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PMI PMP Exam Changes 2020

The PMI PMP Exam changes on 01-January-2021.
This change was announced on 17-March-2020 due to the worldwide Corona (Covid-19) crisis.

You can take a break

PMI recently changed the 4 hour PMP exam (again). It is now presented in 2 parts with a 10 minute break in the middle !

You will have up to 2 hours for each part. You must submit Part 1 at the end of two hours or earlier. Once Part 1 is submitted, you will NOT be able to go back to any questions in Part 1. Submitting Part 1 will trigger the 10 minute break time. Part 2 lasts up to 2 hours. You are able to submit in less than the full time.

Summarized : You have 2 hours for each part of the exam. This includes 30 minutes to review your answers. When you submit your answers, you cannot go back for review or corrections. In between Part 1 and 2 , there is a 10 minute break. The total length of the exam is thus 4 hours and 10 minutes.

The FASTRACK PMP Exam Simulator has been updated to reflect this new change.

PMP exam change postponed until 2 January 2021

pmi-pmp-logo PMI is committed to the safety and well-being of our global community, which is why we have a designated Crisis Task Force that is continuously monitoring the situation arising from coronavirus (COVID-19) daily. 

We are taking additional steps to make this time easier for our community.  As a result, we have decided to extend access to the current PMP exam until 31 December 2020, and postpone the launch of the new exam until 2 January 2021.This postponement will provide candidates with additional time and access to training resources to help them prepare and sit for the exam confidently.

If you have already scheduled your exam, or plan to do so in the near future, please consult our COVID-19 page for the latest updates and guidance. If you have additional questions or need assistance, please contact Customer Care

Check this page for future updates : https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp/exam-prep/changes

There is still time to prepare yourself and to take the actual exam before 31-DEC-2021 !!

The PMP Certification

pmbok-guide-6th-edition
PMBoK Guide 6th Edition

The PMI PMP Certification – Project Management Professional – is one of the most recognised certifications worldwide in the project management profesion.

The actual exam is based on the content of the PMBoK Guide 6th Edition , also know as the standard in project management for many organisations.

Why is the PMP exam evolving ?

Where the actual exam is mainly focussing on the 5 process groups (Initiation – Planning – Execution – Monitoring & Control – Closing), the new exam will be focussing on 3 domains : Proceses, People, Busines Environment.

The restructuration of the new exam allows PMI to align the exam questions to their new Talent Triangle, which was introduced in the PMBoK Guide 6th Edition.

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PMI Talent Triangle

The exam questions will be balanced as follows:

  • Processes (project management techniques) : 50% (approx. 100 questions out of 200)
  • People (leadership) : 42% (approx. 84 questions)
  • Bussiness Environment (strategic & operational strategy) : 8% (approx. 16 questions)

This restructuration of the exam also allows PMI to introduce Agile concepts into the exam questions. As from 01-JUL-2020, approx. 50% of the questions will be Agile related (adaptive approach) and the other 50% will be Waterfall related (predictive approach).

PMI and Agile

PMI started to embrace Agile in 2010 with the introduction of the PMI-ACP credential. Together with the publication of the PMBoK Guide 6th Edition, PMI also published their first edition of the Agile Practice Guide, which is now available together with the PMBoK Guide as a bundle.

This Agile Practice Guide was developed in partnership with the Agile Alliance.

Agile Practice Guide
PMI Agile Practice Guide

Impacts on the PMP Exam

The 4 values of the Agile Manifesto – published in 2001 – will have their impact on the questions of the future exam :

  • more focus on people and interaction instead of processes and tools
  • more focus on operational functionalities instead of exhaustive documentation
  • more focus on collaboration with the client instead of contractual relations
  • more focus on acceptance of change instead of conformity and sticking to the plan

How to prepare yourself ?

There are a number of training and learning solutions available ranging from classroom training to self-study supported with online training products.

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PMP Exam Prep Ninth Edition

PMP Exam Prep Ninth Edition – published by RMC Learning Solutions (aka the Rita Mulcahy company) – is focussing on passing the PMP exam at first attempt.

  • Practice exam questions—over 400 throughout the book.
  • A focus on real-world project issues.
  • Exclusive exercises and Tricks of the Trade®.
  • Cross-references to PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition pages for easy lookup.
  • A chapter dedicated exclusively to making sure you pass the exam on your first attempt.

Additionally, they have also PMP Exam Simulator solutions to get aquanted with the style of exam questions and the exam timing. It also allows you to detect teh gaps in your knowledge.

There is still time to prepare yourself and to take the actual exam before 31-DEC-2021 !!

Corona (Covid-19) Update

PMI announced the below statement recently. Please check PMI and Pearson VU websites regularly to get the latest and most up-to-date information.

For all certification exam candidates who are able to proceed with taking their scheduled exam, please consult test center information to your specific location at PearsonVUE’s Coronavirus Update Page  as it is updated regularly. For candidates who already scheduled the exam but are unable to take it due to health restrictions or delayed with training, PMI will offer you to reschedule your exam and PMI is willing to extend your exam eligibility period for up to six months. All paid fees will be eligible for a refund and you will be able to reschedule without accruing penalty fees.

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