PMP Exam Change 2011 - Key Points and Guidance

2 minute read    Updated:    Harwinder Singh

PMP Exam Change 2011 The PMP exam is changing in 2011. Even if this is BREAKING NEWS for you, do “not” panic. I have been receiving lots of queries about the upcoming changes in the PMP exam. In this post, I’ve tried to capture everything that you need to know about the changes to the PMP exam which will be effective from Aug 31, 2011.

In Oct 2010, the Project Management Institute (PMI) announced changes to the PMP exam. The changes were made based upon PMI’s Role Delineation Study (RDS).

10 Key Points about PMP Exam Change 2011

  1. The changes come into effect on Aug 31, 2011. Last date to take the current exam is Aug 30, 2011.
  2. Separate domain for Professional and Social Responsibility (Domain 6) has been removed. The Professional and Social Responsibility content area will be tested in every domain rather than as a separate domain on the exam.
  3. As a result of removal of Domain 6, the allocation of questions across the other five domains has changed. Refer to the PMP Examination Content Outline (exam blueprint) for details.
  4. About 30% of the exam content would change. This means that your study material would change as well, and publishers and training providers will have higher revenues in FY12 :). You can get some idea about the changes from the PMP Exam Content Outline.
  5. The PMBOK Guide is not changing.
  6. PMP exam eligibility criteria remains the same.
  7. PMP exam format and the total number of questions remain the same.
  8. PMP exam passing score remains the same (or at least, no changes have been announced to that effect).
  9. There's no change to CAPM, PgMP or other PMI credentials.
  10. The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) for existing PMP credential holders remain unchanged.

Tips for PMP aspirants to cope with the change

  • Do "not" panic.
  • If you have already started preparing for the exam, then try to take your exam within the next 3 months and give yourself sufficient time to retest (if God forbid, you do not pass on the first attempt). If one fails in the first attempt and retakes the exam after Aug 30, 2011, he/she would have to take the new exam. Sad, but true.
  • Try to schedule your exam right away. As the D-day (Aug 30, 2011) approaches, it would become more and more difficult to get exam slots with [Pearson VUE](https://home.pearsonvue.com/pmi).

A few useful links on the PMP exam changes 2011:

Image credit: Flickr / virexmachina

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10 Comments

Missing Avatar

I was looking for exactly this info, thanks.
I did my PMI course recently and will be taking the exam in October (earliest date available)
Just wanted to reconfirm that the PMBOK 4th edition remains the same for the exam?
Also wanted to find out when the exam prep material would be made available for the new structure?
Hope you can help. Thanks in advance

Missing Avatar

Ashish, is October the earliest date available for anyone to take the PMP exam? I was hoping to take the exam before the August 31 change, but if what you're saying is correct, it looks like I might not be able to.

Also, just as a general comment, do people think it's better to take the old exam or the new exam, and which one will be easier?

Thanks!

Harwinder Singh Avatar

@Anon., sorry to hear that. I don't have a secret recipe but if I were you, I would give myself sufficient time to prepare and absorb the content. If you can spend that time between now and 30 Aug, then that would be great. Otherwise, I would wait for a few months to let the changes settle in. I would not rush to take the exam in Sep or Oct.

Harwinder Singh Avatar

@Anon., sorry to hear that. I don't have a secret recipe but if I were you, I would give myself sufficient time to prepare and absorb the content. If you can spend that time between now and 30 Aug, then that would be great. Otherwise, I would wait for a few months to let the changes settle in. I would not rush to take the exam in Sep or Oct.

Also, keep in mind that if you take the exam in Sep or Oct, you'll have to wait for up to 6 weeks to get the result.

Good luck to you.

Missing Avatar

Harwinder, while preparing, what is that we need to do extra to be able to answer the questions in new exam? if the PMBOK guide is same, then content is same too..even if professional and social responsibility is going to be added in each domain but the idea is same, 30% content is changing but how to prepare for those changes...could you please guide in that direction...take care Maneesha

Harwinder Singh Avatar

Hi Maneesha,

Sorry I've been focusing entirely on BrainBOK and not able to find much time for the blog.

To keep it really short, the following post may help you:

http://groups.google.com/group/pmp-cert-online-study-group/browse_thread/thread/17a04c6651f61be7

Thanks.