The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a highly recognized credential in the project management industry globally. Achieving this certification demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the project management principles and best practices outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide and standard. To successfully pass the PMP exam from your first attempt, it is essential to have a full understanding of the PMP exam format and structure.
Knowing the PMP exam format and structure can help you address the important domains, processes, and methods to focus on. This knowledge will allow you to determine where to focus your study efforts and understand the distribution of questions across different exam domains.
The PMP exam duration is 230 minutes and consists of 180 questions. The questions will be a combination of multiple-choice, multiple-response, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank formats.
- Multiple choice: You have to select the best option from the given four choices.
- Multiple responses: There could be more than one correct answer among the choices provided. The question will identify the number of options you should select, usually 2-3.
- Matching: You have to match choices presented in two columns.
- Hotspot: You have to select a portion of the given diagram to mark the correct answer.
- Limited fill in the blank: You have to fill the blank with the correct answer.
Out of the 180 questions in the PMP exam, 175 questions are scored and rest 5 are not scored. The 5 questions are called pre-test questions. All questions are randomly placed in the exam, and you don't get to know which questions are scored and which are not.
PMP Exam Structure
According to the latest exam content outline from the Project Management Institute (PMI) that was recently published, the exam questions are divided into three main domains:
- People (42%): This domain emphasizes the soft skills required to effectively lead a project team in today's evolving work environment.
- Process (50%): This domain reinforces the technical aspects of successfully managing projects.
- Business Environment (8%): This domain highlights the connection between projects and the organization's strategy.
Approximately half of the exam questions will represent predictive project management approaches, while the other half will represent agile or hybrid approaches. These different approaches are woven throughout the three domain areas and are not limited to any specific domain or task.
Question Types
The PMP exam format contains questions that are designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and application of project management principles and practices in the real world. The question types include:
- Knowledge-based questions: These questions test the candidate's understanding of project management concepts, models, artifacts, and methods.
- Scenario-based questions: These questions present real-world project management situations and require the candidate to apply their knowledge to determine the appropriate course of action. Challenge in this type of questions is that the options provided may seem to be confusing and they may give you the feeling of more than one correct option.
- Math-based questions: These questions involve calculations related to project management processes, such as earned value management, estimation techniques, risk analysis.
- Diagrams-based questions: These types of PMP exam questions are based on diagrams, models, or flow charts. A diagram is given, and a question is asked you have to answer the question based on the diagram given.
- Professional responsibility questions: Questions that should be answered based on the code of conduct since you are a certified professional.
Exam Preparation Strategies [High-level]
To prepare for the PMP exam, we highly recommend considering the following strategies:
- Thoroughly study the PMBOK Guide and understand the project management principles, models, methods, and artifacts.
- Practice high quality PMP exam simulators to become familiar with the exam format and question types given the limited time of the real PMP exam.
- Attend a PMP exam preparation course or workshop to receive structured guidance and support, and to qualify for the exam through obtaining 35 contact hours prep course.
- Develop a comprehensive study plan and preparation schedule to ensure adequate preparation time.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam rules, such as the allowed reference materials and break policies.
By understanding the PMP exam format and structure, you can develop an effective exam preparation strategy and increase your chances of successfully passing the exam and obtaining the coveted PMP certification.
Exam Language and Versions
As per the PMI, the PMP exam is currently offered in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. It's important to note that the PMP exam pattern and format are the same across all language versions.
Exam Cost
There is an exam fee required to earn the PMP. As per the PMI, it is $405.00 for members, and $575 for non-members.
Exam Difficulty and Pass Rates
The PMP exam is widely recognized as a challenging certification test. The global pass rate for the exam is around 60-65%, meaning that roughly 35-40% of candidates do not pass on their first attempt. This highlights the importance of thorough preparation and mastery of the exam content, and deeply understand the PMP exam structure.
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Exam Preparation Resources
To help candidates prepare for the PMP exam in the most effective manner, the Project Management Institute (PMI) offers a variety of resources, including:
- The PMBOK Guide - Seventh Edition, which serves as the foundation for the exam content.
- The PMP Exam Content Outline, which provides a detailed breakdown of the exam domains and topics. Downloadable for free through the PMI website.
- PMP Exam Preparation courses, both in-person and online, offered by various institutes.
- High quality PMP exam simulators and sample questions.
Exam Day
The night before the PMP exam, it's important to relax and get a good night's sleep. On the day of the exam, have a nutritious breakfast to fuel your brain. Arrive at the testing center at least one hour before the scheduled exam time.
Once you enter the exam room, you'll have access to a desktop computer, a basic calculator, blank papers, and a pencil. Read the exam tutorial that will appear on the screen, which will explain that the PMP exam duration is 230 minutes and consists of 180 questions.
As you start the exam, you'll be able to mark questions that you're unsure about, so you can review them later. Avoid constantly checking the timer and instead, look at the time every 40-50 questions or so.
Many of the exam questions will present a case scenario, followed by a question asking about the best course of action. For these types of questions, you may not be 100% certain of the right answer but trust the knowledge you've gained during your preparation. If you're unsure, highlight the question and move on to the next one.
Don't get bogged down or confused during the exam. Just focus on answering the questions to the best of your ability and highlight any that you're unsure about for review later.
Once you've completed the exam, click the "Finish" button. You'll then be asked to participate in a short survey about the testing center experience. After that, you'll receive your exam result, along with a detailed score report for each domain.
By understanding the comprehensive nature of the PMP exam format and structure, aspiring project managers can develop a targeted and effective study plan to increase their chances of passing the exam and achieving the coveted PMP certification.
