PMP Exam Things you need to know before taking it and why

Last Updated On: March 2024

Table of Contents

PMP Exam Things you need to know before taking it and why

PMP Exam is the Project Management Professional Exam conducted worldwide consisting of 200 multiple choice questions that cover five main plans and nine knowledge areas. Get yourself now registered and get the gold standard in the industry. Dig more in to make the right choice.

What is the PMP Exam Format-

The exam includes 200 multiple choice questions which are distributed into sectors of professions such as Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring, and Controlling and Closing.

The questions are formula-based, situational, knowledge-based and International PMP exam questions.

Here is the details of sub divisions;

Formula Based Questions-

To solve these questions you need to learn 49 Exam formulas, these are not like any other normal solutions without formulas. This part needs proper solving of questions using the formula required.

This type of question is one method to prepare yourself for such type of questions coming in the exam. You must learn more than 40+ formulas to project this type of framework. Once you are well aware of the problems you can easily solve them and clear this part.

Situational PMP Exam Questions-

In order to overcome situations like practical work related to the field, you are given contextual questions in an exam as a part to solve them. The key notion behind is relating one to real-life situations and testing their abilities by looking at the solutions.

You need the proper reading of the given questions so you can solve them accordingly. This type of question is a little risky to solve as they contain two options and you can confuse between them, for this, you need to read the given text very attentively.

The best tip for one who is about to take this exam has never overthought this type of question as it makes it more difficult for one to choose the right option. Also, keep in mind these kinds of questions are to test your practical work abilities.

Knowledge Based PMP Exam Questions-

This part covers the detailed informational questions on project management subject, which means you need to have a solid grip over project management process groups and processes. All the Inputs, Outputs, and ITTO’s need to be cleared to you to solve this part.

The leading option, in this case, is to read the PMBOK Guide thoroughly, and thus, this part will become unchallenging for you. The guide is even available on their official website or else Google it.

Interpretational PMP Exam Questions-

To test your abilities in situations like carrying out a condition from any status or a case study provided with graphs are stats and allowing you to comment over it, this part also gives you a choice to choose whether the given case is good, bad, neutral or indifferent.

Again to pass this part you will need to focus on the guide book and ask yourself the relative question son being positive or negative. Get proper training even online to pass the exam tension free.

Technique-based PMP Exam Questions

By now either you must be tired already or gained some confidence over you, well the last part contains questions which are systematic procedure related to human resources. This part requires techniques to solve, it’s like testing your skills about techniques you know. It covers project schedule management knowledge. The method of critical solving. To prepare this section it is recommended to go through Tool and Techniques in a guide book.

What Time is required to prepare the Exam-

If you think you need some specific time to study and that can help you gain the points in exam then you might be taking this wrong you need proper study schedule and for every person the time depends, it’s your turn to decide what is best for you.

Well, the experts recommend you to study for 60 to 120 hours a day, you can also study for 3 months straight but this all depends on how long and what experience do you have in the field of Project Management methods and tools. You also need to dive into major areas of this specific field.

In order to make yourself an expert, you will need to choose the training courses of 35-content which can be time-consuming and will make you build momentum and motivation. To cover 13 chapters it will need a maximum of 120 hours, it is also a part of preparing time.

In short, to cover mock exams you will need 20-30 hours and for a safer hand, 150 hours of study plan can make it easy for you to pass the exam. You can also divide your day into three hours of study plan as well.

What is the Clearance Rate for the PMP Exam-

As time passes the passing rates were advanced like in 2005 the rate was 68.5% which means you need to score 137 out of 200 questions, after some time the rate increased by 80.6% means you need to score 141 out of 200 questions. In a three-month time period, the PMP again changed the rate from 80% to 60% which is the last updated passing rate means you need to score 106 out of 200 questions.

In 2007, the exam again changed the marking scheme now they do not have a passing rate but it results in proficiency level for each domain in test results.

There are 5 domains in a test from which you need to score on every 5 domains individually and that’s how your test score is produced. Here is the formula for the marking scheme;

PMP Exam Pass Rate = (Number of People Passed the PMP Exam)/ (Number of People Sat for the PMP Exam). To not have anxiety when appearing on the exam, try your best in exams at home, score more than 70% so you are confident while having the actual exam.

How difficult is the exam-

As the question arises, how hard is the exam? It is basically is an extreme coverage of project management topics and related to, no need to worry that its difficult and you cannot get your hands on, it doesn’t mean that it is out of your reach.

How to prepare the exam effectively-

Study Material-

Collecting the study material is the most important part for you to prepare well for the exam you are about to sit for. PMPM Exam is nothing like other exams we take but instead it is a vast coverage of project management and its related topics, you need a proper guide book, courses, tools and techniques, and practice questions to solve before appearing in an exam.

Select the preparation course-

Other than the study material you have for yourself, you are recommended to take 35 training courses for more practice and this will help you build more of the study materials.

Cover the PMBOK Guide-

Before you put your hands on the courses try to read the guide book thoroughly, break down the study material in milestones so it becomes easy for you. Cover the 9-10 knowledge points with the help of a guide. Though it is difficult to memorize the whole course, better you have clearer concepts.

Practice-

In order to be confident while taking the exam, one should have a solid grip over the course, which requires constant practice and practice. Take as much as online exams you can take to compete well in a final task.

Prep Online Exams-

PMP simulators allows you to take practice questions online which are alike the questions coming in real exam. Adding this part, you will have more grip over it.

What is the Retake Exam Policy-

If you fail the exam, PMP gives there students a chance to compete again three times in a year but they do cost for every time you retake it. For the PMI members it is $275 and for non-members it is $375.

How can you enroll for the Exam-

In order to enroll yourself in a PMP Exam you need to follow the steps;

  • Construct your PMI.org account.
  • Submit the online application procedure.
  • Hold back for the confirmation.
  • Pay the fee.
  • Mark the date and pass the exam.

Is it Industrially Recognized Exam-

It is the most recognized exam for project managers. A person with this certificate is considered globally and this is acknowledged as the gold standard. This also helps you work virtually in any environment as people trust you a lot after clearing this exam.

What are the Alternatives to PMP Exam-

Want to dig more in this exam and need to find the alternatives, well here is the list in order to which you can still be certificated project manager;

  • CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management.
  • RINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner.
  • CompTIA Project+ certification.
  • CSM: Certified Scrum Master.

Conclusion-

As a friendly reminder to all, it is observed that to have a name in the market as a certificated project manager you can take this exam, pass it, and get the certificate. For preparation, purposes try to focus more on the guide books, the courses, and lastly on online exams before actually taking the PMP Exam.

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