PMP candidates planning to pursue the credential should be acquainted with the latest Exam Content Outline (ECO) and Reference List. The PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO) exhibits the certification’s main layout while the reference list represents PMI’s book recommendations for the exam preparation.
We’re going to delve into the specifics of the PMP Exam Content Outline as well as its Reference List, to ensure you are conducting an accurate, meticulous exam preparation.
PMP Exam Content Outline (ECO)
The Exam content outline serves as a blueprint for the PMP certification. The latest form includes three domains:
- People (42%): focuses on the skills and activities required to effectively lead a project team.
- Process (50%): addresses the technical aspects of project management.
- Business Environment (8%): highlights the connection between projects and organizational strategy.
The PMP Exam is 50% focused on Predictive Approaches, and 50% on Agile/Hybrid Approaches across all three domains.
PMP Exam Reference List
PMP exam is not only based on the PMBOK guide
There is a major common misconception that PMP is mainly based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body Of Knowledge). Many people believe that they’ll only have to rely on the PMBOK Guide to prepare for the PMP exam. However, upon taking the exam, candidates are usually puzzled when they face ambiguous, unrehearsed questions.
PMP aspirants should be aware that the PMP exam is not based on a single source. The PMBOK Guide is an excellent reference that covers the majority of the material required to pass the PMP Exam. Yet, it falls short of covering everything incorporated in the new exam format, thus it is deemed insufficient for thorough encompassing exam preparation.
What you should refer to according to PMI
Even though PMI states that it does not endorse any particular references, resources, courses, or any other preparation materials, they do provide an Exam reference list.
Along with the PMBOK 6th Edition, this reference list also proposes:
- Agile Practice Guide
- Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling
- Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Hybrid
- Fundamentals of Technology Project Management, 2nd Edition
- Project Managers Portable Handbook, 3rd Edition
- Information Technology Project Management, 7th Edition
- Essential Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Most Popular Agile Process
- Project Management: The Managerial Process
- The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right
However, the above list is not inclusive of all the resources a PMP candidate should use during their exam preparation. As I previously mentioned in my 60-Day PMP preparation plan blog post, your choice of exam study materials fully depends on your personal preferences, learning pattern, and budget.
To ensure you are well-prepared and ace your PMP exam on your first attempt, you can include additional supplemental references and educational resources, such as onsite or online training or courses, preparation books, mock tests or exam simulators, etc.