Update: The PMP exam update has moved to January 11th, 2016 to allow all stakeholders adequate time to prepare for this change (Source:PMI).
In June 2015, PMI published a new PMP certification exam content outline, and after January 11th, 2016, the PMP exam will be based upon the new exam content outline. (Earlier, the scheduled date for the change was November 1st, 2015).
This has caused panic among PMP aspirants.
I have received many emails about these changes. Many think that if they do not pass the exam before January 11th, 2016, their efforts will be in vain and they have to start their studies based on the new syllabus.
Many PMP aspirants’ eligibility will expire soon after the change and they are worried that they don’t have enough time to prepare with the new format if they fail.
Likewise, many aspirants have issues.
Therefore, I am writing this blog post to answer their queries. I believe I can clear up your doubts.
First, relax. It is not a major change in the exam, and the PMBOK Guide 5th Edition is still the exam reference. No tasks have been removed from the syllabus. So, whatever you have studied will be valid.
Now we come to the new content.
The current PMP Exam Content Outline has 34 tasks, and after January 11th, 2016 it will have 42 tasks; PMI has added eight new tasks.
These eight tasks are:
Domain–I (Initiating): Three new tasks were added to this process group (task 2, task 7, and task 8).
Domain–II (Planning): One new task was added to the executing process group (task 13).
Domain–III (Executing): Two new tasks were added to this process group (task 6, task 7).
Domain–IV (Monitoring and Controlling): Two new tasks were added here (task 6, task 7).
Domain–V (Closing): No new tasks were added to this process group.
You might think that this is a lot; however, that is not the case. You have already studied most of the tasks during your preparation.
For example, let’s look at one new task added to the monitoring and controlling process group:
“Capture, analyze, and manage lessons learned, using lessons learned management techniques to enable continuous improvement.”
读一遍,问问你自己,你看到的this for the first time?
Although this is a new task added to the exam content outline, you were already aware of these tasks.
Likewise, most of the other new tasks are not entirely new, and you have read them in your reference books and in training sessions: for example, lean management, Kanban,Six Sigma, and ISO, etc.
So, you should not worry about the exam content and focus on exam preparation. If you pass the exam before November 1st, good for you! However, if you cannot pass the exam before January 11th, 2016, don’t worry, your preparation will be valid and you can retake the exam comfortably.
A few new tasks have been added but you can study most of the content with your current study materials and the rest can be researched on the internet. I would not recommend you buy any new books or attend the training again.
If you have attended training andearned 35 contact hours, they are valid for life.
Why Was This Change Required?
The PMI updates its exam content based on the Role Delineation Study (RDS) every three or five years after consulting with stakeholders. The RDS process ensures that the course content remains updated. This procedure ensures the relevancy of the PMP certification and guarantees that it is good for you and the industry; therefore, instead of overthinking it, focus on your studies and pass the PMP exam.
Summary
I am not implying that you should ignore the added content. I am only saying that it is not a drastic change. Nothing has been brought out of the blue and added to the exam content, and you should not overthink it. I suggest you note down the added tasks and go through them to pass the PMP exam.
What do you think about the current change in the PMP exam? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
HI Fahad,
Many readers get confused about RDS and PMBOK Guide. One of the comments above suggested the same thing. PMBOK Guide is a major reference book for PMP Exam but the exam is based on RDS. So a student should study other reference material also.
BR
Praveen.
As per the PMI:
PMI conducts a role delineation study for the PMP credential every five to seven years to ensure the credential reflects contemporary practice and evolves to meet current needs in the profession, and to comply with the PMP credential’s accreditation against the ISO 17024 standard.
Hello Fahed,
I have completed my studies for the PMP exam, I was thinking of doing the exam in the next couple of days but after going through the changes I am reluctant to do so. Do you think that studying the fifth edition will be enough now to pass or should I wait to study the new changes?
And if you suggest to wait, everyone is talking about the changes but there are no notes or any information available on the changes to study from, do you have any documents that I can use to study these new changes?
Thnx
Change is minor and most of the topics you would have already studied. So don’t worry about the changes.
Fahad,
Thanks for all your efforts done in the blogs and absolutely they are valuable and fruitful.
I am preparing for PMP exam and I am planning to take the exam on Feb, 2016.
Beside your blogs, 400 exam questions and Pmbok, will you recommend any other study sources?
What is your advise for new 8 tasks to be able to hit high score in the new exam version?
Thanks
I hope this blog post will help you in your PMP exam preparation:
//www.utahfilmbank.com/2015/08/how-to-become-a-pmp/
You can refer to the latest exam content outlines for details on new tasks.
Dear Fahad will the changes on the PMP exam after 11Jan also be applied on the CAPM exam?
No.
Thank you for the information. I am certain I will pass the exam before the original (Nov) cut-off, I always like to know my options. I spent more time wondering if my cert. would be discounted by prospects “at Large”. the day I receive it.
I think you’ve put my mind at ease.
Now the date is shifted to 11 Jan 2016.
And yes, this certification will help you in your career growth.
Will this affect the CAPM examination as well?
This change is for the PMP exam only.
PMI, PMBOK, PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP and the PMI Registered Education Provider logo are all registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc. November 1, 2015 will be the last day that you will be able to write the PMP exam before PMI makes some significant changes.
The date is 11 January 2016.
Hi Fahad,
I have attended PMP test on 8/17/2015 but it was not through.
The results were:
Initiation, Planning and M&C (Moderately proficient)
Execution and Closing (Below moderately proficient)
I felt the exam was so tough as i got more questions on Procurement decisions.
I am planning to attend the Test again, could you please help me to improve in the Execution and Closing areas.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
Prathapa
Your performance was poor in all domains.
See you got only moderately proficient in other three process groups. So you must start all over again.
Currently I am writing a blog post on “How to become a PMP?” Hope this blog post will you in preparing for the exam.
You can also read my below given blog post:
//www.utahfilmbank.com/2012/02/what-if-if-i-fail-in-first-attempt-for-the-pmp-certification-exam/
Fahad
Thank you so much for your valuable feedback, Fahad.
You are welcome Prathapa.
Dear Fahad,
I would like to share the good news that i have passed PMP test on 28-Dec-2015.
Thank you very much for your guidance.
Regards
Prathapa
Congratulation Prathapa for passing the PMP exam.
我是一个PMP认证,但我不明白是什么you mean by new tasks? I know 47 process, so do you mean their are new process?
Regards,
These are the tasks under each processes. These are not new processes.
More information can be find here:
http://www.pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pmp-certification-exam-outline.ashx
Hi Fahad,
Regarding the new tasks that will be added, I searched in PMBOK I could not find enough material in it to prepare for exam. Can you please suggest where can I get the material to prepare for exam for those who are taking it after 11th Jan.
Everybody says what is changing nobody says where we can find the study material to prepare for exam.
Please help. Thanks in advance.
Read below given blog post to understand the whole process.
//www.utahfilmbank.com/2015/08/how-to-become-a-pmp
The above blog post also give you information about resources to be used for your exam preparation.
Thank you so much Fahad for the update.
You are welcome Prathapa.
Please send me the updates
http://www.pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Certifications/pmp-certification-exam-outline.ashx
I did not understand you Manoj. What kind of update are you asking for?