CATONSVILLE, MD, May 5, 2014 – The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), the largest professional society in the world for professionals in the fields of analytics, operations research (O.R.) and management science, today announced that its successful Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®) exam will now be given at hundreds of computer-based testing centers worldwide through an agreement with Kryterion, the full-service provider of customizable assessment and certification products and services .
Candidates for the CAP® certification exam can now choose from Kryterion’s global network of online secured testing locations to schedule their exam at a convenient time and place. INFORMS’ online testing center partner Kryterion, through strategic partnerships with colleges and universities, as well as testing and training companies, provides over 700 testing locations in more than 100 countries. In the United States alone, over 400 testing centers are available. CAP® exams can now be scheduled almost any day of the week and at a time and location that best suits the candidate.
Candidates can apply at www.informs.org/applyforcertification. Upon acceptance into the program, candidates receive an online voucher to present on the Kryterion site.
Exam locations can be found at http://www.kryteriononline.com/host_locations/.
INFORMS expects this development to have a positive impact on the demand for its CAP® certification.
Louise Wehrle, Certification Manager at INFORMS, says “We began with exams given in person. Since then, demand for certification has been strong. Potential candidates in the U.S. and across the world asked INFORMS for a convenient online option to attaining this prestigious credential. With computer-based testing, that option is now available and we expect the number of those pursuing certification to increase significantly.”
Scott Nestler, Chair of the INFORMS Analytics Certification Board, says “The availability of the CAP exam by computer-based testing at hundreds of test centers around the globe will address a primary concern of many interested candidates who have not yet registered for the exam. Another concern was recently resolved with the publication of the CAP Study Guide, available free online or by mail at the cost of printing and shipping."
Introduced in the spring of 2013, the INFORMS Certified Analytic Professional (CAP®) program was created by subject matter experts, many of whom are INFORMS members. The CAP® credential is designed for general analytics professionals in early- to mid-career and is based on a rigorous job task analysis and is vendor- and software-neutral. Benefits of analytics certification include gaining the ability to advance one’s career by setting a professional with CAP® apart from the competition and obtaining the structure to make continuing professional development an integral part of one’s job performance. The CAP® program assists hiring managers in finding competent analytics talent and shows that an organization hiring CAP® professionals follows best analytics practice.
Specific eligibility criteria include attainment of at least a BS or BA degree, three to seven years of professional analytics work experience (depending on degree field and level), confirmation of acceptable “soft skills” by candidate’s current or a previous employer, and signing the CAP code of ethics. Passing the examination after meeting all of the eligibility requirements qualifies the candidate as a Certified Analytics Professional. The CAP® examination covers seven domains of analytics practice: business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology (approach) selection, model building, deployment, and model life cycle management.
More information including a candidate handbook, study guide, and application instructions, can be found here: https://www.informs.org/Certification-Continuing-Ed/Analytics-Certification.
About INFORMS
INFORMS is the leading international association for professionals in analytics and operations research (O.R.). INFORMS advances research, and develops and promotes best practices in analytics and O.R. through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development. INFORMS helps business, government, and other organization professionals make better decisions to drive value to their organizations and society. Our certification program (CAP®), highly cited publications, educational meetings and conferences, continuing education, industry and process focused networking communities, competitions, and recognition provide professionals with the knowledge and connections they need to achieve ever greater value for their organizations. The INFORMS Society for Marketing Science (ISMS), a subdivision of INFORMS, is a leader in fostering the development, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge, basic and applied research, and science and technologies that improve the understanding and practice of marketing. Further information about INFORMS, analytics, and operations research is at www.informs.org or @informs and further information about the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science (ISMS) is at https://www.informs.org/Community/ISMS.
Media Contact
Ashley Smith
Public Affairs Coordinator
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3578