How to study CAPM Exam

PMI offered the following courses and books help you prepare for the certification tests.

• A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) - Sixth Edition.
• CAPM handbook
• Project Management Basics - the official PMI online course

Reference: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certified-associate-capm

Exam Topics

The syllabus of the PMI CAPM certification exam consists of 13 topics covering a wide range of knowledge and skills that the candidates need to develop before attempting the test. The highlights of these domains are outlined below:

• Project Communication Management (10%)

  This module requires a solid understanding of 3 project management processes within the project communication management domain. The applicants should also demonstrate the ability to determine the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 3 project communication management processes. They have to be capable of determining the key approaches & concepts of project communication management, including tailoring & special considerations for the adaptive or Agile environments; defining the dimensions of communication and communications management plan elements; determining the communications skills and techniques for project communication management.

• Project Cost Management (8%)

  The specialists should have an understanding of 4 project management processes in the framework of the project cost management domain. They need to possess the skills in determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 4 project cost management processes. The test takers should also demonstrate their proficiency in determining the key concepts of project cost management, including tailoring & special considerations for the adaptive or Agile environments, as well as applying fundamental earned value & forecasting techniques for project cost management.

• Project Scope Management (9%)

  The learners should demonstrate a comprehension of 6 project management processes in the framework of the project scope management domain. They should also be capable of determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 6 processes of the project scope management. Additionally, this domain requires their skills in determining the key concepts & tailoring consideration for the project scope management, as well as the key scope management roles. Lastly, they must be able to determine the function & components of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for Project scope & Product as well as the project scope management for the adaptive or agile projects, including the usage of prototypes.

• Project Integration Management (9%)

  This section of the certification exam evaluates the competency of the test takers in 7 project management processes in the framework of the project integration management domain. The students should also possess the skills in determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 7 processes of the project integration management. They also need to have an understanding of the project integration management purpose as well as the role of a project manager in it. In addition, the candidates need to be able to determine the concepts & procedures related to project change management, define tailoring consideration in the framework of the project integration management, determine key documents, as well as identify the methods for project integration & knowledge management.

• Project Stakeholder Management (9%)

  The last objective of the certification exam requires your understanding of 4 project management processes in the framework of the project stakeholder management domain. The candidates will need to demonstrate the relevant skills in determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 4 project stakeholder management processes; identifying the key stakeholders’ roles & needs; determine the key concepts & benefits of stakeholder management.

• Project Schedule Management (9%)

  In the framework of this subject area, the examinees will be asked to determine 6 project management processes in the framework of the project schedule management domain; define the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 6 processes of the project schedule management; determine the considerations for the adaptive or Agile environments within project schedule management. They should also be capable of solving simple problems related to network diagrams as well as execute fundamental scheduling calculations.

• Project Risk Management (8%)

  Here the learners will be required to demonstrate their understanding of 7 project management processes within the project risk management domain. They will need to show their ability to determine the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 7 project risk management processes; define the key documents within project risk management; execute simple risk calculations; identify when and how to adjust risk taking into consideration the project environment.

• Project Resource Management (8%)

  The professionals will be asked to demonstrate their ability to determine 6 project management processes in the framework of the project resource management domain. They will also be required to show their skills in determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 6 processes of the project resource management; defining the key trends & concepts associated with project resource management, including tailoring & special considerations for the agile or adaptive environment; determining the techniques for managing conflict, resolving resource-related problems, and developing a team. Moreover, the examinees must possess an understanding of the elements of a resource management plan as well as data representation methods for managing project resources.

• Project Manager Role (7%)

  The individuals must be able to identify the major functions of a Project Manager, comprehend a Project Manager’s area of influence, determine the main elements of the PMI triangle, as well as differentiate leadership and management.

• Project Environment (6%)

  The focus of this topic is to measure the candidates’ ability to define the factors as well as assets that can affect the result of a particular project. They should also be able to differentiate the organizational systems as well as determine the hierarchy of portfolios, projects, and programs. Lastly, they need to have an understanding of the Project Management Office purpose & activities.

• Project Procurement Management (4%)

  The students should have a good comprehension of 3 processes in the project procurement management domain. They should also be able to determine the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 3 project procurement processes; determine the key concepts & tailoring considerations for project procurement management, comprising trends & emerging practices; define various types of source selection techniques, agreements, and contracts.

• Introduction to Project Management (6%)

  The applicants need to demonstrate a good comprehension of 5 project management process groups as well as the procedures within each group. They should also be capable of determining the relationships among program, portfolio, operational management, and project. Besides that, they must be able to determine a typical project lifecycle as well as know the function & role of tailoring for various projects.

• Project Quality Management (7%)

  This part of the certification exam requires one’s understanding of 3 project management processes in the framework of the project quality management domain. The individuals should also demonstrate that they have skills in determining the techniques, tools, input, and outputs pointed out in 3 quality management processes. Moreover, they need to have a good comprehension of the reasons for & approaches to adapting quality management in various project environments and know how to determine the quality tools & approaches for continuous improvement.