Achieve CAPM Exam Success, 2nd Edition

A Concise Study Guide and Desk Reference

Diane Altwies, Janice Preston Preston, Frank Reynolds

• Publisher: J. Ross Publishing
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781604270877
• eBook ISBN: 9781604277463
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Project Management
• Index: Business

Used in conjunction with PMI's PMBOK Guide — Fifth Edition (2013), this concise study guide presents all the fundamental knowledge, concepts, exercises, practice questions, and simulated exams needed to prepare for and successfully pass the CAPM exam on your first try. However, this book is much more than a study guide. It is a valuable desk reference that project team members can use to improve their effectiveness and contribution to the success of a project and is also a good resource for those considering a career in project management. Readers will have free web-based access for 45 days to over 1000 questions including hundreds of situational questions, enabling users to perform practice tests by simulating actual 150-question exams and arrange questions by knowledge area. (Note: This access begins when you register for the test bank, not when you purchase the book.)

CHAPTER 1 STUDY TIPS & ASSESSMENT EXAM

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WHAT IS A CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CAPM)?

A CAPM is a project manager or project participant who:

• Has been responsible for individual project tasks in his or her area of expertise
• Has a demonstrated understanding of the fundamental knowledge, processes, and terminology as defined within Project Management Institute (PMI) standards
• Has a high school diploma, or equivalent, with at least 1,500 hours of experience as part of a project management team or 23 hours of project management training
• Has passed a CAPM exam administered by PMI

CAPM EXAM SPECIFICS

The exam has the following characteristics:

• It assesses the knowledge and application of globally accepted project management concepts, techniques and procedures
• It covers the ten knowledge areas and the five process groups as detailed in A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Fifth Edition (PMBOK^® Guide)
• It contains 150 multiple choice questions
• It includes 15 questions that are pre-exam questions being field-tested by PMI that do not affect your exam score
• It takes up to three hours

The table on the following page summarizes the distribution of exam questions across each of the 13 chapters of the PMBOK^® Guide.

Note that the information in this chart may change from time to time. Consult the PMI website (www.pmi.org) for the most current information.

STUDY TIPS

Below is a list of recommended study tips from project managers who have successfully passed the CAPM exam. Think about each one and determine which suggestions are the best for your learning style.

• Develop a plan for studying; see page 1-17 for a sample study plan utilizing the PMBOK^® Guide and this study guide
• Follow the plan on a daily or weekly basis; it is important for you to commit to studying
• Make a checklist of things you need to study
• Plan your study sessions with time limitations
• Vary tasks and topics during lengthy study periods
• Find one special place for studying and use it only for that
• Eliminate distractions
  • If daydreaming, walk away
  • Take brief breaks (5 to 10 minutes) after about 50 minutes of study
  
• Continue to test yourself
  • Use lots of practice exams
  • Create your own exams
  • Your goal should be to consistently achieve 80% correctness
• Understand the big concepts first
  • Restate, repeat, and put in your own words
• Memorize
  • Important people mentioned in this textbook and their contributions to project management
  • Formulas
  • Processes and their order
  • Inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs of each process
  • Key terms from the PMBOK^® Guide
• Use memorizing methods such as:
  • Flip-charts
  • Diagrams
  • Mnemonics
  • Memory searches (relate to past experiences)
• Prepare for the exam day
  • Get a good night’s rest
  • Avoid last-minute cramming
  • Have a good breakfast
  • Leave books at home
  • Use the calculator on the electronic testing system
  • Go with a positive attitude
  • Get to the exam site early

EXAM TIPS

The exam tests your knowledge of the PMBOK^® Guide by asking you many questions on definitions and inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs, and it has many situational questions that determine how well you apply PMBOK^® Guide concepts to real-life situations. Most people can succ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• FOREWORD
• PREFACE
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• AUTHORS’ INFORMATION
• WEB ADDED VALUE™
• CHAPTER 1 STUDY TIPS & ASSESSMENT EXAM
• CHAPTER 2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW
• CHAPTER 3 PROCESSES
• CHAPTER 4 INTEGRATION
• CHAPTER 5 SCOPE
• CHAPTER 6 TIME
• CHAPTER 7 COST
• CHAPTER 8 QUALITY
• CHAPTER 9 HUMAN RESOURCES
• CHAPTER 10 COMMUNICATIONS
• CHAPTER 11 RISK
• CHAPTER 12 PROCUREMENT
• CHAPTER 13 STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
• CHAPTER 14 FINAL EXAM
• CHAPTER 15 APPENDICES