Thursday, May 12, 2022

Updated Book: What’s New in the Book–I Want To Be A CAPM?


The Certifified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) exam prep book, I Want To Be A CAPM, First Edition has been available since 2019 and has enabled many successful PMI-CAPMs and PMI-PMPs. This book is based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide, 6th edition. Aspiring PMPs have also used the content of the book to have an easier understanding of the PMBOK guide. 

Like all other books of mine, this edition of the book has gone through updates based on various exam related changes.

Why the Updates?

These updates primarily driven by these factors:

  • Availability or updates to existing standards: PMBOK guide is the sole reference guide for the CAPM® exam. And it has seen certain updates in previous years. However, do note that the exam blueprint will be based on the Exam Content Outline (ECO).
  • New ways to take the exam: For example, due to COVID-19 issue, exams now have an online option, with proctors. Now, the CAPM exam can also be taken online.
  • Feedback from exam takers: Some successful CAPMs (also PMPs, ACPs or RMPs) write their exam experiences and inform on new types of questions. 
  • Updates on advanced or complex areas: For example, mathematical questions in the CAPM exam are simple, but to understand them it takes time. 
  • Updates on Videos: Many times, I add additional videos with exercises and solutions so that exam takers get more practice and feel more confident. 

With this background, there have been continuous and frequent updates to the PMI-CAPM Exam Prep: I Want To Be A CAPM.


What’s New in the Book – I Want To Be A CAPM?

The book, I Want To Be A CAPM, as noted earlier has seen a number of updates, after months of effort. These are highlights for the current updates to the book as well as the book index.

Below are the update highlights.

1. NEW Document and Videos for Online CAPM Exam

The CAPM exam has gone online and with that a new document has been added, which illustrates how to take the exam step-by-step in the online proctored mode (OPT). The document has been divided into two sections:

  • Steps for traditional mode of the exam.
  • Steps for online proctored mode of the exam.

With it, you will have a much better understanding on how to proceed with the CAPM exam in proctored mode. Do note that it’s different from the PMP exam, e.g., there is no break available in this exam.

2. COMPLETE Addition of Agile Concepts

Though the CAPM Exam Content Outline (ECO) informs on few Agile concepts in certain knowledge areas (KAs), Agile concepts are available for all the 10 KAs. In addition, Agile concepts permeate throughout the PMBOK guide. Now, this  book has exhaustive Agile content as needed for the exam.

Also, the various life cycles used in a project now have more explanations. 

3. NEW Formulas in Formula Gold Cards

Formulas needed for your CAPM are not as exhaustive as the PMP exam. However, I’ve added quite a few into the formula gold cards.

Note: The formula gold cards of the book can be downloaded.

This falls under the chapter of "How To Be A PMI-CAPM" in the book.

4. NEW Agile related questions for Chapter End Questions

For every knowledge area (KA), a number of Agile related questions are added. Remember, though the ECO informs on a few Agile concepts, the PMBOK guide has Agile content for the knowledge areas. 

5. NEW Agile related questions for Full-Length Question Sets

There are two full length question-sets in this book, each having 150 questions and answers. Now, these question sets are revamped to include more Agile questions.

These question sets are available under “Full Length Question Sets”.

6. NEW Guide Covering the Agile Manifesto

The Agile Manifesto has 4 values and 12 principles. For your CAPM exam, the PMBOK guide is the only reference guide. However, it doesn’t include the Agile values and principles. Regardless, to understand Agile, as an aspiring CAPM need to have a minimal understanding of the manifesto. In this brief guide, you will know what these values and principles are, what they stand for, and in what context they are used.

7. NEW Chapter on How to Fill the CAPM Application

The application process for your CAPM exam has been changed and also has been made easier. A completely new chapter has been added on to fill your application with a number of guidelines. 

8. UPDATED Content for CAPM Exam 

The CAPM exam has gone through changes in the last couple of years. For example, earlier your CAPM credential was valid for 5 years without any professional development units (PDU) requirements. Now, it’s valid for 3 years and requires 15 PDUs to maintain.

You also have changes with respect to the exam process, inclusion of online proctored tests, changes in pricing structure based on countries, among others. All these new changes are now reflected in the updated edition. 

9. NEW Section for CAPM Certification Maintenance

A completely revamped section for CAPM certification maintenance has been added. As noted earlier, now you have a requirement of 15 PDUs in three years to maintain your certification. These PDUs are divided into various categories with maximum and minimum values. 

This new section informs in detail on how to maintain your hard-earned CAPM certification. 

10. UPDATES to Book’s Index File

The index file is important to know the content of the book. As the CAPM book gets updated, the index file also gets updated with clear highlighting for the NEW, as well as the UPDATED content. You will also know if any item has been removed. 

How Will I Know about the Updates?

I face this question frequently from people who want to purchase this book. I understand this concern. The below steps are followed for every new update.

  • All changes will be clearly communicated to you via E-Mail. 
  • Inside the book, the new ones will be highlighted as *** NEW ***, and the updates ones will be *** UPDATED ***Green color coding will be there for these changes.
  • All the previous updated mails are part of the book, so that you are clearly aware of the new changes that have happened. 
  • The index file of the book is also updated, because that gives you a quick view on the new/updated content. 
  • For the new videos, the videos are clearly noted as NEW, so that you are immediately aware of it. 
  • For the new/updated documents, the documents are cleared and noted as NEW/UPDATED.
  • A number of tips and revision reminders are also added along the content. They are also clearly highlighted.
  • For any clarification or questions on these updates, you can ask your questions. You will definitely get a response. 
  • All the new/updated content will be FREE of cost to you.

Updated Book Index

The complete index of the newly updated CAPM book is shown below (Embedded Document). You can scroll to see the content. The overall content of the book is available at: https://www.managementyogi.com/p/books.html




Conclusion

The world of development in project management is constantly changing, evolving and bringing in new practices, principles and knowledge. The PMI-CAPM also changes with the reference guide and the ECO. Do note that the release trains for the ECO and the reference PMBOK guide, are different. Don’t mix these two. As the content, pattern or type of questions change, the book: I Want To Be A CAPM also changes. 

You can check the overall details of the book (number of pages, chapters, price, access information, among others) in the below link. It's the 4th book in the list.

https://www.managementyogi.com/p/books.html

As far as I am aware, this is the only CAPM Exam Prep book in the world, which sees continuous changes and updates. I do believe that it benefits all the readers of the book. 


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