There are so many resources available for study. From guides with tips and tricks, to podcasts and blogs, no matter what your learning style is there are instruments to help you.
One of the best available are training videos. Training videos allow you to learn in a combination of learning styles and can be a very effective tool in your study box.
CAPM is just the beginning
Project Management Institute (PMI) is the global leader for certifications in Project Management. The first step in being a project management professional (PMP) is usually taking the Certified Associate in Project Management – CAPM.
CAPM certification allows you to dip your foot into the project management pool. The requirements aren’t as stringent as going for your PMP but the coursework encompasses the same materials, the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
More companies are requiring certifications in order to get hired and the best way to progress in the field and get the assignments to go forward with your PMP is to start with the CAPM certificate.
CAPM requirements
CAPM allows individuals that don’t have a lot, if any, experience in project management to learn more and get a “beginner’s” certification. Unlike the PMP, which starts by requiring a minimum of 4,500 hours — or 3 years — of project management experience, CAPM doesn’t have any work experience requirement. For those that are just starting out, right out of high school or changing careers because they see the growth potential in the field, CAPM is a good start.
To sit for the CAPM exam you must have
- a secondary degree — high school diploma or global equivalent; and
- 23 hours of project management education
The 23 hours of project management education, or contact hours, are provided in a variety of training programs, both in person and online. Many offer more than 23 hours which can be beneficial in the long run. Contact hours don’t expire and the ones you get for CAPM training can be used when you go forward with other certifications, like SCRUM, Agile, or PMP.
Training programs will provide you with the basis of what you need and throw you into the deep end with the PMBOK. But when it comes to studying to take the exam, you may want to look into the variety of training videos that are available.
The Advantage of Training Videos for CAPM review
The contact hours are the beginning. The focused coursework will provide you with the basis of your study. Once you have completed the course, you can schedule your exam, and this is where finding additional study materials comes in.
Many of the trainings offer offline video walkthrough learning modules. In particular, self-paced learning will allow you to go back to knowledge areas and processes that you may want to focus additional study on.
Videos provide you with a combination learning style. Three of the learning styles are encapsulated, Visual, Verbal, and Solitary. CAPM videos provide you with diagrams, and presentations, professional presenters, and the ability to work on your own, whenever and wherever you can schedule the time for study.
The CAPM exam itself is 150 multiple choice questions, given over the course of three hours. It can currently be taken online or at a Pearson Vue Center. Once you have your certificate of completion for your contact hours, you have one year to take the exam. You can take it up to three times, but you will need to pay the exam fee each time.
The exam itself will cover the ten knowledge areas and five process groups included in the PMBOK. All good videos will cover these as well. Brain Sensei’s CAPM Exam Prep Course allows you to stream the course videos through Spotify and Apple podcast apps. They also provide you with “4 practice exams with 600 practice questions to ensure no stone is left unturned.”
Other areas that you may want to study would be Lean, Agile, Scrum, and Six Sigma. Many of the courses provide additional information on these as well.
When seeking out training videos that aren’t part of your focused curriculum make sure they provide you with the following:
- Key concepts of the PMBOK provided in exam form. This should include, as mentioned above, the ten project management knowledge areas as well as the five process groups that go into the 47 processes of project management
- Math related videos that work with the requirements of the CAPM study guide.
- Tips and tricks to help you understand and retain the processes
- Links between the knowledge areas and processes.
Training videos can be actual instructional videos or exam guides that help you know how to approach the exam and ensure that you are able to answer all of the questions in the allotted time.
Selecting a CAPM Training provider
Selecting a provider isn’t just about the quality of the videos. When seeking out focused training look at courses that provide:
- Expert Instructors
- PMI approval
- Good Feedback and Testimonials
- Satisfy the Contact Hours Requirement and
- Are upfront with pricing are all companies that you should look at
Take the time to research the instructors. Talk to colleagues, past students, even your employer, to see what courses they may recommend.
To push the point, a PMP course provider should:
- Satisfy the minimum 23 contact hours and a certificate of completion
- Provide structured content and material
- Provide real-life examples to sample questions and answers
- Have positive feedback through students, PMI, employers, and reviews
Many courses also provide access to other students, even in the self-paced options. Through social media you can join study groups and help others as well as yourself.
The CAPM Exam Fee
If you haven’t become a member yet, you may want to join PMI prior to scheduling your exam. If you are a member your fee for the exam is $225. Students can get a reduced rate annual membership with PMI for $32 per year. Non members of PMI will pay $300 for your certification exam fee.
PMI membership isn’t just about saving money on fees. It’s about becoming part of the global community of certified project managers, keeping you up to date and knowing the trends to come.
Taking the Exam
With your study complete and your videos absorbed, it’s time to put away your tools and take the exam.
PMI has set the following standards for the questions on the exam:
- Introduction to Project Management 6%
- Project Environment 6%
- Role of the Project Manager 7%
- Project Integration Management 9%
- Project Scope Management 9%
- Project Schedule Management 9%
- Project Cost Management 8%
- Project Quality Management 7%
- Project Resource Management 8%
- Project Communication Management 10%
- Project Risk Management 8%
- Project Procurement Management 4%
- Project Stakeholder Management 9%
Best estimates are that a percentage above 70% will allow you to pass the exam and become a CAPM certificate holder, and remember, if need be you can take the exam up to three times within a year after originally submitting your application.
CAPM Training Videos help you to get through the self-paced learning programs and focus your study to ace the exam. Once you’re a CAPM certificate holder, not only will your salary increase, but your opportunities.
If you can’t get your PMP within three years of certification you will need to make sure that you have the right amount of PDU (Professional Development Units) also known as, Continuing Certificate Requirements (CCR) but that’s another blog.
No experience leading projects but still want to get into project management? No problem! Check out these articles.
CAPM Certification Eligibility
What is a Certified Project Manager; How do I get PM Certifications
Have you led projects and are looking to earn a project management certification? You might be interested in learning about how lucrative this can be. Check out these articles.