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PMI CAPM Study Guide

PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is PMI's entry-level project management certification. The exam covers project management fundamentals, predictive plan-based methods, agile frameworks and business analysis. It suits students and early-career team members, and needs no project experience.

  • Exam code CAPM
  • Entry level
  • 4 exam domains

This guide is free, with no sign-up. It explains every PMI CAPM exam topic in plain English, one chapter at a time. Read them in order or jump straight to the topic you need.

  • 4chapters
  • 17topics
  • 6diagrams and exhibits
  • 1 h 4 minfast track
Start with Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
  • Every topic follows the same simple pattern: what it is, how it works, common mistakes
  • Diagrams and real command output where a picture explains it best
  • Exam tips and worked subnetting and IPv6 practice, with answers

How the exam is weighted

Each domain is worth this share of the exam, so spend your study time in proportion. Select a domain to open its chapter.

Chapters

Open a chapter to see its topics and how long each takes.

1Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts6 topics · 23 min fast trackProjects and life cycles, planning, roles and leadership, following planned strategies and common problem-solving tools.
  1. 1Projects, Programs, Portfolios and Life Cycles4 min
  2. 2Risks, Issues, Assumptions, Constraints and Ethics4 min
  3. 3Project Management Planning4 min
  4. 4Project Roles, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence4 min
  5. 5Initiation, Benefits and Following Planned Strategies4 min
  6. 6Meetings and Problem-Solving Tools3 min
Read the chapter overview →
2Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies3 topics · 11 min fast trackWhen a predictive approach fits, process group activities, WBS and critical path, and controls such as earned value variances.
  1. 1When to Use a Predictive Approach3 min
  2. 2WBS, Work Packages and the Critical Path4 min
  3. 3Predictive Artifacts and Cost and Schedule Variances4 min
Read the chapter overview →
3Agile Frameworks/Methodologies4 topics · 15 min fast trackWhen an adaptive approach fits, planning iterations, Scrum, XP, Kanban and SAFe, adaptive artifacts and task management.
  1. 1When to Use an Adaptive Approach4 min
  2. 2Planning Iterations3 min
  3. 3Agile Frameworks Compared (Scrum, XP, Kanban and SAFe)4 min
  4. 4Adaptive Artifacts and Task Management4 min
Read the chapter overview →
4Business Analysis Frameworks4 topics · 15 min fast trackBusiness analysis roles, stakeholder communication, gathering requirements, product roadmaps and validating requirements.
  1. 1Business Analysis Roles and Stakeholder Communication4 min
  2. 2Gathering Requirements4 min
  3. 3Product Roadmaps and Business Analysis in Each Approach4 min
  4. 4Validating Requirements Through Product Delivery3 min
Read the chapter overview →

Ready for more practice?

The full PMI CAPM question bank has 1,049 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.

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