The PMP certification exam is a challenging and demanding test that requires significant preparation and dedication to pass. However, earning this credential can help you advance your career as a project manager, open up new job opportunities, and increase your earning potential. That’s why it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what the exam entails and the strategies to succeed in it.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to pass the PMP exam, including the exam structure, eligibility criteria, study materials, study plan, and test-taking strategies. We’ll also share insights and tips from successful PMP-certified professionals, providing you with a roadmap to achieve your certification goal.
So, whether you’re a seasoned project manager looking to take your career to the next level or a newcomer to the field looking to establish your credentials, this blog is an essential resource for passing the PMP certification exam. Let’s get started!
Glossary of Project Management Professional Terminology
Here is a glossary of common Project Management Professional (PMP) terminology:
- Project Management: Using knowledge, skills, tools, and methods to do tasks for a project and meet its needs.
- Project: A temporary job to make something new like a thing, service, or result.
- Project Manager: The leader who guides a project team to reach project goals.
- Stakeholder: A person or group interested in how the project turns out.
- Project Charter: A paper that gives permission for a project and lets the manager use resources.
- Scope: All the things the project will give, like stuff, services, and results.
- Schedule: A plan that says when project tasks happen.
- Budget: The planned money for the project.
- Risk Management: Finding, studying, and dealing with project risks.
- Change Management: Handling changes to the project’s plan.
- Quality Management: Making sure project stuff and services match what customers want.
- Communication Management: Planning, doing, and watching project communications.
- Resource Management: Getting and handling the things needed for the project.
- Procurement Management: Getting stuff and services from outside for the project.
- Monitoring and Control: Watching how the project goes and making changes to make it work.
- Closeout: Ending all project work officially.
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Breaking the project into smaller parts.
- Critical Path Method (CPM): A way to see the shortest time to finish the project.
- Gantt Chart: A picture of the project plan showing how long each thing takes.
- Earned Value Management (EVM): A way to measure project work by comparing what was planned to what really happened.
Expert tips to pass the PMP Certification Exam
Passing the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification test can be tough, but if you get ready the right way and use smart methods, you can make it more likely to succeed. Here are some helpful hints from experts to help you pass the PMP Certification Exam:
- Know the Test format: It’s vital to understand the test format and what it covers. The PMP test has 200 questions with multiple choices, and you have four hours to finish. The test covers five groups of processes, ten areas of knowledge, and 49 processes in total.
- Make a Study Plan: Create a plan for studying that fits you and stick to it. Your plan should include times when you’ll study and do practice tests, and goals for making sure you learn all the stuff.
- Use Lots of Study resources: Try different things to study, like books, online courses, practice tests, and study groups. Doing this will help you really understand the PMP test material.
- Do Practice Tests: Practice with mock tests to act like it’s the real test. This will help you see what you’re good at and what you need to work on, so you can change your study plan.
- Read and Get the PMBOK Guide: The PMBOK Guide is the main thing to read for the PMP test. Make sure you really understand it, as it will help you know what’s on the test and how it’s set up.
- Learn the Words: Learn the words they use in the test. This will help you read and understand the questions, and pick the right answers.
- Work on Your Weak Points: Find the things you’re not so good at and practice them more. Spend more time on these things and use different ways to learn about them.
- Take Breaks: It’s important to take breaks for your health. Regular breaks will help you stay sharp and focused.
- Stay Positive: Keep a good attitude and believe in yourself. Being positive will help you stay motivated and focused on your goal.
- Get to Know the Test Place: Before the test day, learn about where the test will happen. This will help you not be surprised and feel more calm on test day.
Remember, passing the PMP exam requires hard work, dedication, and a lot of preparation. With these expert tips, you can increase your chances of success and become a certified Project Management Professional.
Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) Exam
It’s important to know that there are nearly a million people worldwide who have the PMP certification, and this number is growing. Getting certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) opens up many opportunities and makes you well-known around the world. The PMP certification is especially crucial because it shows employers, clients, and colleagues that project managers must have the right skills and knowledge to finish projects successfully. Now, let’s dive into the advantages of having the PMP certification. But before that, let me briefly explain who should consider taking this exam.
Some of you might wonder why we’re discussing this if there are prerequisites for the PMP exam. Well, while there are requirements, there are also specific roles and responsibilities that project managers should be familiar with. With that in mind, I’ve outlined the key points below for your reference.
- Firstly, you need to handle tasks with some level of guidance. Additionally, you should take charge of all aspects of the project throughout its duration.
- Secondly, you’ll be leading and guiding diverse teams to complete projects within the given schedule, budget, and resources.
- Lastly, you should have enough know-how and experience to correctly use a specific approach for projects. Furthermore, these projects should have well-defined requirements and goals.
Coming on to,
PMP Certification Benefits
- Firstly, PMP certifications are beneficial for Professional project managers and those who want to get PMP certified.
- Moreover, PMP certification is in demand among various organizations. And, this certification can help you to get a big project proposal.
- Above all, this certification can be helpful in increasing potential and will open many career doors for you. Most importantly, this certification is based on PMBOK guide that will enhance your skills in project management. In addition, this will let you gain experience for the latest business requirements.
In the next step we will discuss the PMP exam Structure.
Project Management Professional PMP Exam Details
| Exam Name Project Management Professional Certification | Exam Code (PMP)® |
| Exam 230 minutes | Exam Format Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions, Hotspot and Fill in the Blanks |
| Exam Prerequisites As suggested | Number of Questions 180 Questions |
| Passing Score PMI® doesn’t give percentage insteadthere is a Grading System | Exam Fee For PMI® Members – US $405, For PMI® Non-Member – US $555 |
| Exam Language English | Validity 3 years |
Just keep up with me in this blog, there is more to know and learn about PMP Exam. In the next step we will discuss Exam requirements.
Project Management Professional Certification Requirements
In order to earn the PMP Certification, it is important to make sure you meet the given sets of PMP Certification requirements –
- A four-year degree
- 36 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification
— OR —
- A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent)
- 60 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification
Further, in the blog you will get the exam course overview including exam policies and exam preparation tips.
Project Management Professional Exam Outline
Project management professionals need more diverse skills and approaches than ever before. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam changed on 2 January 2021 to meet those needs and will focus on three new domains:
Domain I – People (42%)
- This area covers a total of 14 tasks. These include handling conflicts, guiding a team, boosting team efforts, and giving power to team members and others involved. It’s also about making sure everyone knows what to do by offering training and forming a strong team. You’ll handle problems that get in the way and help the team move forward. You’ll also pick up skills for making deals, working together with others involved, and making sure everyone understands the plan. You’ll learn to help teams that work remotely, set team rules, guide people who are important to the project, and improve team work by using emotional smarts.
Domain II – Process (50%)
- The next area includes 17 tasks. These tasks involve making sure the project moves forward quickly to give value to the business. It’s about keeping everyone informed and handling any risks that come up. You’ll also learn how to work well with the people interested in the project, plan out the budget, who’s going to do what, and when things will happen. You’ll also figure out how to make sure the stuff you make is good and that you’re staying on track with the plan. You’ll connect all the planning parts, deal with changes, and sort out things you need to get from outside. You’ll pick the right way to do the project and set the rules for how it’ll work. Plus, you’ll set up how things will be managed, deal with problems, and make sure everyone knows what’s been learned once the project is done or changing phases.
Domain III Business Environment (8%)
- In the last and final domain, you will learn to plan and manage project compliance, – Evaluate and deliver project benefits and value. Moreover, you will be required to evaluate and address external business environment changes for impact on scope and support organizational change.
“Do you know? According to PMI’s most recent Project Management Salary Survey the average salary for PMP holders in the U.S. is 25% higher than those without PMP certification.”
PMP Certification Exam Format
- PMP test has 180 questions. These questions come in different types like multiple-choice, multiple-response, hotspots, and fill in the blanks. Out of these, 175 questions count toward your score, and 5 are just for testing.
- These test questions that don’t count don’t affect your score. They’re there to see if they’re good questions for future tests.
- It’s good to know that PMI exams are usually done in a testing center. You’ll have 230 minutes to finish the test there.
- There aren’t planned breaks while you’re doing the test, but you can take a break if you need to. However, the clock keeps ticking if you take a break.
Exam Language
- Firstly, it’s important to understand that all PMI exams are in English. But don’t worry, the PMP exam can also be taken in other languages.
- If you’d rather not take the test in English, you won’t have to pay more to pick a different language.
- Most importantly, the PMP Exam is offered in 14 languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Polish, and Turkish.
Points to remember
- Firstly, just so you know, the whole exam will be in the language you pick. This goes for everything you see on the screen before and after the test.
- If you’re taking the test in a different language but still want to see the questions and answers in English, you can click a button to make that happen.
- Important to note, PMI can’t change the language of a PMP exam you’ve already set up.
- Most importantly, if you’ve scheduled your test in English but want to switch to another language, you have to cancel the test first. After that, you can get in touch with PMI to ask for the change.
How to Schedule Your Examination
- Firstly, you cannot schedule an exam appointment until you complete the PMI payment process for the certification.
- For scheduling your test appointment you can also check on Pearson VUE.
- Firstly, you will need a unique PMI eligibility ID to schedule. Moreover, you can access this information on PMI website. There you have to Log in in your account. And, if you are a new user then please register for it.
Moreover, PMI provides the information about filling the application form. To learn about this please check the Application Tips for PMP exam at PMI website.
Rescheduling/Cancellation
- You have the freedom to change the date of your exam or cancel it without a problem, but make sure to do this at least two full days before your scheduled exam.
- Remember, if you change or cancel your exam later than that, there will be a fee. To avoid this, it’s best to make changes as early as possible.
- Keep in mind, if you decide to reschedule your exam within 30 days of your original date, there’s a fee of $70. This fee will be added when you make the change online during this 30-day period.
- Also, you can reschedule even if you’re only 2 days away from your exam. But if you wait until you’re within 2 days of the exam, you might lose the entire exam fee.
PMP Certification Examination Eligibility
- Once your application is given the green light, a year-long period starts. Plus, once PMI gets the fee for certification, they’ll send you an email with your special PMI eligibility ID.
- It’s important to note that you have a whole year to be eligible to take the exam.
- During this one-year period, you have the chance to take the test three times.
Test Accommodations for the Examination
- If you have a disability, a challenge, or certain conditions that make it hard for you to take the PMI exam as it is, you can ask for changes.
- The best part is, you don’t have to pay extra for these changes.
- But remember, you need to give proof of your situation for your request to be taken seriously. Also, PMI has to say yes before you can pick an exam date.
- And if you didn’t ask for changes when you paid for the exam but need them later, just get in touch with [email protected].
Retake policy
- You have one year to try and pass the exam.
- Remember, you can try the exam three times, because many people don’t pass on the first try.
- If you need to try again, there’s a fee for the second and third attempts.
- But, if you don’t pass after three tries in that year, you have to wait a whole year from the date of your last attempt.
- Don’t worry if you can’t pass this one, though. After trying three times, you can check out other PMI certifications.
For knowing more about PMI exam policies and procedures you can visit the PMI page where they have provided PMP handbook.
Major updates for PMP Certification exam from July 2020
- Project management professionals (PMP) need more diverse skills and approaches than ever before.
- Moreover, the PMP is evolving just like the profession and the new exam will focus on new domains.
- Above all, in every 3 – 5 years, PMI conducts research to understand how the profession has progressed.
- Moreover, this includes the impact of emerging trends, and how the responsibilities of project managers have changed.
To better know about the changes that are to be made please check the PMP July 2020 update page.
PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide
When you’re getting ready for the PMP exam, you might have many questions. Like how tough is the PMP Exam, what’s the passing rate, and how much do project managers usually earn? All these questions might be confusing and make it hard to start studying. But don’t worry! We’ll cover everything and help you begin well. There are different ways to prepare, and you get to choose the one that suits you. I’ll also give you some tips and useful links. Let’s take it step by step.
First, set a clear goal to get this certification. And always remind yourself how important the PMP certification is. Then, the things you need to concentrate on are,
Build your Study Plan and Strategy
Think of a study plan as a map for your preparation. Before you start studying, it’s important to know your goals and figure out how you’ll reach them. Let’s be real, the exam can feel overwhelming. Without a clear plan, you might get lost while preparing and not know where you’re headed. Once you’ve made a study schedule, it’s time to create a solid plan. This means you research the exam format and which topics matter most. This helps you see what you’re good at and where you need to improve. Keep in mind, a strong beginning often leads to a better outcome in the end.
Master the PMBOK Guide
It’s a good idea to become really familiar with the PMBOK® Guide, which is made by PMI. Knowing this guide well is especially important if you want to do well on the PMP exam. When it comes to study materials, you can use PMI’s websites. They have lots of content and books that can help you while you’re getting ready for the exam. Talking about PMI has, PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition book for PMP exam. Above all, you can order this book from the PMP webpage.
Evaluate yourself with Practice Test
Practice is essential for any exam because it helps you improve your skills. And don’t forget, your goal is to pass this exam no matter what. When it comes to the PMP exam, start by understanding the content outline really well. This will cover all the important areas you need to know. Then, take a look at the types of questions from past exams. Also, PMI has a guide to help you prepare for the PMP exam. Plus, if you want free practice questions, you can use TestPrep training. They have experts who keep updating these questions with the latest ones.
- Free Practice exam questions for Project Management Professional certification exam.
- Real time Practice exam questions for Project Management Professional certification exam with detailed analysis.
Exam day
- On exam day, the biggest thing to remember is to stay calm. No doubt about it, there’s nothing that can keep you from passing. Just take a moment to go through everything in your mind so you don’t forget anything. Here are some key things to remember on that day:
- Make sure to arrive at the testing center thirty minutes before your scheduled exam time. If you’re late, they won’t let you take the test.
- You might need to show your exam confirmation.
- At the testing center, they’ll check you. They might ask you to empty your pockets and scan you with a metal detector wand.
- You’ll get a locker and a key to put away your stuff securely.
- Remember, only your government-issued ID and the locker key can stay with you. And you won’t be able to access them until your exam is done.
Maintaining your PMP Certification
Getting certified is a big accomplishment, but it’s not the end. There’s another step after that – keeping your certification up. PMI has made something called the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program for this. With this program, you can improve your skills while also keeping your certification status.
This program involves PDUs, which means Professional Development Units. These are like one-hour learning blocks. You can earn them by learning new things, teaching others, or volunteering. By collecting and keeping track of these over three years, you can make sure your PMI certification stays valid.
To better know about this, PMI has a handbook named as Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) for PMP exam. You can easily access this on the PMP web page.
After passing the exam,
- When you pass the PMP exam, you’ll officially have the PMP certification.
- Remember, you can call yourself a PMP certification holder and show that your certification is active.
- Plus, you’re allowed to put “PMP” in capital letters after your name on things like business cards, resumes, and websites.
- Lastly, take some time to review the topics and content one more time. Go through everything carefully. Now, go ahead and ace the exam – best of luck!
