Exam preparation is typically an extremely stressful experience. Regardless of how big or small the exam is, it might be difficult to maintain composure. Many people experience anxiety and anxiousness due to their extensive course load or lack of time to complete their studies. If you’ve been studying for a competitive exam for a long time, there’s also the worry of failing. Just for a moment, think about the following scenario.
What if you were informed that there is a change in the PMP exam amid all the stress? It would undoubtedly catch you off guard, am I right? Well, Project Management Professional (PMP) candidates are all familiar with the sensation.
The PMP is a highly regarded credential. Becoming a qualified project manager is regarded as the qualification to pursue. There are over 1,000,000 people worldwide who hold this widely respected certification, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI), which administers and offers it.
Modifications to The PMP Exam Questions & Time Limit
Let’s first discuss why the PMP practise test changed in the first place before we examine the modifications that have been made. Simply said, it’s because project management is a constantly changing field. The introduction of the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition and recommendations based on ongoing research since 2019 are the two factors that led to the revisions in the exam.
Let’s clarify one point, though. Not all of your prior work is wasted just because the seventh version of the PMBOK Guide has been released. The Guide was never meant to serve as a candidate’s only source of information.
The Exam Content Outline has undergone the first update (ECO). Previously, the Exam Content Outline had five domains that closely mirrored the five process groups. The following were listed: initiating (13%), planning (24%), carrying out (31%), overseeing and controlling (25%), and closing (7%).
The percentages show the relative importance of each of these domains on the last PMP test. There are just three domains in the new ECO, though: People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%). The goal of the previous PMP ECO was to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of the five process groups and the many tasks that are contained within them.
Project managers today operate in a range of project environments and employ various methodologies for every project, therefore this was taken into consideration when creating the new ECO. Predictive, agile, and hybrid strategies will therefore be dispersed over the three domains specified under the new ECO.
Following that are the number of questions and the given time. The old exam style required 240 minutes to complete 200 questions, 25 of which were not scored. You have 230 minutes to complete 180 questions on the new exam, 5 of which are not scored.
How about pauses? Two will be given to you. You will take the first break after you have completed and studied questions 1 through 60. After you’ve answered question 120 and gone over all 120 questions, you’ll take the second break. Ten minutes will be allotted for each break.
Now let’s discuss the exam’s modes. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, PMI and Pearson Vue have also started offering online proctored tests. By doing this, arranging your PMI exam date will no longer take up unnecessary time.
You can do it in the comfort of your own home. For individuals who prefer the environmental stimulation of a real exam, there are also center-based exams available. You will now encounter a variety of questions, including multiple-choice, multiple-response, matching, hotspot, and fill-in-the-blanks, as opposed to just MCQs in the previous exam.
PMP Exam Content
The PMP Certification test changes, as you can see in the previous section, also take into account changes to the exam’s subject matter. Aspiring PMP candidates must respond to a range of inquiries throughout the value delivery spectrum. The three main exam domains will be project management approaches that are predictive, agile, and hybrid.
What effects will the PMP exam change have?
Don’t panic, that’s the first thing I want to say to you. Although it’s normal to feel worried that such a prominent exam has undergone some changes, it’s crucial to keep in mind that these changes are only modifications. Most essential and competitive exams frequently go through adjustments to stay current and relevant.
Additionally, you should be aware that just because the seventh edition of the PMBOK guide has been released, it does not necessarily follow that all of your exam questions will originate from it.
Even while it appears that the PMP test design change will have negative effects, you shouldn’t let that cause you to become more anxious. Stop fretting and start studying because the PMP test has traditionally been among the hardest exams in the world.
The new PMP exam is not more difficult. It’s only in a new format, so if you’re picky about formats, that could be a minor hiccup. Your knowledge and comprehension of project management principles, techniques, and your capacity to address problems using prognosticative, adaptive, and hybrid agile methodologies and environments are all tested on the PMP exam.
The only constant is the change
I hope that this post has provided you with a thorough overview of all the changes that have taken place in the world of PMPs. There is no reason to be concerned, even though they could appear overwhelming at the moment, and you might feel like you must start over from the beginning.
Do what you would normally do and keep taking practice exams on EDUHUBSPOT to boost your confidence until you feel fully prepared. I’m sure you’ll do well on the new exam, and I wish you luck with it. Best of luck!
Author : Varun Anand is the Project management expert, PMP mentor and a trainer at EduHubSpot. His Project Management institute (PMI) certification include Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI-ACP, PfMP, and CAPM. He has also done CSM certification from Scrum Alliance. Varun is an engineering graduate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
With over 10 years of experience in training students for PMP certification Exam, Varun is an internationally known Project Management speaker and educator. He has trained thousands of professionals, earning widespread respect in the industry. At EduHubSpot, he brings the practical side of Project Management to life, helping professionals master PMP from anywhere. He is also an experienced and renowned author.
