Ask ten CAMS candidates what the CAMS certification exam passing score is and nine of them will say “75%.” That is incorrect. CAMS exam passing score would be 75 marks or 62.5% in percentage. That misunderstanding leads to systematic preparation errors and, for some candidates, an overconfident entry to the exam room.
Understanding that distinction changes how you should think about the exam and, critically, how you should allocate your study time in the final two weeks before test day.
CAMS Exam Passing Score
To obtain the CAMS certification, the official passing score required by ACAMS is 75. Because the CAMS examination consists of 120 questions, achieving a score of 75 equates to answering 62.5% of the questions correctly
Incorrect answers do not reduce your score. You should answer every single question — never leave one blank. A guess gives you a chance at a point; a blank gives you nothing.
The Exam Format: Why Achieving a 75 is Challenging
While needing a 62.5% CAMS exam passing score might sound easily attainable, the CAMS exam is notorious for its difficulty and requires deep, applied judgment rather than simple rote memorization. The 120 questions cover four core domains:
- Understanding the Risks and Methods of Financial Crime (30%)
- Global AFC Frameworks, Governance, and Regulations (20%)
- Building an Anti-Financial Crime Compliance Program (30%)
- Tools and Technologies to Fight Financial Crime (20%)
Furthermore, the exam utilizes a tricky multiple-selection format alongside traditional multiple-choice questions. Many questions will present five or six plausible answers and explicitly require you to select two or three correct options. There is no partial credit awarded; if you must select three correct answers and you only select two correctly, the entire question is marked wrong.
Receiving Your CAMS Exam Passing Score and Validity
You will not be left in suspense after finishing the grueling exam. Candidates receive their pass or fail results immediately on the computer screen at the conclusion of the test.
However, it is important to note that ACAMS actively monitors examination performance and uses statistical analysis to detect and verify any form of cheating. ACAMS is the final authority on certification, and even if you receive a passing score of 75 on the screen, they reserve the right to review the results. If a score is determined to have questionable validity or was obtained through an unfair advantage, the score will be invalidated, the certification will be revoked, and no refunds will be provided.
What Happens if You Do Not Pass?
If you fall short of the 75-point requirement, ACAMS allows you to retake the examination, but mandatory waiting periods apply:
- First failure: You must wait 30 days before retaking the exam.
- Second failure: You must wait 60 days before your next attempt.
- Third and subsequent failures: You must wait 90 days (or in some regions, up to 6 months for a third consecutive failure).
Conclusion
Securing a CAMS exam passing score of 75 on the CAMS exam requires thorough preparation, strong time management, and a deep understanding of global financial crime frameworks. Focus on mastering the official ACAMS study guide, take advantage of practice exams, and remember to answer every single question on test day.
By combining practical AML experience with disciplined study habits, you can conquer the exam and earn your place among the world’s elite compliance professionals.
