The PMI changes the exam content every few years. These changes can be due to a new exam content outline, a new version of the PMBOK Guide, or after a role delineation study.
However, the current change in the CAPM exam is different and this is what we are going to discuss in this blog post. This change will be implemented in September 2019.
The PMI is making two changes regarding the CAPM exam:
- Structural Change in Question Type
- Procedural Change in Exam Application
Structural Change in Question Type
All previous exam changes have seen a significant number of exam questions altered. However, this time, there is no change to question content; the difference is in the way they are represented to you. The syllabus will be the same.
Moreover, you will see two new types of questions: matching and multiple-choice questions with more than one correct answer.
In the matching questions you will have two lists, and you have to match the items from these lists as per the instructions.
For multiple-choice questions with multiple answers, you will be made aware of how many correct options you will have to select for these questions.
Change in Exam Application Procedure
Along with these changes, the PMI has also simplified the process of applying for the CAPM exam by removing the 1,500 hours experience requirement. Just attend the 23 contact hours training program and apply for the CAPM exam.
Please note that there has been no relaxation on the educational requirements. You have to have a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent) to apply for the CAPM exam.
Also, the PMI made it easier to apply for the PMP exam if you are a CAPM certification holder. Now you can directly apply for the PMP exam without attending a 35 contact hours training program.
When Will this Change Happen?
This change will be implemented in September 2019, and you will be able to apply for the newly formatted exam from 28 August, 2019 onward.
So, if you want to attempt the exam based on the current pattern, you should schedule your test now and attempt to take it before September 2019.
There is no need to fret over these changes, as there has been no alteration to the CAPM Exam Content Outline or the PMBOK Guide; only the structure of the exam has changed and this is relatively minor.
Only a few questions will be based on these two new patterns. Though the PMI did not disclose the number of questions that will be altered, they said the impact will be small.
If you are a CAPM certification holder, you can apply for the PMP exam on or after 28 August 2019 without attending a training program.
Summary
The latest changes do not modify curriculum content, so your study materials are still valid. Although there are some changes in the type of questions, this change will affect only a small percentage of questions.
The other change is a procedural one. Here the PMI has relaxed the rules for applying for the CAPM exam by forgoing the experience requirement, making it easier for CAPM certification holders to apply for the PMP exam without attending any additional training.
Both of these changes are for the good and will make the entire process smoother. However, if you are worried about this change, you should schedule and take the exam by the end of August, 2019.
For the latest update on the changes to the CAPM exam, you can visit the PMI website by clicking here.