What Changed and How to Prepare for the 2026 PMP Exam

The updated Project Management Professional (PMP)®^® exam launched on July 9, 2026, with greater emphasis on strategic business outcomes, adaptive leadership, AI-informed decision-making, and value delivery.

Project Management Academy’s live PMP training is fully aligned with the updated exam and provides expert instruction, scenario-based practice, and a structured plan to help you prepare with confidence.

Key Changes

1 Updated Domain Weighting

This adjustment elevates strategic thinking, influencing stakeholders, and delivering value beyond outputs. The exam maintains three domains but shifts the balance of what's assessed:

People: 42% → 33%

Process: 50% → 41%

Business Environment: 8% → 26%

The biggest shift is in the Business Environment domian. This adjustment elevates strategic thinking, influencing stakeholders, and delivering value beyond outputs.

2 Expanded Skills and Competencies

Candidates must now demonstrate proficiency in:

AI-driven project work and automation support
Organizational value realization and metrics
Responsible governance and sustainability practices
Hybrid and adaptive delivery models
Leading cross-functional teams and complex stakeholder networks

3 Updated Exam Experience

The exam structure remains the same, with enhancements to better reflect real-world project leadership:

180 Exam Questions
240-Minute Testing Window
Expanded use of interactive, scenario-based questions

Choose a Location

Timezone

Live Classroom PMP Certification Training

Columbus, OH

2026 Live Training Courses

Nov 16,17,18,19

8:30am-6:00pm EST

$2,995 USD
$2,495 USD

$2,995 USD $2,495 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

Columbus, OH

New 2026 Exam

PMP Certification

Virtual Instructor-Led

2026 Online PMP Training Courses

Aug 1,2 & 8,9

11:30am-09:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 3-6 & 10-13

08:00am-12:30pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Only 1 seat left

New 2026 Exam

Aug 3,4,5,6

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 3,4,5,6

11:30am-09:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 8,9 & 15,16

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 10,11,12,13

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 10-13 & 17-20

06:00pm-10:30pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 11,12 & 18,19

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 15,16, & 22,23

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 17-20 & 24-27

08:00am-12:30pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 17,18,19,20

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 17,18,19,20

11:30am-09:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 17-20 & 24-27

01:00pm-05:30pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 17-20 & 24-27

06:00pm-10:30pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

Aug 24,25,26,27

08:30am-06:00pm EST

$2,495 USD
$1,995 USD

$2,495 USD $1,995 USD

Updated for New 2026 Exam

New 2026 Exam

PMP Certification

Video On Demand

Online Course

On Demand

$1,595 USD
$995 USD

$1,595 USD $995 USD

View full PMP exam prep course schedule.

CourseID: 36014E

Important Dates

Key milestones leading up to the launch of the updated PMP exam.

DEC 15 2025

Pilot registration opens

JAN 5-30 2026

Pilot exam window (in-person)

APRIL 2026

Updated learning resources released

MAY 30 2026

PMA updated PMP training courses begin

JULY 9 2026

New PMP exam launches globally

FAQs

What is changing about the PMP^® exam?

The PMP exam has been updated to reflect modern project management skills. The update brought new domain weighting, new question styles, and greater emphasis on business outcomes, leadership, and adaptive delivery.

When did the new PMP^® exam launch?

The updated exam launched July 9, 2026, and is now the only version available to candidates. PMA's updated training has been running since May 2026 to help learners prepare.

Can I still take the previous version of the PMP^® exam?

No. The prior exam version was retired when the updated exam launched on July 9, 2026. All candidates scheduling an exam now will sit for the new version.

Is the PMP^® credential different depending on which exam version I passed?

No. The PMP certification is identical whether you passed the previous exam or the current 2026 version. The credential does not indicate which version you completed.

I already completed PMP training with PMA before the update. What are my options?

You haven't lost your investment. PMA offers a Bridge Course that adds the updated content you need to sit for the current exam, building on the training you already completed.

Do I need to retake full training if my original prep was for the old exam?

No. The Bridge Course adds only the new content required for the current exam. You build on your existing PMA training rather than starting over.

Does PMA's training now reflect the updated exam content?

Yes. As a Premier PMI ATP, PMA's curriculum has been fully updated and aligned with the new Exam Content Outline since May 2026.

How is the current exam different from the previous version?

The current exam includes updated content areas, more scenario-based questions, and a higher focus on business strategy and adaptive delivery. The Business Environment domain increased from 8% to 26% of the exam.

What should I know about the new scenario-based question format?

The current exam places heavier emphasis on interactive, scenario-based questions that test how you'd apply judgment in real project situations, rather than pure recall of terms and formulas.

How do I know if I'm ready for the current exam?

Talk to a PMA advisor. We'll review your experience, study progress, and target test date to help you build a study plan aligned with the current Exam Content Outline.