CAP Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CAP 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.
📋 CAP Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CAP Topics to Study (36)
✍️ Sample CAP Questions & Answers
1. When a CAP advisor becomes aware that a client's planned gift may be used by a nonprofit in ways that conflict with the client's stated values, the advisor should:
The advisor's duty includes ensuring the client has complete and accurate information relevant to their philanthropic decisions—including potential conflicts with their own values—before completing any transaction.
2. What is an essential step in nonprofit impact evaluation?
An essential step in nonprofit impact evaluation is collecting and analyzing program outcome data. This systematic process helps determine if programs are achieving their intended goals and making a real difference. The data provides evidence of effectiveness, informs program improvements, and demonstrates accountability to donors and stakeholders.
3. When advising a client on philanthropic legacy planning, which element is most essential to address according to CAP curriculum?
CAP curriculum prioritizes the articulation of philanthropic identity—who the donor is, what they care about, and what legacy they want to create—as the foundation for all technical planning decisions.
4. In estate planning, what does 'step-up in basis' mean for inherited assets?
Inherited assets receive a stepped-up basis equal to the fair market value on the date of death, eliminating capital gains tax on pre-death appreciation.
5. An 'absolute return' strategy in endowment investing aims to:
Absolute return strategies seek positive returns in all market environments using diverse, uncorrelated approaches, helping endowments reduce volatility and protect capital during market downturns.
6. A CAP advisor who receives a referral fee from a charitable organization for recommending clients to that organization should:
Full disclosure of any referral fees or compensation arrangements is required; the advisor must also evaluate whether the conflict can be adequately managed or requires declining the arrangement.