When PMI rolled out its new PMI-ACP syllabus, many candidates weren’t sure what to expect. What kind of questions would appear? Would the exam be harder? How should they prepare?
But our candidate Jo Yi Liew, Software Engineering Lead (PMO) at Celestica, tried it herself and found out!
Jo Yi was a part of our very first PMI-ACP Training batch after the curriculum update. The batch was in mid January 2025 with Mr. Ashish Sadekar as the trainer for the session.
Thinking of the batch, it brought together people from across the world – Jo Yi herself joined us all the way from Malaysia!
And in just two months — she earned her PMI-ACP credential with At Target scores!
Her achievement is no short of remarkable. However, we realize that many candidates might still be figuring out how to go about the PMI-ACP exam. So, here’s Jo Yi Liew’s experience and preparation journey – to ace the PMI-ACP exam!
Jo Yi Liew’s Prep Tips for PMI-ACP Exam (2025 Ed.)
1. Understanding the Exam Requirements
- First, I reviewed the PMI-ACP Handbook to understand the exam structure, application process, and eligibility criteria.
- Then, I familiarized myself with the PMI-ACP Exam Content Outline (ECO) from the PMI website to understand the knowledge domains and the proportion of questions from each.
2. Building a Foundation
- I focused on understanding fundamental Agile principles and values by thoroughly studying the Agile Manifesto and its 12 Principles.
- The PMI-ACP ECO also helped build a strong theoretical base.
3. Practice and Mock Exams
- Took 2 full-length mock exams to assess my readiness. Initially, I was scoring around 70-79%, which made me nervous.
- I realized that simply studying wasn’t enough—I needed to understand how to apply Agile principles in real-world scenarios instead.
- So, I analyzed each mock exam in detail, focusing on why I answered questions incorrectly.
- Also, paid particular attention to questions that involved situational judgment, as these tend to dominate the exam.
4. Revision and Final Touches
- Reviewed weak areas identified from practice tests, such as Lean principles and Agile metrics.
- Revisited important concepts and did a final revision of Agile values and frameworks.
- I also practiced time management by completing timed mock exams to build confidence.
Key Takeaways from Jo Yi Liew’s PMI-ACP Success Story:
✔ Understand the structure of the PMI-ACP exam before you start.
✔ Sharpen your “Scenario based” or Application-oriented thinking.
✔ Analyze the “Why” behind each mistake while attempting Mock exams.
✔ Learning time management is as important as getting answers right.
The new PMI-ACP exam can prove tough to clear. But the right preparation and guidance can definitely pave the way for exam success!
Speaking of Guidance — Want to hear about ProThoughts’ PMI-ACP Certification Training? Hear from Jo Yi’s herself! Here’s her feedback:
If you’re looking forward to get the PMI-ACP certification, you can schedule a call with our team to understand the next steps: Book a Call
To read more such real stories written by our candidates, you can check out the following links:
Getting Started with PMI-ACP
PMI-ACP certification is a step toward stronger Agile expertise. Here are some resources for you to start your journey:
- PMI-ACP Syllabus – Here are all the details of the new syllabus and the changes in it.
- PMI-ACP Certification Training – Learn all about our PMI-ACP course and offerings here.
- PMI-ACP Benefits – See how this certification helps your career and improves Agile project delivery.
- PMI-ACP Exam – We cover all about the exam format, question types, and how to approach them in this blog.
A structured study plan and the right training make passing the exam much easier. So, start your preparation today!
