Changes to the PMP® exam (taking effect on the 31 August 2011)

The Reason for the Change The Outcome Questions and Answers ESI Position ESI Advice

The Reason for the Change

A revised Role Delineation Study (RDS) shows that the practice of project management globally has undergone a shift over the past 7 years or so. The RDS, which is conducted every 5 to 7 years for each of PMI’s credentials, assesses what is most relevant in the day-to-day work of project managers as the profession evolves over time. Because the new RDS shows a significant level of change in the project manager’s role, the exam must change to reflect the new reality. No other component of the credentialing process (i.e., the education and experience requirements) will change, just the exam.

The Outcome

Here’s how PMI® described the changes in a letter dated October 6, 2010 to the R.E.Ps:

The outcomes of the PMP RDS provide PMI with a blueprint for updating the credential. The major outcomes of the RDS are detailed below:

The education and experience requirements that define the eligibility for the existing PMP examination remain appropriate and will not be changed.
Approximately 30% of the PMP exam content will change as a result of new or substantial changes to reflect the role as defined by the RDS. This change will be implemented through existing items being updated as appropriate, new examination items being developed to meet these requirements, and old items which do not meet the criteria being retired.
As a result of the RDS, certain areas of the examination will be tested in a different way because an existing domain was seen to be common across all content areas of the examination. Specifically, the Professional and Social Responsibility content area (Domain 6) will now be tested in every domain rather than as a separate domain on the examination. The recognition obtained through the RDS is that professional and social responsibility is integrated into all of the work of project management. PMIs Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct should therefore be viewed as now integrated into the day-to-day role of a project manager, emphasizing its importance in each phase of the project lifecycle.

Questions and Answers

Download PDF Download these FAQs as a PDF file

Q1. As a current credential holder how does this impact me? Are there any changes for renewing my credential?

A: If you currently hold the PMP credential, the release of the new RDS has limited impact for you since the primary result of the RDS is to update the PMP examination. PMI will review the results of this RDS to determine whether it requires updates be made to the PMP Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) programme. PMI expects that any changes to this programme will be announced in Q4 2010.

Q2. When will the changes to the PMP examination take place?

A: The new examination is scheduled to be released on 31 August 2011. This means that the last day to take the current PMP examination is 30 August 2011. Candidates who would like to take the current version of the examination are advised to schedule their examinations early to better ensure that they are able to obtain a test date before the examination update.

Q3. Are the eligibility criteria (contact hours / project management experience hours) changing?

A: No – the eligibility criteria will remain the same. Only the multiple-choice examination content of the PMP is changing.

Q4. What version of a Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) should I study for the updated PMP examination?

A: The update of the examination for the new RDS does not affect the PMBOK® Guide, so candidates should continue to study the Fourth Edition, as well as other current project management titles.

Q5. Is there going to be a change to the PMBOK® Guide—Fourth Edition?

A: No. The update of the examination to align with the new RDS does not affect the PMBOK® Guide.

Q6. Will the score report be changing?

A: At this time, PMI does not anticipate any changes will be made to the PMP score report.

Q7. Will PMI provide a full refund if I am unable to take the exam before the new exam is released?

A: No. PMI is announcing the change to the PMP examination approximately 11 months before it is implemented so that all PMP candidates have the time required to take the examination before it is updated.

Q8. Will PMI have expanded scheduling options at the test centers to ensure that all candidates can take the exam prior to updates taking place?

A: PMI is working with our testing partner, Prometric, to coordinate availability changes at testing centers, if this is required due to demand.

Q9. What are the major differences from the new exam to the old exam?

A: Approximately 30% of the content on the PMP examination is new or has substantial changes to reflect the role as defined by the RDS. This will result in existing items being updated as appropriate, new examination items being developed to meet these requirements, and old items which do not meet the criteria being retired.

A: Certain areas of the examination need to be tested in a different way because it was seen to be common across all content areas of the examination. Specifically, the Professional and Social Responsibility content area (Domain 6) will now be tested in every domain rather than as a separate domain on the examination. As such, PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is now integrated into the day-to-day role of a project manager, emphasizing its importance in each phase of the project lifecycle.

Q10. Will PMI’s Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) be clear on whether they are teaching courses based on the current exam or the new exam version?

A: PMI REPs have been informed on the change and update schedule, as well as being provided the new PMP Examination Content Outline in order to update their courses.

Q11. I scheduled my exam before the update and now I’m not prepared to take the exam. Can I have an extension?

A: No. Any examinations taken on or after 31 August 2011 will be updated to the new version of the examination.

Q12. Will I need to take another prep course since the exam is being updated?

A: PMP candidates are encouraged to prepare thoroughly for the new version of the examination. PMI has study tips available for PMP candidates at the PMP study tips page.

Q13. If I have earned PDUs for my PMP credential, will they count toward renewal for the new version of the PMP?

A: Yes. The new RDS only affects the PMP examination, so it will not impact your PDUs or certification renewal.

ESI Position

To prepare for this change ESI will examine the “new” exam content guideline from PMI and make whatever changes are required in our courses and publications. As we have done in the past, we will roll out the revised courses/publications in sufficient time for those individuals who will sit for the “new” exam, while continuing to offer our current courses/publications for those who plan on sitting for the current exam.

ESI Advice

Although the PMI expects the changes won’t affect more than 30% of the content of the current exam, any changes bring some risk. ESI advice is simple : Take no risk, take the exam before it changes.