CAPM Exam Format and Content

The CAPM certification is a great way to demonstrate your project management knowledge and understanding to pursue entry level positions in project management across any organization and industry.

Now more than ever, the CAPM reflects the way project work gets done by entry level project professionals.  That because in PMI, the certifying body for the CAPM, underwent a thorough analysis and made significant changes to the CAPM content and format for the exam starting in July 2023.   In this post, we will cover the exam content and format for the new exam, explain the value of project management and benefits of taking the CAPM exam.

CAPM Format and Content

1. What is the CAPM exam format and content?
2. Why is Project Management Important?
3. CAPM Career Opportunities
4. Preparing for the CAPM Exam

What is the CAPM Exam Format and Content?

It’s important to know what kind of questions and topics will be on the CAPM exam. This will help you study to help you pass the exam. By getting to know the material, you can focus your study time and make sure you’re ready for the exam.  Specific details of the 2023 CAPM exam are as follows:

New CAPM exam format

The main change to the new exam format is the transition from knowledge areas to domains and tasks that typically occur within each domain.  The exam will now be broken out in to four main areas. Specific details include:

• Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts: 36% of questions
• Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies: 17% of questions
• Agile Frameworks and Methodologies: 20% of questions
• Business Analysis Frameworks: 27% of questions

The CAPM exam format consists of 150 questions, and you have three hours to complete it. You will have a 10-minute break after you answer the first 75 questions.

New CAPM exam content

The domains also inform the changes to the exam content.  Following is a summary of the content changes by domain:

Domain 1:  Covers concepts and the fundamentals of predictive and agile project management.

Domain 2:  Tests your knowledge of both predictive and adaptive project management approaches.

Domain 3:  Introduces agile and other adaptive development approaches (e.g., Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP) and others).

Domain 4:  Contains content about business analysis, and how to gather and validate requirements.

Based on the exam content changes, the 2023 CAPM Exam Content Outline indicates several question formats including:

Matching questions: You will have two columns of concepts to match.

Hot spot questions: A graphic will be presented where you click on a hot spot containing the correct answer.

Animation Video multiple choice questions: You will watch an animated video scenario and select a single answer from several choices.

Comic Strip multiple choice questions: You must read a comic strip scenario and select one answer from multiple options.

Why Project Management is Important?

When you invest time and effort in developing project management skills like planning, organizing, and task management, it can improve the chances of success for the projects you are involved in, and bring value to your company.

It’s also important to understand how and when to use different methods, develop various tools and techniques, and learn about different methodologies, as this will leading to other leadership roles on more complex projects.

Poorly managed projects can have negative impacts on a company. According to a PMI analysis, 48% of projects miss their delivery dates, 43% go over budget, and 31% fail to meet the organization’s goals. That’s why it’s important to learn and practice good project management skills to avoid these issues and ensure successful projects.

CAPM Career Opportunities

Project management jobs are in high demand, in fact, according to industry experts, employers will need more than 87 million people filling project management related roles.  Key growth industries include information services and publishing, finance and insurance, oil and gas, manufacturing and construction, management and professional services and utilities.

Every year, there are more than 500,000 jobs that need people with project management skills, according to the PMI.  Getting your CAPM certification is a great qualification that further validate your project knowledge. After getting your CAPM, you may qualify for careers such as operations assistant, project assistant, project coordinator, and program assistant.

You might be surprised to find job opportunities that don’t mention project management in their titles, but still require project management skills such as planning and organizing work, managing, and building team relationships, and time management.

Preparing for the CAPM Exam

If you considering getting your CAPM certification, RMC offers a free webinar you can attend called Taking the CAPM Exam: What You Need to Know.  Get answers to all your questions from one of RMC’s expert instructors. You can learn more about the CAPM including the exam costs and requirements.

When you are ready to prepare for your CAPM exam, you can stay up-to-date on our 2023 CAPM exam prep materials and classes.