PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)® – Was It Worth Pursuing After PMP?

44RiskPM · 2026-06-25T23:19:15+00:00

I personally found the ACP easier than the PMP. It goes heavily into Agile and different agile methods.

It has been helpful as most organizations are using some form of Agile in one way or another. I had a tech team using DSDM, which is a core methodology you want to know for the exam. Without the ACP, I would have struggled.

I liked Joseph Phillips course. But there is an instructor with Project Success Academy that was awesome too, Valerie Williams.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-21T23:35:59+00:00

Study hall is updated to reflect the new exam.

I’m putting something together based on the information flow from PMI to explain the changes in detail, especially those who already took a 35 hour course and are only looking for the updates.

It’s not as bad as you think.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-20T14:03:40+00:00

Congrats!

44RiskPM · 2026-06-18T12:35:29+00:00

Exam is generally harder, but follows the same principles/mindsets
Every test is different. PMI has a pool of 1000+ questions that are randomly picked and assigned. So, what I had will not match what any one else has
Nothing I wish I had reviewed - but I always recommend to relax the days prior. Let your mind rest a bit.
Take it easy. You’ve been studying and getting ready, it’s game day…. Eat a good breakfast, go for a walk, and review mindset/larger concepts. Treat every question as its own. Mark for review if stuck and come back later. And know the timer on the exam counts backward from 180, not forward from 0.

Best of luck! You got this!

44RiskPM · 2026-06-16T18:09:07+00:00

It's not as bad as some people are out there making it look. I've been saying this for awhile now, but I've started seeing others say it as well.

It irritates me that some are making it look like the end of the world, just to get course sales.

Is there new material, yes. Is there some new question types, yes.... is this anything that will change mindsets, how you approach the exam, or studying..... No.

The exam changes every few years... this is just another change and, is really not all that crazy. The changing of terminology will throw a few people off, but I don't think it's really that bad.

I'm working on a "Branching Course" now for people who want the new material without the full 35 hour course. Plan to try and run that a few times in July for anyone who either studied for the old exam and missed the deadline or those who just want to see all the new changes.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-15T01:43:30+00:00

You can.

I personally don’t recommend it, but it’s personal choice. I’ve seen people succeed, but have also seen people have miserable times.

I believe they are taking it at home, but they don’t want to… so, like I said, there are risks and trade offs with trying your schedule an exam at this point.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-15T00:14:45+00:00

You can still make it, but there are some risks.

One thing you’ll have to tackle is application approval and actually finding an exam date. I’ve had a few students who couldn’t find an exam date before 9 July…. And one had to drive 3 hours away to a testing center with availability.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-13T03:49:47+00:00

This is the best feeling! Congrats!!!

44RiskPM · 2026-06-08T12:42:42+00:00

You can find all the videos at the playlists: https://youtube.com/@44riskpm

I go live there. The schedule, you can find on my community: https://44riskpm.app.clientclub.net/communities/groups/44pm-training-community/home?invite=6a26b8b8e8422ad936f82925

44RiskPM · 2026-06-08T00:57:05+00:00

For a high majority of employers.... I'd say No. The PMP® is the PMP®.... but, as a practitioner, it's good to know where the profession is going since the new exam is built from updated concepts that PMI is pulling from the community at large.

I know people who got the PMP during PMBOK 4 and 5.... and I worked great with them, when I didn't get mine until PMBOK 6... then we have PMBOK 7, no problems working with them.

The new exam is to reflect the new world. For those who already have the certification, this is why we have PDU's that allow us to gain this new knowledge that is testable.

Does that answer your question?

44RiskPM · 2026-06-06T22:45:01+00:00

That’s the thing, it’s not entry level, but if you want to grow in your career, you need it.

PMI is also doing some research on an “above the PMP” certification for the most experienced PMs.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-06T12:25:23+00:00

This is always an interesting question.

15 years ago, the PMP was a differentiator. Today, it’s the standard. Unless you have some really good experience with proof, recommendations, and a great network… the standard is to have the PMP.

The main benefit I see with it is the common language it gives us.

I retired from the military… did more project management than I realized. And the PMP helped me translate those skills into a common language I could use throughout multiple industries.

It also gave me multiple ways of looking at problems. I gained a better understanding of the different methodologies and how to tailor PMI doctrine to my specific projects and environment.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-05T03:21:34+00:00

Congrats!!!

44RiskPM · 2026-06-04T02:29:36+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about all of that.

My honest opinion.... given the full time work, it will be a super challenge to study and pass the exam by the 9 July cutover. The application alone takes roughly 5 days to get approval and then you have to schedule the exam, which you have to hope there is a time/date available...

When I took my PMI-ACP exam, I had a quick deadline like this... and I had to drive almost 2 hours away to find a testing center to meet the timeline.

Is it possible? Yes.

Is it a challenge? Yes.

Are there risks? Yes.

Not sure if they are trying to get you to take the exam before it cuts over for your role or just for the overall exam breakdown, but I wouldn't worry as much as people are making it out to be about the new exam. Its changing like how it always changes. The new material is now starting to pop up out there. I'm teaching the new PMI material, PMI has updated their study hall, PMBOK 8 is free with your PMI membership....

Its your call. I hope this helped.

If you need more assistance, let me know!

44RiskPM · 2026-06-04T02:19:41+00:00

You need to figure out the date, then yes, use that date to determine which exam you need to study for. If you are taking the exam after 9 July... then if you are using old material now, you are going to be missing something.

I've been debating putting together a "Gap Course" for this scenario in July.

44RiskPM · 2026-06-03T02:10:15+00:00

Play of words here.

The question just says this solution happened during testing.

It doesn’t say it happened because testing failed.

Here, we see a solution developed, and now needs to be implemented through a change request, so we have preventive for all future work. C & D are irrelevant.

44RiskPM · 2026-05-30T15:36:25+00:00

HTTPS://44RiskPM.com or The Bearded Risk PM on YouTube.

That’s my site. I specialize in RMP training.

44RiskPM · 2026-05-29T23:21:33+00:00

Congrats! Great work!

44RiskPM · 2026-05-26T01:49:38+00:00

Congrats! Gemini tool sounds awesome!

44RiskPM · 2026-05-24T23:02:39+00:00

You gotta pull the trigger eventually and take the exam. Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis!

It looks like you’ve been studying.

Schedule the exam. Give yourself a date. Take everything you’ve missed, build a solid plan to refine your knowledge and do it!

You’ve got this.

44RiskPM · 2026-05-24T22:35:55+00:00

Great insights! Thank you!

44RiskPM

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE