SearchAre you a young professional who is currently considering entering the realm that is Project Management? If so, obtaining your CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) is a great place to start. I recently took the CAPM exam and passed on my first try, so I’d like to share my experience on what I think works. Just like how everyone has a different fingerprint, a lot of us have different studying techniques, so take my information however you’d like and use it to build on what works for you.
My first (and cheap) recommendation would be to get a copy of Rita Mulcahy’s book titled CAPM Exam Prep: Rita Mulcahy’s Course in a Book for Passing the CAPM Exam. She does a great job outlining all the main points that you will need to know for the test, and at the end of each chapter she includes a game and a quiz to assess what you’ve learned. I highly encourage doing the activities that she provides. Take your time when going over the material and really understand the inputs, tools & techniques, and the outputs that go into each project phase. This is what the Project Management Institute loves to test you on for the CAPM. Also, be sure to reward yourself with a few breaks here and there so your brain doesn’t go into overdrive. It can be a lot of information to take in, but I promise most of it can be common sense.
My next recommendation would be to study using Kaplan selftests. This is a great tool to test your knowledge because it offers you 500+ questions! That may seem like a lot, but it really does hit all the key points, and if you miss a question it gives an explanation for why each possible answer is wrong/right. I liked to take my time and do 10-15 questions and then go over them in detail. Once you have gone over all the questions and feel comfortable, Kaplan has a practice exam that mimics the CAPM. With this you can get a feel for what it will be like for you the day you take your exam.
Lastly, I would say to read other people’s blogs, watch YouTube videos, or even reach out to someone you may know that is a CAPM. Take what you learned from there and incorporate it into what works for you and make it happen! Good luck!
