New version of PMI-ACP exam from 15 July 2015

The PMI-ACP® exam will be updated in July 2015 following a large scale Role Delineation Study (RDS) conducted by PMI to keep the exam abreast of the latest development of Agile project management practices. PMI-ACP® candidates will be able to sit for the current version of PMI-ACP® up to 14 July 2015. Since the change involves some degree of uncertainty, it is advisable (as a risk management practice) to sit for and pass the PMI-ACP® exam based on the current version as study materials (e.g. PMI-ACP® exam prep books and practice questions) are more readily available.

Changes of the PMI-ACP® Exam

The new PMI-ACP® exam will see the following major changes:

• There are sever domains of Agile practices (1 up from the current version of PMI-ACP®)
  1. Agile Principles and Mindset [newly added]
  2. Value-driven Delivery
  3. Stakeholder Engagement
  4. Team Performance
  5. Adaptive Planning
  6. Problem Detection and Resolution
  7. Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People)
• The distribution of questions on the PMI-ACP® exam paper are now based on the domains (rather than the Agile Tools and Techniques – 50% / Agile Knowledge and Skills – 50% as for the previous version of PMI-ACP® exam, more in line with the PMP Exam):
  1. Agile Principles and Mindset – 16%
  2. Value-driven Delivery – 20%
  3. Stakeholder Engagement – 17%
  4. Team Performance – 16%
  5. Adaptive Planning – 12%
  6. Problem Detection and Resolution – 10%
  7. Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People) – 9%
• New Tools and Technique / Knowledge and Skills are added while many are removed from the new PMI-ACP® exam syllabus. New items added including:
  • Developmental mastery models (for example, Tuckman, Dreyfus, Shu Ha Ri)
  • Participatory decision models (for example, convergent, shared collaboration)
  • Agile hybrid models
  • Managing with agile KPIs
  • the Five WHYs
  • retrospectives, intraspectives
  • control limits
  • pre-mortem (rule setting, failure analysis)
  • fishbone diagram analysis
  • minimal viable product (MVP)

Why it is advisable to take PMI-ACP® based on the current edition

During the first three months of the new PMI-ACP® exam (i.e. from 15 July 2015 to 14 October 2015), exam takers will NOT be able to get results for their PMI-ACP® exams immediately (even if they are tested on the CBT). The PMI-ACP® results will only be delivered on or before 22 October 2015. You will have to wait till 15 October 2015 to take the PMI-ACP® exam in order to get your exam results immediately. And that’s a long period of waiting from now.

Also, currently, there are lots of PMI-ACP® exam prep resources (including the Agile PrepCast™, the PMI-ACP® Exam Prep Book by Mike Griffiths and many free online PMI-ACP® exam practice questions) that can help PMI-ACP® aspirants to be well prepared for the exam. However, after the launch of the new PMI-ACP® exam, it will take quite a time to allow the PMI-ACP® Exam prep resources to upgrade to the current version (some may even not upgrade altogether).

I would highly recommended PMI-ACP® aspirants to seize the day and pass the current version of the PMI-ACP® exam before the change. Hurry up! Do make use of my PMI-ACP® journey including my study notes as well as other exam prep resources to get your PMI-ACP® credential.

Do seize the last chance to get PMI-ACP® certified before 15 July 2015!

Wish you PMI-ACP® success!