How to PASS the CAPM Exam on Your FIRST TRY! | CAPM EXAM PREP & PMP EXAM | Pass CAPM Exam in 2021

Alvin the PM - Become a Certified Project Manager

5 Jan 202113:30

Summary

TLDRIn this video, Alvin shares his journey to passing the CAPM exam in just six weeks with above-target results. He offers practical strategies for exam success, including creating a realistic study schedule, using study guides like Rita's CAPM prep book, making flashcards, practicing mock exams, and focusing on high-level concepts rather than memorization. Alvin emphasizes the importance of consistent practice, time management, and a formula cheat sheet. He also provides a free workbook with over 100 practice questions to help viewers pass their CAPM exam and advance their project management careers.

Takeaways

📜 The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) exam is a certification from the Project Management Institute, ideal for those looking to transition into project management or without the required experience for PMP certification.
🎓 The CAPM certification only requires a secondary degree and 23 hours of project management education; no prior experience in project management is needed.
📅 Creating a realistic study schedule is key. Treat studying like managing a project by setting weekly milestones and tracking progress.
📚 Using resources like Rita's CAPM Exam Prep Book alongside the PMBOK Guide can make understanding complex concepts and ITTOs (Inputs, Tools, Techniques, Outputs) much easier.
🚫 Avoid spending too much time memorizing ITTOs. Focus instead on understanding the high-level processes and how they interact across the project lifecycle.
📝 Flashcards are a simple yet effective tool to help reinforce understanding of key details in process groups, ITTOs, and knowledge areas.
🧠 Creating a personal formula cheat sheet or brain dump can assist with memorizing key processes and formulas during study sessions.
📝 Taking at least three mock exams is highly recommended to simulate the real exam and help with time management and question familiarity.
📊 Review mock exam results carefully to identify areas for improvement and focus future study efforts on weaker areas.
🎉 Passing the CAPM exam can lead to new job opportunities, promotions, and higher salaries, advancing one's career in project management.

Q & A

What is the CAPM exam, and why should you take it?
-The CAPM exam is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed for individuals who want to transition into project management or manage projects but do not yet meet the experience requirements for the PMP exam. The certification validates your understanding of project management fundamentals and can help you advance your career.
What are the eligibility requirements for the CAPM exam?
-To be eligible for the CAPM exam, you need to have a secondary degree (such as a high school diploma or associate's degree) and 23 hours of project management education. The exam does not require any prior project management experience.
How long did the speaker take to prepare for the CAPM exam, and what study plan did they follow?
-The speaker prepared for the CAPM exam in six weeks, following a structured study plan. They set key milestones each week, studied chapters daily from Rita’s CAPM Exam Prep book, watched videos from a Udemy course, and took daily practice questions.
What study materials did the speaker recommend for the CAPM exam?
-The speaker recommended Rita’s CAPM Exam Prep book for its clarity and ease of understanding compared to the PMBOK Guide. They also suggested the Udemy course by Joseph Phillips and used practice exams from Cornelius Fichtner’s CAPM Exam Prep simulator.
What is the PMBOK Guide, and how does it relate to the CAPM exam?
-The PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge) is a comprehensive guidebook that outlines the principles, processes, and knowledge areas in project management. The CAPM exam tests knowledge of the PMBOK Guide, including its ten knowledge areas and five process groups.
Why did the speaker advise against memorizing ITTOs for the CAPM exam?
-The speaker advised against memorizing ITTOs (Inputs, Tools, Techniques, and Outputs) because it's time-consuming and unnecessary. Instead, they recommend understanding the purpose and sequence of each process at a high level, which will help more with answering exam questions.
What strategy did the speaker use to remember key formulas for the CAPM exam?
-The speaker created a 'formula cheat sheet' or brain dump of key mathematical formulas and equations, which they reviewed daily. They used this strategy to help with areas they found challenging, such as earned value analysis formulas.
What practice exams did the speaker use, and how did they benefit from them?
-The speaker used practice exams from Cornelius Fichtner’s CAPM Exam Prep simulator and the Pocket Prep app. Taking at least three mock exams helped the speaker get comfortable with the exam format, manage their time, and analyze their results to improve weak areas.
What was the speaker’s final score on their practice exams, and how did it reflect their preparation?
-The speaker scored 75% on their final practice exam, consistently scoring around 70-75% on earlier ones. This consistent performance gave them confidence that they were well-prepared for the real CAPM exam.
What was the speaker's result on the actual CAPM exam, and what advice do they give to others preparing for the exam?
-The speaker passed the CAPM exam with an 'Above Target' score in all domains. They advise others to stay focused, follow a structured study plan, and use practice exams to prepare thoroughly. They encourage others that passing the CAPM exam will open new career opportunities in project management.