Question 1Predictive project controls
A work package has a planned value of US$50,000, an earned value of US$45,000 and an actual cost of US$48,000. What is the cost variance?
The CAPM passing score
PMI does not publish a passing score or a percentage for the CAPM. Your result is a pass or fail on the 135 scored questions, so any figure you see quoted is a guess.
| Questions | 150: 135 scored and 15 unscored |
|---|---|
| Time | 3 hours, with a 10-minute break after question 75 |
| Domains | Four, weighted 36%, 17%, 20% and 27% |
| Passing score | Not published by PMI |
What PMI does publish
The exam has 150 questions: 135 scored and 15 unscored pretest questions placed at random. The outline fixes each domain's share of the questions, and every exam includes all the tasks of each domain. PMI's scoring experts review the scoring model from time to time.
How to judge your readiness
- Take full timed practice exams: 150 questions in 3 hours, across the four domains by their weights.
- Fix the heaviest weak domain first. Fundamentals (36%) and business analysis (27%) carry the most.
- Answer every question, and review the first 75 before the break, because you cannot return to them after it.
Try 3 questions
Question 2Project management planning
Residents near a construction site care a great deal about noise and traffic but have little power over the project. Which engagement strategy fits them on a power/interest grid?
Question 3Adaptive project controls
A software team at a bank agrees that every item must pass code review, automated tests and a security scan before it counts as complete. What has the team created?
Next step
Questions people ask
What percentage do you need to pass the CAPM?
PMI does not publish one. The exam is reported as a pass or fail on the 135 scored questions.
Do the 15 unscored questions count?
No. They are pretest questions that do not affect the score, but they are placed at random, so treat every question as if it counts.
Do I need to pass every domain?
PMI does not publish a pass mark for each domain. The safest plan is to have no weak domain, starting with the heaviest ones.