CAPM exam feedback from a recent student:

• Compared to the Pocket Prep app I used and RMC’s practice questions, more questions than expected were framed as which IS, rather than which is NOT. Found this to be slightly tougher than expected, but adjusted quickly.
• Not many “which is BEST” questions.
• About 3-4 EV calculation questions. Easy to answer having memorized the formulas needed for the CAPM.
• One other formula question on communication channels which was also a welcome easy question because I knew the formula.
• A few oddly phrased questions, one specifically about critical path/float type that really stumped me.
• Several very straight forward questions – easy to answer by having memorized the process map and with studies primarily have been PMP-based. (Developed a visual way to help memorize this and write it out at the start).
• Study materials (particularly RMC) emphasized a handful of times that made-up words could be thrown in as wrong answer options. Advised that if you studied well but didn’t recognize something, it could very well be weeded out as a wrong answer. But I did see a few questions containing verbiage I didn’t recognize at all which threw me off a bit. By breaking down each question, addressing each piece, and thinking it through with some logic, I think I generally was able to answer those, but they were tougher. Tried to remember some examples, but simply can’t recall them. I think if I had done one more read-through of the RMC book, I might have picked up a little more of these obscure mentions. Still scored with “above target” though, so assuming I got a least some of them correct.
• Apparently, hair scrunchies are also a no-no! Had my hair in a ponytail so it wasn’t a distraction in my face, but had to take out the scrunchy. They had basic elastic bands available as replacements, thank goodness, though I had to use about 5 of because of how thick my hair is. Totally not a big deal, but this gave me a chuckle. Actually, it made me laugh enough to relax me just a bit before the test which turned out to be helpful.
• I did remember to smile while taking the exam, rather than hunch over and get frustrated. Stretched a few times in my chair and did some deep relaxing breaths when I got frustrated. Very helpful.
• I didn’t want to have to take a break while the clock ran so instead of coffee, I chewed a few pieces of caffeine gum before going in. This seemed pretty helpful, as the three hours went by fast, especially after eating up about 12 minutes to write out the process map, formulas and a few other items I wanted to have available. With regular stretching and not having consumed a lot of liquid, I didn’t need to take a break and everything timed out perfectly with no pressure to hurry. Finished the first pass with about 33 minutes to spare and spent that time reviewing flagged questions until the time ran out.