How Will the New PMBOK® Guide Affect My PMP® Exam?

As you have likely heard, PMI released a new version of the PMBOK® Guide—PMBOK® Guide - Third Edition—on October 31st, 2004. Many of you are wondering how and when this change might affect your PMP® Exam. The simple answer is this:

The PMP® exam changed on September 30, 2005!

 

In late March 2004, the Project Management Institute (PMI) released an updated statement regarding upcoming changes to the PMP® exam, as well as a firm rollout timeline. We thought you should be aware of the details of this announcement. The announcement in question covers several extremely important topics, including:

  • The date and time of deployment of the new exam;
  • A "blackout period" for taking the old exam;
  • A policy for people who fail the old exam; and
  • Recommended prep materials for each exam.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the RMC Customer Service Department at (952) 846-4484 or at info@rmcproject.com. Our hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm Central time, Monday thru Friday. Otherwise, here is the announcement in question:

May 16, 2005—More News from PMI On PMP® Exam Changes:

PMI Announces New PMP® Exam Scoring, Eligibility Criteria and Credentialing Process

Follow Link Above for Full Article

 

BEGIN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PMI (from March 2004)

The updated Project Management Professional (PMP®) credential examination (referred to as the "2005 Examination" for purposes of this communication) will deploy globally at 14.00 GMT on Friday, 30 September 2005. Five days prior, a "blackout" period (beginning on Sunday, 25 September 2005) will commence during which the PMP credential examination will be unavailable.

Because PMI cannot guarantee space at any test center, we strongly recommend that candidates apply early and schedule their examinations immediately upon receipt of their eligibility notice to ensure they can reserve a seat to test on the 2004 Examination.

Application and Scheduling

Applications to take the current PMP examination (referred to as the "2004 Examination" for purposes of this communication) will be accepted until Monday, 29 August 2005. Candidates submitting applications after 29 August will take the 2005 Examination. Candidates who do not receive a passing score on the 2004 Examination will be permitted to re-take the 2004 examination for a period of one year from the date of their last attempt; however, these will be the only candidates permitted to take the 2004 Examination after the release of the 2005 Examination.

Preparation for 2004 Examination

Candidates preparing for the 2004 Examination are encouraged to include A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)-2000 Edition as one of their study references. Visit the PMI® Bookstore for a suggested exam preparation resource pack.

Preparation for 2005 Examination

Candidates preparing for the 2005 Examination are encouraged to include A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)-Third Edition as one of their study references.

Dates to Remember

  • 29 August 2005 - Final day to submit applications to test on the 2004 Examination
  • 24 September 2005 - Final day to test on the 2004 Examination
  • 30 September 2005 - First day to test on the 2005 Examination
END ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PMI

RMC Project Management—being an innovator in PMP® Exam preparation training since 1991—has been through the change of PMBOK® Guides and changes to the exam a number of times. We CAN make this easier for you! Read the remainder of this article, then check back for further information as it becomes available from PMI.

 

How Do I Know if I’m Ready to Take the PMP® Exam?

The biggest mistake most who fail the PMP® Exam make is taking it before the are truly ready to do so. Have you had a basic project management class? Do you really know enough about project management to pass the exam? Take a look at the short survey presented in the table below. If you cannot answer “yes” to all of these questions, you may not be ready. Read and think carefully!

Table I: Am I Ready To Take the PMP® Exam?

Question #1: Are you familiar with and currently using all of the following project management tools?

o Project charter
o Work breakdown structure
o Network diagram
o Critical path
o PERT
o PERT estimating
o Earned value
o Schedule development
o Parametric estimating
o Creating a "real" project plan, not just a Gantt chart
o Standard deviation
o Managing by exception to the project plan
o Risk management
o Expected value
o Calculating schedule and budget reserves
o Crashing and fast tracking management plans
o Control plans
o Lessons learned

Question #2: Are you familiar with the step-by-step process of planning a project? Can you list the steps?

Question #3: Have previous project management courses you have taken been taught by a PMP or used PMI's international project management standards?

Question #4: Have you had a course in project management within the last 3 years?

Question #5: Can you describe the project manager's role in project management, and how it is different than the roles of team members and senior management?

If you answered no to any of the last 5 questions, there is a good chance you will need to take our PM Tricks of the Trade® course before the PMP® exam. Taking the class will help you refresh your memory, help you understand the use of PMI's approach in the real world and understand their terminology.
 

 


PMBOK® 2000
PMBOK® 3rd Edition