Is it better to take the current PMP Test, or wait for the new one starting July 1? (The answer MAY SURPRISE YOU!)

//Is it better to take the current PMP Test, or wait for the new one starting July 1? (The answer MAY SURPRISE YOU!)

Is it better to take the current PMP Test, or wait for the new one starting July 1? (The answer MAY SURPRISE YOU!)

ANNOUNCEMENT: PMI just announced today (Aug. 29)

After a huge push-back from PMP trainers/training companies world-wide (and I was one of them!) they are pushing the planned Dec. 16 change to  July 1, 2020 – dates updated in my post (BELOW)

QUESTION:

With major changes coming to the PMP Exam starting July 1, 2020, a lot of my PM contacts have been asking me which is better:

Q. Take the current version now?

Q. Or wait until July 1, 2020 for the new test?

ANSWER:

It depends which scenario fits you better (Scenario #1 or #2 below)

SCENARIO #1:

If you’re working mainly in Waterfall, and have already been preparing for your test…

… You definitely want to take the test before the exam content changes. Here’s why:

The exam is currently almost all Waterfall thru June 30, 2020. But after that, it will be changing to 1/2 Waterfall / 1/2 Agile. So if you take the current version, it’s still based on the content and question types you’ve already been preparing for.

But starting July 1, 2020, it will be very different. Not only all the Agile PM questions, but also the new PMP Exam will be based on 3 new domains: People, Process, and Business Environment (after being based on the traditional 5 domains for many years: I, P, E, M, C).

This also means that your current test-prep books and materials will no longer be valid (the vendors are all updating their PMP materials now in time for the change!)

And there’s another reason to take the current version while you still can:

The PMP Exam ALWAYS gets more difficult with every new change!

(I’ve seen this happen MANY TIMES in the 12+ years I’ve been teaching PMP Prep).

SCENARIO #2:

But if you’re already fluent in Agile…

… Starting July 1, 50% of the PMP Exam will be based on Agile, per the new ECO (Exam Content Outline). This reflects how Agile is already saturating the PM world.

So if you’re already working in an Agile environment, the new exam’s focus on Agile PM will hopefully make you feel right at-home. And better for you to schedule your exam for July 1, 2020 or after.

My Next PMP Course

FALL SEMESTER 2019

The PMP Prep class I’m giving this Fall at NYU is 100% toward the CURRENT Exam:

  • PMP PREP, Sundays, starting September 22 thru October 27 (Section 003)

And I’m also giving 2 advanced PM classes in the Fall Semester that can help you toward the test:

  • Earned Value Management Saturday, Oct. 12 (1-Day intensive, learn this key skillset in-depth and also get a big boost toward the PMP Exam)
  • Critical Path Method Sunday, December 8 (1-Day intensive, all about scheduling your projects, also gives a big boost toward the PMP Exam)
  • Tutoring/Coaching – I’m also giving some private PMP Prep coaching in September & October to help test-takers before the Dec. 16 test change (email me at: Jeff @ Jeff-Furman .com)

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By | 2019-08-31T06:33:57-04:00 August 29th, 2019|Uncategorized|0 Comments

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