In this blog post, we’ll cover the PMI-ACP® difficulty, including how hard the PMI-ACP® exam is, and how to pass the PMI-ACP® exam on your first try.
PMI-ACP® Difficulty
Are you considering taking the PMI-ACP® exam? It’s a tough one. The PMI-ACP® is a challenging certification that tests your knowledge of Agile principles, values, and practices.
Many exam takers find the PMI-ACP® exam challenging because it requires a deep understanding of agile principles and practices. Moreover, the exam questions are scenario-based and require you to apply your knowledge to solve problems.
In our opinion, the hardest thing about the PMI-ACP® exam may be the depth of knowledge required to pass the exam and the ability to apply that knowledge to solve real-world scenarios
How Hard is the PMI-ACP® Exam (Top 5 Reasons)
Studying for and taking the PMI-ACP® exam can be a challenging experience.
We wanted to learn, exactly how hard is the PMI-ACP® exam. So we asked our subscribers. Based on feedback from PMI-ACP® exam takers, here are some of the top five hardest things about studying for and taking the PMI-ACP® exam:
- Understanding Agile Principles and Practices: One of the most challenging things about studying for the PMI-ACP® exam is developing a deep understanding of agile principles, values, and practices. Agile methodologies are continually evolving, and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest developments and best practices.
- Memorizing Terminology: Agile has a unique set of terms and concepts that exam takers must understand and be able to apply in real-world scenarios. Some students find it challenging to memorize and understand the terminology used in agile project management.
- Applying Agile in Real-World Scenarios: The PMI-ACP® exam is scenario-based, and the questions are designed to test how well exam takers can apply agile principles in real-world situations. This can be challenging, especially for those who have limited practical experience in agile project management.
- Time Management: The PMI-ACP® exam is three hours long and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. Exam takers must manage their time effectively to answer all the questions within the given time frame.
- Balancing Work and Study: Many PMI-ACP® exam takers are working professionals, which can make it challenging to balance work and study time effectively. Finding the time to study and prepare for the exam while also managing work and other commitments can be a significant challenge for some students.
In summary, the PMI-ACP® exam can be challenging for students due to the need to develop a deep understanding of agile principles and practices, memorize agile terminology, apply agile in real-world scenarios, manage time effectively during the exam, and balance work and study commitments.
Why So Many Students Fail the PMI-ACP® Exam (Top 5 Reasons)
There are several reasons why students may fail the PMI-ACP® exam. These are the top five reasons why students fail the PMI-ACP® exam:
- Insufficient Exam Preparation: Many students fail the PMI-ACP® exam because they did not adequately prepare for the exam. They have studied the exam content outline or practiced enough sample questions to understand the types of questions and scenarios that will be presented on the exam.
- Poor Time Management: The PMI-ACP® exam is three hours long and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. Time management is critical, and students who fail to manage their time effectively may not have enough time to answer all the questions.
- Inadequate Knowledge of Agile Principles and Practices: The PMI-ACP® exam requires a deep understanding of agile principles and practices. Students who do not have a solid understanding of agile may struggle to answer the exam questions correctly.
- Lack of Practical Experience: The PMI-ACP® exam is designed for experienced agile practitioners who have practical experience in agile project management. Students who lack practical experience may not understand how to apply agile principles and practices in real-world scenarios.
- Test Anxiety: Some students may experience test anxiety, which can affect their ability to perform well on the exam. Test anxiety can cause students to second-guess their answers or rush through the exam, leading to errors and mistakes.
In summary, the most common reason why students fail the PMI-ACP® exam is typically due to a lack of preparation. Poor time management, inadequate knowledge of agile principles and practices, lack of practical experience, and test anxiety are also factors that may contribute to exam failure.
PMI-ACP® Exam Passing Score
PMI (Project Management Institute) does not publicly disclose the passing score required to pass the PMI-ACP® exam. It is estimated that the passing score is around 70%.
Meaning, because the exam is 120 questions (with 20 of them being pretest questions) you should target to answer AT LEAST 70 questions correctly.
In fact, the Project Management Institute does not disclose your score on the official exam. After you submit your exam, the exam report shows your proficiency level (not your test score). There are three proficiency levels:
- Above Target (proficient or above average)
- Target (average)
- Below Target (below average, failure)
PMI-ACP® Exam Pass Rate
PMI (Project Management Institute) does not publicly disclose the average pass rates of the PMI-ACP® exam. It is estimated that the pass rate is between 65% to 70%, meaning about one in every three students will fail this exam.
The PMI-ACP® is a challenging certification exam, and many students find it difficult to pass on the first attempt. The key to passing the exam is to prepare thoroughly, study the exam content outline, and practice sample questions.
Additionally, it is important to have real-world experience in Agile project management to apply the Agile principles and practices effectively. This experience will help you answer scenario-based questions on the exam and provide practical insights into Agile project management. Finally, remember to manage your time effectively during the exam and stay calm to avoid test anxiety.
In conclusion, the PMI-ACP® exam is a challenging certification exam that tests your knowledge and understanding of Agile principles, values, and practices. To pass the exam, it is essential to have practical experience in Agile project management, take a PMI-ACP® certification training course, study the exam content outline, and practice sample questions. With proper preparation, you can pass the PMI-ACP® exam and earn a valuable certification that demonstrates your expertise in Agile project management.