Written By: Alvin the PM | Last Updated: December 29, 2020
Topic: PMP Exam Certification Study Notes
Listed below are the most commonly asked questions regarding the NEW PMP Exam for 2021.
NEW PMP Exam 2021 FAQ
Why is the PMP Exam changing?
– Every 3 to 4 years, the Project Management Institute Inc, reflects on the current best practices in industry. Over the past several years, Agile has become an increasingly common approach for managing projects.
– To be compliant with the latest industry standards and best practices, the PMP Exam is being updated to reflect this and to incorporate the Agile approach.
What areas will be covered on the NEW PMP Exam 2021?
– People = 42% of NEW PMP Exam (Relationship & Interpersonal Skills)
– Process = 50% of NEW PMP Exam (Project Management Technical Skills)
– Business = 8% of NEW PMP Exam (Interaction with Organization Skills)
Will the new PMBOK 7th Edition be used on the new 2021 PMP Exam?
– No, the NEW 2021 PMP Exam will be using information from the PMBOK 6th Edition.
– Use the 6th Edition of the PMBOK Guide in your preparation for the 2021 PMP Exam.
When will the PMBOK 7th Edition be published?
– Q1 2021 per PMI
How is the 2021 PMP Exam different than the 2020 PMP Exam?
– The 2020 PMP Exam previously consisted of 5 domains: Initiation, Planning, Execution, and Monitoring & Controlling.
– The 2021 PMP Exam now consists of 3 domains: People, Process, Business Environment.
– Also, 50% of the NEW 2021 PMP Exam will focus on Agile Concepts, and the other 50% will focus on Waterfall/Plan-Driven Methodology.
OLD PMP Exam
1) Focus on Predictive/Waterfall Approach
2) Emphasized the five stages of the project life cycle: Initiation (13%), Planning (24%), Execution (31%), Monitor & Controlling (25%), Closing (7%)
3) Focused on the 49 Process Groups and 10 Knowledge Areas
NEW PMP Exam
1) 50/50 Split Focus on Predictive & Agile Approaches
2) Targets three Domains of: Business Environment (8%), People (42%), Process (50%)
3) Tests your knowledge on 35 Tasks and 133 Enablers
What is a Domain, Task, and Enabler on the NEW PMP Exam?
– Domain: The Knowledge Area to master in order to manage projects
– Task: Responsibilities that a Project Manager must follow within each of the 3 domains. For example: a Task Statement would be “Manage Conflict.“
– Enabler: Examples of the job associated with each task. For example, an Enabler for “Manage Conflict” would be “Evaluating the conflict solution”.
Reference PMI’s latest PMP Exam Content Outline for the comprehensive breakdown of all Tasks and Enablers you need to study for the NEW PMP Exam. For more information, click this link for the NEW PMP Exam Content Outline. I’ve also listed out the Areas you need to study in this link here.
Alvin the PM
What are the requirements to take the 2021 PMP Exam?
– You need a minimum of 36 months of project management experience. If you do not yet have this, you can either…
1) Keep accumulating your experience to meet the minimum 36 month requirement and then apply to take the PMP Exam
2) Take the CAPM Exam (similar to what I’ve done) as your stepping stone into the PMP Exam.
What book references do you recommend to prepare for the NEW 2021 PMP Exam?
– Check out My Resources here.
– PMBOK 6th Edition and Agile Practice Guide will be the key staples in your Exam Prep
– Because the NEW PMP 2021 Exam will be 50% based on Agile and 50% Waterfall, the recommendation is to understand the Agile Practices.
How many questions are on the NEW PMP Exam 2021?
– Per PMI’s latest announcement found here, the NEW PMP Exam will consist of…
– Number of Questions: 180 Questions. Some questions multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, and select more than one answer choice. Check out PMI’s prototype questions here.
– Exam Time: You’ll be given 230 minutes to complete all 180 questions.
– Do we get breaks? You’ll be allowed two 10-minute breaks
Are there any ITTOs on the NEW PMP 2021 Exam?
– No. You will not need to memorize the ITTOs for your 2021 PMP Exam.
– I repeat, do NOT memorize the ITTOs. Only understand them.
How hard is the new PMP 2021 Exam?
– Harder because you need to understand 50% Agile, and 50% Predictive/Waterfall methodologies.
What is the ideal mock exam score you should be scoring before you sit to take the PMP Exam?
– Aim for scoring consistently >70% as it has been shown that you’ll have a much stronger likelihood of passing your PMP Exam.
Does the PMP Exam test the information on the PMBOK Guide?
– The PMP Exam questions are based on the Exam Content Outline (ECO) and consists of Domain, Tasks, and Enablers.
– However, as stated on the PMI Website, the PMBOK 6th Edition is a Reference Book to study for preparing for the NEW PMP Exam. There will be a 50/50 split between Predictive (Plan-Driven) and Agile Methodologies.
Conclusion
I hope you found the above information helpful with your Project Management Exam Prep Journey! If you found this useful, please feel free to SHARE and RECOMMEND this website with a friend. My goal is to help other Project Managers pass their own CAPM and PMP Exam, and become Certified in Project Management.
Cheers, Alvin