and schedule your exam prior to 1 Jan 2023. We do not have an exact date yet for the new exam; additional details will be shared as they become available.