Preparing for the Exam
CAP certifications independently verify an individual’s knowledge of the entire analytics process. As such, all certificants must first take and pass a 100-question, multiple-choice exam designed to test professional fluency with data projects and related concepts. Each CAP certification level and exam version passing score is computed separately. More information regarding exam content and resources for exam preparation are available below.
What are CAP exams based on?
All Certified Analytics Professional examinations are based on the INFORMS Analytics Framework developed and validated by subject matter experts and practitioners. The INFORMS Analytics Framework consists of seven domains: business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology selection, model building, deployment, and lifecycle management. Each domain is broken into three levels of knowledge to correspond with the three levels of CAP certification: CAP-Expert, CAP-Pro, and CAP-Essentials. Each of the three levels is the basis of it's corresponding certification's exam blueprint.
CAP Prep Courses
INFORMS offers prep courses for all three levels of the CAP certification. Each course is built around the INFORMS Analytics Framework, so you study exactly what the exam tests.
This self-paced, asynchronous course is built around the official INFORMS Analytics Framework and CAP Blueprints ensuring you're learning exactly what the exam tests, nothing more, nothing less.
What You’ll Learn:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand and apply the analytics lifecycle from business problem framing to solution deployment and lifecycle management
- Identify and select appropriate methodologies, tools, and data strategies for analytics problems
- Build, evaluate, and communicate analytics models with clarity and confidence
- Navigate ethical considerations, stakeholder alignment, and business validation
Learn more about CAP Prep
Register for a CAP Prep class
Exam Resources
You can use our Exam Resources page for materials to help you study for the exam. These include the exam blueprints, candidate handbooks, INFORMS Analytics Glossary, and a free Study Guide which have sample questions and list several reference books that may be useful in your preparation.
Resources
Study tips
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Start with the exam blueprint (it tells you exactly what is tested) and honestly assess your familiarity with each domain.
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Develop a study timeline and work through the blueprint systematically.
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Use the study guide and glossary to fill gaps in your knowledge.
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Review the sample questions in the study guide to understand the question format.
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If you find significant gaps across multiple domains, consider the optional INFORMS CAP Prep course.
About the Exam
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The exam is 105–120 multiple-choice questions, three hours of testing time
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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
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Read each question carefully — pace yourself and do not leave any question unanswered
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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
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for Your Exam
CAP certification exams are based on the exam blueprint and INFORMS Analytics Framework developed and validated by subject matter experts and practitioners. There are seven areas of responsibility: business problem (question) framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology (approach) framing, analytics/model development, deployment, and analytics solution lifecycle management. See the Exam Resources page to download the exam blueprint of the certification exam you will be taking.
Yes. In the Candidate Handbook there are 24 sample questions with rationale for both the correct and incorrect answers. These questions will not appear on any actual CAP examination; they are intended to inform you of the type of questions you will find on the exam. They should not be used as a self-assessment; performance on these questions does not indicate performance on the exam.
No. No books or notes of any kind may be used for the exam.
No. The exam is software and vendor neutral and assesses only the analytics process contained in the exam blueprint.
Taking the Exam
The certification exam is offered on a continual basis at computer-based testing centers throughout the world, online via an online-proctored experience.
To schedule the computer based exam: Apply and get approved. Pay for the exam using the payment within your Prolydian profile under My Applications. You will receive an "Authorization to Test" email instructing you how to schedule your exam. Schedule the exam at a convenient time for you.
All level of CAP exams consist of 100 scored four-option, multiple-choice questions. There are also additional unscored questions that INFORMS is testing for use on future exam forms.
INFORMS uses a criterion-referenced methodology for determining the passing score for its examinations. There is no grading on a "curve," and candidates are not competing with each other. The specific methodology used is the modified Angoff technique, which relies on the judgments of SMEs to determine an acceptable level of knowledge, skill, and ability in analytics...
Pass/fail decisions are based on the total score only.
Exam retake policies are based on the certification level. Please consult your certification’s candidate handbook for details on exam retake eligibility.
