The Project Management Professional (PMP) accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is one of the most challenging and prestigious credentials in the project management field.
Today, several organizations across different industry verticals highlight PMP as a prerequisite for project managers. PMI is aiding individuals to succeed in their respective job careers by providing massive resources to explore more opportunities.
To acquire a PMP accreditation, professionals need a particular experience and potential. The certification is a benchmark of excellence that recruiters will get amazed by. PMI creates industry standards and provides globally outstanding credentials to qualified project management professionals.
We will discuss the PMP exam in 2021 before preparing for the PMP exam in 2022.
The PMI governs the PMP credential process, exam administration, and exam content, including changes within the same. In January 2021, PMI introduced a new PMP accreditation test, followed in August by a new PMBOK Guide Ed 7. However, as of the date of writing this article, the PMBOK Guide Ed 6 remains the significant reference material for the PMP exam.
PMP Exam Structure
As of January 2021, PMI changed the exam structure with modifications in the number of questions, duration, and breaks. This novel structure won't significantly affect study strategies; however, it will aid professionals in knowing how to approach the test.
The PMP exam structure is as follows:
EXAM STRUCTURE | PREVIOUS | NEW |
Number of questions | 200 | 180 |
Duration | 240 minutes | 230 minutes |
Breaks | 1 | 2 (both 10-minutes long) |
Types of questions | MCQS | Combination-type |
PMP Domains and Tasks
PMI conducts thorough research to decide how, if, and when changes to the PMP exam content and project management standards.
The new PMP exam has evolved to meet the demands of today's profession, organizations, and ourselves. Therefore, the domains and tasks according to ECO 2021 are:
DOMAINS | BEFORE ECO | WEIGHTAGE | NEW ECO | WEIGHTAGE |
1 | Initiating | 13% | People | 42% |
2 | Planning | 4% | Process | 50% |
3 | Executing | 31% | Business Environment | 8% |
4 | Monitoring & Controlling | 25% | ||
5 | Closing | 7% |
In the 3 new domains there are total of 35 tasks, which are:
- PEOPLE: This domain has 14 tasks, including conflict management, team leadership, encouraging team members to engage virtual teams, and educating necessary stakeholders.
- PROCESS: This domain has 17 tasks, including project execution with an emergency, communication management for suitable project approaches, and project closure management.
- BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT: This domain has the least number of tasks, i.e., 4. It includes estimating project benefits and addressing external business changers to support organizational transformation.
PMP Exam Delivery Option
PMI offers a 7-page instruction list to schedule a PMP certification test session. However, Pearson VUE manages all PMP exam sessions. Considering the local health safety policies and guidelines, it is crucial to go to the Pearson VUE site for the testing protocols.
The exams can be taken both online and at the center. However, not all PMI credential tests are taken at the testing centers. The global health scenarios prompted by the pandemic resulted in online PMP testing options. The candidates can leverage Pearson VUE's seat availability tool to confirm PMP exam availability.
To know more on the examination changes followed by rescheduling and refunds, access the Pearson VUE PMP exam FAQs page.
PMI announces no changes for the year 2022 to date. The current exam is based on the Examination Content Outline (ECO), which started in January 2021. Therefore, until further notification by PMI, the exam shall continue with the same pattern.
Of the PMP exam, the most significant ones are the addition of Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid methodologies-based content. It is a late shift for some project managers, and the added content is intimidating for others.
With half of the PMP exam questions covering Agile and Hybrid approaches, you need to learn them all, no matter which project management practice you leverage.
Predictions for Next PMP Exam Changes
Using industry research from PMI data, member surveys, and job bank data, PMI updates the PMBOK Guide every 3 to 5 years to ensure correspondence with where the profession is and where it's moving.
Generally, PMI follows the PMBOK Guide introduction with PMP ECO changes within six months. If that format is held, we can expect a new PMP exam this year. Yet, the Institute has already informed Authorized Training Providers (ATP) that the exam content question changes will be circ*mspect.
PMP Exam Date 2022
You can take the PMP test from home/office or at a PMI Authorized Test Center. Exams take place daily, and once you're done with the preparation - schedule the PMP credential test according to your comfort and preference.
Remember, the credential exam date might not be available on short notice; hence, book the exam in advance to attend it on the intended date.
How to Apply for PMP Exam 2022?
Before you apply for any exam, there are certain process to be followed, and same goes for the application of PMP exam 2022.
Let's look at the procedures of applying PMP exam in 2022:
- To attend the PMP exam, PMI has some prerequisites. Confirm that those eligibility requirements are met.
- Undergo a professional training of PMP to acquire 35 contact hours.
- Create an account in pmi.org to register and start your application
- Provide your information and complete the application form
- You will receive confirmation, and PMI might perform an audit
- Make the payment for PMP exam within 1-year of application approval
- Schedule PMP exam prep plan
- Book the exam once you're confident
- Take the credential test either at your home or center with necessary documents.
The PMP exam is changing in 2022. We don't know what will change when. However, the exam will adapt to reflect 21st-century project management and project managers' real-life situations.
This is great news for project managers because the way we work and manage projects is no longer confined to office spaces within time zones. But unfortunately, this also means that certification exams will evolve, too.
The new PMP exam for changing the focus from process management to business management meets the business's high demand value.
On top of this, PMP exam prep will be more standardized and flexible due to efforts toward making the certification more accessible and affordable.
Passing the PMP Exam is an important milestone for any project manager. Luckily, you have plenty of time to study for the exam. First, however, we recommend looking at your current experience and determining how many hours you will need to learn to pass.
Then, use your schedule to find time to review your notes, online practice exams, and test yourself with full-length tests.
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