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PMI · Project Management & Agile · Entry

PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam guide

Exam CAPM

PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) validates foundational knowledge of project management principles, predictive and agile approaches, and business analysis. It requires no project experience, making it a common first credential and a route to satisfying PMP's education requirement.

Questions150
Time limit180 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam feeSee official page
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice. Fee note: PMI charges lower fees for members; confirm current pricing on pmi.org.

Who it's for

Students, early-career professionals and team members who want to move into project coordination or later pursue PMP.

What the exam covers

Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts36%
Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies17%
Agile Frameworks/Methodologies20%
Business Analysis Frameworks27%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: A secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) and 23 hours of project management education completed before the exam.

Recommended: No project experience required.

Keeping it active

3-year cycle: earn 15 PDUs and pay the renewal fee.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Project life cycles and core concepts
  • Predictive planning and scheduling
  • Agile and scrum practices
  • Business analysis and requirements
  • Stakeholder and communication basics

Job roles

Project CoordinatorProject AdministratorJunior Project ManagerPMO AnalystBusiness Analyst (junior)

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Complete the 23 contact hours (PMI's CAPM prep course counts) and review the CAPM Exam Content Outline.
  2. Week 2: Fundamentals and core concepts (36%).
  3. Week 3: Predictive methodologies and agile frameworks.
  4. Week 4: Business analysis frameworks (27%) and full timed practice tests.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Business analysis is 27% of the exam; do not skip it.
  • Know which methodology fits each project scenario.
  • Memorize scrum roles, events and artifacts.
  • Use PMI terminology from the PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guide.

Key terms for this exam

All 236 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does CAPM cost?

PMI charges a lower fee for members than non-members; check pmi.org for the current amount.

Do I need experience for CAPM?

No. You need a secondary diploma and 23 hours of project management education.

Does CAPM count toward PMP?

Yes. An active CAPM satisfies the PMP's 35-hour education requirement.

How do I maintain CAPM?

Earn 15 PDUs every 3 years and pay the renewal fee.

CAPM vs Project+?

CAPM is PMI-aligned and leads to PMP; Project+ is vendor-neutral and IT-focused.

Official page: www.pmi.org. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.