Is the PMP exam going to change with the release of the PMBOK 7th edition?

It’s just another day at PMI Headquarters with the release of the 7th edition of the PMBoK. People doing their due diligence are looking for changes in the exam and whether there will be a new version to take, etc…. In this post I am going to address some of these questions that have been popping up.

Changes in PMP Exams

First, there are no changes to the PMP exam that I am aware of. The PMBOK 7th edition is forward compatible with previous versions which means you can take any of the earlier exams and be equally prepared for this exam even if you do not have a copy of the new version. Do make sure you update your reference materials when you take the exam, though. You can download updated dumps and exams materials from https://cciedump.spoto.net/pmp-dumps.php 

New Version of PMB Exams

There will be a new version of the PMP exam when there are significant changes to the material on which it’s based. I don’t anticipate that happening in the near future as those changes would require significant feedback from those currently doing project management and years of analysis before they could put out such a publication.

 

You should have no problems taking the exam if you are working on or have taken a PMP course. The same applies for those who are auditing the exam as well. If you are thinking of sitting for the exam, I would take 1-2 hours to review this post after reading it through once. You will be prepared by then and more than anything else it will give you confidence that you have the information to pass.

What is new in the PMBOK?

In terms of what is new in the PMBOK, there are a few things worth noting: Some terminology has been removed from previous versions as it had become too ambiguous with use over time. Some examples include: “substantial completion” and “implementation”. The latter has become “delivery” which is logical.

 

The section on Integration Management has been moved to the end of the book after Scope, time, cost and quality management. It’s not likely that this will affect many readers other than perhaps those who are already covering these topics in their PMP preparation material. This change should have been made a long time ago. It just makes sense to group these sections together from a process perspective.

 

In some sections, there have been significant changes where the underlying concepts have evolved over time and a section may have needed a rewrite. In some cases, material has been added while some has been removed entirely where it was no longer relevant. There are also significant changes to the wording in some sections which will be apparent if you read through the new version. Overall, the content is not difficult to read and it flows nicely as you would expect with any PMP reference material especially now that it has been split into 5 parts (i.e., A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge).

Latest version of the PMBOK

I can’t stress this point enough. You should make sure you have the latest version of the PMBOK in your possession when you take your exam (if and hopefully, when you pass it). View publisher site to get and download them. Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that everyone does this. I think it’s a safe assumption that most will but if not it will become an issue. Keep in mind that the PMP exam is a requirement to be listed as a Project Management Professional and if someone tries to claim this designation with an expired certification, it’s like claiming you are the world’s best marathon runner when your running shoes (the evidence) has been stolen (your certificate).

Conclusion:

There are no changes to the PMP exam with the release of PMBOK 7th edition. You should have absolutely no problem passing the exam without it but you will want to update your reference materials. For those who are auditing, this is a non-issue as you can still take any version of the exam with reference materials that are more than 3 years old and 1 year old for those who just completed a PMP course.