Certified Analytics Professional Certification brought to you by INFORMS
Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP®)
The Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP®) designation is aimed at both the entry-level analytics professional who is educated in the analytics process but may not have experience in practice yet, or the candidate with analytics work experience that does not yet meet the criteria of the Certified Analytics Professional credential.
This prestigious program is the beginning of a career pathway that leads to the elite CAP designation. Those with aCAP designations have:
- Demonstracted their skills by passing an exam based on analytics practice.
- Agreed to the analytics code of ethics
Unlike other certificates or certifications, aCAP serves as a vendor- and technology-neutral testament to an analytics professional’s superior competency in the seven domains of analytics, providing organizations with a trusted means to identify, recruit, and retain top analytics talent.
The 7 Domains of the Analytics Process:
- Business Problem Framing - 14% of exam questions
- Analytics Problem Framing - 17% of exam questions
- Data - 23% of exam questions
- Methodology Selection - 14% of exam questions
- Model Building - 16% of exam questions
- Deployment - 10% of exam questions
- Lifecycle Management - 6% of exam questions
You can learn more about the domains in the Job Task Analysis (JTA)
Download the aCAP Handbook
aCAP is an independent validation that you have superior knowledge of the entire analytics process - from business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data through to methodology selection and model building, deployment and lifecycle management. aCAP enables you to easily convey to others that you have mastery of the analytics process.
Maintaining your aCAP means that you are continually working to advance your skills. That’s achieved through a combination of continuing education, ongoing analytics employment, and sharing analytics experiences and knowledge - all part of the requirements for renewing your aCAP every three years.
Every day more and more employers are adding “aCAP Preferred” to their analytics job openings because aCAP provides a trusted means to identify, recruit and retain top analytics talent. Add “aCAP” to your signature to open doors to new opportunities and professional growth.
Requirements
There is no minimum education or experience to sit for the aCAP exam. Candidates are required to sign and commit to adhere to the aCAP Code of Ethics and pass the aCAP exam.
Education & Experience
Any level of education
Any level of professional experience
Steps to Achieve
Pledge to adhere to ethics guidelines
Pass the exam
Pricing
For applications received on or after January 1, 2024
$55 - Nonrefundable Application Fee
$150 - Exam Fee INFORMS Members
$75 - Exam Fee for Developing Nations INFORMS Members (Developing Nations Special Member Rate List)
$245 - Exam Fee Nonmembers
$150 - Retake Exam Fee INFORMS Members
$245 - Retake Exam Fee Nonmember
$100 - aCAP to CAP Tranistion Fee - Only available to aCAP certificants through the aCAP Traditional Pathway. Certificants wishing to transition from aCAP to CAP must hold their aCAP for a minimum of 12-months and meet the CAP criteria before applying to transition from aCAP to CAP.
$100 - Refund Processing Fee - Refund requests must be emailed to info@certifiedanalytics.org within 90 days from payment or by eligibility expiration date, whichever date comes first.
For applications received before January 1, 2024
$200 - Exam Fee INFORMS Members
$300 - Exam Fee Nonmembers
$150 - Retake Exam Fee INFORMS Members
$245 - Retake Exam Fee Nonmember
$100 - Refund Processing Fee - Refund requests must be emailed to info@certifiedanalytics.org within 90 days from payment or by eligibility expiration date, whichever date comes first.
Alongside numerous other benefits, INFORMS members enjoy a $100 discount from the base price of getting certified. Discounted rates on CAP and aCAP are also available for organizations looking to capitalize on the powerful competitive advantages of team certification. Interested parties should contact info@certifiedanalytics.org for more information.
Currently an aCAP and looking to transition to CAP?
Those who are pursuing CAP certification after first earning an aCAP become eligible to transition after accruing the required education/experience for CAP. Employer verification of soft skills, which is not needed to earn an aCAP certification, will also be required. Please contact our certification manager to confirm your eligibility and begin this process.
Learn more about transition from aCAP to CAPRoadmap to Becoming an aCAP
From deciding you want to be a Certified Analytics Professional to making sure you have all the necessary tools to successfully take the exam, here’s all you need to know to get started on your aCAP journey.
The following milestones in the aCAP certification application process will help you stay on the path to becoming a aCAP.
- Create your account
- Submit your application and Pay application fee
- Wait for application confirmation
- Pay and schedule aCAP exam within 12 month eligibility period
- Take your exam. Good luck!
The following resources will help you prepare to take the aCAP exam. These can be found in the Resources section of the website.
We asked current aCAPs to share their study tips. Think about how you take tests and prepare in the way you're most comfortable.
- Develop a study timeline
- Register for a CAP/aCAP Prep course
- Refer to your study guide frequently
- Refer to the Job Task Analysis for domain knowledge
- Review case studies for each domain
- Take a self-assessment of knowledge areas
These tips will help you during the exam. Be sure to supplement these tips with strategies that worked for you in the past.
- Read each question two or three times very slowly
- Pace yourself - take short breaks if needed
- Try not to skip around
- Make sure no question is left unanswered
- Elminate answers you know are not correct
Timeline for Certification
Congratulations on making the decision to take the next step in your analytics career. Here is an estimate of how long it might take before you are awarded the Associate Certified Analytics Professional credential. The time estimated for studying may vary depending on your knowledge and skill level.
1 Day
Submit Application & Pay Application Fee
Complete and submit to INFORMS the “aCAP Certification Application and Agreement” form online and agree to the Code of Ethics.
7-10 Days
Pay Invoice & Schedule Exam
INFORMS processes applications within seven business days of receipt of application. After your aCAP application is approved and the exam fee paid, candidates will receive an email from the exam provider in 3-5 business days with instructions for scheduling the exam.
2 Months
Study for Exam
Make sure you have time scheduled on your calendar to study for the exam, and take the practice exam.
1 Day
Pass Exam
Show up well rested and on time. The exam is three hours, and you will receive an official score report noting pass/fail immediately following completion of the exam.
1 Week
Receive Certification
You will receive an email with your test results within 1 week of completing the exam. Upon successful completion, you will be able to view your aCAP credential in your account.
