How to Get PMI-ACP Certification?

Today the Project Management Institute's (PMI's) Agile Certified Practioner (ACP) is one of the most renowned and extremely valuable qualifications. It helps you showcase your agile skills to your potential employers and peers. If you are wondering How to Get PMI ACP Certification, you have come to the right place.   

According to PMI Salary Survey, professionals with a certification like PMI-ACP receive 16 percent higher average salaries than their counterparts. So, there are many benefits to getting this certification. In this blog, you will learn How to Get a PMI ACP Certification with step-by-step instructions and tips on passing the exam.   

Table of Contents  

1) Step-by-step instructions to Get PMI-ACP Certification 

       a) Meet the eligibility criteria 

       b) Familiarise the concepts in the PMI-ACP handbook 

       c) Prepare for the exam 

       d) Schedule the exam  

3) Tips to pass the exam  

4) Conclusion  

Step-by-step instructions to Get PMI-ACP Certification
 

PMI-ACP is one of the most in-demand and highly regarded qualifications in Agile project management. This certification immensely improves your career prospects and gives you a competitive edge. If you are interested in obtaining it, then here are the step-by-step instructions on How to Get PMI ACP Certification:
 

Step 1: Meet the eligibility criteria   

Before you start preparing for the certification exam, knowing the PMI ACP's eligibility criteria is imperative. You can learn if you are fit to appear for the exam or not. If you are not eligible to give the exam, then at least you will learn how to become eligible for the certification. Meeting the eligibility criteria and requirements of this certification is the first step. 

Educational requirements 

Education is the primary benchmark to assess a person’s skill set and knowledge in a field. From secondary degree to PhD, these could vary from time to time. Here are the educational requirements for PMI-ACP Certification. PMI expects you to have a secondary degree or have completed higher secondary schooling or any equivalent qualification.   

Professional requirements 

You must have the following professional requirements: 

a) General experience: Within the last five years, you should have 12 months of general project experience.  

b) Agile experience: Within the last three years, you should have at least eight months of experience on Agile projects.

Step 2: Familiarise the concepts in the PMI-ACP handbook  

It is essential to understand the guidelines specified in the handbook. It is a complete guide that gives all the vital information about this qualification. 

Certification process overview:  

The handbook provides a complete overview of the certification process and gives step-by-step instructions on all the processes involved. These processes are explained below:  

a) Eligibility requirements: It provides information on all the prerequisites necessary for the certification, including education and professional experience  

b) Application process: It helps simplify the application process by providing detailed instructions on the application process  

c) Examination details: The handbook provides useful insights on the exam, like the exam structure, question format, etc.   

d) Exam preparation: It also helps with your exam preparation and recommends study materials and resources.  

e) Exam policies: Apart from this, it provides guidelines on exam policies and examination conduct like code of ethics, etc.  

Step 3: Submit the application 

The application submission process is one of the most important yet often overlooked processes by many people. When filling out the application, do it carefully and ensure the information is factual and correct. Some of the steps involved in the application process are listed below:   

a) Review the Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you qualify and meet all the prerequisites before completing the application. Check whether you fulfil the educational qualification, general project experience, and Agile project experience.   

b) Gather the necessary information: Gather all the required information like your personal information, education, experience and contact hours, etc. Have this information ready by your side before filling out the application.   

c) Provide complete information: When filling out the application, provide accurate and complete information. Some people get confused about their project experience as they tend to put overlapping project experience as part of their experience. PMI won't consider overlapping projects into your total experience, so ensure you don't do that.    

d) Review the application: Review your application before submitting it, look for any errors, and make appropriate changes when necessary. Ensure that the information you provide is clear and correct. Reviewing and proofreading your application helps avoid application rejection.   

e) Submit: The final step in this process is to apply, and before doing so, ensure that you have all the necessary documents and fees ready for submission. Then you can submit your application if you think the information on the application is proper and accurate.   

f) Application approval: Once you apply, PMI will check and verify your application to determine your eligibility. It could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. During this stage, PMI will contact you if something is missing from your application or additional documentation is needed.   

g) Application audit: The next phase is the application audit process. For the auditing process, PMI will randomly pick a candidate's application. This process verifies and ensures the integrity of the information on your application. If your application is chosen for auditing, PMI will contact you to submit any documentation if needed.   

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Step 4: Prepare for the exam

This exam intensely tests your knowledge of Agile project management. So, with proper preparation, you can clear this exam. Here are some of the steps that can help you with your preparation:   

a) Familiarise yourself with the topics: Learn about the essential topics and the key concepts and terminologies.   

b) Study plan: Create a study plan to streamline the studying process and manage your time effectively. 

c) Exam format: Understand the format of the exam as it can give you an idea of how to approach the exam. 

d) Resources: Utilise various resources like the PMI handbook and PMBOK guide to prepare for the exam effectively. 

Step 5: Schedule the exam  

You first need to schedule it before giving the exam. This is one of the simplest yet essential steps in getting PMI-ACP Certification. You can schedule your exam on PMI's official website. After reaching there, you need to do the following steps to schedule the exam:   

a) Create or log into your PMI account   

b) Select the PMI-ACP certification exam from the list   

c) Select the exam mode: whether you want to take it online or at a test centre.   

d) Select the date and time: Choose your preferred date and time of the exam from the available slots.   

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Tips to pass the exam  

Passing the exam is critical as it helps you obtain the coveted PMI-ACP Certification. Here are the tips that can help you pass this exam:   

Manage your time: Effective time management improves your chances of passing and has many other benefits. So, spend very little time on the questions you don't know and write the well-known questions first.   

Situational: Most of the questions are based on practical scenarios. So, practice more on various situational questions as it helps you be mentally ready.   

Feedback: Ask for feedback from others and tell them to give an honest review, as it can help you work on your weaknesses.   

Review: As the exam approach, focus on reviewing all the topics and avoid studying too much at the final stages.   

Exam day: On the exam day, try not to skip meals and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. It helps prevent any physical complications and keeps you active.   

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Conclusion            

We hope you understand How to Get PMI-ACP Certification with step-by-step instructions. Apart from this, you would have also received tips on how to pass this exam. Getting this certification has tremendous benefits and improves your career prospects. You can easily pass this exam with flying colours using the tips and guides provided on this blog.   

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