How PMP question pattern changes with passage of time

Certification: PMI PMP - Project Management Professional

There are lots of changes that have occurred with the passage of time in relation to the questions but despite of this there are certain factors that are still the same for instance the eligibility criteria of the questions that is used to determine the score of the examinee, the number of questions that appear in the question paper which are usually two hundred where by twenty five of the questions are usually to test the examinee and hence only the remaining one hundred and seventy five are used to determine the pass score of the examinee. With these facts remaining the same over the years there are however certain things that have changed when it comes to the question pattern. And these changes in most cases appear after every five to seven years and are widely related to the computer based examinations.

The PMBOK 5^th edition

This is the latest version of the guide book that was introduced in 2013 and in this book; one is able to identify the significant changes that have taken place in terms of the exam question patterns. First of all, the examination questions are mainly based on five major groups:

Initiating process that carries a total of 4%.

Under this section, the main question tested are based on different areas which include; feasibility, the responsibility of project managers, most of product descriptions and their identification. The paper normally has a total of 17 questions under thus section.

The planning process

This area covers questions from different areas of planning for example; risk management, resource, project and cost estimation. Other areas are how project managers should communicate, quality and scope planning and activity duration among other areas. In the examination this area counts for thirty five percent.

Executing process

The questions carry 25% and are divided into two; the primary focus that deals with generally on how to execute a project plan, team development and also contract administration. The secondary part of the questions are usually tested on scope verification and under this area a number of questions may appear in the question paper at least forty seven questions.

Control.

Mainly deals with control issues and the questions that are usually set can also base on different scenarios that relate to project management. A total of between six to nine questions are always from this section and the examinee is guaranteed twenty eight percent from this area.

Closing

This is the final area that is usually tested on and it is the professional responsibility area. The exam questions in this area vary from simple ones to more complex ones and a well prepared candidate is assured to score eight percent.

Another significant change is that under this latest edition the question pattern as from question two deals mostly with practice for one who wants to attain the PMP certificate in that the questions also test on fundamentals of being a project manager as they apply to a number of projects. The questions also test on the skills and knowledge one can acquire in order to become the best project manager. Therefore the questions can be further analyzed as follows:

45% are from the PMBOK
30% are pure case questions depend on one’s knowledge
25% scenario questions that are direct
25% complex questions to test on an individual’s level of understanding.

All in all, these questions are based on a 47 project management process.

Question pattern in relation to the PMBOK 4^th edition:

This questions that used to appear in the examination comprised of forty two project management process. The questions widely used to base on knowledge areas that dealt mainly with inputs, tools and techniques and outputs. The exam questions were less complex as compared to the latest exam question patterns that are more of responsibility and professional sections. To be more precise one can say that there has been approximately a twenty five percentage change of how the exam pattern appears now than before.

The fourth edition lacked this five key processes that were later included in the fifth edition and the examination questions. The plan scope and management plan where one has to analyze, define, monitor and then control the plan that they have come up with. The plan and schedule section where by the concept of time management is considered to be the key issue. The plan cost section where a project manager is tested on how to plan well and manage a budget among other situations. As a matter of fact the questions that were set basing on this edition were far much easy.

Third edition question patterns:

This was introduced on 2004 and the questions were set basing on the possible forty four project management processes. These questions were more precise and the candidate had high chances of passing on their first attempt since they were also less detailed. When it came to the fourth edition the restructuring of the syllabus to be used in the exam setting changed in the following way; two processes were done away with and then two new processes were added, six of the processes were reconfigured into four and there was a clear distinction between the project management plan and the project documents.

Though there were 200 exams questions, the candidates were able to perform well and the pass score was always 62% unlike in the new era where this fact has changed.

Benefits of changing the exam pattern

As seen earlier these changes enable the candidates to work extra hard and to also explore different resources. These changes expand on the different knowledge and skills that they apply to the field and last but not least these changes act as an indication of passage of time and era, as time goes by, the world becomes more competitive and complicated.

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