New PMP Certification Exam: Discussion with Markus Kopko

TL;DR

Marcus Copco, a senior project manager and PMP expert, discusses the main changes to the new PMP exam and provides advice for PMP aspirants. He also gives insights into the forthcoming PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition.

Transcript

marcus welcome thank you marcus copco is a senior project manager in the communications industry he has 20 years experience as a project manager marcus runs the pm plus website which is very popular particularly with pmp aspirants i think of marcus as my go-to expert on the pmi's project management professional exam and it seems that pmi think of h... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 The new PMP exam brings significant changes to the content, structure, and emphasis on agile and hybrid approaches.
• ⁉️ The exam format now includes fewer questions, extended time, and additional question types.
• 🥶 Aspirants can bridge the knowledge gap through resources like PMI's free course, the PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition, HR Practice Guide, and updated preparation books and online courses.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main changes in the new PMP exam that aspirants need to be aware of?

The new PMP exam has undergone significant changes in terms of content and structure. It now has a focus on agile and hybrid approaches, with 50% of the exam covering these topics. Additionally, there is more emphasis on soft skills and business management.

Q: How has the exam structure and format changed?

The exam now consists of 180 questions instead of 200, but the number of scored questions remains the same. The total time for the exam has been extended to 230 minutes, with additional breaks for online exams. The question types have also diversified, including multiple-choice questions with more than four options, picking multiple correct answers, and selecting areas within a graphic.

Q: How should aspirants prepare for the new exam if they have already studied the old version?

It is recommended to take the free course offered by PMI to bridge the knowledge gap. Additionally, relying on the PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition and the HR Practice Guide is crucial. Available updated preparation books and online courses can also be used as resources.

Q: What can aspirants expect in terms of the relationship between the new PMP exam and the forthcoming PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition?

While the release date for the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition is not confirmed, it is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the PMP exam. The exam is based on the PMP Exam Content Outline, which has already undergone significant changes. Any adjustments to the exam related to the new PMBOK Guide will likely be minor and gradual over time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The new PMP exam brings significant changes to the content and structure, with a focus on agile and hybrid approaches.

• The exam now includes more emphasis on soft skills, conflict management, negotiation, and business management.

• The exam format has also changed, with fewer questions, additional question types, and extended time.