Certified Analytics Professional Certification brought to you by INFORMS

CAP-EssentialsCAP-Essentials (CAP-E)

CAP-Essentials is designed for analytics professionals who are building or formalizing their foundational knowledge. It demonstrates that you understand the analytics process end-to-end and can execute work with rigor. If you want employers, colleagues, and clients to know you grasp more than just tools and dashboards, CAP-Essentials is the credential that says so.

No application. No prerequisites. No eligibility requirements. Agree to the Code of Ethics and pass the exam.

→ Purchase Your CAP-Essentials Exam

Is CAP-Essentials Right for You?

CAP-Essentials is a strong fit if you are:

  • An early-career analytics professional who wants to validate your foundational knowledge

  • A student entering the analytics field who wants a recognized credential to distinguish yourself

  • A professional from another field who has moved into analytics and wants to formalize what you know

  • A stakeholder or contributor to analytics projects who wants to demonstrate you understand the full analytics process

There is no experience minimum and no application process. If you are ready to prove you know the work, you are eligible.

What CAP-Essentials Validates

The CAP-Essentials exam is based on the INFORMS Analytics Framework, the same framework used across all three CAP certification levels. The exam covers seven domains:

  Domain Weight Focus Area
I Business Problem (Question) Framing 16% Understanding the business problem and evaluating its scope
II Analytics Problem Framing 16% Translating the business problem into an analytics problem
III Data 19% Identifying, manipulating, and documenting data for the analytics problem
IV Methodology (Approach) Framing 16% Selecting methods, techniques, software, and tools
V Analytics/Model Development 16% Identifying, calibrating, and communicating model findings
VI Deployment 9% Delivering the analytics solution into the business
VII Analytics Solution Lifecycle Management 8% Ongoing oversight, calibration, and training

Exam questions cover concept definitions, descriptive and diagnostic analytics, analytics terminology, and business problem identification. Download the CAP-Essentials Exam Blueprint for the complete list of tasks and responsibilities assessed on the exam.

CAP-Essentials Exam Fees 

Fee type INFORMS Members Nonmembers
CAP-Essentials Exam Fee $195 $275
CAP-Essentials Retake Fee $150 $200
CAP-Essentials Recertification Fee $150 $200
Refund processing Fee $100 $100
Exam Appeals Fee $125 $125

Developing country pricing

INFORMS offers reduced exam fees for candidates residing in countries classified by the World Bank as low-income, lower middle-income, and select upper middle-income economies.

See the list of qualifying countries
Country tier INFORMS Members Nonmembers
Low-income countries $98 $138
Lower-middle-income countries $137 $193
Upper-middle-income countries $156 $220

INFORMS members save on every CAP exam.

Learn about INFORMS membership

Organizations certifying multiple team members may be eligible for group pricing. Contact [email protected] for details.

How to Get Started

Registration is direct. No application is required.

  1. Select your exam

Visit https://certifiedanalytics.org/purchase-exam to choose your CAP exam.

  1. Create or sign in to your account

Create your INFORMS account or sign in with your existing INFORMS credentials. Be sure to include your address and phone number, which are needed to schedule your exam.

  1. Register and pay the exam fee

Select either the CAP-Essentials remote exam or the CAP-Essentials test center exam. Complete the CAP-Essentials candidate form and pay the exam fee. Once payment is confirmed, your 12-month testing window begins.

  1. Schedule your exam

After payment, login at https://app.prolydian.com/organizations/INFORMS using your INFORMS username and password. Navigate to Exams/My exams to schedule your exam through Prolydian. Exams are offered on a continual basis at computer-based testing centers worldwide and via online proctoring. Schedule at least 24 hours in advance and do not wait until the end of your 12- month testing window — appointment availability is first-come, first-served.

  1. Prepare and take the exam

Review the resources below, study on your timeline, and take the exam. You will receive your pass/fail result immediately upon completion and an official digital score report within 48 hours.

  1. Earn your credential

Upon passing, your CAP-Essentials certification is valid for five years. You can recertify by retesting. CAP-Essentials certificants may also upgrade to CAP-Pro at any time.

Preparing for the Exam

Resources

Study tips

  • Start with the exam blueprint (it tells you exactly what is tested) and honestly assess your familiarity with each domain.

  • Develop a study timeline and work through the blueprint systematically.

  • Use the study guide and glossary to fill gaps in your knowledge.

  • Review the sample questions in the study guide to understand the question format.

  • If you find significant gaps across multiple domains, consider the optional INFORMS CAP Prep course.

About the Exam

  • The exam is 105–120 multiple-choice questions, three hours of testing time

  • Block four hours if testing at a center, or four to five hours for remote proctoring, to allow time for check-in and security screening

  • Read each question carefully — pace yourself and do not leave any question unanswered

  • For remote exams: review the technical requirements to ensure your computer meets them (test takers whose computer does not meet technical requirements risk forfeiting their exam attempt and exam fees), download the Guardian Browser, test your system, and clear your testing area a few days before your exam date

Learn more about the remote exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility and Registration

Are there eligibility requirements for CAP-Essentials?

No. There are no education or experience requirements to sit for the CAP-Essentials exam. The certification is open to anyone who wants to validate their analytics project management competency. You agree to the Code of Ethics and pass the exam.

How do I create an INFORMS account?

  1. Go to myaccount.informs.org/s/login/SelfRegister.
  2. Fill in your personal information, including your name, email address, mailing address, phone number and a password of your choosing.
    1. These contact fields are required to enable exam scheduling.
  3. Submit the form. You will receive a confirmation email, and your account is ready to use.
  4. You can then click here to choose your CAP exam and login.

Note: The site requires JavaScript to be enabled. If the page appears broken or incomplete, check your browser settings to make sure JavaScript is turned on. If you run into trouble, contact INFORMS Customer Service at [email protected] or 1-443-757-3500.

How long do I have to take the exam after I pay?

You have 12 months from the date of payment of your first exam to schedule and complete your exam. Exam fees are forfeited if you do not test within your testing window. The 12-month testing window for retakes exams is based on the payment date of your first exam. Extensions are not available.

The Exam

Where and when is the exam offered?

The CAP-Essentials exam is offered on a continual basis at computer-based testing centers worldwide and via online proctoring. Visit Meazure Learning and click on Test Cities to find a testing center near you.

How long is the exam?

The exam is three hours of testing time. This does not include the time to connect and complete the check-in process. Plan to block four hours if testing at a center, or four to five hours for remote proctoring.

How many questions are on the exam?

The CAP-Pro exam contains 105–120 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers and one correct answer. Only 100 questions are scored. The remaining questions are unscored pretest items used for future exam development.

What is the passing score?

INFORMS uses a criterion-referenced methodology to set the passing score. There is no curve and candidates are not competing with each other. You will receive your pass/fail result immediately upon completing the exam and an official digital score report within 48 hours. Scores are confidential and will not be disclosed except as required by law.

Is the exam open book? Do I need to know a specific programming language?

No. No books, notes, or materials of any kind may be used during the exam. The exam is software and vendor neutral — it assesses analytics knowledge and judgment, not proficiency in any specific tool or language.

Do I have to pass each domain separately?

No. Pass/fail decisions are based on your total score only.

What languages is the exam offered in?

The CAP-Pro exam is offered in English.

Can I arrange special accommodations?

Yes. INFORMS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Complete the special accommodation form to make arrangements before scheduling your exam.

Click here to arrange special accommodations.

Is CAP-Essentials the same as the former aCAP certification?

CAP-Essentials serves the same audience as the former aCAP certification and is based on the same INFORMS Analytics Framework. aCAP is no longer available to new candidates. See certifiedanalytics.org/acap for information about the aCAP transition path.

Retakes and Refunds

If I fail, can I retake the exam?

Yes. You may retake the exam up to two times within a 12-month period, with a required 30-day waiting period between attempts. Each retake requires an additional fee.

Can I reschedule my exam?

Yes. Reschedule through your Prolydian profile at least 48 hours before your scheduled exam time at no additional cost. Rescheduling within 48 hours of the exam is not permitted. Candidates who miss their exam appointment forfeit that attempt and the associated fee.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds are available, less a $100 processing fee, if requested within 90 days of payment and before your testing window closes, whichever comes first. Candidates who cancel within two business days of a scheduled exam are not eligible for a refund. Refund requests must be submitted by email to [email protected].

Maintaining Your Certification

How long is CAP-Essentials certification valid?

CAP-Essentials certification is valid for five years.

How do I recertify?

CAP-Essentials certificants may recertify every five years by retesting. You may also upgrade your certification by sitting for the CAP-Pro or CAP-Expert exam at any time during your certification cycle.

Ready to Get Started?

Register directly. No application needed.

→ Purchase Your CAP-Essentials Exam

Questions? Contact the INFORMS certification team at [email protected].

Not sure this is the right level? Compare all CAP certifications.