PMP Exam Questions: Why not practical versus hypothetical?
Tim UsherProject Manager| Cleveland ElectricVilla Rica, Ga, United States
Would it not be better served if the exam questions were based on practical knowledge and daily implementation rather than hypothetical scenarios? This question has probably been raised in an earlier discussion, but I have not been able to locate it thus far. Any and all answers would be appreciated. Saving Changes...
My understanding of this question here is not crystal - for me, a hypothetical scenario is necessarily based "on practical knowledge". These questions focus more on the application of concepts rather than retention of knowledge of these concepts.
Maybe you are referring to real-world examples vs. figments of a question-maker's creativity? In that case, I would say that a real world example often hits many areas simultaneously. An issue could, for instance, arise from cost management, stakeholder management, and risk management simultaneously.
A fictitious scenario, on the other hand, can be engineered to strip away all the non-relevant aspects (in the context of that particular question) so the candidate can focus only on the topic area which is being tested.
I'm sorry if I've misunderstood your question. Saving Changes...
If you don't mind would you please restructure your question, the practical knowledge you need it to answer many of the questions, but sometimes in real world you might do something different but for the exam you need to answer the PMI way according PMBOK guide. you have to tailor your experience accordingly. Saving Changes...
The exam questions have some hypothetical questions yes, but they are based on practical examples/situations. Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
I thought the questions were already based on practical knowledge and daily implementation. If you think otherwise, can you provide an example of the sort of question you'd pose on the exam? Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I found the exam questions based on practical knowledge and experience. Not sure what you exactly mean with your question. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I am part of the Exam Questions Committee acting as QA SME. In the last five years hard work was done to create all situational questions based on practical daily situations. The point is: you have to answer what the PMI expect as an answer not what you do in your daily life. What you do it does matter only for your situation or environment. Answers for the exam must be based on what PMBOK and books into References List (all availables inside the book store for free just in case you are PMI member) stated. Take into account I am not defending to the PMI. I am writing about my experience as a part of the group. Saving Changes...
Alina FloreaManagement Performance Coach| Alina Florea Coaching | alinaflorea.netBucuresti, Romania
The exam questions are a reflection of the body of knowledge you have to prove you acquire through the respective examination. The PMBOK body of knowledge for example is generic, so that it can be applicable further to any type of project, in a variety of industries. The project management processes translates differently as jargon and practices by the different projects; think of the following variety: an oil & gas development exploitation field project, a marine structure design project, a ship building project, a highway construction project, an IT software development project, a software implementation project, a management restructuring project as the result of an M&A, a clinical testing project, drug development, and so on. Each field has different ways to apply the processes which in essence are structured on the same core processes offered by PMBOK methodology. So, the hypothetical scenarios as you call them, are in fact simplifications to the bone-concepts presented in PMBOK. If these are understood in detail, then the respective knowledge will act as the base structure for being applied in any industry/field. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I read the question like Sergio responded. So many refer to the approach as answering the way PMI expects. For an exam to be fair, there needs to be a common source of truth from which the questions are based.
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Feb 14, 2018 12:22 PM
Sergio Luis Conte
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That the point Craig. Then we could debate if it is useful or not. But it is other debate.
having participated in three exam item writing sessions for the PMP exam, I can state with confidence that the desire of the contributors is to make questions as relatable to real world situations as possible.
However, given the wide range of industries and project domains which candidates have experience in, any specific real world example might end up providing undue advantage to a subset of candidates.
When I compare the nature of the exam's questions now to what they were when I wrote it back in 2000, I'm comfortable that the pendulum has swung sufficiently in favor of situational questions.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Feb 14, 2018 6:10 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
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I read the question like Sergio responded. So many refer to the approach as answering the way PMI expects. For an exam to be fair, there needs to be a common source of truth from which the questions are based.
That the point Craig. Then we could debate if it is useful or not. But it is other debate. Saving Changes...
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