The Exam

What is the exam like?
The CAE examination is a knowledge-based, paper and pencil examination consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. Questions were written by CAEs under the direction of psychometricians (exam writing experts). The content outline is derived from a role delineation study conducted by ASAE that form the Body of Knowledge for the association management profession.

How long does it take to complete?
The exam is administered in a single four-hour time frame.

When is the examination administered?
Exam dates are the first Tuesday in May, and the Friday before ASAE's Management & Technology Conference in December.

How is the examination scored?
The passing standard is a pre-determined standard of knowledge set by a criterion-referenced methodology (similar to setting par in golf), using the combined judgments of the Examination Committee and resulting in a recommendation to the CAE Commission for final review. There is no curve and candidates do not compete against each other. There is no limit on the number of candidates who may pass or fail the exam.

When will I know if I passed?
All candidates will be notified in writing of their examination results within eight weeks of taking the exam. Unsuccessful candidates will receive a summary report that lists potential and actual points. Successful candidates receive notification of their passing status only. No results are reported over the telephone.

Exams are computer graded; candidates may request hand-graded for a fee.

Unsuccessful candidates may file a written petition to the CAE Appeals Committee.

Although a candidate may only take the exam once in a given year, there is no limit on the number of times candidates may take the examination.

Successful candidates are recognized at ASAE's next national educational event and on the Association Forum's Web site.  All successful candidates receive a CAE pin as a gift from the Forum.