The certified project managers take the PMP® exam which comprises of 200 multiple-choice questions. The PMP® exam contains domains like Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Controlling and Closing. The percentage of question break down is there are 13% tests on initiating, 24% of tests on Planning, 31% of tests on Executing, 25% tests on monitoring and controlling and 7% of tests on closing. The percentage signifies the number of questions formulated according to the percentage allocated for each domain.
The PMP® exam has the following format:
It comprises of six different types of questions and they are as follows:
- Formula-based questions
- The situational questions
- The knowledge-based PMP® exam questions
- The interpretational questions
- The specific technique questions
- The PMBOK® Guide knowledge questions.
The PMP® exam comprises of 200 multiple-choice questions which need to attempt within 4 hours. And out of the 200 questions, 25 are considered to be the pre-test questions that do not affect the score.
The PMP® exam has high standards and that is why it is also a bit difficult. It tests your knowledge of the PMBOK® Guide and demonstrates your experience in project management. To clear the examination you need to study regularly, take practice tests and quizzes. It may take several months and seating of two to three hours daily.
How to Prepare for the PMP® Exam?
An active study of nearly a few weeks to 6 months can take the guarantee of you passing the exam. If you’re able to devote an average of 180 hours of study this should be enough to help you pass the exam.
Follow these steps to prepare for the PMP® exam:
- Read the PMBOK® Guide
- Reading some third-party PMP® textbooks such as Rita Mulcahy and Andy Crowe’s books may also help.
- Join PMP® Exam workshops
- Use online PMP® exam simulators
- Join study groups and discussion forums
- Take PMP® exam practice questions.
If you can answer at least 85% of the questions correctly on your first attempt, then you are well prepared for the exam. And the chances of clearing your exam are good enough.
Along with this, t is very important to have minimum system requirements for scheduling your PMP® exam. And in case you purchase the exam without meeting the requirements, it is unlikely that you will get a refund.
What if you Fail?
You can attempt the PMP® exam three times a year. In case you fail for the first time then do ensure that you use the remaining two attempts within a year of your eligibility period. But if you fail all the attempts then, unfortunately, you will have to wait for a year from the date of your last exam attempt.
The examination fee has to be submitted every time along with your application which will be approved. But there is no compulsion to undertake the training course again as you don’t have to worry about the expiry of your contact hours.
How to Reschedule your PMP® Exam?
Rescheduling your PMP® exam through the Prometric website involves the following steps.
- Click on the reschedule button on the homepage and follow the instructions.
- Enter the confirmation number that was assigned to you when you first scheduled the exam.
- PMP certification exam can be rescheduled up to two days before the exam date.
- You need to pay a sum of 70 USD if you reschedule it within 30 days of the exam but if you do so just before two days then you will have to bear your full exam fee.
To schedule your PMP® exam through Center-Based Test (CBT) or Online Proctored Test (OP), you need to follow these steps:
- The first step is to log in to www.PMI.org and then click on ‘Review Application Status’ under the my PMI® section. Then move to ‘Schedule Exam’.
- This step will redirect you to your Pearson VUE account.
- Once you land on your Pearson VUE account you need to search the name of your testing program. For PMP®, you need to search for PMI® – Project Management Institute.
Do select your testing program before you schedule, reschedule, or cancel an exam, or you can also choose to contact one of the customer service representatives.
You can also find and select your testing program by clicking on ‘A to Z list of all programs’ on your Pearson VUE account.
Now click on ‘P’ to find the PMI® Project Management Institute which is the sponsor for PMP® exam.
This will redirect you to a landing page where you need to use your unique PMI® eligibility ID to log in.
Now choose your desired option: Center-Based Test (CBT) or Online Proctored Test (OP) option.
If you select the CBT option, follow these steps:
- Select the booking method for your PMP® exam. Click on ‘I will be scheduling for a future date at a test center’ option and then choose ‘Next’.
- You will now land on View Testing Policies page where you will have to review the testing policies and now click on ‘Schedule this exam’.
- This is the step enables you to choose the test center, date, and time for your PMP® certification exam. For example, if you live in Delhi, you have to choose your exam center before choosing the date and time.
- Once you select your test center, date, and time, its time to review the appointment and to click on ‘Proceed to Checkout’.
- Now follow the steps and click on Submit Order and your appointment will be confirmed.
- You will now receive a confirmation email from Pearson VUE.
If you select the Online Proctored Test for your PMP® exam, follow these steps:
- If you want to choose the Online Proctored Test option for your PMP® certification exam, you will have to read and agree to the online proctoring policies and then click on ‘Next’.
- This step will make you confront the exam and language aid. Firstly click on ‘View Testing Policies’ and then move to ‘Schedule This Exam’.
- Here you do not need to choose an exam center as you will be taking the exam from home. But it is essential to choose the date of the exam first and then move ahead by choosing the time. The exam can be scheduled anytime between Tuesday and Saturday.
- After making the selection review you appointments details thoroughly and then select ‘proceed to checkout’.
- Keep on following the next steps underneath and then move on to ‘Submit Order’.
- Now you will once again receive a confirmation email from Pearson VUE after your appointment gets confirmed.