PMI Exam Brain Dumps: What you need to know…..

Starting on 29 June 2016, all the PMI Certification Exams got a little more challenging. While they’re still scenario based, and anchored to their respective Role Delineation Studies and Exam Content Outlines, a very well-known practice is now prohibited. 

Background

As you probably know, once exam candidates are seated at their Prometric test station, they have 16 minutes before the start of their actual Project Management Institute (PMI) exam.

Candidates have... 

• 1 minute to select start to begin the tutorial, and
• 15 minutes to complete the tutorial before the exam officially begins. 

In reality, the tutorial only takes about 2 minutes, and for those returning for a reexamination or another exam, even less time. During this window, candidates have been creating their Brian Dumps and Exam Aids, some of which are critical to pass the exam.

Unfortunately, while candidates have been rushing through the tutorial, some have missed valuable instructions, with no way to return, thus impacting their overall exam experience.

Following my last post “PMI Exam Success - Tips for Passing on your First Attempt”, one of our colleagues Gregg D. Richie, commented that “PMI is no longer allowing the brain dump to be done during the "tutorial" period.” 

Confused by this comment, I contacted PMI Customer Care (7 October 2016) to learn more. The PMI Customer Care representative with whom I spoke was very helpful, and during our conversation, they confirmed “Candidates for all credentials can continue to use the tutorial time to create their Memory Maps & Brain Dumps”. He went as far as to express concern that some Prometric test centers may be deviating from PMI’s guidelines. We also discussed that if PMI were to institute such a change, it would be communicated to all PMI R.E.P’s and interested stakeholders. 

But wait…..

Then on 18 October 2016 much to my surprise, I received an email from the Exam Delivery Team at The Project Management Institute confirming that PMI and Prometric have indeed decided to discontinue the process. They shared “… candidates that begin creating notes prior to the start of the examination, will be at risk of having those notes confiscated.” The note continued “This practice cannot be waived, and candidates will be required to proceed with the examination, if their notes are confiscated.” 

Since receiving the correspondence, I’ve had a number of very collaborative conversations with Customer Care and the Exam Delivery Team at PMI. As you can imagine, disseminating the revised guidelines to the more than 8,000 Prometric Test Centers across 160 countries is a daunting challenge. As you may know, PMI is only one of the close to 400 Sponsoring Organizations that Prometric serves. The Exam Delivery team at PMI is quite aware that some Prometric test centers have been slow to adopt this change, and is actively working to update and recommunicate the policy. 

A little more about Brain Dumps and Memory Maps….

In my opinion, Brain Dumps are very important tools to help students learn content, build confidence, and ease nerves during the exam. Weather they’re simple drawings, abbreviations noting contents of artifacts, or perhaps Earned Value Formulas, by having this information readily available during a closed book CBT exam, candidates can focus on the questions. 

While studying for each of my seven PMI exam certifications, I created fairly elaborate Exam Aids; which I practiced several times a day. By exam day, creating them was more symbolic, and the doodling during the tutorial was more to center my focus. Over the years, I’ve relied mostly on my Cadence Charts and Earned Value formulas. 

So while PMI is not banning this practice, they are restricting the time when candidates can create their Brain Dumps. In my opinion, the impact varies greatly by exam and candidate. In each of my exams, I had plenty of time at the conclusion to review each of my marked questions - even with a few moments to spare. On the other hand, I’ve corresponded with a number of candidates who shared they didn’t have sufficient time to complete the exam. 

I’ve read many articles from scholars and experts in the field of adult learning; most all suggest that candidates write down information which:

• May likely be referenced during the exam; or are
• Items of material concern. 

My recommendations….

• Provided candidates are not near the end of their eligibility period, they may want to consider spending more time studying, focusing on the areas of weakness versus relying on the Brain Dump.
• I always suggest candidates schedule their first exam attempt a minimum of 90 days before the expiration date of their one year eligibility. In the event they need to schedule a reexamination.
• At least a month before exam day, know what “critical” exam aids you’ll want to create – within the time allotted for the exam.

Are there any other changes planned?

YES, PMI and Prometric are going green. Each year thousands of candidates sit for PMI exams and are provided with scratch paper and two pencils. To help conserve, Prometric test centers are now gradually converting to “Dry Erase Sheets” for all PMI Exams. I think we’ll all agree, this presents its own set challenges. 

Next Steps….

The PMI Exam Delivery team is in the process of notifying all Registered Education Providers (R.E.P’s) about the changes, we can expect further information in the R.E.P Portal.

and as a courtesy to our colleagues globally...

While you may already hold a PMI credential, many are still aspiring and studying, I would ask that you please kindly share this article so that candidates aren’t startled when their sheets are confiscated during the exam and they’re asked to step outside to the Prometric reception desk ... all while the clock continues to count down. 

Good Luck to Everyone & Best Regards,

Brian