TOPIC: Should I wait for PMBOK 8th Edition to start studying?

Hi everyone. I’m new to PMP and just starting to look into study materials. I saw that PMBOK 8th Edition is coming out in January 2026, and now I’m wondering if I should wait for that before I start prepping.

Will the exam change right away when the new edition drops? Or can I still study with the current version and schedule my exam before anything shifts?

Would really appreciate some advice from folks who’ve been through this. Just trying to figure out the best time to start.

Richie,

On the last PMBOK change, the exam changes lagged the PMBOK edition by about a year. Also, the exam is based on the ECO (Exam Content Outline), not the PMBOK Guide alone. Always look at the ECO when looking for the references you need for the exam.

Good luck.

They changed the exam and PMBOK to reflect concepts and principles instead of direct methodology. Not much should change about the exam with a new PMBOK, since the exam is not based on it. Since they now teach concepts and principles, the PMBOK 7 should always been relevant from now on, theoretically. The exam isn't based off the PMBOK though, so it shouldn't be relevant.

@Richie... short answer: No.

Prepare and take the exam right now, without worrying about things that might happen and you have no control over. About PMBOK 8:

- We know it's coming. We don't know when.
- PMI has not yet made any official announcements about the publication date
- Most importantly: The PMP Exam is NOT (repeat NOT) based on the PMBOK Guide. The guide is just one of several documents you should read.
- Use PMBOK 7.