TO CAE EXAM OR NOT TO CAE EXAM...That is the Question.

Last week, I sat for the CAE (Certified Association Executive) Exam, and I wanted to share my experience. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions completed over four hours. Every question is scenario-based, meaning simply memorizing definitions or examples will not elevate your score. The test is offered twice a year, in May and December. During each testing cycle, approximately 150–200 professionals sit for the exam, and on average, about 62% pass. The passing score generally falls between 67–69%.

In my view, this is essentially the bar exam for professionals in the association industry. Even qualifying to sit for the exam is rigorous. Candidates must earn 100 CEUs within the last five years to qualify. I am an avid learner who takes a significant number of professional development courses, and I qualified with 108 CEUs.

At this point, I genuinely do not know how I performed, nor will I know for another six weeks. The scoring process involves curves and assessments based on the mean scores of all test takers. What I can say is that the exam was extraordinarily difficult. I completed a three-month CAE prep course, which was very helpful, and I spent approximately 5–7 hours per week over the past three months studying, reading, and preparing as thoroughly as possible. I am also, admittedly, a very poor test taker, so my level of preparation likely needed to exceed the standard. None of this is meant as an excuse, because I do believe there is a possibility that I passed—but that is not really my point.

While the process was fair and the questions were relevant to the industry, I firmly believe that obtaining a CAE does not solely define the quality of an association professional. What it often demonstrates is that an individual is highly skilled at taking lengthy, rigorous exams. If that is the benchmark of quality, then so be it. However, from my 360-degree perspective as someone who has spent many years in this industry—and as a volunteer leader within two highly successful nonprofit organizations—true leadership is measured in many other ways.

For example, experience matters. If I were choosing between a professional with five years of association experience and a CAE certification versus someone with fifteen years of experience but no CAE, I might lean toward the candidate with deeper experience. Running an association certainly requires functional knowledge and the ability to answer “What would you do in this critical situation?” However, it also requires flexibility, creativity, innovation, and the ability to make responsible decisions quickly—often in situations where the answer is not neatly outlined in an “A, B, C, or D” format. Personally, I tend to be somewhat unorthodox and often look outside the box for choice “E.”

None of this is meant to discourage anyone from taking the exam. Heck, I waited 25 years before attempting it myself. Nor is this an attempt to discredit the certification. In fact, I would be hypocritical if I ultimately earned my CAE and then claimed it lacked value. What I am saying is simply this: organizations should be careful not to overweigh this certification as the deciding factor when evaluating the best candidate for a role.