SCORM, xAPI and cmi5: making learning data work in 2026

When a learner completes an online course, how does the learning system know? The answer is a technical standard, and the choice of standard determines what you can track, where content can run and how easily you can switch platforms. For most organisations, the main options are SCORM, xAPI and cmi5. This guide explains each in practical terms.

SCORM: the established standard

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of standards and specifications for web-based electronic educational technology (also called e-learning).¹ It defines communications between client side content and a host system (called "the run-time environment"), which is commonly supported by a learning management system.¹ SCORM came from government: SCORM is a specification of the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative from the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense.¹

Its strength is ubiquity. According to SCORM.com, SCORM is the most widely used eLearning standard available.² It provides the communication method and data models that allow eLearning content and LMSs to work together.² Wikipedia adds that It is still widely used and is supported by most Learning Management Systems.¹

SCORM 2004 added rules for navigation: SCORM 2004 introduced a complex idea called sequencing, which is a set of rules that specifies the order in which a learner may experience content objects.¹ In practice these rules permit the learner to "bookmark" their progress when taking breaks, and assure the acceptability of test scores achieved by the learner.¹

xAPI: tracking learning anywhere

SCORM was designed for browser-based courses inside an LMS. Over time, In 2008, it was determined that the interoperability standards were too limited for SCORM.³ The response was xAPI. The Experience API (xAPI) is an e-learning software specification that records and tracks various types of learning experiences for learning systems.³ xAPI is an eLearning specification that makes it possible to collect data about the wide range of experiences a person has within online and offline training activities.⁴

xAPI's capabilities include Recording learning from non-browser activities, such as games and simulations.³ and Tracking learning plans and goals³. Data is stored separately: Learning experiences are recorded in a Learning Record Store (LRS), which can exist within traditional learning management systems (LMSs) or on their own.³

Statements and the LRS

There are two key elements within the specification: statements and the Learning Record Store (LRS).⁴ Statements dictate the format for specific learning activities and follow an “[actor] [verb] [object]” structure.⁴ For example: "Amina completed confined space simulation" or "Karim passed pump isolation assessment". Because the format is shared, xAPI’s use of a shared format for both the receiving and sending of data makes the specification an ideal tool for sharing learning between multiple systems.⁴

cmi5: the bridge

cmi5 is a profile of xAPI that defines how courses are launched from an LMS, combining SCORM-like structure with xAPI data. The xAPI site states that cmi5 will play a key role in modernizing learning and training programs for both government and industry.⁴ Support varies, so check both your LMS and your authoring tool.

Which should you use?

• SCORM if you deliver standard e-learning inside one LMS and need broad compatibility.
• xAPI if you track simulations, VR, on-the-job observations, mobile apps or learning across multiple systems.
• cmi5 if you want LMS-launched courses with richer xAPI data and your platforms support it.

Practical tips

1. Ask vendors which versions they support and request a test package.
2. Define a small set of verbs and activity IDs before collecting xAPI data, or reports become messy.
3. Decide who owns the LRS and how long data is kept, in line with privacy rules.
4. Keep source files for content so you can republish in a new standard later.

SCORM under the hood

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of standards and specifications for web-based electronic educational technology (also called e-learning).¹ It defines communications between client side content and a host system (called "the run-time environment"), which is commonly supported by a learning management system.¹ Packaging is standardised as well: SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file called "Package Interchange Format."¹ Later versions added control over order: SCORM 2004 introduced a complex idea called sequencing, which is a set of rules that specifies the order in which a learner may experience content objects.¹ Because SCORM was designed to be web-based and utilizes JavaScript to facilitate communication between the client side content and the run-time environment¹, it assumes a browser session launched from the LMS.

xAPI in more detail

The Experience API (xAPI) is an e-learning software specification that records and tracks various types of learning experiences for learning systems.³ xAPI uses a Restful web service with JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) for its data format.³ In their simplest form, statements are in the form of "I did this", or more generally "actor verb object".³ It enables, for example, recording learning from non-browser activities, such as games and simulations.³

An example statement in words

"Technician A completed 'Pump isolation simulation' with score 92% and duration 11 minutes, on device VR-03, at site Casablanca." Each part maps to fields in the JSON: actor, verb, object, result and context.

Designing a data strategy

1. Start with questions: what do managers, auditors and designers need to know? For example, who is competent on a task, which questions most people miss, which simulations predict performance.
2. Agree vocabulary: use published verb and activity profiles where possible, and document your own extensions.
3. Decide where data live: an LRS inside the LMS, a standalone LRS, or both.
4. Protect personal data: learning records are personal data; define retention, access and purpose.
5. Visualise and act: dashboards should lead to design changes or coaching, not just reporting.

Integrating tools: LTI

A different standard covers tool launch rather than tracking. Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) is a standard developed by 1EdTech formerly known as IMS Global Learning Consortium at the time of creation.⁵ For example, a Learning Management System (LMS) may use LTI to host course content and tools provided by external or third-party systems on a website without requiring a learner to log in separately on the external systems.⁵ Many organisations use SCORM or cmi5 for packaged courses, LTI for external tools and xAPI for experiences outside the LMS.

Testing before go-live

• Test packages in your actual LMS, not only in the authoring tool's preview.
• Check resume behaviour after closing the window mid-course.
• Verify completion and score rules on desktop and mobile.
• Validate xAPI statements against your profile and check they arrive in the LRS.

Key takeaways

• SCORM remains the most widely supported standard for LMS courses.
• xAPI tracks learning beyond the browser, storing statements in an LRS.
• cmi5 combines LMS launch with xAPI data; check platform support.

Frequently asked questions

Is SCORM obsolete?

No. It is still widely used and supported by most LMSs, though it is limited to browser-based content.

Do I need an LRS to use xAPI?

Yes. Statements are stored in an LRS, which may be built into an LMS or run separately.

Which SCORM version should we use?

SCORM 1.2 is the most broadly compatible; SCORM 2004 adds sequencing. Test with your LMS.

Can xAPI track offline learning?

Yes. Statements can be recorded for offline or on-the-job activities and sent when connected.

Will SCORM disappear?

It remains widely supported and used; many organisations keep it for packaged courses while adding xAPI or cmi5.

Do we need an LRS?

Only if you want to collect xAPI data; many modern LMSs include one.

Sources

Every factual statement marked with a number links to the source below. Sources were retrieved on 23 October 2026; check the publisher for later revisions.

1. SCORM (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org
2. SCORM.com scorm.com
3. Experience API (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org
4. xAPI.com xapi.com
5. Learning Tools Interoperability (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.org