Product Management Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am having problems downloading and/or installing the self-study course. What should I do?

  • Can’t access Yousendit download page
    • Some IT departments block access to Yousendit.com.
    • To download the product you will need to:
      • Have your IT
        department unblock Yousendit
      •  - or – download the product from a different
        network such as a public network, coffee shop or home.
  • Password isn’t working
    • If you are copying and pasting the password make sure it doesn’t
      have an extra space at the end when you select it.
    • To double check manually type in the password.
  • Can’t locate the file after downloading it
    • Most likely the file has been put in your downloads folder, on
      your desktop or (accidentally) in a temporary download folder.
    • If you check these places and still can’t find the file download
      it again, making sure that you save it to your desktop.
  • I unzip or install the product but can’t locate it
    • The folder with everything for the course will be created in the
      same location where you downloaded the file.
    • If you still can’t find the file download it again, making sure
      that you save it to your desktop and
      install it – the folder will then be on your desktop.
  • Some images or files appear to be missing
    • Most likely you did not unzip/extract all of the files at once.
    • Download the file again to your desktop.
    • Windows  – double click on
      the file to run the installer. A folder will be created on your desktop with
      all of the files. Use the “Start Here” page in the folder to access all of the
      files and training materials.
    • Macintosh: Right click (hold down the Ctrl key and click) on it
      and choose to extract here. A folder will be created on your desktop with all
      of the files. Use the “Start Here” page in the folder to access all of the
      files and training materials.

Q: What are the system requirements? Will the CPM Self-Study and ACPM Self-Study Courses run on a Macintosh or iPad?
The self-study courses will run on any PC or Macintosh. Unfortunately Apple does not support Flash on the iPad so you cannot use one to view the course. Note: If you have a webcam you will have more flexibility over the dates and time you can that exam.

Q: How do I sign up for the exam once I have completed the course?
When you purchase a CPM® or ACPM® course from us, we generate your application for certification and send it to AIPMM.   They will send you instructions on how to set up your appointment and identity verification via email.   You may contact them at certification@aipmm.com if you have any questions.  Reference your 280 Group order number for faster service.

Q: Where can I take the exam?
For the Certified Product Manager® exam, you take it in person (online) if you purchase the One Day Intensive Prep Course and online from your own location if you purchase the Self-Study Course.

The Agile Certified Product Manager® exam is taken online from you own location regardless of whether you take the in-person class or the self-study course.

Q: How many questions are on the exam?
For the CPM exam there are 120 questions, and you must get 74% or higher to pass.
For the ACPM exam 60 questions and you must get 85% of higher to pass.

Q: How long is the exam?

  • The CPM exam is two hours long.
  • The ACPM exam is one hour long.

Q: Are there essay question on the exam?
The CPM exam has short essay questions that require a few paragraphs to answer.
The ACPM exam has no essay questions.

Q: Can the self-study course and exam be transferred to another person at the same company if it hasn’t been used yet?
No – the course and exam are licensed to a specific user and may not be transferred to anyone else.

Q: Can I share the self-study course with others?
No. The course is a single user license and may not be shared with others or distributed. Doing so violates US and International copyright laws and invalidates your certification.

Q: Can I take the exam without taking an in-person course or purchasing the CPM Self-Study Course?
No. You must choose a training option of either taking the self-study course or the in-person intensive prep course.

Q: How do I take the exam?
You either sign up for the one day intensive prep course and exam in-person or you purchase the self-study course and take the exam online (contact certification@aipmm.com two weeks before your desired exam date.)

Q: Do I have to be an AIPMM member to take the exam?
Yes – you must be a current AIPMM member ($125 annual fee) in order to take the test. For your convenience, the membership automatically is populated in your cart when you purchased a certification prep-course and is also available on AIPMM’s website.

Q: What is the 280 Group’s refund policy for certification self-study courses, training & exams ? Can I get a refund?
The 280 Group provides refunds within 10 days of purchase. No refunds are given after 10 days (sorry, no exceptions.) AIPMM offers no refunds on exams under any circumstances.  Once the exam application is submitted to AIPMM, the exam fees cannot be refunded.

Q: What is the recommended course of study for the Certified Product Manager (CPM) exam?

Q: What is the recommended course of study for the Agile Certified Product Manager (ACPM) exam?

Q: How far in advance should I schedule my exam?
At least two weeks prior to your preferred exam date.

Q: How do I schedule the online exam?
Email certification@aipmm.com at least two weeks prior to your preferred date.

Q: Does the exam cover only the Certified Product Manager ®(CPM) certification or does it include the Certified Product Marketing Manager ®(CPMM) certification too?
The test currently only covers the CPM. CPMM classes and exams will be offered in the near future.

Q: How well-recognized is the certification?
The AIPMM certifications are very well-recognized and highly regarded around the world. As the only vendor and methodology neutral certifications they show that you truly understand the discipline of product management and not just one company’s particular methodology.

Q: How does the AIPMM certification compare with others out there?
The AIPMM certification is MUCH more rigorous than the other certifications and is not tied to any one vendor’s methodology or way of doing things. As such it is a more valuable credential. The AIPMM test is not easy – it is designed to show that you have truly mastered the concepts of Product Management.

In contrast, other certifications tend to be short and easy (multiple choice and true/false only) exams that are taken right after attending the classes. The exams are designed to show that you know how that particular company views how to perform the profession of product management.

Q: How many people have earned the certifications?
Several thousand people worldwide have earned this prestigious credential. AIPMM was formed in 1998, and every day somewhere in the world, at least two product managers earn their AIPMM certification.

Q: How long does the self-study course take to go through?
The CPM self-study course has ten modules organized into four one day sessions. Most students take two to three hours to complete and review the modules for each day.

The ACPM self-study course  has nine modules and can be completed by doing three modules at a time over the course of three days. Most students will take two to three hours per day to complete and review the modules.

Q: What is the difference between the self-study and in-person courses?
Both courses thoroughly prepare you for the exam and cover the same material. The in-person course gives you the ability to ask questions directly to the instructor and also includes information on strategies when answering the exam questions. The self-study materials can be reviewed as many times and you like, include practice exams, give you as much time as you want to study (up to one year) and can include an optional Q&A session (for $75) with one of the 280 Group trainers.

Q: What are the benefits of certification Product Managers?

  • Advance your Product Management career
  • Get a great new job or promotion
  • Open up new opportunities in growing market
  • Increase your salary dramatically over your entire career
  • Differentiate yourself from others
  • Prove your domain mastery
  • Study at your own pace (CPM Self-Study Course)
  • Take the test at your convenience from your own computer anywhere in the world

Q: What are the benefits of certification for Directors/VPs/Executives?

  • Increase team skill sets and effectiveness
  • Help your employees grow their careers
  • Increase team satisfaction
  • Ensure planning efforts are geared towards profitability and the voice of the customer

Q: What are the benefits of certification for HR Departments & Professionals?

  • Provides employees with widely-respected credentials
  • Self-contained offerings that can be delivered in-person worldwide taken any time anywhere
  • Eliminate the need to develop your own in-house training program
  • Eliminate the cost of bringing a trainer onsite or sending attendees to training (Self-Study Course)

Q: What is the difference between the different certifications that the 280 Group offers?
The Certified Product Manager® (CPM) credential from the Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM) is a worldwide standard. Earning it shows that you understand both the basic and the high-level strategic functions of Product Management.

The Agile Certified Product Manager® (ACPM) credential from AIPMM shows that you understand the different types of Agile development methodologies and have a good grasp of how to apply them effectively at both a strategic and tactical level.