PMI certifications are notorious for their “training” requirement. All of PMI’s old and standard certifications need you to enroll in training sessions to gear up for the exam.
And with the hefty fee at stake – you wouldn’t want to risk it anyway right?
However, working professionals like you and I have one concern – which course to take? What would be the safest option (that doesn’t waste Time OR Money)? – And in this article, I am going to help you out for one of PMI’s popular certifications – PMI Agile Certified Practitioner or PMI ACP.
Setting the context: I am assuming you work 40 hours a week (say, Monday through Friday) for this article.
So, if you’re at your desk or meeting rooms for 40 hours (or more) each week, one thing is certain – You don’t have time to waste.
> The key factor becomes efficiency—not just cost or preferences.
Now, there are generally two types of courses aspirants are confused with – 1. A self-paced course & 2. Instructor-led course. Considering efficiency, the biggest risk with a self-paced course is procrastination and poor retention (aka multiple revisions). On the other hand, the biggest risk with live training is scheduling inflexibility – which means blocking the scheduled time only for prepping for your PMI ACP certification.
In this article, I’ll mention which option would work best for professionals like you – who want to upskill but don’t have time to waste!
What is a PMI-ACP course?
You’d be aware of the PMI-ACP certification. But the PMI-ACP course aspect might swirl a little confusion among people new to “PMI Certifications”. So, I’ll just quickly clear the air.
For the PMI-ACP exam, you need to record 28 hours of agile-related learning in your application. You can do so by submitting the certificate offered by your training provider for PMI-ACP.
Enrolling in a PMI-ACP course is not just a formality though. It helps cover all the different domains of the syllabus, the practices in it, and the like. The exam fees for PMI-ACP are placed at $435 minimum – you wouldn’t want that to go down the drain, would you?
Hence, bottom line – PMI-ACP Certification course = Important.
What’s a Self-paced Course?
A self-paced PMI-ACP course would be where you’d be watching pre-recorded lessons.
Here, you’d be able to adjust the pacing as per your preference – slow it down, speed it up, fast forward, or rewatch it, and learn from anywhere, anytime. It’s convenient, simple, and usually less expensive than live instructor-led courses.
There are quite a few such courses available online. One is even offered by PMI itself – to log the 28 hours to meet the PMI ACP Eligibility Requirements. However, PMI-ACP candidates tend to go for other Authorized partners for the course due to the availability of extra guidance and tips and tricks. (They provide the PMI video along with the course anyway!)
What is an Instructor-led Course?
In an instructor-led course you have a dedicated instructor who teaches concepts in real time. You can ask your doubts, interact with them and your peers, right as the sessions go on.
In an instructor-led course too, some classes have different trainers each session. Others ensure that you get the same faculty for all the 3-5 days of training for your PMI ACP exam.
Some Key Considerations while Choosing
Time Investment vs. Retention
If you struggle with retaining information from self-paced courses/recorded videos, you might waste more time rewatching videos and self-studying. Live training, even though it’s longer, could save time overall because you grasp concepts faster when you speak directly to the coach.
Burnout Risk
If your weekdays are exhausting, spending additional time in an intensive class could feel overwhelming. But that would make it even harder to self-motivate to watch lectures. So you should thoroughly evaluate what might actually help you stay on track – self paced courses or scheduled courses.
Cost vs. Effectiveness
The PMI-ACP certification cost is usually a concern for candidates – If the price difference isn’t exorbitantly high, consider the value of “effective learning” i.e how much you’ll learn and how well. If expenses are a concern, a structured self-paced course plus additional books and mock exam sets could work for you.
Self-Paced or Instructor-Led?: What’s Right For You?
Go for self-paced if:
- You can stay consistent and finish the modules in a set timeline.
- You can dedicatedly support it with ample structured practice (mock exam, group study).
- It’s a high-quality course with a strong discussion forum and/or promised support system.
- You need a budget-friendly option (even with extra effort).
Avoid self-paced if:
- You struggle with focus and need external structure to study.
- You tend to start courses and not finish them.
- You forget information easily after watching recorded videos.
Go for instructor-led if:
- You absorb concepts better through discussion and real-life examples.
- You would like to have extended support from the instructor after training.
- You’ll need a study-oriented environment to stay on track.
- The extra cost is worth saving time on revisions
My Recommendation Based on Your Situation
If you like to study in “focused environments”, or if you have lost the habit of studying on your own, (and of course if the cost is manageable), go for the instructor-led training. It’s engaging and keeps you accountable—and weekend batches could support your work hours too.
But if you prefer learning at your own pace and stick to a schedule by yourself, then a self-paced course would work just as well for you. Good luck!
