CAPM First — Modified Recommendations, edited 5-3-2022

Seismic changes were being made in the PMI world as we entered 2021, and our recommendations have changed as a result. Until recently we would recommend that folks go straight for the PMP certification if they met the experience requirements.  Now we suggest that they consider testing for the CAPM certification first.  

Why? Three reasons:

1 - Shooting the Moon is Risky

The PMP exam continues to get harder to pass, as a result of the ambiguity in so many of the exam questions.  No matter how much effort you have put into studying, you are likely to feel unsure of yourself when applying your knowledge of project management and interpreting questions on the exam.  Recently, one of our students felt she was failing all through her exam, then ended-up scoring above target!  Failing multiple exams can, and has, also resulted in students giving up on reaching their goal of acquiring the PMP certification.

2 - Faster and More Certain Results

The CAPM certification exam is a more straight-forward assessment of your comprehension of the PMI framework for project management.  Your likelihood of exam success is greater.  While the CAPM cert is not as powerful as the PMP cert, it still has the potential to boost your career.  You will learn approximately 85% of what you need to learn as you prepare for the PMP.  You gain valuable and validated knowledge sooner and with a higher degree of confidence. The CAPM exam actually tests the ‘hard’ skills better: Schedule Network Diagrams, EVM calculations, Present Value calculations, EMV calculations — these are all things you are much more likely to see now on the CAPM exam, as the PMP exam continues to become more and more focused on Agile, soft people skills, leadership concepts, and ambiguous situational questions. If I were hiring PMs, I would look for both the CAPM and the PMP certifications, as things are today.

3 - Lower Cost Approach  

Gaining the CAPM certification first can be a lower cost approach.  With the CAPM certification in hand, the requirement for 35 hours of PMP training is waived.  The 23 hours of project management training required for the CAPM can be especially cost-effective because on-demand training is widely available.  You’ll find a course recommendation at FAQ #7. (We have no financial interest in making this recommendation).

Root Cause

PMI’s changes to the training eco-system come into play here.  As PMI retires the Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) program and replaces it with their new Authorized Training Partner (ATP) program, they have implemented a new rule which says that the only permissible on-demand course for the PMP is the official one provided by PMI and priced at $699.  Students who have worked with it tell us they found it of limited help.  Other than that, PMP training is intended by PMI to be live instructor-led training, which is inherently more expensive.

As you strategize your PMP certification journey ask yourself:  do you really want to shoot the moon, or would you rather take a more certain road to success?