We know the profession of project management is evolving – just like we are as an association. With that in mind, the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam will be updated in December to ensure it reflects up-to-date practices and equips project managers with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s modern project environments.

Leading up to this change, you’ll find news and information here to help you address the needs of your students as they earn PMP status.

Exam Updates

Every 3-5 years we conduct research to understand how the profession has progressed, the impact of emerging trends, and how the responsibilities of project managers have changed.  The last round of this research was conducted in 2015 and resulted in the current PMP exam content outline .

Subject matter experts from leading organizations around the world are currently working with us to define the PMP of the future. As this effort advances, we will keep you informed on key outcomes and help you prepare for the upcoming changes to the PMP.

What are the New PMP Exam Changes?

While the current PMP exam content outline consists of the stages of the project lifecycle as five domains, the new PMP exam consists of three domains, these are:

• People – involves the skills and activities required to lead a project team effectively
• Process – focuses on the technical aspects of managing a project
• Business Environment – specifics the connection between projects and organization strategy

Not a particular domain area will be focused on an approach but all these three domain areas will be focused on predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches. The new PMP exam content outline gives you a framework of what you can expect in the new PMP exam.

Check the below table to understand the percentage of each domain in the new PMP exam.

What’s the Current PMP Exam?

As per the last PMP exam changes made in 2015, the PMP exam currently consists of five domains. These 5 domains are – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling. These are basically various stages of the project lifecycle and on each domain, there are some predefined tasks. The current PMP exam checks the competency of the candidate on the basis of the tasks of each domain, as well his skills and knowledge of each domain.

The table below gives you a detailed look of domain names and percentage of the domains in the exam.

Why is the PMP Exam Changing?

As you know that PMP exam is intended for the project managers. As the project management domain is evolving and the role of project managers have changed, it is significant to change the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam outline. PMP exam changes reflect the latest practices and so help the project managers to get the skills and knowledge they need in today’s advanced project environment.

When will the PMP Exam Changes Come into Effect?

The new PMP exam changes have been announced by the PMI (Project Management Institute). But the changes won’t come into effect from now. The current version of the PMP exam will remain valid until 30 June 2020, and 1 July 2020 is the first day to take the new version of the PMP exam.

So, there are 2 important dates to remember at this moment:

30 June 2020 – The last day to take the current PMP exam

31 July 2020 – The first day to take the new PMP exam

Current PMP Exam vs New PMP Exam

If we compare the current version of the PMP exam with the new version of the PMP exam, we’ll find a considerable difference. Although the old PMP exam consists of 5 domains, the new PMP exam involves 3 domains. But the new PMP exam will have tasks under each domain just like the current PMP exam.

However, in the new PMP exam content outline, there are a new term “enablers”. Let’s understand, what are the domains, tasks, and enablers as per new PMP exam changes.

Domain – it’s the high-level knowledge area that is required for the project management practice.

Tasks – The responsibilities of a project manager in each domain area.

Enablers – Illustrative examples of the work that is associated with the task.

Consider the difference between the current and new PMP exam i.e. Current PMP Exam vs New PMP Exam.

On the basis of the above table, you may feel that the new PMP exam changes have resulted in the fewer exam objectives so the exam has been shrunk. But not so; the content of the PMP exam doesn’t change and you’ll still have to refer to the PMBOK 6 for the new PMP exam, as for the current PMP exam. The thing, that changed in the new PMP exam is how PMI will access the exam takers in the PMP certification exam.

Common FAQs on the New PMP Exam 2020

As the PMP exam is changing effective from 1st July 2020. A number of questions will be hovering in the mind of those preparing for the current PMP exam or have planned to take the current PMP exam. So, to clear your doubts, here we answer some of the frequently asked questions.

#1 Is PMBOK® guide also changing?

No, the PMBOK® Guide is not changing with the new PMP exam changes. PMI released PMBOK® 6th Edition on March 26th, 2018 only and it’s not expected to change before 2023. So, you will have to follow the PMBOK 6 for the new PMP exam preparation.

#2 I’ve already started my preparation for the current version of the PMP exam. What should I do now?

You should plan to take the exam before 1st July 2020 as it’s the last date to take the current version of the PMP exam.

#3 I’m planning to take the PMP exam. Should I take it before 1st July 2020 or after?

You should take the PMP exam before 1st July 2020. PMP exam preparation generally takes 2-3 months. So, if you will start now, you’ll have more than enough time to prepare for the exam. There is no information on the complexity of the new exam. Also, it will take time to get some good study and practice material for the new PMP exam. So, it is recommended to take the exam before 1st July 2020.

#4 Will you update the Whizlabs PMP Training course and exam simulator?

Yes, our team of subject matter experts has started researching and analyzing the new domains of the exam. Once the new PMP exam will start from 1st July 2020, the team members will also take the exam and update the PMP training course as well as exam simulator as per the new PMP exam changes.

PMP Exam Changes 2020: What’s the next?

Our subject matter experts have started working on the new domains of the PMP exam. If you are planning to take the PMP exam before 1st July 2020, you should follow the current exam outline. You can also refer to the existing PMP training course and PMP practice tests for your PMP exam preparation. In case your plan is to take the PMP exam after 1st July 2020, then we’ll keep you updated on our progress to help you prepare for the new PMP exam outline.