I'm finishing preparing for my PgMP now, but very curious about how much preparation does it take for ACP. How does it compare to prep for PMP? Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Joshua
The PMI-ACP is not an easy exam, I personally found the level of difficulty a little bit less than PMP. In terms of preparation time, it all depends on the person but on average from the people I mentor and tutor, I find it take 2 months on average to prepare.
Good luck with your PgMP.
RK Saving Changes...
Jared PadgettVerizon MediaVentura, Ca, United States
If you have any other Agile certifications prior to taking the PMI-ACP, you shouldn't need a lot of prep time. The test requires less prep time than the PMP.
I studied somewhere in the range of 4 to 6 weeks for the PMI-ACP, with a couple week-long gaps interspersed.
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1 reply by Susan Marangos
Jul 13, 2020 5:51 PM
Susan Marangos
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Which certifications did you do first? I'm curious as to what others are finishing prior to the PMI-ACP
If you have any other Agile certifications prior to taking the PMI-ACP, you shouldn't need a lot of prep time. The test requires less prep time than the PMP.
I studied somewhere in the range of 4 to 6 weeks for the PMI-ACP, with a couple week-long gaps interspersed.
Which certifications did you do first? I'm curious as to what others are finishing prior to the PMI-ACP
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1 reply by Jared Padgett
Jul 14, 2020 4:37 PM
Jared Padgett
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Susan, I started with the CSM because I knew the Project Managers at work all had that one and I wanted to change roles. I then saw a new internal job posting that mentioned PMI-ACP, so I studied for that one. Between the CSM and PMI-ACP, I felt pretty confident and went on to do both the PSM I and PSPO I a few days later. I figured that way my bases are covered since CSM is common but commonly disparaged and PSM is gaining popularity.
I'm somewhat of an outlier as I spent 2 hours on the ACP prep using Andy Crowe's self-study book and walked out of the exam after 45 minutes. It may have got harder since I wrote it in 2017 :-)
In terms of relative difficulty, my ranking is:
1. PSM III and PMP
2. PMI-RMP
3. PSM II
4. PMI-ACP
5. DALSM I
6. PSM I
Kiron Saving Changes...
Jared PadgettVerizon MediaVentura, Ca, United States
Jul 13, 2020 5:51 PM
Replying to Susan Marangos
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Which certifications did you do first? I'm curious as to what others are finishing prior to the PMI-ACP
Susan, I started with the CSM because I knew the Project Managers at work all had that one and I wanted to change roles. I then saw a new internal job posting that mentioned PMI-ACP, so I studied for that one. Between the CSM and PMI-ACP, I felt pretty confident and went on to do both the PSM I and PSPO I a few days later. I figured that way my bases are covered since CSM is common but commonly disparaged and PSM is gaining popularity.
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2 replies by Darren Paladino and Susan Marangos
Jul 15, 2020 11:09 AM
Susan Marangos
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Thanks for your experiences! I did CSM back in December and did CSPO last week because I’m laid off and wanted to really focus on something.
I plan on doing PMI-ACP when I meet the agile experience requirement. (I only have about 3 months). I’m also going to take the PSM I got the reasons of people considering it higher.
Of course, that’ll be after an industry specific certification I have planned for Monday
Oct 29, 2020 7:22 AM
Darren Paladino
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Jared, thank you for describing your thinking here on CSM to ACP.
Susan, I started with the CSM because I knew the Project Managers at work all had that one and I wanted to change roles. I then saw a new internal job posting that mentioned PMI-ACP, so I studied for that one. Between the CSM and PMI-ACP, I felt pretty confident and went on to do both the PSM I and PSPO I a few days later. I figured that way my bases are covered since CSM is common but commonly disparaged and PSM is gaining popularity.
Thanks for your experiences! I did CSM back in December and did CSPO last week because I’m laid off and wanted to really focus on something.
I plan on doing PMI-ACP when I meet the agile experience requirement. (I only have about 3 months). I’m also going to take the PSM I got the reasons of people considering it higher.
Of course, that’ll be after an industry specific certification I have planned for Monday
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1 reply by Sonny Anand
Oct 21, 2020 4:52 PM
Sonny Anand
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I wrote the exam in 2018 and took me the full time to complete the exam. I studied for more than 2 months. Used simplilearn online course and it was useless for the exam. What saved me was my experience and other knowledge. I wanted to throw up near the end of the exam before I submit on the exam as I found it a bit tough. No calculations at all. I did pass it with above target, but I did not have an assurance from answering the questions that I would pass or fail. Questions were really wordy and I found it hard to eliminate wrong answers. YMMV. Good luck and all the best.
Saving Changes...
Sonny AnandProgram Manager| L3Harris Technologies Inc. Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Jul 15, 2020 11:09 AM
Replying to Susan Marangos
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Thanks for your experiences! I did CSM back in December and did CSPO last week because I’m laid off and wanted to really focus on something.
I plan on doing PMI-ACP when I meet the agile experience requirement. (I only have about 3 months). I’m also going to take the PSM I got the reasons of people considering it higher.
Of course, that’ll be after an industry specific certification I have planned for Monday
I wrote the exam in 2018 and took me the full time to complete the exam. I studied for more than 2 months. Used simplilearn online course and it was useless for the exam. What saved me was my experience and other knowledge. I wanted to throw up near the end of the exam before I submit on the exam as I found it a bit tough. No calculations at all. I did pass it with above target, but I did not have an assurance from answering the questions that I would pass or fail. Questions were really wordy and I found it hard to eliminate wrong answers. YMMV. Good luck and all the best. Saving Changes...
Darren PaladinoEngagement Director| SalesforceDenver, Co, United States
Jul 14, 2020 4:37 PM
Replying to Jared Padgett
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Susan, I started with the CSM because I knew the Project Managers at work all had that one and I wanted to change roles. I then saw a new internal job posting that mentioned PMI-ACP, so I studied for that one. Between the CSM and PMI-ACP, I felt pretty confident and went on to do both the PSM I and PSPO I a few days later. I figured that way my bases are covered since CSM is common but commonly disparaged and PSM is gaining popularity.
Jared, thank you for describing your thinking here on CSM to ACP.
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1 reply by Jared Padgett
Nov 12, 2020 5:10 PM
Jared Padgett
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You're welcome, Darren. Are you planning to earn the PMI-ACP certification?
Saving Changes...
José Luis Pérez CarmonaIT Project Manager | Digital Transformation Consultant | AgilePM| PMP®| PMI-ACP®| PSMI®| ITIL®V4 | PRINCE2®| Digital Strategy | Product ManagementManagua, Nicaragua
I found that an useful tool for the PMI-ACP exam is the book PMI-ACP Exam Prep, Updated Second Edition by Mike Griffiths with this material you will be ready in one month and i am sure that you ace the exam. Saving Changes...
Jared PadgettVerizon MediaVentura, Ca, United States
Oct 29, 2020 7:22 AM
Replying to Darren Paladino
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Jared, thank you for describing your thinking here on CSM to ACP.
You're welcome, Darren. Are you planning to earn the PMI-ACP certification? Saving Changes...
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