What's the Difference Between the CAPM and PMP Examinations?

Founded in 1969, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is best-known as the publisher of, "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)." PMBOK is considered one of the most important tools in the project management profession today. The PMI offers two levels of project management certification, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

PMI certifies project team members as Certified Associate in Project Management, or CAPMs. The certification process requires a candidate to document their work experience and pass an on-line exam. Here is the full requirement for the CAPM:



•Number of questions: 150

•Question type: Multiple-choice

•Time allowed: 3 hours

•Educational background: High school diploma, or global equivalent

•Required project management experience: 1500 hours of work on a project team, or 23 hours of project management education

•Project management education: not needed

•Exam Fee: $225.00 for PMI members and $300.00 for non-members

•Maintenance Requirement: Re-exam after 5 years

The CAPM exam is split into areas with a candidate expected to answer questions in each area:



•Project Management Framework 4%

•Project Life Cycle and Organisation 4%

•Project Management Processes 11%

•Project Integration Management 11%

•Project Scope Management 11%

•Project Time Management 11%

•Project Cost Management 9%

•Project Quality Management 7%

•Project Human Resources Management 7%

•Project Communications Management 7%

•Project Risk Management 11%

•Project Procurement Management 7%

Project Management Professional (PMP)

PMI certifies project managers who lead and direct project teams as professionals, or PMPs. The certification process requires a candidate to document their work experience and pass an on-line exam. Here is the full requirement for the PMP:



•Number of questions: 200

•Question type: Multiple-choice

•Time allowed: 4 hours

•Educational background: Category 1: Bachelor's degree and Category 2: High school diploma, or global equivalent

•Required project management experience: Category 1: 4,500 hours (3 years) and Category 2: 7,500 hours (5 years)

•Project management education: 35 hours

•Exam Fee: $405.00 for PMI members and $555.00 for non-members

•Maintenance Requirement: Collect 60 PDUs in 3 years

The PMP exam is split into areas with a candidate expected to answer questions in each area:



•Project Initiation 11%

•Project Planning 23%

•Project Execution 27%

•Monitoring and Controlling 21%

•Project Closing 9%

•Professional and Social Responsibility 9%

The main difference between the two exams is the focus. Most of the CAPM questions are from the surface of the subject and about the processes. You can expect a lot of direct questions related to process input, tools and outputs. In the PMP exam, questions are more difficult and delve deep into the subject. You can expect several situation based questions, where PMI wants to see whether a candidate can apply PMBOK guidelines when deciding on a course of action.