Data originally released by the Project Management Institute (PMI) the week of May 16th, 2005.

The following information was taken from a memo sent to all PMI^® Registered Education Providers (REPs) on Tuesday, May 17th, and pertains specifically to the NEW PMP^® exam. The one that will be rolled out by PMI on September 30th of 2005.

This memo covered three specific areas:

• Changes to the PMP Examination

• Changes to the Eligibility Criteria

• Changes to the PMP Credentialing Process

Changes to the PMP^® Examination :

• Below are two (2) changes to the PMP^® exam itself that exam-takers need to be aware of 25 pretest questions will be randomly placed throughout the new examination to gather statistical information on the performance of these questions in order to determine whether they may be used on future examinations.

• These 25 pretest items are included in the 200-question examination, but will not be included in the pass/fail determination; candidates will be scored on 175 questions. Diagnostic score reports are now being given to all candidates to show their overall pass or fail status. Thus the new passing score will be 81% instead of 68.5% applicable until September 2005.That is an increase of 12.5% in passing score.

• Additionally, candidates are provided with an overall percentage of questions answered correctly for each Domain and Knowledge Area.

• To pass the PMP examination, candidates must answer a minimum of 143 of the 175 scored questions correctly.

• It is possible to fail in one or more of the Domains, yet still pass the exam. (This means there is no minimum passing score for each domain. Only the overall score is considered for justifying pass or fail)  

Changes to the Eligibility Criteria:

• As the project management profession evolves, the PMP credential must evolve as well.

• PMI must ensure that project management practitioners who obtain the PMP credential are well versed in the latest trends in project management and have met requirements that reflect the evolving profession.

• Market research indicates that employers want to hire project management practitioners who have experience leading and directing projects.

• To better meet this need, PMI is incorporating in the application process the tasks required to effectively lead and direct projects. Beginning 30 August 2005, candidates will be required to document experience in performing tasks within the domains as part of the application process.

• However, the hours required to meet the project management education and project management experience requirements for the PMP will remain the same.

Changes to the PMP^® Credentialing Process :
PMI is strengthening the application process to build upon the credential's rigor and make the process more customer-centric.

Changes include:

• A new and improved online application. To be released with the release of the new examination, this easy-to-use system will enable users to view their status throughout the credentialing process.

• Collection of project contact information.

• Applicants will be required to provide contact information for each project that is submitted as part of the application.

• During the application evaluation review period and if an application is selected for audit, PMI will contact manager(s) indicated on the application to validate the documented experience.

• Evaluation period. All applications submitted will go through an enhanced review process.

• Instant audit notification. Applicants selected for audit will be notified electronically.

• Automated follow-up reminder notifications will be issued to candidates electronically throughout the audit process.

• One-year eligibility period. All candidates will be given one year to take the examination. This one year eligibility period begins when a candidate's application is approved.

• Limit on the number of times candidates will be permitted to test.

• Candidates will have three opportunities to take and pass the PMP examination within their one-year eligibility period.

• If candidates do not succeed on the third attempt, candidates will have to wait one year from their third unsuccessful attempt before being permitted to test again.

Important Changes: A snap shot:

Change #1:

• The Passing Score on the PMP Exam will be Increased to 81 %.

• The passing score on the current exam effective thru September 24th of 2005 is 68.5%.

• This change requires an increase of 12.5% in the passing score for the PMP exam.

Change #2:

• The Exam Eligibility requirements will be Raised Significantly.

• New eligibility requirements will mandate applicants document not only that they have performed certain tasks, but that they have led and directed those specific tasks.

• This is currently not a requirement to take the existing PMP exam, but any application submitted on or after 2005 August 30th  must meet these new criteria.

Change #3:

• Project Contact Info will be Collected to Verify Your Experience.

• Applicants will be required to provide contact information for each project that is submitted as part of the application to take the exam.

• Therefore, if candidates are claiming project experience from various positions or over a longer / extended period, there may be difficulties in accurately collecting these information.

• Note that there are also significant changes regarding the exam eligibility period, the number of times an applicant can sit for the exam, and notification on auditing of exam applications.

For more detailed information please
Mail To: askari@iipmchennai.com (or) Phone: 00 91 44 24359078, Mobile: 00 91 98411 78519