COVID-19 - Will PMI give us remote access to pass the PMP exam?
Soha KarjawallySoftware development manager / Program Manager| Phoenix - USAMontréal, Quebec, Canada
Hello,
With World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 who declared COVID-19 a pandemicm, and PMI sending notification saying "they are moving to a temporary remote work policy for 30 days (end 12 April). This means that a majority of their staff around the globe will be working from home.", I was thinking about people applying for exams that are scheduled for the next few weeks?
Shouldn't we be allowed to remote sessions to do the tests instead of going to a crowded class/test room ?
Personally, I dont want to postpone my exam, and I guess many other candidates agree with me, so I hope there is a way to do the exam remotely as well... Would PMI create this flexibility ?
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Mar 12, 2020 1:56 PM
Replying to Manuel Perez
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How will they ensure no-one else is in the room with you helping during the exam? How will they ensure you are not in another device searching for the answers? That is why it is proctored.
You have to use your phone or your laptop to show them the room you are in. Your laptop cam and mic stay on for the duration of the exam. At one point, I was told to move my hand away from my face! Saving Changes...
Alicia BurkeManager, Certification Products| Project Management InstituteBroomall, Pa, United States
I’m a product manager with PMI’s certification team. We appreciate your feedback and share your concern about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts.
Our Crisis Task Force monitors the situation daily and while we made some adjustments to our live events, we are not yet in a position where we are considering delivery changes to the PMP exam worldwide.
We are sensitive about your difficult situation, and that of others in other high-impact countries. For candidates who already scheduled the exam but are delayed with training, we gladly offer you to reschedule your exam and we are willing to extend your exam eligibility period for up to six months. All paid fees will be eligible for a refund and you will be able to reschedule without accruing penalty fees.
We continue to evaluate our 2020 plans and will communicate further updates and make information available as we are able.
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2 replies by Kiron Bondale and Soha Karjawally
Mar 12, 2020 6:31 PM
Kiron Bondale
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Alicia -
For candidates who end up having to reschedule past the July 1 switch over, will they have the ability to take the current exam or would they be forced to take the new exam?
Kiron
Mar 12, 2020 7:18 PM
Soha Karjawally
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Thank you very much Alicia.
And my next question is the same Kiron has raised because i will probably have to schedule it for after July for many personal and professional reasons. So, would be helpful if you give us some insight.
The thing is for the new exam we dont have the required training ...
I’m a product manager with PMI’s certification team. We appreciate your feedback and share your concern about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts.
Our Crisis Task Force monitors the situation daily and while we made some adjustments to our live events, we are not yet in a position where we are considering delivery changes to the PMP exam worldwide.
We are sensitive about your difficult situation, and that of others in other high-impact countries. For candidates who already scheduled the exam but are delayed with training, we gladly offer you to reschedule your exam and we are willing to extend your exam eligibility period for up to six months. All paid fees will be eligible for a refund and you will be able to reschedule without accruing penalty fees.
We continue to evaluate our 2020 plans and will communicate further updates and make information available as we are able.
Alicia -
For candidates who end up having to reschedule past the July 1 switch over, will they have the ability to take the current exam or would they be forced to take the new exam?
Kiron Saving Changes...
Oluwatosin OLADETANVice President Finance| FTN Cocoa Processors PlcLagos, Lagos, Nigeria
That is very understandable. Knowing fully well that a new framework will soon be implemented. Appropriate precautions should be put into place.
Knowledge of the virus influence and impact within your environment
Necessary precautions and safe keep if you will have to go to a crowded center
Appropriate nutrition that will be able to stimulate the antibodies
Proper preparation for the exam
We hope that you are successful in the exam and you come out of the hall with a good story to tell.
Best Regards,
Oluwatosin Oladetan Saving Changes...
Soha KarjawallySoftware development manager / Program Manager| Phoenix - USAMontréal, Quebec, Canada
Mar 12, 2020 6:21 PM
Replying to Alicia Burke
...
I’m a product manager with PMI’s certification team. We appreciate your feedback and share your concern about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impacts.
Our Crisis Task Force monitors the situation daily and while we made some adjustments to our live events, we are not yet in a position where we are considering delivery changes to the PMP exam worldwide.
We are sensitive about your difficult situation, and that of others in other high-impact countries. For candidates who already scheduled the exam but are delayed with training, we gladly offer you to reschedule your exam and we are willing to extend your exam eligibility period for up to six months. All paid fees will be eligible for a refund and you will be able to reschedule without accruing penalty fees.
We continue to evaluate our 2020 plans and will communicate further updates and make information available as we are able.
Thank you very much Alicia.
And my next question is the same Kiron has raised because i will probably have to schedule it for after July for many personal and professional reasons. So, would be helpful if you give us some insight.
The thing is for the new exam we dont have the required training ...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Soha
I hear your concern, and I agree with Kiron's point of view.
While PMI mentioned they are assessing the options, and while they might consider the option of online proctored exam, it won't be as easy to apply immediately and would be challenging to shift an exam from in-person to online proctored within a short period of time.
I am not sure when your exam is but if PMI and your proctor center decides to cancel the exam and ask you to postpone it then you don't have an option but if the exam still stands as is then you can either postpone it (I am sure they will be flexible with you) or decide to go and follow what Wade suggested.
This is probably a lessons learned for all the big organizations and us as well that we always have to be prepared to the worst case scenario.
I am sure PMI will deal with the situation in the best way possible.
RK Saving Changes...
George NagyVP Engineering and Operations| Mangrove Water TechnologiesCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Mar 12, 2020 3:47 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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This LinkedIn post from PMI (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sunilprasha...073887236-IIAR) has a response from Sunil Prashara to someone who was asking virtually the same question. His response: "We are assessing options at the moment. Stay tuned."
The big challenge for PMI will be that with the high volume of PMP candidates (especially as we get closer to the exam change date), they may not have sufficient folks lined up to do remote proctoring.
Kiron
Apparently the above post from Sunil Prasharais (President and CEO of PMI) is no longer available on LinkedIn.
The list of country-specific testing cancellations is growing. Suggest to monitor this page: https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
In light of all the exam re-scheduling, I would not be surprised to see PMI delay the introduction of the new PMP exam.
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3 replies by Adeel Ansari, Anthony Siu, and Chris Madden
Mar 16, 2020 4:31 PM
Anthony Siu
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This would be the best case and I hope the PMI makes a statement soon. It is not fair to those who have their exams scheduled in the coming months to be cancelled/delayed past July 1 due to the global pandemic.
Mar 16, 2020 10:16 PM
Chris Madden
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Also hopeful the July exam date is postponed as fallout is still to be determined from all the reschedules that need to be coordinated.
Mar 30, 2020 12:10 PM
Adeel Ansari
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They have extended current exam format until end of 2020. i received a notification email from PMI:
"We are extending access to the current PMP® exam until 31 December 2020 and postponing the launch of the new PMP exam until 2 January 2021"
In light of all the exam re-scheduling, I would not be surprised to see PMI delay the introduction of the new PMP exam.
This would be the best case and I hope the PMI makes a statement soon. It is not fair to those who have their exams scheduled in the coming months to be cancelled/delayed past July 1 due to the global pandemic. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
McMaster University has suspended all in-person classes and events at its facilities in Hamilton, Ontario due to Covid-19. How can Pearson VUE ethically ensure the safety of PMI Exam candidates knowing that the facilities at the McMaster Innovation Park may put human lives at risk regardless of using hand sanitizers and masks that according to Hamilton Ontario Public Health do not always ensure healthy safety if not used properly. Pearson VUE has cancelled all exams till April 16/20 but I have yet to receive any notice about cancellation from PMI or Pearson VUE Saving Changes...
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