Getting ready for the PMP Exam in 2023? Here's what you need to know about the upcoming changes

Introduction

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam is a globally recognized PMP certification that demonstrates a professional's knowledge and skills in the field of project management. The PMP exam online credential is widely sought after by employers and can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries.

The PMP Exam is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a professional organization that sets the standards for project management and offers a variety of resources and services for project management professionals. To earn the PMP credential, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a certain amount of project management experience and education, and pass the PMP Exam.

Preparing for the PMP Exam requires a significant time and effort commitment. However, the benefits of earning the PMP credential can be well worth the investment, making it a valuable goal for many professionals in the field of project management.

Latest Changes and Updates In PMP Exam

Although the exam's format may have changed, you should still prepare for it by understanding how your knowledge and expertise will be assessed. The 2015 exam had 200 multiple-choice questions that spanned all five project management categories. On the PMP test, there were questions based on knowledge, situations, and formulas.

180 questions on the new PMP exam, including multiple choice, multiple response, matching, hotspot, and fill in the blank questions, will cover the updated three domains.

More scenario-based questions with animations are present on the most current PMP exam to further gauge candidates' flexibility and soft skills.

When studying for the PMP exam, review the Agile Practice guide to be prepared for questions on both agile and hybrid methodologies.

PMP Exam content

Candidates for the PMP exam should anticipate that the topic will change dramatically as they study.

Despite the fact that the information is broken down into a number of domains in both the 2015 and 2021 test versions, the quantity and subject of the domains have changed dramatically over the past five years. The new exam is more general in character and covers topics like people, process, and business growth. The previous exam's content focused on the specific phases of project management, including initiating, planning, carrying out, monitoring, and closing.

The Exam will be more challenging

Given the volume of fresh material on fresh themes and approaches that will be made available with PMBOK 7, it makes obvious that this new test will require a wider breadth of study to cover everything. In other words, there is a lot more information to study and understand, which automatically makes the exam harder.

Minimum requirement: contact hours

The PMI mandates 35 validated contact hours of "specific training that addresses learning objectives in project management."

35 contact hours are now necessary due to the new, longer exam. A thorough exam preparation will require extra time.

Exam questions will be based on agile and hybrid methodologies

About 50% of the time on the new PMP exam, questions are asked about agile and hybrid methodologies. This exam differs slightly from the previous one due to a proportional drop in the percentage of such questions. Keep this in mind while you study for the PMP exam.

Tips for the PMP exam

Here are some tips and resources for individuals preparing to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam:

1. Study the PMP Exam Content Outline: Familiarise yourself with the content outline for the PMP Exam, which covers the six domains of project management knowledge and skills tested on the exam. This can help you focus your study efforts and ensure that you are covering all of the necessary material.
2. Use Study Materials: There are many study materials available on EDUHUBSPOT to help you prepare for the PMP Exam, including textbooks, online courses, and study guides. PMI also offers a variety of resources, such as the PMP Exam Content Outline, the PMBOK Guide, and practice exams.
3. Take Practice Exams: Taking practice exams can help you become familiar with the format and types of questions on the PMP Exam, as well as identify any areas where you need to focus your study efforts.
4. Join a Study Group: Consider joining a study group or finding a study partner to help motivate you and keep you on track with your study plan.
5. Seek Out Mentorship: Consider seeking out a mentor who is a PMP credential holder and can provide guidance and support as you prepare for the exam.
6. Allow Adequate Time for Study: Make sure to allow enough time to study for the PMP Exam. PMI recommends that individuals allow at least three months to prepare for the exam, although the actual amount of time needed will depend on your level of experience and familiarity with the content.
7. Stay Up-to-Date on Changes to the Exam: PMI periodically updates the PMP Exam, so it is important to stay up-to-date on any changes that may be announced. This can help you ensure that you are studying the most current content and preparing for the exam as effectively as possible.

Eligibility and requirements for PMP exam

The entire PMI certification procedure is somewhat onerous. To apply for the credential exam, you must meet the prerequisites for PMP certification.

The two requirements to satisfy the PMP eligibility requirements are as follows:

Depending on your educational background, you should have at least 36 months or 60 months of project management experience.

A CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification or 35 hours of project management education/training.

Educational Qualification	PM Experience Requirement	PM Education/Training Requirement
Secondary degree ( associate’s degree or global equivalent, high school diploma).	5 years/60 months of experience in leading & directing projects.	35 contact hours or CAPM certification.
4-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent).	3 years/36 months of experience in leading & directing projects.	35 contact hours or CAPM certification.

How to apply for PMP exam(application and payment)?

Applying for the PMP test can seem overwhelming, but if you break it down into manageable steps, it becomes rather easy.

The seven steps to submitting an application are as follows:

1. Gather Information

Before you begin completing the application form, you should have the necessary data on hand.

Once you have the necessary information at your disposal, filling out the PMP application will be simple.

Prior to completing the forms, you should gather all of the following:

• Your personal documents, such as birth certificate and residence records.
• Your diplomas from high school and college.
• Your certifications of professional experience.
• A diploma for 35 hours of project management training. Prefer to take it from an Authorized Training Partner like EduHubSpot.
• Information about the projects you have already supervised.
• Contact information for your former project managers and coworkers.

2. Take Live Online Classroom

Prepare for the PMP exam, consider taking a PMP live online classroom from EduHubSpot. taking training will help them get ready for the PMP exam. This training will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed on the exam and advance in your career as a project manager.

3. Fill out an online form

Both online and offline applications can be submitted. Instantaneous is the online mode. You must use a courier to send your application when in offline mode.

The application asks for details about your training, work history, and other factors. Different options are provided by PMI for application completion. Once started, the online application cannot be stopped. You may edit it and save it for later. The saved information can be changed, and if new information is needed, it can be added. If you want any help in reviewing your PMP application, do reach out to EduHubSpot at services@eduhubspot.com and a mentor from the team will review the application for you for free of cost.

You have 90 days to finish your online application, according to PMI. PMI will email you reminders during this period to let you know how your application is progressing.

Complete the application

After finishing the application, you can simply submit it.

Before clicking the submit button, you should carefully review the information. Check your email regularly. It ought to be accurate and legitimate as the main means of communication for PMI. every email you receive with news.

4. Await PMI's acceptance or rejection

PMI will examine your application after you've submitted it. The procedure often takes 5 business days. Applications submitted offline are reviewed within 10 business days.

PMI will inform you after reviewing the application. They will email you with additional instructions if they have any questions.

5. Pay Fee

Once your online application has been filed, PMI will contact you regarding the payment of the application fee. You must first go to your online application, choose your exam type, and then pay your price in accordance with your selection. You will receive a discount when paying if you are a PMI member. Whether you are a PMI member or not will affect the payment rate.

If you apply for membership before submitting an application, make sure you receive an email confirming your membership; otherwise, non-PMI member pricing will be charged. If you obtain membership subsequently, PMI will not issue a refund.

Online or offline payments are also acceptable. Online payments will go through more quickly than offline ones that require credit card information, money orders, mail checks, etc. If you made an offline payment, your application must also show receipt of the payment.

6. Finish the PMI audit

After your application form is approved and your payment has been received, the audit procedure begins. Applications are chosen at random by the PMI for the auditing process.

Whether or not your application is chosen for an audit, you will be notified through email. With all the terms and conditions indicated, an audit is necessary. You must send all copies of your documentation, including your educational transcripts, the supervisor's signature from the project whose experience is listed in the application's experience part, and the certificate for your contact hour.

Within 90 days, all the documentation must be submitted. The audit will take five to seven days to complete if you submit all of your documentation on schedule. To prevent any delays, you should send all of your documents together in one envelope. Your eligibility term will begin once your audit is successfully completed and last for a year.

Failure of the audit will result from incomplete submissions or improper adherence to audit rules. The certification will be suspended for a year as a result. You won't have any problems as long as you strictly adhere to the PMI guidelines.

7. Plan the exam

You must schedule your exam after successfully completing all the stages and paying the exam price. Before beginning this step, you should read the PMI scheduling instructions document.

There are two options to take the PMP exam: CBT (Computer Based Exam) and PBT (Paper Based exam).

You will receive an email from PMI with your PMI Eligibility ID in it, allowing you to register for your exam on the Pearson VUE website. You must reserve your seat as soon as possible because it is first come, first served.

You can retrieve your PMI Eligibility ID on the PMI website in the myPMI area if you lose the email that contains it. To schedule an exam time, follow the instructions displayed on the screen. You can use the website to look for an exam centre that has seats available at your selected time. You will get a confirmation email once you confirm your reservation.

A 16-digit confirmation number is sent in the confirmation email; it is suggested to store this number in a secure location. This is necessary in the event that you have any questions about the exam scheduling and need to contact Pearson VUE customer service. Or, for further security, it is advised that you carry a copy of it with you to the testing location. You can call Perason VUE customer service whenever you have an issue, and they will assist you in any manner.

Things to remember while taking the PMP Exam

Here are some tips for taking the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam:

1. Arrive early: Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. This will allow you time to check in and get settled before the exam begins.
2. Know what to bring: Bring a valid government-issued ID with you to the testing center. You will also need to bring a copy of your authorization to schedule the exam.
3. Know what not to bring: Do not bring any electronic devices, such as cell phones or laptops, with you to the testing center. You will not be allowed to use these devices during the exam.
4. Take breaks as per criteria: The PMP Exam is allotted for 230 minutes with 180 questions.The PMP exam now includes two breaks that are each 10 minutes long. You will have the first break after you finish answering questions 1 through 60 and reviewing all of your answers. The second break will be after you complete question 120 and confirm that you have reviewed all of your answers. Please note that once you review your responses and start your break, you will not be able to go back to the questions from the previous section of the exam.
5. Pace yourself: Make sure to manage your time wisely during the exam. Some questions may take longer to complete than others, so it is important to pace yourself and avoid getting stuck on a single question for too long.
6. Read the questions carefully: Make sure to read each question carefully before answering. Pay attention to the language used in the question and be sure to answer the question that is being asked.
7. Choose the best answer: The PMP Exam is a multiple-choice exam, so you will have several options to choose from for each question. Take the time to read through all of the options and choose the one that best fits the scenario described in the question.
8. Stay calm: The PMP Exam can be stressful, but it is important to stay calm and focused during the exam. Take deep breaths and try to relax as much as possible to help you perform your best.

How to maintain PMP credential

Continuing education is important for Project Management Professional (PMP) credential holders to stay up-to-date on the latest best practices and developments in the field of project management. It is also a requirement for maintaining the PMP credential, as PMI requires PMP holders to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) over a three-year cycle to maintain their credential.

There are many ways for PMP holders to earn PDUs, including participating in professional development activities, such as training courses or workshops, or volunteering with PMI or other professional organizations. PMI also offers a variety of resources for PMP holders to earn PDUs, including online courses, webinars, and local chapter events.

In addition to helping PMP holders maintain their credential, continuing education can also help professionals stay competitive in the job market and advance their careers. By staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in project management, PMP holders can demonstrate their commitment to professional growth and enhance their skills and knowledge.

Here are some resources for PMP holders looking to earn PDUs and maintain their credential:

1. PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Handbook: This handbook provides information on the requirements for maintaining the PMP credential, including the PDU requirements and the types of activities that qualify for PDUs.
2. PMI's Professional Development Unit (PDU) Claim System: PMP holders can use this online system to track and claim PDUs for professional development activities.
3. PMI's Online Courses: PMI offers a variety of online courses that can be taken for PDUs, including courses on specific project management topics like PMI-ACP program, PMI-RMP, PgMP, PfMP and courses on leadership and professional development.
4. PMI's Webinars: PMI offers webinars on a variety of project management topics that can be taken for PDUs.
5. PMI's Local Chapters: Many PMI local chapters offer events and activities that can be taken for PDUs, such as workshops, seminars, and networking events.

By taking advantage of these resources, PMP holders can easily earn the required PDUs and maintain their credentials.

Conclusion

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional's knowledge and skills in the field of project management. Earning the PMP credential can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries, making it a valuable goal for many professionals in the field.

Preparing for the PMP Exam requires a significant time and effort commitment, but there are many resources and study materials available to help individuals prepare. It is important to stay up-to-date on any changes to the exam and to familiarize oneself with the current content outline.

To apply for the PMP Exam, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a certain amount of project management experience and education. Once an individual's application is approved, they can schedule the exam at a testing center and begin preparing for the test.

Maintaining the PMP credential is important for PMP holders to stay up-to-date on the latest best practices in the field and to demonstrate their commitment to professional growth. PMI requires PMP holders to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) over a three-year cycle to maintain their credential, and there are many resources available to help PMP holders earn these PDUs.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam is a globally recognized PMP certification that demonstrates a professional's knowledge and skills in the field of project management. The PMP exam online credential is widely sought after by employers and can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries.

The PMP Exam is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a professional organization that sets the standards for project management and offers a variety of resources and services for project management professionals. To earn the PMP credential, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements, including a certain amount of project management experience and education, and pass the PMP Exam.

Preparing for the PMP Exam requires a significant time and effort commitment. However, the benefits of earning the PMP credential can be well worth the investment, making it a valuable goal for many professionals in the field of project management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is PMP still relevant in 2025?

Yes, the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification continues to be relevant in 2025, holding its value and recognition across various industries globally. It signifies a project manager’s commitment, expertise, and knowledge in effectively managing projects, which remains crucial for organizations in ensuring project success.

Is PMBOK 7 enough to pass PMP?

PMP aspirants should study the 7th edition of the PMBOK Guide to prepare for the exam, rather than the 6th. But studying the 7th edition alone will not be enough to succeed on the test.