PMP® Exam Is Changing from January 02, 2021

1. The PMP exam has been postponed to January 02, 2021, by PMI. 

2. The new PMP exam will focus on the following three new domains:

1. People – emphasizing the skills and activities associated with effectively leading a project team
2. Process – reinforcing the technical aspects of managing a project
3. Business Environment – highlighting the connection between projects and organization strategy

3. The new PMP Exam content will cover 50% Predictive Approach and 50% Agile / Hybrid Approach across all Three Exam Domains

The PMP exam based on the new course outline that was scheduled to come into effect from July 1, 2020, has now been postponed to January 02, 2021.

PMI has made this move after the impact of the pandemic that has paralyzed the world and disrupted lives.

Shifting the date to months ahead is a move aimed to make time and space for project management professionals wanting to get PMP certified.

The present climate is not conducive given the grave health concerns that have grappled countries with lockdowns and self-isolations. PMI has stated that the safety and well-being of the community are paramount and precedes everything. The task force set up in PMI is monitoring the situations on the ground on a daily basis, and assessing the turn of events decided to extend the present PMP exam till December 2020.

The postponement of the exam will help the candidates time to get over the challenges faced with health care and provide time and training resources to prepare for the PMP exam.

These are compelling reasons for the PMP exam to be launched on January 02, 2021.

Will the Course Outline change?

PMI has made no reference to any change in the course outline so far. Only the Exam date has been rescheduled to January 02, 2021.  Other things, until an announcement is made by PMI, remain the same. The new course outline of PMP has been covered at length in our blog: PMP Exam is Changing

The new PMP Exam course outline was released by PMI on 30 June 2019. PMI will update the syllabus when the new PMP exam comes into effect by January 2021.

The links for the New PMP Content outline and the existing content outline are presented below.

• Download the New PMP Exam Content Outline (PDF) July 01, 2020.
• Download the Current PMP Exam Content Outline (June 2015)

It is to be noted that the PMP exam is not based on A Guide to The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). PMBOK® Guide only serves as reference material. Candidates need to access other learning aids and study guides to enhance their understanding and improve their chances of clearing the PMP exam.

What are the New PMP Exam Changes?

1. The New PMP Exam will focus on the following Three New Domains:

1. People – emphasizing the skills and activities associated with effectively leading a project team
2. Process – reinforcing the technical aspects of managing a project
3. Business Environment – highlighting the connection between projects and organization strategy

Download the New PMP Exam Content Outline (PDF)

The three domain areas will focus on predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches. The table below will help to understand the framework of the new PMP exam and the focus on each domain.

There is a new term introduced in the new PMP exam content outline called “enablers”.

But what are “Domain”, “Tasks” and “Enablers” according to the new PMP exam changes.?

Domain – is the knowledge area necessary for the project management practice.

Tasks –  These are the tasks to be executed by the project manager in the domain areas for the successful execution and completion of a project.

 Enablers – These are Descriptive illustrations of the work associated with the task.

Looking at the table above, one might get the impression that new PMP exam has shrunk as the objectives are fewer. It is not so, and if anything the new PMP exam will be more complex and harder as compared to the existing PMP exam. This is the main driver to prepare and appear for the PMP exam before December 2020.

While PMBOK-version 6 as the reference material has not changed for the new PMP course outline, how PMI will assess the the PMP certification exam has changed.

2. The new PMP Exam content will cover 50% Predictive Approach and 50% Agile / Hybrid Approach across all Three Exam Domains

3. Project Management Domains Aligned To Real Life Practices

Will PMBOK change?

NO. There will be no change as PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition will continue as the reference material. You can use the PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition till December 2020. The seventh edition of the PMBOK® Guide is expected in the second quarter of 2021.

I am preparing for the PMP Exam. How will the changes affect me?

It is strongly recommended to take the exam when you have time till December 2020 since the existing PMP exam and its patterns are well known. Post-January 2, 2021, the new PMP exam will come into effect and its not clear how the exam will be structured.

In case, you plan to take the PMP exam on or before 31 December 2020

•  Follow the existing PMP course outline. There are no changes to the existing syllabus
• Continue with your studies and earn the PDUs through training or other means as prescribed by PMI
• Use the PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition as the reference material. In addition, spend time on other learning aids and resources
• Check carefully about the safety measures and other health-related concerns before scheduling your exam. Aim to take the exam by end of October 2020 to avoid the scramble in securing a slot as there would be a jam in November and December by candidates to sit for the exam before the changeover. The 2 months of November and December are also a window to retake the exam in case you are unable to clear in the first attempt.

In case, you plan to take the PMP exam on or after 2 January 2021

• Follow the new PMP Exam Content Outline (June 2019) and become familiar with the topics on which you will be tested in the new exam.
• Follow the PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition for your studies. The PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition holds good for the new PMP exam.
• In addition, you need to Study The Agile Practice Guide and agile approaches.
• Check with your training provider and confirm the updated course outline and required study material aligned with the new course outline
• Check for additional study materials, learning aids and other resources
• Make a schedule any day on or after 2 January 2021 for the new PMP exam.

What happens if I have already scheduled my exam?

If you have scheduled your exam and unable to appear due to restrictions arising out of the COVID-19 or other health concerns,  you can reschedule your exam at a date convenient. PMI has assured to make an arrangement with regard to exam reschedule and also extend your eligibility till 18 January 2021

Can I reschedule at this time?

Yes, you can reschedule your exam. You can check about the specific test center in your location using this  PearsonVUE’s Coronavirus Update Page.  You can reschedule your exam at available time slots using your online Pearson VUE account.

Can I get a refund of the fees paid?

The fees paid will be transmitted by PMI. You will also be able to reschedule your exam without any penalty charges.

How will I get to know if the exam gets canceled?

In case you have chosen Pearson VUE and paid your fees, there will be an email cancellation notice and also the refund. In case your appointment remains unchanged then expect the exam to be conducted as scheduled. Ensure you have all your safety measures in place and take all the necessary precautions.

Benchmark your current level of preparation for the current version of the PMP Exam. 
Download Free PMP® Exam Practice Test with 200 PMP® Questions.

You may also be interested in Sample PMP® Exam Prep Questions before you download the Free PMP® Practice Test.

Download our Free PMP Brochure for more information. Do visit our Corporate Training to know more about core offerings for enterprises in empowering their workforce.

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You may also be interested in Sample PMP® Exam Prep Questions before you download the Free PMP® Practice Test.

Download our Free PMP Brochure for more information.

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across various locations in the United States.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/ for more information about our professional certification training courses or Call Now! on +1-713-287-1187 / +1-713-287-1214 or e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the new year. Wish you all the best for your learning initiatives in the new year.

Are you ready to take the first step towards getting a PMP Certification? The last day to take the current PMP Exam is December 31, 2020, and the PMP Exam is changing from January 02,2021.
 

By when are you planning to achieve the PMP Certification? Have you set a target to get PMP Certified before December 2020? Let us know your thoughts in the 'Comments' section below. Thank you.

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Read more about PMP Exam Changes on PMI.org.

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The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

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