The Project Management Institute (PMI)® announced that a change is coming to the CAPM exam in October 2022 (which they later changed to 2023). This article explores what this change means if you are currently studying for your CAPM exam. (Spoiler alert: Don't delay. Take the exam NOW!)
Why is the CAPM Exam Changing in 2023?
The PMI recently announced a new CAPM Exam Content Outline (ECO) in April 2022. This document defines the syllabus/content of the CAPM exam. The PMI is currently updating the CAPM exam to match the new syllabus, and the new exam will go into effect in 2023.
- Learn more about the CAPM certification: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certified-associate-capm
When is the CAPM Exam Changing?
The CAPM Exam is changing in 2023.
- Learn more about the CAPM Updates: https://www.pmi.org/certifications/certified-associate-capm/capm-exam-updates
What are the 2022 CAPM Exam Changes?
Here are both CAPM Exam Content Outline documents for you to download. Please note that the link to the 2018 document will stop working once PMI removes it from its website:
- Download the new CAPM Exam Content Outline (2023):
- Download the current CAPM Exam Content Outline (2018):
The CAPM Exam Changes Explained
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2018 CAPM ECO Content |
New 2022/3 CAPM ECO Domains |
New 2022/3 CAPM Distribution |
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The 2018 CAPM Exam Content is based on the PMBOK® Guide (Sixth Edition) chapters:
|
Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts |
36% |
|
Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies |
17% |
|
|
Adaptive Frameworks/Methodologies |
20% |
|
|
Business Analysis Frameworks |
27% |
What version of the PMBOK Guide® should I use to prepare for the CAPM exam?
If you are taking the exam before it changes in 2023:
While the PMBOK® Guide (Seventh Edition) or PMBOK7 is available, the current CAPM® exam is still based on the PMBOK® Guide (Sixth Edition) or PMBOK6, so students who are preparing to take the exam BEFORE the update in 2023 should continue using PMBOK6 for CAPM exam preparation.
- Our current CAPM Exam Prep Offerings are based on PMBOK6.
- We offer the CAPM PrepCast, a complete CAPM exam preparation course. The course is an online self-paced set of video podcast lessons that can be accessed via our LMS - Learning Management System or downloaded to a mobile device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. The mobile capability allows one to prepare for the exam when and where it's most convenient.
- We also offer the PM Exam Simulator for the CAPM exam. The simulator contains 650 realistic CAPM Exam questions that will test the CAPM aspirant's knowledge and prepare them for the exam by providing a per-answer and general explanation for each question. The PM Exam Simulator for the CAPM exam compiles statistics that will help to expose knowledge gaps so these can be targeted for improvement.
- These products can also be purchased as a bundle, the CAPM PrepCast Elite, which offers an 18% discount off the retail price of the products purchased separately.
We will retire products based on the 2018 CAPM ECO sometime in 2023 (when the PMI releases the new CAPM exam). The PM PrepCast (Sixth Edition For CAPM) will be discontinued on 2022-Dec-31, and the last day you can order it is 2022-Nov-30. In this way, you have enough time to watch the lessons, earn your Contact Hours, and be ready for your CAPM exam before the end of the year.
Note: The CAPM PrepCast is retired and no longer available.
If you are taking the exam from in 2023 after the exam changes:
The 2022 CAPM Exam Content Outline (page 4) states: “Finally, there are noticeable differences between this updated CAPM ECO and the PMBOK® Guide – Seventh Edition. While there are some commonalities, it is important to note that the volunteer task force involved in the GPA study described previously was not bound by the PMBOK® Guide. The task force members were charged with outlining critical job tasks of individuals at the entry and associate levels based on their experience and pertinent resources.”
In other words, expect some questions to be aligned with PMBOK7 while others do not.
Should I take the CAPM exam before or after the update?
We recommend that you plan on taking the exam before it changes.
As with any PMI exam change, we strongly encourage students if they have sufficient time to prepare to take the current exam (instead of waiting for the updated version) since there are more uncertainties about the new exam format.
Will you update the PM Exam Simulator for CAPM?
Yes. We are planning to update the CAPM Exam Simulator for CAPM to conform to the CAPM ECO (2023). We will also develop new questions. The current CAPM simulator will remain in place until the exam changes in 2023, but at an earlier date, the “new” CAPM simulator will be available for purchase. We do not have a release date on when we will have the CAPM Exam Simulator ready. We have a rough target date of the end of January 2023, but it depends very much on when PMI switches to the new CAPM ECO.
Please note that the initial release of the “new” CAPM simulator may only have two complete exams. Once published, we will wait until the 2023 exam changes and for the next CAPM exam to be developed and published to gather feedback and lessons learned from our students to incorporate that into the “new” CAPM simulator.
Historically, we have provided our eligible simulator customers (with inactivated subscriptions and those with activated & unexpired subscriptions) with the means to upgrade from one version to the next. For users with activated and expired subscriptions, extensions will be available for purchase to allow access to 30/60 days for the updated CAPM simulator. We will communicate these upgrade details as soon as they are finalized.
Will you update The CAPM PrepCast Basic and The PM PrepCast Elite for CAPM?
The CAPM PrepCast Basic and The PM PrepCast Elite (Based on PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition) are no longer available for purchase after November 30, 2022. For more information, refer to this announcement on Discontinuing of All PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition Training Courses
The PMI has not shared a definitive date for the CAPM exam change, the list of reference material, etc. Given the significant changes involved, we currently cannot provide details or updates on our CAPM PrepCast Basic/Elite offering. We still need time to review & understand the change to establish our plans for our CAPM PrepCast Basic & PM PrepCast Elite for CAPM offering.