How long is the beta testing window open?
Beta testers can schedule their exams between April 21 - May 31, 2025.
Certified Analytics Professional Certification brought to you by INFORMS
CAP-Essentials Certification
The Beta Testing Window is Open through May 31, 2025!
Beta Test Window FAQ's
Is the beta exam only offered with remote proctoring?
Yes. The CAP-P beta is only available via remote proctoring. After the beta testing window we will offer both remote proctoring and test center options.
How do I register for the beta test?
How much does the CAP-Essentials beta exam cost?
The CAP-Essentials beta exam fee is $99. This is a 50% savings off the INFORMS member price.
How can I prepare for the exam?
Because the exam is based on analytics practice, there are no required courses. We recommend you review the exam blueprint and the INFORMS Analytics Glossary. Visit the Resources page.
When will results from the beta testing window be sent out?
Beta results require statistical analysis to ensure the exam is valid and reliable. All participants will receive results via email in mid-late June.
If I pass the CAP-Essentials beta exam will I be certified?
Yes, any candidate whose score meets the passing score after the beta window closes will be awarded the CAP-Essentials certification.
CAP-E: The New Standard in Foundational Analytics Certification!
Unified analytics framework for all employees
The CAP-Essentials (CAP-E) certification represents the cornerstone of analytics competency, validating the crucial building blocks and foundation of analytics knowledge and business understanding required for successful analytics projects. Show employers you have more than just technical skills, you can align analytics projects with smarter business decisions. Showcase your analytics expertise with a digital badge.
Who Should seek CAP-Essentials Certification?
- Students and early-career professionals who want to show they understand more than just technical tools. Validates your grasp of the complete analytics process and your ability to meaningfully contribute to business solutions.
- Stakeholders and contributors impacted by analytics solutions. Ensures foundational knowledge and organizational alignment on an industry-standard analytics framework.
What to expect on the exam?
The CAP-E beta exam focuses on the application of analytics knowledge across the seven domains of the INFORMS Analytics Framework. Refer to the CAP-E Exam Blueprint for the detailed list of tasks and responsibilities validated on the exam.
Exam questions cover key concept definitions, basic understanding of descriptive and diagnostic analytics, familiarity with analytics terminology, and identification of business problems.
Who can take the exam?
The exam is open to anyone who wishes to validate their mastery of essential analytics knowledge. There are no formal education or experience requirements.
Essential analytics proficiency requires more than spreadsheet analysis and visualization dashboards. It requires statistics, advanced math concepts and understanding the “why” behind the data.
This certification is for you if you understand:
- Basic probability
- Descriptive statistics
- Proper use of visualization for descriptive statistics
- Measures of centrality and dispersion
- Common chart types
- Regression modeling and basic spreadsheet modeling
- Models like simulation and optimization
- What a database is and how it is structured
- Basic experimental design
- Basic programming with data manipulation verbs
- Varying data types
- Business problem types and identification
- How to work effectively with stakeholders
- How to explain an analysis to others
- Common biases and ethical issues in data sets and algorithms
Save 50% and take the beta exam for only $99
Roadmap to Earning the CAP-E
From deciding you want to be a CAP-E to making sure you have all the necessary tools to successfully take the exam, here’s all you need to know to get started on your CAP-E journey.
Follow these stept to sign up for your CAP-Essentials exam.
- Create/sign into your account
- Select the CAP-Essentials Beta Exam Fee from the Apply menu
- Submit your application and Pay application fee
- Schedule your CAP-Essentials exam within the Beta Testing Window
- Take your exam. Good luck!
The following resources will help you prepare to take the CAP-Essentials exam. These can be found in the Resources section of the website.
- Study Guide (this is aimed at the CAP-Expert level, but still a good resource for all levels)
- Glossary
- Analytics Body of Knowledge (consider purchasing)
- CAP-Essentials Exam Blueprint
- Join the CAP Discussion Forum on INFORMS Connect
We asked current CAPs to share their study tips. Think about how you take tests and prepare in the way you're most comfortable.
- Develop a study timeline
- Register for a CAP Prep course
- Refer to your study guide frequently
- Refer to the CAP-Essentials Exam Blueprint for domain knowledge
- Refer to the Glossary
These tips will help you during the exam. Be sure to supplement these tips with strategies that worked for you in the past.
- Read each question two or three times very slowly
- Pace yourself - take short breaks if needed
- Try not to skip around
- Make sure no question is left unanswered
- Elminate answers you know are not correct
- Remote proctored exams - A few days prior to your exam
- Download the Guardian Browser and test the system
- Ensure you are able to log into your Prolydian account within the Guardian Browser
- Clear the area where you will be testing of any clutter
CAP-E Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility, Fees and Exam Scheduling
Are there eligibility requirements for the CAP-Essentials Exam?
No. There are no requirements to sit for the CAP-Essentials.
How much does the CAP-Essentials Exam Cost
| Fee Type | INFORMS Members | Nonmembers |
| CAP-Essentials Exam Fee | $195 | $275 |
| CAP-Essentials Retake | $150 | $200 |
| CAP-Essentials Recertification Fee | $150 | $200 |
| Refund Processing Fee | $100 | $100 |
| Exam Appeals Fee | $125 | $125 |
INFORMS offers exam discounts for candidates residing in developing countries. Please see the list of qualifying countries.
| Fee Type | INFORMS Members | Nonmembers |
| Low-Income Countries | $98 | $138 |
| Lower-Middle Income Countries | $137 | $193 |
| Upper-Middle Income Countries | $156 | $220 |
CAP is the premier global professional certification for analytics practitioners. Those who meet CAP's high standards and pass the rigorous exam distinguish themselves and create greater opportunities for career enhancement. For organizations seeking to enhance their ability to transform data into valuable insights and actions, CAP provides a trusted means to identify, recruit and retain top analytics talent.
How long do I have to sit for the exam after payment?
After you pay the CAP-Essentials exam fee you (6) six months to schedule and you’re your exam.
What happens if I do not test within my 6-month testing window? Are extensions available?
If you do not test within your 6-month testing window your paid exam fees are considered forfeited. You will need to pay the exam fee again.
Where and when is the examination offered?
The certification exam is offered on a continual basis at computer-based testing centers throughout the world or online via an online-proctored experience.
If I fail the exam, can I retake the exam?
Yes, you are permitted (2) two exam retakes within a 12-month period. You must wait 30 days between exam attempts. Each retake requires an additional fee.
How do I create an account in Prolydian with my INFORMS account?
If you have an exitsting INFORMS account and ready to create a CAP profile you can use your INFORMS account to create your profile in Prolydian.
How do I schedule the exam?
To schedule the computer-based exam: 1. Pay for the exam using the payment within your Prolydian profile under My Applications. 2. You will receive an "Authroization to Test" email instructing you how to schedule your exam. 3. Schedule the exam at a convenient time for you.
If I have to reschedule, do I need to reapply and pay again?
Candidates must reschedule through the their Prolydian profile at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled exam date/time. Candidates doing so will have their exam rescheduled at no additional cost. Exam appointments cannot be rescheduled/cancelled within 48 hours of the exam appointment. 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.
Maintaining Certification
How long is CAP-Essentials certification valid?
CAP-Essentials certification cycle is (5) five years.
How do I recertify my CAP-Essentials certification?
CAP-Essentials certificants may recertify every (5) five years via retesting. CAP-E certificants may wish to upgrade their certification by testing for the CAP-Pro or CAP-Expert certifications.
Preparing for the Exam
What is the examination based on?
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.
How can I prepare for the exam?
Because the exam is based on analytics practice, there are no required courses. There are optional CAP Prep class offered by INFORMS which can help you prepare for the exam. You could also review the exam blueprint and the INFORMS Analytics Glossary. The Candidate Handbook lists several reference books that may be useful in examination preparation. There is a free, downloadable CAP study guide.
Is the exam open book?
No. No books or notes of any kind may be used for the exam.
Do I have to know a programming language?
No. The exam is software and vendor neutral and assesses only the analytics process contained in the exam blueprint.
How many questions are on the examination?
The CAP-Essentials exam is a written exam composed of 105-120 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers. There is only one correct answer for each question. Only 100 exam questions are scored. The additional questions are pretest items. These items are used for developing future examinations and, accordingly, are not scored and have no impact on a candidate’s pass/fail status. Candidates are given three hours to complete the exam.
What's the passing score?
INFORMS uses a criterion-referenced methodology for determining the passing score for its exams. There is no grading on a curve, and candidates are not competing with each other. The specific methodology used is modified Bookmark procedure (Lewis, et. al., 1996, 1999) supported by a modified Hofstee (1983) procedure. INFORMS recruites subject matter experts (SMEs) to serve as judges for the purpose of setting a cut score for newly built exam forms. Each candidate will receive an official digital score report within 48 hours after completing the exam. This will be the only official score report provided. Examination scores are confidential. INFORMS will not disclose examination scores to anyone unless INFORMS is required by court order or subpoena. Unless otherwise requested, INFORMS will publish the names of all individuals who have passed the examination and who maintain current certification status.
Do I have to pass each knowledge area?
Pass/fail decisions are based on the total score only.
Is the exam only in English?
Yes, the exam is presently only available in English.
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. Complete the special accommodation form to make exam arrangements.