The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious professional qualifications in the world. With the growing demand for qualified and experienced PMPs across various industries, aspiring project management professionals have plenty of opportunities to get hired in their desired organization. However, individuals, as well as professionals, need to dedicate some quality time to the PMP Certification Examination preparation to acquire the industry-recognized credential in 2022.
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PMP Certification Examination Changes
The Project Management Institute (PMI), which is the world’s premier governing body for project management offers the PMP Certification and conducts the examination to acquire the credential. The latest PMP Certification Examination came into effect on January 2, 2021. These changes were necessary to keep up with the changing scenario of the world economy. Thus, by gathering feedback from industry leaders and project management practitioners around the world, a new examination format to earn the PMP Certification was created.
Listed below are the changes made to the PMP Certification Examination:
Focused on 3 Domains
The new PMP Certification Examination focuses on three domains:
- People
- Process
- Business Environment
Each of these above-mentioned domain consists of a fixed number of tasks and skills. Candidates need to complete and attain the minimum required percentage in all three domains to pass the PMP Certification Examination and earn the prestigious credential.
Multiple Methodology Included
The new PMP Certification Examination focuses on the hybrid approach by including traditional as well as agile project management methodologies. It reflects the need of the present economy to implement agile thinking and slowly transition from the traditional project management methodology.
Examination Questions
The new PMP examination format has 180 questions than the earlier total of 200. Candidates will have 230 minutes to complete their PMP Certification Examination which is available in paper-based as well as computer-based formats. There will be a combination of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, and fill-in-the-blanks questions in the examination. Candidates choosing the computer-based tests will have two 10-minute breaks which are not available for paper-based tests.
To apply for the PMP Certification, candidates need to register their names and other important details on the PMI website. This will also help them stay updated with the latest changes in the examination dates and timings. Candidates can refer to the PMP Exam Content Outline to know more about the latest PMP Certification Examination pattern. They can use the PMI website to practice some prototype questions as well.
Ideal PMP Certification Examination Preparation Schedule
Check Eligibility
Before applying for the PMP Certification Examination, candidates must ensure that they fulfil all the eligibility requirements as specified by PMI. These requirements include having at least 36 or 60 months of project management experience in the form of leading or managing projects for organizations. Candidates with a graduation degree need to show thirty-six months of project experience whilst those with a high school diploma or an equivalent degree must provide proof of having sixty months of project experience. They must also complete at least 35 hours of project management training provided by a verified training provider.
Project Management Training
Individuals and professionals who aspire to become project managers must have some prior experience and knowledge in project management. Thus, individuals who are completely new to the project management sector and want to get started in the project management industry should start with the CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Certification offered by PMI. They can prepare for the CAPM Certification Exam and earn the CAPM credential through the CAPM Certification Training. This will help them to start working in the project management field.
Earning the CAPM Certification will assist them in their endeavor to become Project Management Professionals by working in the project management industry. They can acquire the required experience for the PMP Certification and mention their project experience on their PMI dashboard. This will become the starting point of their PMP Certification Examination preparation journey.
The preparation process and schedule for the examination to earn the PMP Certification are different for every individual. However, ideally one should spend at least three months preparing for the PMP Certification Examination. This will give them enough time to learn about the project management methodology by diligently following the PMBOK (project management body of knowledge) Guide. They can also use other industry-recognized project management reference books and revise all the concepts by practicing mock tests. They can apply for the PMP Certification Examination after completing the training. The mock tests and course materials provided by the PMP Certification Training will also become useful for the examination preparation.
Conclusion
So, we can conclude that there is no fixed path for the PMP Certification Examination Preparation. Everyone is free to choose whichever schedule or process is convenient and achievable for them. However, industry experts advise that aspiring PMPs must dedicate themselves to the preparation process wholeheartedly. This is true because the reward of achieving the certification will make it all worth it. Project Management Professionals are always in demand and earn higher than their non-certified counterparts. With the certification, they can build a project management office (PMO) in their organization and guide them towards attaining their organizational objective.
After completing the PMP Certification Training, candidates should apply for the examination. They can start practicing sample questions to revise all the concepts of the project management methodology. The training course will be helpful in clearing any doubts that they have regarding the project management methodology. It will also help them gain more insights into the latest project management practices by networking with other PMPs. Therefore, earning a PMP Certification ensures that professionals are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to lead and manage projects in today’s dynamic economy.
