PMP now or wait for 4th edition of PMBOK is published

[ghdreamz]

I am new (beginner) to PMP and was looking to start my preparation for PMP with PMBOK 3rd Edition.

However, I've found on this forum that the 4th Edition is due by the end of August 08. Hence, would require the forum member’s suggestions on the following:

1. If I do study with:
- PMBOK 3rd edition
- PMP Study Guide - Kim Heldman 4th Edition
- Rita Mulcahy PMP Exam Prep 2005 Fifth edition
Can I still cope up with the 4th edition of PMBOK, as I might look to take the test in Nov/Dec 08.

2. Will the below two study guides be still relevant with PMBOK 4th edition, or most of the study would get scrapped with 4th edition of PMBOK?

Please advice.
Thanks in advance

[PMHUBadmin]

every time a new PMBOK is released and used as base, you have to re-study everything. PMBOK is the base for 60% of the exam.

Only those topics NOT in PMBOK - you do not need to restudy eg general management: delegation, Theory X, Y and Z, Professional Responsibilities etc.

All the rest like ITTO etc are dependent on PMBOK

Nobody can tell you what to do, but if I were you I need only less than 2 months to study. Might as well finish everything and write the exam in October. Everytime a new thing is introduced - there will be temporary chaos and I do not want to be in chaotic beginning.

What you really have to ask yrself: how do you get all those PMP Exam Questions based on the new PMBOK. In the first 3 months they are not even there yet. So you cannot even practice before the exam. think about it! No Ll also to tell you about the new Exam, so what are you ging to do?

[umesh108]

Historically, The PMP examination changes around a year after the new edition of PMBOK is released. The PMBOK 3rd edition was released on Oct-31-2004. The exam changed on Sep-30-2005. So in all probability, you are on the safer side, but then, start preparing as fast as you can...Who knows? The Learning Curve Theory might apply here and the exam can be changed sooner !

I completely agree with PMHUBadmin about the initial chaos after the new edition of PMBOK / New version of the examination. When the new version of exam started after the 3rd edition of PMBOK, the passing score was 141/175 (80.5%). They later change the passing score in Nov 2005 to 106/175 (60.5%). Imagine someone giving the exam in Oct 2005 and scoring 130/175, getting the "Sorry you have failed..." screen and after a month of facing the cruel world, getting a letter over the mail from PMI that he is now a PMP - No fun in it. Nothing can beat the pleasure of seeing the "Congratulations you have passed !" screen, and walking into home victorious !

The second problem is that you will never be sure of the material (especially mock tests) that you get online online when you are preparing for the exam. I encountered the problem of facing some questions from the old edition of PMBOK questions during my mock tests and screamed foul whenever I evaluated my answers and found that my answers were wrong just because they were based from the the old edition of PMBOK. Now, with yet another edition of PMBOK out there, it may get crazy.

My advice to you is, Start studying ASAP - You don't have to slog. Read the material like you are reading a novel. Don't prepare as if you are forced to prepare. Just keep the focus on your goal, keep paddling and soon you will get to your destination !

[ghdreamz]

Thank you PMHUB Admin and UMESH108 for the response (suggestions). You have shown me the right direction- This would help me take a wise decision in my career.

Can't explain how delighted I feel to hear such reasonable explanation.

Thanks a lot PMHUBADMIN & UMESH108

[PMHUBadmin]

if you are smart, you can check the prices of PMP/CAPM products. If they are getting less and less, that means, the new PMBOK is nearing

If you are smarter, you should buy them now when they are so cheap and use them to prepare yourself.

When PMBOK 4th ed is published and effective, those PMP products prices will be at least 3-4 x current price, since they are new and the vendor need to recoup their investment.

These cycle has been going on and on. Be wise and be smart. Don't be a laggard!Do not become a proscatinator. You need only 2 months to study - why spent 1 - 2 year and spend more money? PMHUB was established for those who want to work smarter! Howevere you also have to be smarter and know when to work harder.

[futuredude]

It was a real shocker to hear that the 4th edition will soon be released. I did a little research on the PMI web site, but found no clear indication of a fixed date of release. I just scheduled my exam date for 15 October and hoping not to be affected by any potential surprises. Does anyone have further info regarding possible release date?

TIA

[elceem]

please read the draft of PMBOK 4th ed from the link given in www.pmhub.net (check the mid columns news)

If the draft is already released. the real one will appear soon.

I openly criticize PMI for not really practicing PMship.

If they do, they will have an open/public plan, known to stakeholders (we are all stakeholders here) with target date for each of their program - PMBOK included.

As a PM de facto governing body, this 4 yearly planning fiasco repeated every 4 year - is not something that is exemplary to the PM world and show that practice is practice and concept is concept

[ghdreamz]

Hi, this is what I had from PMI support:

Dear Mr Mohammed,

Greetings from all of us at PMI Asia Pacific Centre!

Thank you for your email.


To answer your query, PMBOK Guide Version 3 would be phasing out toward the end of 2008 to be replace by PMBOK Guide Version 4.

Meanwhile, please be advised that the PMP exam would follow PMBOK Guide Version 3 until June 30, 2009 tentatively.


We hope this clarifies.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further clarifications.

Best regards,

Wendy Yeow
Customercare and Processing Associate
PMI Asia Pacific Service Centre
73 Bukit Timah Road, #03-01 Rex House, Singapore 229832
Tel: 65 6496 5501
Fax: 65 6336 6449


PMI Educational Foundation is building better futures through project management. Care to help?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear PMI support staff,

Currently I have started my preparation for PMP exam with PMBOK 3rd Edition.

However, I've heard that there is 4th Edition of PMBOK due for official
release in this year (2008).
Hence, I would like to know if there is a release due, when the release
might take effect and when the new format for PMP exam would get applied
where no PMBOK 3rd edition will be used.

Please advice.
Thank you

[PMHUBadmin]

thank you for posting the PMI's answer to your mail.

This is good to know, however those answers seems to be not consistent with each other. I have read other mails from PMI - more vague and at least one indicating 2010 as the year when PMBOK 4th ed will be effective.


I really wish PMI to practice PMBOK's principles - to pratcice what is being preached - walk the talk....

[PMHUBadmin]

I received this note from Tony Johnson, Pres of CrosswindPM:

PMP Exam, CAPM Exam, and PgMP Exam date changes to align with new PMI standards.

Crosswind PM, Inc., a PMI Global Registered Education Provider, has received information from PMI that impacts new applications for PMI credentials.

As of October 15th, 2008, PMI plans to change the PMP Exam to reflect alignment with the Fourth Edition of the PMBOK Guide on June 30, 2009. PMI also plans to change the CAPM Exam on July 31, 2009 and the PgMP Exam on August 31, 2009.

Crosswind PM, Inc. anticipates a PMI announcement regarding the last date a candidate for PMP credentials could apply under the current standards, but has no information regarding the date of that announcement. Note that when the exam based on the third edition of the PMBOK Guide was released, there was a 3-4 week difference between the date of the last exam based on the third edition and date PMI accepted credential applications predicated on passing that exam.

[pmpbound]

Hi, I need some quick help. I"m studying for the PMP 3rd edition exam that will happen within 1 month. Reading the material has become hard to remember. Do you think a person can pass the exam by learning questions at the end of a chapter and the 200 question practice exam questions? I have Rita and Andy. Please help me if you can.

Thanks

[ghdreamz]

My personal opinion on this is:

Andy crowe: Its good for basic understanding but clearing the PMP exam only on basis of Andy would not be a good idea

Rita: Rita is better than the Andy crowe, as it is more detailed and more near to the real exam (I have cleared the exam this month). But its not a good idea to attempt PMP exam by just remembering the answers of the chapter end questions and the 200 question at the end of the book.
PMP exam requires good understanding of the concepts. If you can attempt Oliver lehman 175 + 75 Questions and Kim's questions and score 70-80% I can say you are good to go for the PMP exam.

All the best