Prepare for the CAP Exam

ISA offers exam prep resources for every stage of your Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) journey, from a structured review course to self-study guides and technical references. Whether you prefer live instruction, online learning or independent study, you can choose the resources that best fit your schedule and preparation style.

CAP Exam Review Course

We highly recommend taking the Certified Automation Professional Exam Review (EC00) course, available in live, virtual, instructor-guided online and self-paced formats to match your learning style and schedule. Join an exam prep course.

CAP Study Guide

Use the CAP Study Guide for focused self-study, including the exam domains and tasks, 75 review questions with answers and references for deeper study. Buy the Study Guide.

Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge

Build a stronger foundation with A Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, a technical reference that provides a complete overview of all technical topics addressed on the CAP exam. 

CAP Publication Resources

The following is a comprehensive list of CAP® exam-related resources, including the CAP Study Guide.

Key: Domain 1: Calibration; Domain 2: Loop Checking; Domain 3: Troubleshooting; Domain 4: Start-Up; Domain 5: Maintenance/Repair; Domain 6: Project Organization; Domain 7: Administration

Link to Domain accordion. 

Additional Training Resources

Explore additional ISA training courses and additional publications that can help reinforce the technologies and topics covered on the CAP exam.

View course catalog (link to pre-filtered course catalog for CAP-related courses) 

Review CAP Exam Topics

The ISA CAP exam is designed to assess whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities during the first three (3) years of their post-certification work.

Topics Covered in the Exam

  1. Basic continuous control: Process instrumentation, analytical instrumentation, continuous control, control valves, analog communications, control system documentation and control equipment
  2. Basic discrete, sequencing and manufacturing control: Discrete input and output devices, general manufacturing measurements, discrete and sequencing control, motor and drive control and motion control
  3. Advanced control topics: Process modeling, advanced process control, control of batch processes, environmental, environmental monitoring and building automation
  4. Reliability, safety and electrical: Alarm management, reliability, process safety, safety instrumented systems, electrical installations and safe use and application of electrical apparatus
  5. Integration and software: Digital communications, industrial networks, manufacturing execution systems, business integration, system and network security, operator interface, data management, software and custom software
  6. Deployment and maintenance: Operator training, checkout, system testing, startup, troubleshooting, maintenance, long-term support and system management
  7. Work structure:  Automation benefits, project justifications, project management, execution and interpersonal skills

CAP Sample Questions

Questions on the exam were derived from the actual practice of automation professionals as outlined in the CAP Role Delineation Study and job task analysis. Using interviews, surveys, observations and group discussions, ISA worked with automation professionals to delineate critical job components, develop exam specifications and determine the number of questions for each domain and task tested. This rigorous program development and ongoing maintenance process ensures that CAP certification accurately reflects the skills and knowledge needed to excel as an automation professional.

The following six questions were taken from the CAP exam question item bank and serve as examples of the question type and question content found on the CAP exam.

  1. The method by which the tasks and hazards associated with a machine or process are analyzed is known as:
    1. Risk assessment.
    2. Machine assessment.
    3. Risk reduction.
    4. Risk abatement.
       
  2. To test controller tuning or prototype new control strategies offline, the model should be a(an):
    1. Tie-back (loopback) simulation.
    2. Artificial neural network.
    3. Dynamic process simulation.
    4. Steady state process simulation.
       
  3. The temperature measurement with the BEST repeatability and resolution is the:
    1. Thermocouple.
    2. Resistance temperature detector (RTD).
    3. Dial thermometer.
    4. Capillary system.
       
  4. Which of the following is NOT a variable speed drive setup parameter?
    1. Acceleration rate.
    2. Motor winding type.
    3. Output frequency.
    4. Maximum speed.
       
  5. A complete test plan for system integration testing MUST include:
    1. Comments for the application programmer.
    2. Multiple test cases for each mode of operation.
    3. At least five test cases for each test.
    4. Expected results for each test case.
       
  6. Frequency of maintenance should be determined by:
    1. Failure rates of components.
    2. Availability of personnel and parts.
    3. Management targets for efficiency and productivity.
    4. Effectiveness of maintenance personnel.

Sample Questions Answer Key

Question Number Correct Answer Exam Content Outline
1 A Domain 1, Task 4 2 C Domain 2, Task 2 3 B Body Content Here 4 B Domain 4, Task 7 5 C Domain 5, Task 5 6 A Domain 6, Task 2

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