5 Key Exam Scope and Prerequisites for PMI-ACP Certification You Need to Know

The Project Management Institute’s Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification is highly sought after. It’s a key part of Agile project management. With Agile methods becoming more popular, from 37% in 2020 to 86% in 2021, the need for certified experts has grown a lot¹. Now, 91% of companies see Agile adoption as a strategic move¹.

Getting the PMI-ACP certification is challenging. It needs candidates to meet strict exam and prerequisite rules. The PMI-ACP exam has 120 multiple-choice questions to be done in 3 hours². The exam costs $495 for non-members and $435 for PMI members².

• The PMI-ACP exam covers seven key domains, with varying percentages of questions on each domain.
• Candidates must meet specific project experience and training requirements to be eligible for the PMI-ACP certification.
• Ongoing education and professional development are essential to maintain the PMI-ACP credential.
• PMI-ACP certified professionals can earn up to 20% more than their non-certified counterparts¹.
• Passing the PMI-ACP exam requires a minimum score of 70%, with only 100 out of the 120 questions being scored².

The PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification is a top honor from the Project Management Institute (PMI). It shows you know a lot about Agile methods³. It covers Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Extreme Programming (XP), making it great for many fields.

The PMI-ACP certification proves you can use Agile well in project management³. It shows you can handle changes and work well with teams to get things done.

Getting the PMI-ACP certification can really help your career⁴. It makes you more attractive to companies using Agile. You’ll have the skills to lead Agile projects to success.

Having the PMI-ACP certification shows you’re an Agile expert⁴. Employers really value this. You might get a better job and earn more because you’re seen as a pro in Agile management.

The 2024 PMI-ACP exam has new stuff to make it more relevant to today’s Agile world³. It includes more Agile study hours and focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). It also looks at psychological safety and emotional intelligence.

It also has new metrics for better team work³. It talks about keeping teams healthy and following rules. And it’s more about managing remote teams and being a good Agile coach.

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“The PMI-ACP certification is a valuable investment for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in Agile methodologies and drive successful Agile transformations within their organizations.”

The PMI-ACP exam tests your knowledge of Agile principles and methods. It has seven main areas, covering 16% to 9% of the exam. These areas include Agile Principles and Mindset, Value-driven Delivery, and more⁵.

The exam has 120 questions, but only 100 count towards your score⁵⁶. You have 3 hours to finish, so managing your time well is key⁶. The pass score isn’t a percentage but shows how well you know Agile⁶.

Having the PMI-ACP certification can boost your salary by up to 28%⁵. To keep your certification, you need to earn PDUs in Agile every three years⁵.

To pass the PMI-ACP exam, you need a good study plan⁶. Use official resources and join study groups for help⁶. Courses like those from PM Training School can give you the skills you need⁶.

To get the PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification, you need a lot of project management experience. You must have at least 2,000 hours of general project management experience in the last five years. Also, you need 1,500 hours of Agile project experience in the last three years⁷.

If you already have a PMP (Project Management Professional) or PgMP (Program Management Professional) certification, you can use that to meet the general project management requirement⁷.

It’s important to document and verify your project management experience for the PMI-ACP certification. You must give detailed information about your Agile project work. This includes the project’s scope, your role, and the Agile methodologies used. The PMI will review this to make sure you meet the requirements⁷.

Getting the PMI-ACP certification shows you’re an expert in Agile project management. It makes you a great asset to companies that use Agile. By meeting these tough experience requirements, you show you’re dedicated to your career and can apply Agile principles well in different projects⁸.

To get the PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification, you need to meet certain educational requirements. You must complete at least 21 hours of training on Agile practices and principles⁹¹⁰.

These 21 hours can be earned through different learning methods. You can take live classes, video courses, or even in-house training if you work for a company with 15 or more employees¹⁰.

The PMI-ACP educational requirements are set to make sure you understand Agile project management well. This knowledge helps you apply Agile principles in real projects⁹¹⁰.

Along with the 21 hours of Agile training, you also need to show you have experience in project management. You must have worked on projects for at least 2,000 hours in the last five years⁹¹⁰.

Also, you need to have at least 1,500 hours of Agile project experience in the last three years. This is to be eligible for the PMI-ACP certification⁹¹⁰.

By fulfilling these educational and experience requirements, you’re ready for the PMI-ACP exam. The exam tests your knowledge of various Agile methodologies and practices⁹¹⁰.

“The PMI-ACP certification shows you’re an expert in Agile project management. It lets you lead successful Agile projects and help your organization grow.”

To get the PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification, you need to prepare well. You must also meet certain prerequisites. Here are the five key things you should know:

You need a secondary degree or its global equivalent¹¹ to apply. This shows you have the basic knowledge needed for the certification.

You must have at least 2,000 hours of general project experience¹¹. Plus, 1,500 hours of Agile project experience are required. You’ll need to show proof of these hours to prove your skills.

You also need to complete 21 hours of Agile training¹². This training must come from a PMI-approved provider. It makes sure you know Agile well.

Meeting these strict requirements shows you’re serious about Agile project management¹²¹¹.

Agile is getting more popular, with 85% of companies using it worldwide¹². The PMI-ACP certification is in high demand¹¹. By meeting these requirements, you show you’re committed to Agile. This can open up more career opportunities and recognition for you.

The PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) certification covers many Agile methods, like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Extreme Programming (XP)¹³. Each method has its own way of managing projects. They offer different benefits and focus on different parts of Agile.

Scrum is a well-known Agile method that helps with complex product delivery. It encourages teamwork and collaboration¹³. Kanban focuses on making workflows clear and reducing waste. Lean aims for system-wide efficiency and ongoing improvement¹³. Extreme Programming (XP) puts the customer first, with a focus on quick releases in short cycles.

To show they know these Agile methods well, the PMI-ACP exam requires a lot of experience¹³. You need 1,500 hours (or 8 months) of Agile project work in the last three years. Plus, 2,000 hours (or 12 months) of general project management experience in the last five years¹³.

Candidates also need to finish 21 hours of formal Agile training to get the PMI-ACP certification¹³. This makes sure they understand Agile’s key principles, practices, and tools.

By mastering these Agile methods, PMI-ACP certified pros show they can handle complex projects. They also know how to work well together and keep improving¹³.

“Agile is not just a methodology, it’s a mindset. It’s about being responsive to change, embracing uncertainty, and delivering value continuously.”

The PMI-ACP certification shows someone’s skill in using Agile for project management¹⁴. With 91% of companies wanting to be more agile, the need for Agile experts is growing fast¹⁴.

Getting the PMI-ACP® certification costs money, but it’s worth it. The exam fee is $495 for those not in PMI and $435 for members¹⁵¹⁶. Being a PMI member not only lowers the exam fee but also opens doors to many resources and growth chances.

Joining PMI costs $139 for the first year, and $129 each year after¹⁶. Getting the PMI-ACP® certification, including exam fees, training, and membership, usually costs between $2,100 and $2,400¹⁵.

The PMI-ACP® exam fee is $495 for non-members and $435 for PMI members¹⁶. This fee includes the exam, which has 120 questions and lasts 3 hours¹⁶.

Being a PMI member has many perks, like a $435 exam fee for the PMI-ACP® certification¹⁶. Members get access to a huge library of resources, networking chances, and tools for professional growth¹⁵.

The PMI-ACP® certification application requires you to submit documents, pay fees, and schedule the exam within a certain time¹⁵. You can take the exam up to three times in a year¹⁶.

“The PMI-ACP® certification is a valuable investment for agile professionals, providing both personal and professional benefits. The combination of exam fees, training, and PMI membership costs can be optimized to achieve a rewarding return on investment.”

¹⁵¹⁶

The PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner) exam tests your agile knowledge and skills. It has 120 multiple-choice questions and a 3-hour time limit¹⁷. Only 100 questions are scored, with the other 20 for future exams¹⁸.

The exam checks both your knowledge and how you apply agile methods. You must score at least 70% to pass¹⁷. The scores are divided into four levels: Needs Improvement, Below Target, Target, and Above Target¹⁸.

Questions cover many topics, like Agile Principles and Mindset (16%), and Value Driven Delivery (20%). Stakeholder Engagement (17%), Team Performance (16%), Adaptive Planning (12%), Problem Detection and Resolution (10%), and Continuous Improvement (9%) are also included¹⁸.

To get ready for the PMI-ACP exam, you need to know agile methods like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean. It’s also important to have experience in agile projects and know the tools and techniques used¹⁷.

The PMI-ACP exam is tough but worth it. Passing it shows you’re an expert in agile project management. It opens up new career paths and brings industry recognition for your skills¹⁷.

The PMI-ACP exam tests your knowledge in agile principles and practices. It covers seven main areas, each with a different weightage¹⁹.

1. Agile Principles and Mindset – 16% of the exam
2. Value-driven Delivery – 20% of the exam
3. Stakeholder Engagement – 17% of the exam
4. Team Performance – 16% of the exam
5. Adaptive Planning – 12% of the exam
6. Problem Detection and Resolution – 10% of the exam
7. Continuous Improvement (Product, Process, People) – 9% of the exam

The exam has 120 multiple-choice questions. You have 3 hours to finish²⁰¹⁹. Questions come in different types, like true or false and scenario-based, to test your skills²⁰.

To pass the PMI-ACP exam, you need to know agile well. This includes value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive planning²⁰¹⁹. Mastering these areas is key for those wanting to improve their agile skills and get recognized in the industry²⁰¹⁹.

“The PMI-ACP certification is a testament to one’s commitment to agile practices and their ability to apply them effectively in project delivery.”

To get the PMI-ACP certification, you need to prepare well. This includes using the right study materials, practicing with Agile exams, and learning to manage your time²¹. Most people spend 2 to 3 months getting ready, based on their Agile experience and how much they study each week²¹.

PMI suggests a 7-step study plan. It includes joining a prep bootcamp, taking lots of practice tests, and using different resources²¹. These resources might be study guides, online courses, and forums where people share their study tips²¹.

To get the PMI-ACP certification, you need to meet certain requirements. You must have 2,000 hours of project management experience and 21 hours of Agile training²². Using study guides, practicing with exams, and gaining hands-on experience can help you prepare well²¹.

The PMI-ACP exam has 120 multiple-choice questions that you need to answer in 3 hours²¹²². Practicing with sample tests and simulators helps you get used to the exam format and time limits. It also helps you understand the types of questions you’ll face, making you more confident and ready for the exam²¹.

Managing your time well is key to doing well on the PMI-ACP exam. The questions cover seven domains, each with its own weight²¹. By knowing how much time to spend on each domain and practicing timed exams, you can learn to use your time wisely. This increases your chances of passing the exam²¹.

“Preparation is the key to success on the PMI-ACP exam. Investing time in recommended study materials, practicing with Agile-focused tests, and mastering time management will set you up for a positive outcome.”

With the right preparation and a commitment to learning, you can improve your Agile skills. This can boost your career and help your organization succeed¹².

To keep your PMI-ACP certification, you must always learn and grow. Every three years, you need to earn 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) to renew²³.

You can get PDUs by taking Agile courses, joining workshops, and helping the Agile community. You must get at least 18 PDUs for education and up to 12 for giving back²³.

Education PDUs must be split into technical, leadership, and strategic areas. You also get 6 extra PDUs to use in any of these areas. Each PDU is like one hour of learning or work²³.

Giving back PDUs come from being an Agile practitioner, making content, giving talks, sharing knowledge, and volunteering. These activities help you earn PDUs²³.

It’s smart to earn PDUs over three years. Keep good records to make renewing your certification easy²³.

By keeping your PMI-ACP certification, you show you’re up-to-date with Agile. This keeps your skills sharp and valuable in the field²³.

“Continuous learning and professional development are the keys to maintaining the PMI-ACP certification and staying ahead in the Agile Project Management field.”

The PMI-ACP certification brings big career wins for project managers²⁴. It shows they know Agile well and boosts their job chances and fame in the field²⁵. Companies that move fast and adapt well finish projects 75 percent of the time. This is way better than the 56 percent rate of slower companies²⁵.

Getting certified takes hard work and study, but it’s worth it. It teaches skills that work in many places that use Agile²⁵. To pass the PMI-ACP Exam, you need 10-12 weeks of studying a bit each day. You should use books like the PMI-ACP Exam Prep Book and guides like The PMI-ACP Exam: How To Pass On Your First Try²⁵.

Also, practice tests and online groups for help are key²⁵. This way, you’re ready for the exam.

The PMI-ACP certification is growing fast²⁵²⁴ and is very popular in Agile Project Management²⁴. There’s a big need for Agile experts²⁴. Getting this certification shows you’re serious about Agile project management²⁴. It also brings in more money, with certified Agile pros making about £54,000 a year²⁴.