What is the CAPM Exam Structure?

Today we will talk about the CAPM exam structure.

Many future Project Management Associates ask: What is the CAPM Exam Structure? How is it laid out? What should I expect during the test?

The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification is the most popular credential in project management for professionals with little or no experience. It validates your knowledge and understanding of project management terms.

This certification establishes your credibility by showing you have undergone a rigorous training process and computer-based exam to earn it. Once you pass this test, you are a CAPM.

As you prepare for the CAPM,  it’s helpful to understand the structure of the CAPM exam.

The test comprises multiple-choice questions with no negative marking. In other words, it does not deduct points for wrong answers, so there’s no penalty for guessing. 

CAPM Exam Structure

The CAPM exam has 150 questions, of which 15 are pretest questions. The marks for these pretest questions will not be added to your total score. These 15 questions are randomly inserted, and you cannot differentiate these questions from the real questions. These are used to test the validity of future examinations.

The exam duration is three hours, with no scheduled breaks. If you pause for a few moments, the exam clock will continue to tick. Prepare to be seated for the duration.

Breaks are not allowed during the online proctored test for any reason. Leaving your desk will terminate the exam. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are also prohibited during the exam.

Now, let’s focus on the CAPM exam structure. 

The CAPM exam is based on the PMBOK Guide. The percentage of questions from each chapter of the PMBOK Guide 6th edition are as follows:

The questions are evenly distributed throughout all chapters. Therefore, pay attention to the entire PMBOK Guide. Don’t skip any concepts. Move on to the next chapter once you have a good command of the current one.

Language Aids

The CAPM exam is available in 13 different languages at no additional cost to you if English is not your first language.

The CAPM Exam

You will watch a tutorial session before the test. This will explain how the test process works and how to navigate the exam environment: for example, how to select an answer, how to mark a question for later review, etc. The tutorial duration is fifteen minutes.

Once you finish the tutorial, your test will start. Please note that you cannot make any notes with you during the tutorial or test for proctored-based tests. For a center-based test, you can make notes during the exam.

After you complete all the questions and submit your answers, you will be asked to fill out a survey, and then you can see your results. The tutorial and the survey duration are not added to your three hours of exam time.

Summary

The CAPM exam has 150 questions distributed across the 13 chapters of the PMBOK Guide. The CAPM exam is based on the PMBOK Guide; therefore, you must understand the PMBOK Guide to pass the CAPM exam. Read the PMBOK Guide as often as possible; the more you prepare, the better the result.

Good luck with your CAPM exam.

I hope the CAPM exam structure is clear to you. If you have questions about it, post them in the comments section, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.