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In this special issue... |
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 Hello
You are receiving this special edition of The PMP Exam Tips Newsletter today because I believe that the information it contains is important for everyone studying for the PMP Exam right now: The PMP Exam changes on August 31st.
What's in store for you in this special issue:
- Articles:
- The PMP Exam Changes On 31 August 2011. What This Means For You.
- Why PMI Won't Say If You Passed Or Failed Your PMP Exam
- Important Links:
- Official PMI information about the update
- PMP Examination Content Outline
- Status of our products
- In short: All our products are updated for the new exam
Read on and Enjoy. If you know someone who could benefit from this, feel free to forward it to them!
Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
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The PMP Exam Changes On 31 August 2011. What This Means For You.
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 Every five to seven years, the Project Management Institute (PMI) performs a Role Delineation Study to determine authority ("the role"), responsibilities & duties of project managers today. The findings are then used to update the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam. In this way, PMI ensures that the PMP Exam is a reflection of what project managers actually do in the field. If PMI didn't regularly go through this process adding new elements and removing old ones, then you would still be tested on outdated methods that were used in the 1980s when the first PMP exam was given.
PMI completed their latest study at the end of 2010. The findings will lead to an update in the PMP Exam on 31 August 2011. Let's look at what this means to you.
The PMBOK Guide Is Not Changing
First of all and most importantly: There is NO change to the PMBOK Guide. The PMP Exam is currently based on the PMBOK Guide 4th Edition. The 5th edition is scheduled for publication at the end of 2012. This means that the PMP Exam will continue to be largely based on the 4th edition until sometime in 2013. Therefore, everyone preparing for the PMP Exam can continue to do so using the PMBOK Guide 4th edition until 2013.
The Exam Format Is Not Changing
The PMP Exam will continue to be a computer-based exam, and you have four hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions.
The Score Report is Not Changing
PMI stated "At this time, PMI does not anticipate any changes will be made to the PMP score report". This suggests that the way the passing score is determined will remain the same.
The Eligibility Requirements Are Not Changing
The education and experience eligibility requirements for the PMP Exam will remain the same. Please read the eligibility section of the PMP Credential Handbook for the details.
The Exam Changes on 31 August 2011. Period.
The new exam will be rolled out on 31 August 2011 and the last day on which you can take the exam under the current specifications is on 30 August 2011. No exceptions.
Professional & Social Responsibility Will Be Integrated
In the current exam format Professional and Social Responsibility is tested as a separate domain. The Role Delineation Study showed that Professional and Social Responsibility is integrated into all of the work of project management and cannot be seen as separate. The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct should therefore be viewed and tested as an integrated part of a project manager's day-to-day work.
For the new exam, students will have to understand the effects of Professional and Social Responsibility on their daily tasks. Exam questions will ask about ethical considerations during procurement, mix social responsibility with team management and test your application of professional responsibility in a written status report.
Studying, understanding and living the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct in your daily work as a project manager will have a much higher importance for the exam.
The Content Of Your Study Materials Will Change
PMI has communicated the detailed changes to the new exam to all Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s). It is their responsibility to ensure that the content of their training materials is updated. As a student, you should not worry about this. You have a right to expect that your provider ensures that your training materials have the right content for the exam you are taking.
Recommendations For PMP Students
1.) Take The Exam Before The Change:
If you are currently studying for the PMP Exam then plan your studies in such a way that you can take the exam before 31 July 2011. The new exam comes into effect on 31 August 2011 and scheduling your exam one month before this date will give you 30 days to retake the exam in case you fail on your first attempt.
2.) Use Study Materials From PMI Registered Education Providers (PMI R.E.P.)
PMI R.E.Ps are working hard to update their study materials to the new standard and PMI is supporting them in this effort. PMP students should not worry about the changes of the exam content at all. Instead, make sure to purchase study materials from a PMI R.E.P. and ask them to confirm that the materials which you have ordered are right for you based on your scheduled exam date. You need current materials if your exam is scheduled on or before 30 August 2011 and you need updated materials if your exam is on or after 31 August 2011.
3.) Read The FAQ:
PMI has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Reading it will help you to better understand what's coming.
4.) Read PMI's Study Tips:
I recommend that you take a look at the PMP Study Tips Page that PMI prepared on their website.
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Why PMI Won't Say If You Passed Or Failed Your PMP Exam |
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 The PMP Exam is changing on August 31st 2011. If you are taking the exam on or after this date, then your 200 questions will be based on the new PMP Exam Content Outline. To learn more about the detailed changes to the exam, please read my article "The PMP Exam Changes on 31 August 2011. What This Means For You".
In addition to what you can find in that article, PMI recently announced the following: If you are taking the PMP Exam on or after 31 August 2011, then - for a limited time only - PMI will not immediately tell you if you have passed or failed your exam.
Let me explain: If you take your PMP Exam today, then "pass" or "fail" will immediately be displayed on your screen and printed on your examination report. But because PMI is changing the exam, they require some time to validate the new structure. They also need to make sure that the percentage of people passing/failing the new exam is in line with the percentages of the old exam. In this way, they can make certain that the new exam is just as fair as the old exam. And all of this means that in the first 4-6 weeks after the new exam is in place, they cannot immediately give you your result. You will have to wait.
Here is PMI's original statement on this:
"As we transition to the new examination, PMI must update its examination reporting processes. This means for a short period of time examination results will not be available immediately following the examination. There will be a 4-6 week period between taking the examination and receiving the results via email. We know this will be disappointing to candidates, but please let them know the delay is necessary any time an exam changes to validate the new examination structure."
Here is what this means for you as a PMP candidate:
- If you are taking the computer-based PMP exam on or after 31 August you will not receive immediate results (pass/fail) at the Prometric testing center.
- If you are taking the paper-based examination there will also be a delay in receiving your examination results.
- PMI will notify you (via email) when your results are available at PMI.org.
PMI expects that the new examination structure is validated by mid-October. Once this has happened, exam takers will once again receive their results immediately at the Prometric testing center.
Here are my recommendations for those planning to take the exam between 31 August 2011 and about mid-October:
- Don't be disappointed: If you are planning to take your PMP Exam between August 31 and mid-October, then don't be disappointed that you won't receive your results immediately.
- Smile: Yes! Smile with the knowledge that you are helping PMI to assess the new exam. You have just done a great service to PMI and all other PMP exam takers coming after you. Thank you.
- Be patient: Even though PMI says that you should receive your results within 4-6 weeks we are all project managers and we know about deadlines. Allow PMI to do their due diligence and ensure that the new exam structure works.
- Reschedule: If you cannot take the suspense of having to wait for up to six weeks, then reschedule your exam for around the end of October 2011.
- Don't leave without a receipt: After you have taken your PMP exam at the Prometric test center you will very likely still receive a printed document. It confirms that you have taken the exam but won't have your result. Don't leave without it.
My final recommendation to all PMP candidates is that you should simply relax. If your scheduled exam falls into this "no immediate results" window and you cannot change it... take it easy. There is nothing you can do about it. PMI is doing everything to ensure that the new exam works for you and everyone else. And this process is just part of that. Stay positive and focus your energy on your studies.
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| Important links |
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Official PMI information about the update:
http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP/Updates-to-PMP-Certification-Exam.aspx
PMP Examination Content Outline:
http://www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP/~/media/PDF/Certifications/PMP%20Examination%20Content%20Outline_2010.ashx
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| Status of our products |
 PM PrepCast: Updated
PM Exam Simulator: Updated
PM Studycoach: Updated
PM Formulas: Updated
PM FlashCards: Updated |
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