Planning to take the new PMP exam? This is how you can prepare for it

PMI, the governing body of PMP, had earlier announced that the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam change would be effective from 1st July 2020 has now extended the change deadline to 2nd January 2021. In every 3 to 5 years, PMI researches to study the changes and trends in the project management domain. They find out if the changes are impacting the functions of a project manager. The research is conducted by PMI and PMP subject matter experts from around the globe, and from prominent organizations.      

On 30th June 2019, the new PMP Exam Content Outline was published. 1st January 2021, is the last day to appear for the PMP exam before it changes on 2nd January 2021.  If you have been preparing for the PMP exam along the current outline, you can even take the exam online. However, if you are planning to wait for the current economic slowdown to pass and take the new PMP exam, this article is for you.

What are the changes?

The current PMP exam is based on the five domains of the project life cycle:

• * Initiating
• * Planning
• * Executing
• * Monitoring and controlling
• * Closing

The new PMP exam will be based on three areas:

• * People
• * Process
• * Business Environment

The 3 domains will contain tasks of a project manager and enablers or actions to fulfill the tasks. The new exam will be a combination of predictive project management methodologies and agile and hybrid approaches. The predictive project management methodology will be 50%, and agile and hybrid will be the remaining 50%.  

It’s a no brainer that the new PMP exam will be a difficult one. The inclusions of new topics will lead to twice the content than before. It will take a complete commitment from the Professionals preparing to give the new exam to clear the PMP exam in the 1st attempt.

What are the pointers to consider?

Standard Book for Preparation:

• * Since there are no changes to PMBOK Guide version 6, we can expect that the exam will be based on the current PMBOK Guide. So, start preparing from the PMBOK Guide. Take notes of important points to go through on a later stage. Go through the PMBOK Guide at least twice. While PMI has announced that it is working on the 7th edition of PMBOK, the official publication is nowhere in sight.
• * PMI has also identified the new topics included in the new outline to the topics present in the current PMBOK. However, you will have to do additional research on new topics included.

Exam Outline to Refer:

• * Go thoroughly through the new PMP exam content outline. This will help you identify the areas for which the PMBOK will be sufficient and areas for which you will have to do additional research. It is never a good idea to walk in blind for the PMP exam.
• * PMI has committed to releasing several study material and addendums before the exam changes. Don’t forget to keep an eye on those.

Additional Research:

• * Read as many books or information about Agile and hybrid approaches. 50% of the questions will be based on agile and hybrid approaches, so try to explore both approaches. 
• * Try to get access to the updated PMP Exam Simulator. 
• * Attempt practice tests questions 
• * Try to get Rita Mulcahy’s PMP exam prep ninth edition book. It is as per the PMBOK Guide sixth edition

How is CP assisting?

Certification Planner is North America’s largest training institute with near 5-star ratings on Trustpilot. We have trained over 45,000 professionals, and also provide a guarantee to pass the exam. For professionals planning to take PMP certification before the end of the year, CP is currently offering PMP Bootcamp in line with the outline valid till 1st January 2021. You can enroll with Certification Planner and get trained by the experts holding PMP credentials and having extensive industry experience.

To facilitate training during the ongoing crisis, CP has also introduced the Online Self-Styled Learning module and Online Self-Style Plus Learning module. These are economical learning modules that you can take up from the safety of your home.

For more information, you can visit us at www.certificationplanner.com or drop an email at support@certificationplanner.com. You can also call us at +1 855.322.1201. Wishing you all the best!