PMP Exam Prep - Blog

PMI Statistics - August 2010
08/17/2010 - 3:57pm

As published in the PMI R.E.P Update Newsletters, here are the most recent statistics for each of the PMI credentials.

Date 7/31/10 6/30/10 5/31/10 4/30/10 3/31/10 2/28/10
PMI Members 320,388 318,421 317,787 315,106 314,721 309,715
PMPs 393,413 389,726 381,111 371,014 367,619 361,238
CAPMs 12,111 11,785 11,234 10,678 10,444 10,263
PgMPs 447 436 412 400 396 393
PMI-SPs 340 327 307 280 274 261
PMI-RMPs 419 393 338 287 266 242
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Introducing.... (drum roll please.....) PMI-RMP!
08/04/2010 - 1:02pm

The PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) is one of the newer credentials offered by PMI. Based on the PMI published numbers, it looks the PMI-RMP is starting to attract some attention.

We did a check of the credential registry this morning, August 4, 2010, and found that there are now 419 PMI-RMPs.

    Some interesting facts:
  • The first PMI-RMP granted was on June 2, 2008
  • There are PMI-RMPs in 40 countries worldwide
  • The top four countries with PMI-RMPs (in order): United States (149), United Arab Emirates (37), Brazil (31), and Canada (27)
  • For the seven months of 2008, there were 64 PMI-RMPs awarded
  • For 2009, there were 179 PMI-RMPs awarded
  • For 2010, there have already been 176 awarded through July!
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PMP or CAPM?
08/04/2010 - 11:25am

When people consider project management certifications, they generally think of the PMP. This is easy to understand, given that it is, by far, the most popular (and oldest) PMI credential, with over 380,000 active PMPs as of May 2010.

However, the PMP isn't necessarily the only option and sometimes may not be the best option. The CAPM (Certified Associate of Project Management), introduced in 2003, may be more appropriate for some candidates.

The CAPM has been slowly gaining recognition over the past seven years and can now be seen referenced in many job postings, etc, and there are now over 11,000 CAPMs worldwide.

Here is a comparison of the two credentials:




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PMI Statistics - July 2010
07/22/2010 - 10:12am

As published in the PMI R.E.P Update Newsletters, here are the most recent statistics for each of the PMI credentials.

Date 6/30/10 5/31/10 4/30/10 3/31/10 2/28/10 1/31/10
PMI Members 318,421 317,787 315,106 314,721 309,715 308,485
PMPs 389,726 381,111 371,014 367,619 361,238 350,450
CAPMs 11,785 11,234 10,678 10,444 10,263 9,787
PgMPs 436 412 400 396 393 385
PMI-SPs 327 307 280 274 261 238
PMI-RMPs 393 338 287 266 242 210
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Testing on Day 5 - To Test or Not To Test?
06/29/2010 - 2:23pm

Many training providers offer a "Day 5 Test Option", where students who have previously received their approval from PMI and have their eligibility ID/Test Code, are able to sit for the exam on the day after the class. For many who are not fully aware of the difficulty of the PMP exam, it may seem like a great option to get it all "done" in one week. However, the PMP credential is not a reflection of one week, it is a reflection of many years of experience and education.

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PMI Statistics - May 2010
05/22/2010 - 10:12am

As published in the PMI R.E.P Update Newsletters, here are the most recent statistics for each of the PMI credentials.

Date 4/30/10 3/31/10 2/28/10 1/31/10 12/31/09 11/30/09
PMI Members 317,787 315,106 314,721 309,715 308,485 306,180
PMPs 381,111 371,014 367,619 361,238 350,450 357,477
CAPMs 11,234 10,678 10,444 10,263 9,787 9,619
PgMPs 412 400 396 393 385 382
PMI-SPs 307 280 274 261 238 232
PMI-RMPs 338 287 266 242 210 199
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PMI Statistics - March 2010
03/22/2010 - 10:12am

As published in the PMI R.E.P Update Newsletters, here are the most recent statistics for each of the PMI credentials.

Date 2/28/10 1/31/10 12/31/09 11/30/09 9/30/09 8/31/09
PMI Members 315,106 314,721 309,715 308,485 306,180 305,191
PMPs 371,014 367,619 361,238 350,450 357,477 364,542
CAPMs 10,678 10,444 10,263 9,787 9,619 9,412
PgMPs 400 396 393 385 382 328
PMI-SPs 280 274 261 238 232 213
PMI-RMPs 287 266 242 210 199 181
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The Prep Camp Experience
02/23/2010 - 11:32am

Are you considering participating in a PMP exam prep camp? Prep camps, or boot camps, are an excellent method for ensuring full knowledge of the PMI principles and the PMBOK in order to successfully pass the PMP exam.

What to expect:

1. Four or five days of intense instruction. The instruction should include a thorough review of each of the 42 processes, including the associated inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs. In addition, concepts not in the PMBOK, yet included on the exam, should be covered.

2. Good programs will offer evening study sessions. These sessions prove to be very beneficial for the students and I strongly recommend that you plan on participating in these sessions. Generally, the evening sessions are less formalized instruction and focus more on discussion capabilities of the key concepts.

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PMI Statistics - Feb 2010
02/22/2010 - 10:12am

As published in the PMI R.E.P Update Newsletters, here are the most recent statistics for each of the PMI credentials.

Date 1/31/10 12/31/09 11/30/09 9/30/09 8/31/09 7/31/09
PMI Members 314,721 309,715 308,485 306,180 305,191 306,111
PMPs 367,619 361,238 350,450 357,477 364,542 360,662
CAPMs 10,444 10,263 9,787 9,619 9,412 9,126
PgMPs 396 393 385 382 328 307
PMI-SPs 274 261 238 232 213 164
PMI-RMPs 266 242 210 199 181 192
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PMP Exam Dump Sheet
01/21/2010 - 10:49am

A key component of prepping for the PMP exam is developing your dump sheet. Because the PMP exam is testing the application of knowledge, the information on your dump sheet should generally contain formulas and not much more. We frequently see students who are intent on memorizing the entire framework and extensive mnemonics for their dump sheet. Unfortunately, this approach has yet to prove successful. Because the time is being spent on memorizing the names of the processes and perhaps the ITTOs, the concepts and applications behind the framework are not well understood.

Our recommendation for your dump sheet? Earned value formulas, PERT formula, and the communication channels formula. Based on your preparation, you may have identified other areas that trouble you. Feel free to make some notes on these areas as well, for example, contract types.

Our recommended dump sheet:
EV = BAC X % Complete
SV = EV - PV
SPI = EV / PV
CV = EV - AC
CPI = EV / AC

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