CA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
CA exam key facts
- The Certified Archivist Examination has 100 multiple-choice questions based on the Role Delineation Statement for Professional Archivists, and there is no penalty for guessing. Source
- The Certified Archivist Examination application fee is $125 USD, paid when the application is submitted. Cancellations made more than 24 hours ahead are refunded minus a $25 processing fee. Source
- Candidates retaking the Certified Archivist Examination must contact ACA by April 30 to confirm they will sit in 2027. Depending on their certification status, they may need to submit a new application. Source
- Certified Archivist certification is valid for five years, starting July 1 of the year the exam is passed, as long as ACA membership stays active. Source
📋 CA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CA Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample CA Questions & Answers
1. The concept of 'archival bond' refers to the relationship between a record and:
Archival bond describes the relationship connecting each record to the other records produced in the course of the same activity.
2. Which PREMIS entity represents the people, organizations, or software agents responsible for actions taken on digital objects?
In the PREMIS data model, the Agent entity represents any actor — person, organization, or software — that is associated with preservation events affecting digital objects.
3. The General Records Schedules (GRS) issued by NARA apply to which category of records?
NARA's General Records Schedules authorize disposal or transfer of common administrative records—such as routine correspondence and HR files—found in virtually all federal agencies.
4. Which approach guides archivists in prioritizing processing of large backlogs by focusing on making collections accessible at a basic level before adding detailed description?
MPLP, developed by Greene and Meissner, advocates for baseline-level processing to open collections faster rather than exhaustive item-level description.
5. DACS was developed as a U.S. implementation of which international archival description standard?
DACS was developed as the U.S. implementation of the International Council on Archives' ISAD(G), adapted to reflect North American archival practice.
6. What does informed consent require in Certified Archivist Certification practice?
Informed consent requires that all relevant information be provided so the individual can make a knowledgeable and voluntary decision.
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How this page was made: written with AI tools. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- certifiedarchivists.org — Eligibility, exam format, test delivery, fees, registration deadline, registration, retake policy, renewal, score release, score validity · verified Oct 2026