About two months back Project Management Institute (PMI) announced that the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam will change, and the new PMP exam content outline will be published in June 2019. And the PMP exam changes are out now!
In this article, we’ll discuss all the important aspects of the 2020 PMP exam changes. Also, we will answer some of your frequently asked questions that will help you take the right step toward your PMP journey.
The PMP exam will change from July 1, 2020. It means the current exam will remain valid until 1st July 2020 and after that, the candidates must prepare for the new exam. So, let’s first check out the changes that you will see in the PMP exam.
You can also check PMI’s official announcement regarding PMP exam changes here – https://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp/exam-prep/changes
What are the New PMP Exam Changes?
While the current PMP exam content outline consists of the stages of the project lifecycle as five domains, the new PMP exam consists of three domains, these are:
- People – involves the skills and activities required to lead a project team effectively
- Process – focuses on the technical aspects of managing a project
- Business Environment – specifics the connection between projects and organization strategy
Not a particular domain area will be focused on an approach but all these three domain areas will be focused on predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches. The new PMP exam content outline gives you a framework of what you can expect in the new PMP exam.
Check the below table to understand the percentage of each domain in the new PMP exam.
New PMP Exam Outline |
|
|
DOMAIN |
% WEIGHT |
|
Domain I. People |
42% |
|
Domain II. Process |
50% |
|
Domain III. Business Environment |
8% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
What’s the Current PMP Exam?
As per the last PMP exam changes made in 2015, the PMP exam currently consists of five domains. These 5 domains are – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling. These are basically various stages of the project lifecycle and on each domain, there are some predefined tasks. The current PMP exam checks the competency of the candidate on the basis of the tasks of each domain, as well his skills and knowledge of each domain.
The table below gives you a detailed look of domain names and percentage of the domains in the exam.
|
Current PMP Exam Outline |
|
| DOMAIN | % WEIGHT |
| Domain I. Initiating | 13% |
| Domain II. Planning | 24% |
| Domain III. Executing | 31% |
| Domain IV. Monitoring and Controlling | 25% |
| Domain V. Closing | 7% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Why is the PMP Exam Changing?
As you know that PMP exam is intended for the project managers. As the project management domain is evolving and the role of project managers have changed, it is significant to change the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam outline. PMP exam changes reflect the latest practices and so help the project managers to get the skills and knowledge they need in today’s advanced project environment.
PMI keeps on doing research every 3-5 years to understand the progress and changes in the project management domain, impact of latest trends on the project management domain, and change in the role and responsibilities of project managers. The last round of this research was conducted in 2015 and the recent one has been conducted this year, which leads to the PMP Exam Changes 2020.
When will the PMP Exam Changes Come into Effect?
The new PMP exam changes have been announced by the PMI (Project Management Institute). But the changes won’t come into effect from now. The current version of the PMP exam will remain valid until 30 June 2020, and 1 July 2020 is the first day to take the new version of the PMP exam.
So, there are 2 important dates to remember at this moment:
30 June 2020 – The last day to take the current PMP exam
31 July 2020 – The first day to take the new PMP exam
Current PMP Exam vs New PMP Exam
If we compare the current version of the PMP exam with the new version of the PMP exam, we’ll find a considerable difference. Although the old PMP exam consists of 5 domains, the new PMP exam involves 3 domains. But the new PMP exam will have tasks under each domain just like the current PMP exam.
However, in the new PMP exam content outline, there are a new term “enablers”. Let’s understand, what are the domains, tasks, and enablers as per new PMP exam changes.
Domain – it’s the high-level knowledge area that is required for the project management practice.
Tasks – The responsibilities of a project manager in each domain area.
Enablers – Illustrative examples of the work that is associated with the task.
Consider the difference between the current and new PMP exam i.e. Current PMP Exam vs New PMP Exam.
Current PMP Exam vs New PMP Exam |
||
|
Points of Difference |
Current PMP Exam |
New PMP Exam |
|
Domains |
5 |
3 |
|
Tasks |
42 |
35 |
|
Enablers |
No |
Yes |
On the basis of the above table, you may feel that the new PMP exam changes have resulted in the fewer exam objectives so the exam has been shrunk. But not so; the content of the PMP exam doesn’t change and you’ll still have to refer to the PMBOK 6 for the new PMP exam, as for the current PMP exam. The thing, that changed in the new PMP exam is how PMI will access the exam takers in the PMP certification exam.
Here is the example of new task structure –
Check the new PMP Exam Outline here that will be effective from 1 JULY 2019
Common FAQs on the New PMP Exam 2020
As the PMP exam is changing effective from 1st July 2020. A number of questions will be hovering in the mind of those preparing for the current PMP exam or have planned to take the current PMP exam. So, to clear your doubts, here we answer some of the frequently asked questions.
#1 Is PMBOK® guide also changing?
No, the PMBOK® Guide is not changing with the new PMP exam changes. PMI released PMBOK® 6th Edition on March 26th, 2018 only and it’s not expected to change before 2023. So, you will have to follow the PMBOK 6 for the new PMP exam preparation. You can also check changes in the PMP exam after PMBOK 6.
#2 I’ve already started my preparation for the current version of the PMP exam. What should I do now?
You should plan to take the exam before 1st July 2020 as it’s the last date to take the current version of the PMP exam.
#3 I’m planning to take the PMP exam. Should I take it before 1st July 2020 or after?
You should take the PMP exam before 1st July 2020. PMP exam preparation generally takes 2-3 months. So, if you will start now, you’ll have more than enough time to prepare for the exam. There is no information on the complexity of the new exam. Also, it will take time to get some good study and practice material for the new PMP exam. So, it is recommended to take the exam before 1st July 2020.
#4 Will you update the Whizlabs PMP Training course and exam simulator?
Yes, our team of subject matter experts has started researching and analyzing the new domains of the exam. Once the new PMP exam will start from 1st July 2020, the team members will also take the exam and update the PMP training course as well as exam simulator as per the new PMP exam changes.
PMP Exam Changes 2020: What’s the next?
Our subject matter experts have started working on the new domains of the PMP exam. If you are planning to take the PMP exam before 1st July 2020, you should follow the current exam outline. You can also refer to the existing PMP training course and PMP practice tests for your PMP exam preparation. In case your plan is to take the PMP exam after 1st July 2020, then we’ll keep you updated on our progress to help you prepare for the new PMP exam outline.
More updates may arrive from PMI regarding the new PMP exam until July 1st, 2020. As a R.E.P. (Registered Education Provider) for PMI, we’re aimed to update you about the latest changes early. So, stay tuned, bookmark this page, and check back, we’ll keep you updated.
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I would like to study this beautiful course..project management, can someone connect me where can I be enrolled and funded? I have a degree in mechanical engineering.
Thank you so much for the information!
PS – The article may need an update? I believe PMI changed the last date of the current PMP exam to June 30 2020?
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Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one. Keep posting. Thanks for sharing.
I noticed from PMI that the examination changes effective from 2nd Jan 2021.
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Well written article Neeru,
Thanks for sharing such a brief knowledge about PMP certification updates. I really like the difference & FAQ section. Great work.