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How to prepare for the PMI PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification Exam

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Project Management Professional Certification exam has undergone changes as of Jan 2nd, 2021.  Here is what you need to know:

1.  What is the difference between the 6th and 7th edition PMBOK.

7th Edition PMBOK was released in August, 2021.  The main difference between the two is how the content is presented.

6th Edition was structured by 10 Knowledge Areas and 5 Process Groups and the exam questions were also based on this structure.  Students were required memorize ITTOs and visually they were required to memorize the process chart to do well on the exam.

However, this practice has changed since the new exam.  Students will no longer be tested on the Inputs, Outputs, Tools and Techniques; hence, they are not required to hardwire this knowledge.  The new exam is based on situational questions which are 50% Predictive and 50% Adaptive.  This ratio varies from student to student.  Some students have reported having taken exam almost 90% Adaptive, while others have stated their exam was nearly 60% Agile.  Whatever the case maybe, you are required to master both Predictive and Adaptive Project Management to confidently take the exam.

2.  Will the 6th Edition PMBOK become obsolete?

No.

3.  Should I be studying from the 6th Edition?

Short and definitive answer is: Yes!  Along with the 7th edition and Agile Practice Guide.  Although the 6th edition is only predictive project management, it is still the backbone of how projects are run.  Whether a project is Adaptive or Predictive, you will initiate, plan, execute, monitor/control and close.  So no matter your methodology, you will be required to have a very clear understanding of how a project is executed.  Only and only if you understand what processes project management entails will you be able to tailor it your project.

4.  Why does Project Management Institute (PMI) say the test is not based on 1 book and has given 10 reference books to study from?

PMP exam questions are situation based.  It is important to understand that Project Management is an Art, not Science.  What works in one situation doesn't necessary work in another.  People behave differently, everyone is different.  For you to gain a broader understanding of situations, people, and the business environments, PMI wants you to obtain knowledge from various different sources so you are better prepared to answers PMP's situational questions.  In any case, PMBOK is not designed to be an engaging read.  PMI not only encourages PMs to read the suggested material, they also ask their PMs to engage in continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

5. What else should I focus on when I'm preparing for the exam?

- Take section specific quizzes

- Know PMI vocabulary cold

- Know your formulas.  Yes we can plug and chug most of everything on the web, but you must understand what the formulas stand for and what their output signifies.

- Always think wearing PMI Hat

- PMI doesn't give you trick questions.  There are queues in the question that point you to the right answer, for which you need to train yourself.

6. Should I self study or take the bootcamp?

Look at the process chart, if you're able to explain it to yourself, you are good to go the self study route.  However, if the process chart bewilders you, I recommend you to take the bootcamp.  The only major downside is the total cost (between $1000 to $2000 for the course and exam). 

A bootcamp saves you time, increases your changes of passing the exam, guidance of a mentor, and opportunity to meet other project managers.  Most bootcamps come with money back guarantee if you take the exam within a certain time frame.  Always Ask!

7.  Do I have to take the bootcamp with a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP)?

The choice is yours.  However, the answer is no.  All these years, none of the training providers were authorized and students took their course and passed the exam.  Nothing has changed.  If anything, the authorized trainers charge more because PMI charges them an annual fee.  This fee is essentially paid by the students. ATPs also don't have the flexibility to teach in their own style, they are bound to use the course material provided by PMI and use the same teaching style with every student.  Which doesn't always work.  Ultimately, either one is fine, it depends on you.

Check out The Corporate Human for upcoming PMP training course  Our first batch is starting in February 2022.

Happy Holidays!

Guru Singh, PMP

Founder of TCH

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