The CAE examination is fair but challenging, designed to assess the ability of test takers to apply fundamental knowledge to scenarios drawn from real-world association management challenges. The CAE Exam Content Outline is updated every five years.

EXAM CONTENT OUTLINE- New for December 2025 

In 2024, the CAE Commission oversaw a practice analysis that resulted in the identification of 116 essential association management competencies organized into eight knowledge domains.  

The new CAE Exam Content Outline takes effect with the December 2025 exam and continues through the May 2030 exam. The outline presents the content covered in the exam; the amount of the test devoted to each area is indicated in parentheses. 

Download the CAE Exam Content Outline for December 2025 – May 2030 [PDF] 

The May 2025 CAE Exam will use the December 2020-May 2025 Exam Content Outline: 

Download the CAE Exam Content Outline for December 2020 – May 2025 [PDF] 

 

Australasian Pilot Test Exam Outline 

Beginning with the May 2021 CAE exam, ASAE will be conducting pilot tests with the Australasian Society of Association Executives. The Australasian CAE Exam Content Outline is similar to the standard U.S.-centric outline but with some variations to account for differences in meaning, practice, or laws. The Australasian CAE Exam Content Outline is not changing in 2025. 

Download the Australasian CAE Exam Content Outline [PDF]