The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) exam is one of the most respected certifications for professionals working in agile environments. Whether you are an experienced project manager or just starting your career in agile practices, preparing for the PMI-ACP exam can seem overwhelming. However, with the right preparation, you can confidently pass this exam and advance your career in agile project management.
In this blog, we will go over the most important aspects of the PMI-ACP exam and its format and provide a guide to help you prepare.
What is the PMI-ACP?
PMI-ACP stands for Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner. This certification demonstrates an understanding of agile principles and the ability to apply agile project management methods.
The PMI-ACP certification is recommended for people working in organisations that use agile practices and methods. It is a universally recognised certification that enables practitioners to showcase their professionalism to employers.
This PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) proves a person's ability to:
- Apply agile methodologies: Understand and apply agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Test-Driven Development.
- Lead agile projects: Lead agile projects and contribute to the development of innovative products.
- Engage stakeholders: Gather requirements, incorporate feedback, and ensure project success.
- Use agile metrics: Use agile metrics to measure project progress and success.
- Adapt to change: Adapt to changing requirements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Manage risks: Manage risks proactively to minimise the impact on project and/or product delivery.
- Perform continuous improvement: To enhance project delivery and team performance.
The PMI-ACP certification is relevant for project managers, team members, Agile coaches, or anyone who works in an Agile environment. The certification can help with career advancement and higher pay.
Read more: Top Benefits of PMI-ACP® Certification for Project Managers
To obtain PMI-ACP certification, you must complete 21 hours of PMI ACP training from certified sources.
PMI ACP Certification Training Key Features
Here are some key features of the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification training:
- Agile mindset: Learn the difference between "Being Agile" and "Doing Agile" and the importance of responding to change quickly
- Agile estimation: Learn how to use agile estimation to bring in benefits like increased ROI and business value, lower development costs, and better risk handling
- Stakeholder engagement: Learn how to use different tools for stakeholder engagement
- Team performance: Learn how to understand agile teams and manage team performance
- Agile foundations: Learn how to apply agile principles and techniques in your organization
- Agile communication: Learn how to facilitate continuous improvement through improved communication and collaboration
- Project management: Learn core agile ideas, methods like Scrum and Kanban, and tools to manage and deliver projects
PMI-ACP exam format
The PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam is a three-hour, computer-based test with 120 multiple-choice questions:
| Exam Details | Information |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Question Format | Multiple-choice |
| Question Types | A mix of scenario-based and application-focused questions |
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Pre-test Questions | 20 (not counted) |
| Passing Score | PMI does not publish the passing score. However, approximately 70% is the safe score. |
| Testing Method | Computer-based (CBT) |
This PMI ACP exam covers agile tools, techniques, and project management skills. Questions are mapped to This exam content outline domains, which include:
- Adaptive planning
- Agile development practices
- Agile frameworks and methodologies
- Using agile metrics
- Seeking early feedback
- Managing risks
- Eliminating waste
- Performing continuous improvement
- Engaging customers
- Optimising flow
Check out PMI-ACP Certification Exam Prep Complete Guide
Tips for a Successful Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Certification Exam Success
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you prepare for This exam and increase your chances of passing on your first attempt.
1. Apply agile principles to your study plan
Start by approaching your exam preparation in the same way you would approach a project using agile principles. Focus on the essentials and don’t waste time on unnecessary details. Look for areas where you have gaps in your knowledge and tackle these first. Use simple, effective learning materials and customize your learning plan to focus on what you need to improve.
2. Use the Pomodoro technique
With the Pomodoro technique, you study for 25 minutes and then take a short break. This technique can help you focus and prevent you from burning out. You can organize your study schedule around small chunks of content, such as sections in a study guide or short training videos, which fit perfectly into these 25-minute chunks.
3. Read each question twice
When you take This exam, don’t rush yourself. Read through each question at least twice to understand what it is about before you check the answers. After reading the possible answers, go back to the question to ensure you are on the right track. Practice with sample questions to familiarise yourself with this approach.
4. Practice situational questions
Most of the questions in This exam are situational, so you need to know how to apply agile principles to real-life scenarios. Even if all the answers seem correct, you must choose the best fit for the situation. Practice with situational questions to better understand how to answer them.
5. Create a realistic learning plan
How long should you study? That depends on how much time you can devote. Some people need several months to juggle study and work. Divide your studies into manageable sections and take time to learn new content and practise with exams. Use practice exams to track your progress and focus on the areas that need improvement.
6. Make your own notes
Summarise what you have learned in your own words. Write down the most important points or create mind maps. This will help you memorise the material better and provide you with a quicker tool than reading extensive textbooks. Keep your notes simple and concentrate on the most important points.
7. Concentrate on value-based performance
This exam focuses heavily on value-based performance, one of the most important Agile concepts. Study this area well, as it is a large part of This exam. You can even quiz yourself on this topic to ensure you understand it thoroughly.
8. Choose the best answer, even if it’s not perfect
Sometimes, none of the answer choices seem perfect, but choose the one that best aligns with agile principles. Think about collaboration and how you can respond to change. Each question should be considered in context, and choosing the best answer (even if it’s not ideal) is key to a good outcome.
If you follow these tips and stay focussed, you will be well on your way to passing this exam!
Some Interesting Facts About the Pmi-Acp Certification:
| Feature | Description |
| Fastest Growing Certification | It is the fastest-growing certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). In its first year, it surpassed the Risk, Scheduling, and Program Management certifications. |
| Number of certified professionals | As of November 2023, there were 59,259 PMI-ACP certified professionals. |
| High Demand | The demand for agile practitioners is high, making the PMI-ACP certification more valuable than ever. |
| High Salary Potential | Increased credibility leads to higher salaries |
| Skill Demonstration | Demonstrates proficiency in agile practices, tools, and techniques |
| Professional Development Framework | Provides a structured path for professional growth |
| Secure Exam Process | The PMI uses Pearson Vue's online proctors to ensure test takers don't cheat. |
It's the only certification that requires competence in multiple agile frameworks, such as Scrum, Kanban, XP, FDD, Crystal, and DSDM. This certification can help you learn about agile methods and stay updated through the certification maintenance program.
Check out How PMI-ACP Certification Accelerates Your Career Growth
Final Thoughts
To summarise, this PMI-ACP certification training offers valuable benefits for professionals who want to advance their careers in agile project management. It opens up new career opportunities, increases recognition in the industry, and supports personal development.
With this certification, professionals can lead agile teams, deliver successful projects, and drive organizational success. It can also increase earning potential, as individuals with certifications such as the PMI-ACP can often command a higher salary.
While This exam can be challenging, it is certainly achievable with the right preparation. It’s also worth noting that the PMI-ACP exam format will be updated globally on 8 November 2024 to reflect the latest trends in agile practice. If you are looking to advance your career in Agile, the PMI-ACP certification is a great opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge.
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