Certified Analytics Professional Certification brought to you by INFORMS
Scheduling an Exam
After your CAP or 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.
Special Exam Arrangements
INFORMS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). INFORMS strives to ensure that no individual with a documented disability is deprived of the opportunity to take the certification exam solely by reason of that disability provided that reasonable special accommodations can be made.
To request special accommodations, candidates must complete the INFORMS Certification Exam Special Accommodations form. The form includes a statement of the disability and a space for verification by a medical or mental health professional. Candidates must provide all documentation with their application and fees at least 45 days prior to a desired exam date. INFORMS also requires that applicants notify INFORMS of any requests for special accommodations prior to scheduling the exam.
Testing Centers
CAP/aCAP exams are delivered through Prolydian and utilizes ProctorU/Meazure proctoring services. There are both online and in-person options to sit for the exam. Their network utiizes 1,100+ testing centers in 120 countries to securely proctor in-person and online exams worldwide.
Info on ProctorU/Meazure Testing Center LocationsShould the need arise to reschedule a CAP exam, candidates must do so through their Prolydian profile at least 48 hours prior to their scheduled exam date, except in cases of emergency (examples of such can be found in the FAQs section below). Candidates doing so will have their exam rescheduled at no additional cost.
Access Your Prolydian ProfileLooking to Start the Process?
Apply TodayThings to Keep in Mind
The CAP exam is a written exam composed of 100 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers. There is only one correct answer for each question. Candidates are given three hours to complete the exam.
Tip 1
Take your time while reading the exam questions. If necessary, read each question two or three times. You will have, on average, nearly two minutes per question.
Tip 2
If you start to feel fatigued, taking short breaks can help. You’re encouraged to use the full three hours to complete the exam.
Tip 3
Remember to pace yourself. We recommend that you set goals for completing a certain number of questions over a given increment of time – for instance, 30-35 questions each hour.
Tip 4
Answer the questions in order. Failing to do so may increase the likelihood that you forget to complete some exam questions.
Tip 5
There is no benefit to skipping questions on the exam. Each blank question will be counted as an incorrect answer.
Tip 6
It can be useful to employ test-taking strategies such as eliminating incorrect answer choices first and relying on your initial impressions rather than second-guessing answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when is the examination offered?
How can I reschedule or cancel my exam?
What to expect before my exam begins?
What happens if I am late to or miss my exam?
An emergency caused me to miss my exam! What can I do now?
How can I arrange special accommodations for testing?
Where and when is the examination offered?
The certification exam is offered on a continual basis at both computer-based testing centers throughout the world and through online testing.
How do I schedule the exam?
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 "Authroization to Test" email instructing you how to schedule your exam.
- Schedule the exam at a convenient time for you.
How can I reschedule or cancel my exam?
Candidates must do so through the exam vendor’s site at least two business days prior to the scheduled exam date. Candidates doing so will have their exam rescheduled at no additional cost. Candidates who miss their exam time forfeit their exam attempt and exam fees.
Refunds less a $100 processing fee are available prior to the candidate's eligibility expiration and within 90 days of exam payment. Candidates that cancel their exams less than two business days before their scheduled exam date will not receive a refund.
What to expect before my exam begins?
For onsite exams at a testing center:
On the day of your exam
- Arrive to the test center at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time.
- Check in at least 15 minutes before your exam starts. Examination admission requirements:
- Submit your confirmation notice to the proctor.
- Bring a current, government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature. You will NOT be admitted without proper identification. Candidates who fail to provide proper identification will be considered a no-show and will forfeit exam fees. The name on your ID must match the name in your Prolydian account exactly and your ID must be valid (not expired) and include your signature. Acceptable IDs are outlined below. All documents must be original. Copies or photos of the document will not be accepted.
- Driver’s license
- Immigration card
- Passport/US passport card
- State/national ID card
- Temporary government-issued ID with photo
- Military IDs g. Student IDs (program-specific)
- HK ID card
- Chinese national ID
- Tribal or Native American government-issued ID
- Report on time.
General Instructions
- Cell phones are NOT permitted at the exam site. Any examination candidate with a cell phone in the exam room will be dismissed from the exam room immediately and denied re-entry.
- Smoking is NOT permitted at the exam site.
- Food and beverages are NOT allowed in the exam area.
- Personal items will NOT be allowed in the exam room and must be left outside of the exam room AT YOUR OWN RISK.
- Friends and relatives, including children, will NOT be allowed in the exam building.
- Please refrain from wearing colognes or perfumes as scents may disturb others in the testing center.
- Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to ambient noise. If you choose to bring earplugs, they will be subject to examination by the testing center staff.
- Computer-based testing facilities offer exam services to multiple agencies. There may be other individuals in the testing room with you who are sitting for exams from different organizations. The rules for their exam may be slightly different than the rules for your exam in terms of exam time and what is and is not allowed at their station.
- Computer-based tests are delivered via secure internet connections. Internet connections are subject to local internet providers. While it is not the norm, internet connections can, on occasion, be lost momentarily, requiring the proctor to log you back in to your exam. If you lose your internet connection, inform the proctor, who will assist you in logging back in to your exam. Upon logging back in to your exam you will resume at the first unanswered question. Your exam time remaining will be exactly the same as it was when the internet connection was lost.
- Candidates are strictly prohibited from attempting to access any outside information, programs, or websites while testing.
- Prohibited items - Candidates are expressly prohibited from bringing the following items to the test site:
- Cameras, cell phones, optical readers, or other electronic devices that include the ability to photograph, photocopy, or otherwise copy test materials;
- Notes, books, dictionaries, or language dictionaries (except as expressly permitted by the exam sponsor, see the Additional Examination Specific Information in your confirmation notice email if applicable);
- Bookbags or luggage; Purses or handbags;
- iPods, mp3 players, tablets, headphones, or pagers;
- Calculators (except as expressly permitted by the test sponsor, see the Additional Examination Specific Information in your confirmation notice email if applicable), computers, PDAs, or other electronic devices with one or more memories;
- Personal writing utensils such as pencils, pens, and highlighters; Google and smart glasses (any glasses with electronics);
- Watches, smart devices, and other jewelry except wedding or engagement rings;
- Weapons;
- Medicine, including cough drops (except as expressly permitted in advance),
- Food and beverages;
- Coats and jackets
- Hats, hoods, or other headwear are not permitted in the examination room unless required for religious purposes. All items are subject to inspection by the proctor if suspicious behavior is detected. Please note that sweaters and sweatshirts without pockets or hoods are permitted to be worn.
Smart glasses:
Candidates wearing glasses may be asked to give them to the proctor for inspection. No glasses with electronics, even if they have prescription lenses, will be permitted in the exam room.
Exam security:
Exam security is a serious matter. In addition to leaving all personal items outside of the exam room, candidates may be asked to turn pockets inside out as well as show that nothing is hidden under shirt sleeves or in the hems of pant legs. Also note that most sites record testing sessions. Candidates caught with prohibited items in the exam room risk exam invalidation, disciplinary action, assessment of monetary damages, and/or legal liability. If the proctor determines that you have brought any prohibited items to the exam site, the items may be demanded and held by Meazure Learning testing staff. Meazure Learning reserves the right to review the memory of any electronic device to determine whether any test materials have been photographed or otherwise copied. If the review determines that any test materials are in the memory of any such device, Meazure Learning reserves the right to delete such materials and/or retain them for subsequent disciplinary action. Upon completion of the review and any applicable deletions, Meazure Learning will return your device to you but will not be responsible for the deletion of any materials that may result from the review, whether or not such materials are test materials. By bringing any such device into the test site in violation of Meazure Learning policies, you expressly waive any confidentiality or other similar rights with respect to your device, Meazure Learning's review of the memory of your device, and/or the deletion of any materials. Meazure Learning, the exam site, and the test administration staff are not liable for lost or damaged items brought to the exam site. Any aids for candidates with an injury or disability (e.g., canes, crutches, slings, wheelchairs) may also be inspected. IMPORTANT: The content, including each question, of this examination is the property of the test provider. The examination content is copyrighted and is strictly confidential information. You are strictly prohibited from retaining, copying, distributing, disclosing, discussing, possessing, or receiving any examination content, including even partial questions, by written, electronic, oral, or other form of communication. This includes, but is not limited to, emailing, copying, or printing of electronic files and reconstructing content through memorization and/or dictation before, during, or after the examination. Doing so may result in disciplinary action, assessment of monetary damages, and legal liability. By proceeding further with the examination process, you are acknowledging and agreeing that you understand these restrictions and the consequences if you break these restrictions. If you have questions or concerns about security procedures at your test site, contact Meazure Learning immediately, before your exam date.
Inaccessible test site/reporting room:
If more than 20 minutes have passed since the reporting time listed above, and the center has not opened or you are unable to locate the proctor, please call the following number and leave a message: (919) 657-6901. Be sure to include your call back number and, if your situation meets the criteria above, your call will be returned within 10 minutes. Messages left at this number for any other situation will not receive a call back. For all other matters, please call (919) 572-6880 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET.
Emergencies:
Exceptions to the cancellation/reschedule policy may be made in the event of a substantiated medical emergency or death in the family. Please contact Prolydian directly at support@proyldian.com or 850-739-8992 for assistance.
Inclement weather:
Please visit https://assessments.meazurelearning.com/mainsite/ibtsites/site_closings.aspx for information about test site closures or delays.
Environmental distractions:
Examination room temperature can be unpredictable; therefore, we suggest that you wear appropriate clothing (e.g., sweatshirt without pockets or a hood or other layered clothing) to help you adapt to a cooler or warmer climate in the examination room.
For online (remote) exams:
Before your exam
Prior to beginning your exam you must complete the ProctorU computer requirements check and download the Guardian Browser. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Download the Guardian Browser
- Check your equipment to make sure your system is compatible with ProctorU at https://go.proctoru.com/testitout
- Prepare identity verification documents. This includes one of the following:
- Government-issued driver’s license
- College/University-issued staff photo ID
- Passport
- Non-US Military issued identification card
- Any Physical Government-Issued Identification Card (must include photo)
On the day of your exam
Log in 10 minutes prior to the exam. You may want to refresh the screen at the time of the exam. To access your exam:
- Download the Guardian Browser if you don't already have it.
- Open the Guardian Browser and log into your Prolydian account at https://app.prolydian.com. You MUST access Prolydian and log in via Guardian Browser and NOT any other browser
- Go to the "My exams" dashboard and click the "Launch Exam" button (This button will be enabled one minute before your exam time.)
- Click "Start Session"
- Follow the on screen instructions to share your screen and check your equipment
- Follow the identity verification instructions
- The proctor will perform a system check and camera pan of your workspace and will give you directions on how to begin your exam
Technical Requirements
- Guardian Browser is required for testing. Download here.
- Operating System: macOS X 10.13 or higher, Windows 10 or higher. ProctorU does not support Linux or Chrome OS
- Web Camera: Minimum- 640×480 resolution, Recommended- 1280×720 resolution
- Internet Download Speed: A required upload and download speed of 2Mbps, with 10Mbps preferred
- RAM: Minimum – 2GB, Recommended- 4GB
- A Functioning Microphone: Webcams with built in microphones and stand alone microphones supported
- Not Supported:
- Tablets (iPad, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Note, etc.)
- Mobile (Android, iOS)
- ARM CPU Architecture
- Chromebooks
- Dual monitors are not permitted
Testing Environment Requirements
- A suitable environment is a room that is enclosed - e.g., an office, a bedroom, or any other room with four walls that contains a door or other barrier to prevent entry. A bathroom is not an a permitted testing location. Windows are allowed, however, they need to be closed and covered. A candidate can close blinds, and shades, or cover the window with a sheet, towel, or other material.
- The room must be free of clutter and contain no accessible devices, books, notes, or other materials that could potentially allow a candidate to cheat.
- Dual monitors are NOT supported- If you have a second monitor, it must be removed from your testing environment.
- The desk or workspace the individual uses must be free of any devices, books, notes, or other materials that could potentially allow a candidate to cheat.
- Headphones are not permitted for use during exam appointment.
- Examinees are allowed a CLEAR glass or bottle of water only
- In general, the goal is to have as sterile an environment as possible.
If you experience any issues connecting to your proctor or during your exam please contact ProctorU via the Live Chat feature within your ProctorU account OR Call 1-855-772-8678, Option 1.
What happens if I am late to or miss my exam?
Candidates who arrive more than 15 minutes late or fail to arrive for a scheduled exam forfeit their exam fees and their exam attempt.
An emergency caused me to miss my exam! What can I do now?
INFORMS understands that there may be situations when cancellations are required by circumstances beyond the candidate’s control, including:
- Natural disasters;
- Medical emergencies;
- Travel cancellations;
- Death or illness of an immediate family member;
- Inclement weather; and
- Exam facility power failure.
INFORMS staff will handle these situations on a case-by-case basis. Candidates will be expected to submit written and possible supporting documentation to avoid a cancellation penalty. In the event of exam cancellation due to inclement weather, power failure, or other unforeseen circumstances that make holding the exam untenable, affected candidates will be able to reschedule at no additional cost.
How can I arrange special accommodations for testing?
We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will arrange special accommodations for those who require them. Either fill out the form below or contact info@certifiedanalytics.org for those arrangements.