Taking the CRM & CRA Exams

Taking the CRM & CRA Exams


The CRM designation is attained by completing Parts 1-6. The CRA designation is attained by completing Parts 2-4.

Exam Parts:


Parts 1 through 5 consist of 100 multiple-choice questions each. The multiple-choice questions in Parts 2 through 4 are chosen based upon equal weighting of the Examination Outline. All examination questions are in English.

Candidates must pass Parts 1 through 5 before registering for Part 6. Part 6 consists of 2 essay questions and requires a well thought-out and detailed written business case. The answers to Part 6 must be written in the English language.

The questions in each part are based on fundamental records and information management practices, and are meant to represent the best practices in the industry. Questions are NOT included in the test bank if they refer solely to the practices of a specific country, vendor or company.

If English is not the Candidate’s native language, they are entitled to an additional 20 minutes of test time for each of Parts 1 through 5, and an additional 60 minutes of test time for Part 6. Candidates requiring this additional time should request approval from the Regent for Exam Administration (examadmin@icrm.org) after registering for an exam.

MonitorEDU Registration Process
An eligible Candidate registers for exams using the Prolydian website. Authorization to test is granted once you have registered and paid for the exam via credit card on the Prolydian website. Once authorized, visit the Prolydian Exam Dashboard when you are ready to take your exam. Accept the NDA and confirm you have read the testing requirements. You can then click Launch Exam to start your exam when you are ready.

Examination Fees
A $100 fee per examination is charged for each Parts 1 through 5. A $150 fee is charged for Part 6. Exam registration is conducted through the Prolydian website and payment is made directly to Prolydian during the exam registration process. Prolydian accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB payments.

Taking the Examination
The ICRM contracted with Prolydian to provide online proctored exams through MonitorEDU. A candidate may sit for Parts 1 through 5 of the examination in any sequence and on the schedule they desire. Part 6 can only be taken after the Candidate has passed Parts 1 through 5. A Candidate must pass all exams within 5 years unless they have attained the CRA designation.

Non-Disclosure Agreement
All candidates will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to beginning the exam. If you do not accept the non-disclosure agreement, you will not be allowed to complete the exam and will forfeit your exam payment. A copy of the non-disclosure statement may be found on the ICRM website: https://www.icrm.org/OnlineExam-NDA

Part 6 Test Administration
Part 6 is an essay type examination administered by Prolydian through online proctoring from MonitorEDU. The test does not include the ability to format text (for example, bold or underline), and copying, cutting or taking screenshots of exam content is not allowed during the exam. Part 6 tests are timed and allotted 240 minutes (four hours).

During the exam, you will be required to write two 50 point business cases. You will be presented with a mandatory business case first, and then be able to choose between two options for the final case. You will have a total of four hours to read the cases and complete the entire exam. When you confirm you have completed and reviewed the first business case you will be given an optional 10 minute break. When you return from break, you will select one of the two remaining 50-point business cases to answer. When you confirm the second case study is completed, the exam is over. There is also a notepad function available during the Part 6 exam.

Our Part 6 testing procedures are currently being updated to fit our new online proctoring model. Our website will be updated as new information is received.

Grades
The passing score for each part of the examination is 70%. Candidates taking Parts 1 through 5 will receive their exam results within 72 hours upon completion of testing. 

Part 6 exam answers are graded by qualified CRM graders. Each exam is graded by two graders and the higher of the two scores is counted. Candidates will be automatically notified of the results of their exam within 14 days of exam completion

Examination Dates
Candidates may take exams at the frequency and in any sequence desired. Since Parts 1 through 5 are offered year-round, a Candidate may register for a retake for any failed exam once they have received their score.

Upon receiving passing notice on Parts 1 through 5, a candidates may schedule to take Part 6 during the next available test cycle. Part 6 is offered four times a year in 10 week cycles. Please view Part 6 Schedule at: https://www.icrm.org/exam-events. If a Candidate fails to pass Part 6, they must wait until the next cycle to retake.

Examination Time Allotment
Candidates are allowed 85 minutes to complete each Part 1 through 5 exams. Part 6 has a 240 minute (4 hour) time period. For Part 6, the 10 minute break is not included in the 240 minute time frame.
 

Part 6 Automatic Regrade Policy
If a candidate scores between 63% and 69% on a Part 6 exam, an automatic regrade process will commence. The candidate’s exam will be automatically reassigned to four new graders. The candidate’s final score will be the highest of the two grading sessions.  No appeals are allowed.
 

Feedback
For Parts 1-5, feedback to Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing an examination part is provided via email with your score within 72 hours after taking the exam. Feedback consists of a listing of the outline sections where you missed more than 30% of the delivered questions and may help focus your study for retaking the exam.

Feedback for Part 6 is provided to Candidates who are unsuccessful in passing the exam. The feedback is provided by the graders who graded each question (each exam is graded by two different graders). Feedback is in narrative form for each section of the exam.

Online Testing Resources:
We encourage you to review these helpful resources to ensure a successful online testing experience:

MonitorEDU Resources