Certified Analytics Professional Certification brought to you by INFORMS

CAP ExpertCAP-Expert (CAP-X)

CAP-Expert is the highest level of CAP certification, designed for senior analytics leaders who set strategy, drive organizational outcomes, and apply the full breadth of the analytics process at an expert level. It is a vendor- and technology-neutral credential that validates mastery across all seven domains of the INFORMS Analytics Framework.

You must apply and meet eligibility requirements to take the 100-question, 3-hour CAP-Expert exam. It is accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) under ISO/IEC 17024.

Not sure which certification is right for you?

CAP-Expert is for analytics professionals leading teams and driving organizational strategy. If you are an analytics professional who leads or significantly contribute to one or more analytics initiatives, CAP-Pro may be a better fit. Visit our certification comparison page to see all three levels side by side.

What CAP-Expert Validates

The CAP-Expert exam covers all seven domains of the INFORMS Analytics Framework, with the following distribution of scored questions:

  Domain Weight Focus Area
I Business Problem (Question) Framing 16% Understanding the business problem and evaluating its scope
II Analytics Problem Framing 17% Translating the business problem into an analytics problem
III Data 21% Identifying, manipulating, and documenting data for the analytics problem
IV Methodology (Approach) Framing 13% Selecting methods, techniques, software, and tools
V Analytics/Model Development 16% Identifying, calibrating, and communicating model findings
VI Deployment 10% Delivering the analytics solution into the business
VII Analytics Solution Lifecycle Management 7% Ongoing oversight, calibration, and training

Download the full CAP-Expert Exam Blueprint forthe complete list of tasks and responsibilities assessed on the exam.

Is CAP-Expert Right for You?

CAP-Expert is a strong fit if you are someone who understands and can communicate the reasoning why behind the choices when applying the full analytics process, leading teams, and setting analytics strategy. You must meet the eligibility requirements to be approved to sit for the exam.

CAP-Expert is a strong fit if you are:

  • A senior analytics practitioner, director, or principal who leads analytics work at an organizational level

  • An analytics professional who sets strategy, aligns analytics to business objectives, and drives outcomes across teams

  • A professional who wants the most rigorous, accredited analytics credential available

  • An experienced leader across multiple analytics and AI initiatives that have driven business impact

  • A CAP-Pro that is ready to demonstrate the next level of mastery and leadership

You might consider a different level if:

  • You lead or significantly contribute to analytics projects, but not setting analytics strategy: Consider CAP-Pro

  • You are early in your career and still building foundational knowledge: Consider CAP-Essentials

CAP-Expert Eligibility Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

CAP-Expert has education and experience requirements. You must meet one of the following:

  • Advanced degree (master's or doctoral) with 2 years of analytics work experience; OR

  • Bachelor's degree with 4 years of analytics work experience; OR

  • No degree with 8 years of analytics work experience

SOFT SKILLS REQUIRED

A current or former employer or colleague must confirm your competency in the following areas:

  • Partnering with business clients

  • Framing problems with stakeholders

  • Working in project teams

  • Interviewing subject matter experts

  • Eliciting information from groups

  • Communicating results to decision makers

  • Delivering value

As part of the application, you identify a verifier and an email is sent to them with a link to the soft skills confirmation site. Self-employed consultants may request confirmation from a recent client.

CODE OF ETHICS

Agree to the CAP Code of Ethics.

CAP-Expert Exam Fees

Fee Type INFORMS Members Nonmembers
Application fee (nonrefundable) $55 $55
Exam fee $440 $640
Retake fee $300 $400
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
Fee Type INFORMS Members Nonmembers
Low-Income Countries $220 $320
Lower-Middle Income Countries $308 $448
Upper-Middle Income Countries $352 $512

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

CAP-Expert requires an application before you can register for the exam.

  1. You must create an INFORMS account that is used to single-sign-on to the CAP certification portal at our testing partner Prolydian. Create or sign in to your account at app.prolydian.com/organizations/INFORMS.

  2. Complete and submit the CAP-Expert Exam Application, including unofficial transcripts showing your graduation date and contact information for your soft skills confirmer.

  3. Agree to the INFORMS CAP Code of Ethics.

  4. Pay the $55 nonrefundable application fee.

  5. Your soft skills verifier will receive an email with a link to the soft skills confirmation site. You will be notified your application has been submitted after your soft skills are verified.

  6. You will be notified of your application status within seven business days. Your 12-month testing window begins the day your application is approved.

  7. Once approved, pay the exam fee within your Prolydian profile under My Applications.

  8. You will receive an Authorization to Test email. Schedule your exam within your 12-month testing window.

  9. Take your exam.

Prepare for the Exam

Key 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

Maintaining Your CAP-Expert Certification

CAP-Expert certification is valid for three years. To recertify, you must submit a minimum of 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) across at least three of the following five categories:

  • Formal professional education courses

  • Self-directed learning

  • Creating new analytics knowledge or content

  • Volunteer service

  • Analytics professional work experience

One hour of qualifying activity generally equals one PDU. Various thresholds and per-category limits apply. Click here for the full PDU guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility and Registration

Are there eligibility requirements for CAP-Expert?

Yes. Please see the CAP-Expert Eligibility Requirements section above.

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 does application approval take?

Your application will be reviewed within seven business days after we receive confirmation of your soft skills. You will be notified of your application status via email.

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

You have 12 months from the date of application approval (NOT exam purchase) to schedule and sit for the exam. Extensions are not available.

The Exam

Where and when is the exam offered?

The CAP-Expert 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-Expert 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-Expert 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.

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-Pro certification valid?

CAP-Pro certification is valid for three years.

How do I recertify?

CAP-Expert certificants must submit a minimum of 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) over their three-year certification period. PDUs must be earned across at least three of the following five categories:

  • Formal professional education courses

  • Self-directed learning

  • Creating new analytics knowledge or content

  • Volunteer service

  • Analytics professional work experience

In general, one hour of qualifying activity equals one PDU. Various thresholds and limits apply by category. See the CAP-Expert Candidate Handbook or certifiedanalytics.org/maintaining-your-certification for full details.

Can I hold CAP-Expert and a lower-level CAP certification at the same time?

Yes. Each CAP credential stands independently until its expiration. Earning CAP-Expert does not retire a lower-level credential you already hold.

I hold an aCAP certification. Can I transition to CAP-Expert?

Yes. aCAP holders who passed the aCAP exam are eligible to apply for CAP-Expert. INFORMS encourages aCAP holders to transition before their certification expires. Click here to see the full transition process.

Ready to Apply?

Start Your CAP-X Application

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

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