As a project manager, I have always been committed to continuing my professional development and improving my skills. So when I decided to pursue the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), I knew it would be a challenging but rewarding experience.
I began studying for the PMP exam in earnest, using a combination of self-study and a review course. I found that the PMP exam covered a wide range of topics, including project integration management, project scope management, and project risk management, among others. I made sure to thoroughly understand the concepts and processes outlined in the PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), as this was the primary reference for the exam.
I had heard that the PMP exam was very difficult, and several people I knew had either failed it on their first attempt or needed to take it a second time in order to pass. I also heard from people who had successfully passed the PMP exam that it was possible to study for it for as little as 3-6 weeks before taking the exam and still pass.
When I made the decision to start studying for the PMP exam, I was overwhelmed by the abundance of opinions and study materials available. It was difficult for me to know what to choose. As a result of my successful experience of passing the PMP exam on my first attempt, I have decided to share some advice based on my personal experience. I know that the data and information related to the PMP exam may change over time, but I will do my best to keep it up-to-date.
What is PMP and PMI?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a professional organization for project management. It is a global organization with more than 200,000 members in over 130 countries. PMI offers a variety of resources and services for project management professionals, including various certification, which is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates a level of expertise in project management. PMI also publishes the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), which outlines the standard for project management practices.
You can visit their website at PMI.org
PMI offers following certifications.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
Each of these certifications has its own specific eligibility requirements and exam content. PMI also offers a number of other professional development opportunities and resources for project management professionals, including conferences, training courses, and networking events.
In order to obtain a PMP or any other certification from the list above, you will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements and successfully pass the corresponding exam.
Eligibility for the Exam
For those of you who are considering pursuing the PMP certification, I recommend starting by reviewing the eligibility requirements and studying the PMBOK.
To be eligible to take the PMP exam, you must have following;
- if you have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- at least 4,500 hours of project management experience leading and directing projects (as a manager)
- at least 36 months of project management experience
- if you have a high school diploma or associate’s degree
- at least 7,500 hours of project management experience leading and directing projects
- at least 60 months of project management experience
Apply for Exam
Once you have determined that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to take the PMP exam. The application process involves filling out an online form and providing documentation of your education and project management experience on PMI.org.
It is important to ensure that the education and experience information you provide in your certification application is accurate, as PMI may audit your application and request that you provide supporting documentation.
Once your application has been approved by the PMI, you will have one year to schedule and take the exam. If you do not take the exam within one year, your application will expire and you will need to reapply and pay the application fee again.
Schedule an Exam
You can schedule the exam at a testing center at a time that is convenient for you. PMI offers the PMP exam at testing centers around the world on a regular basis. You can use the PMI website to find a testing center near you and schedule your exam. It is important to schedule your exam as soon as possible after your application has been approved to ensure that you have enough time to prepare and take the exam before your application expires.
Make sure you have enough time to study the material
The PMP exam;
- consists of 200 multiple choice questions
- 4 hours to complete the exam including breaks
- no negative marking
- at least 61% to pass the exam
- your score will be based on the number of questions that you answer correctly
- adaptive nature of the exam
- The exam consists of situational questions that present you with a unique scenario and ask for your opinion. While it may seem that multiple options could be correct answers, you must choose the one that aligns with the PMBOK Guide. This requires lots of practice.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam is an adaptive exam, which means that the difficulty of the questions that you are presented with will depend on your performance on previous questions.
Here’s how it works: The PMP exam is made up of a pool of questions that are organized into different levels of difficulty. When you begin the exam, you will be presented with a question of medium difficulty. If you answer the question correctly, you will be presented with a more difficult question. If you answer the question incorrectly, you will be presented with an easier question. This process will continue as you work through the exam, with the difficulty of the questions that you are presented with being adjusted based on your performance.
The adaptive nature of the PMP exam has a number of benefits. One benefit is that it allows the exam to be tailored to your individual level of knowledge and skills. This can make the exam more challenging for people who have a high level of expertise in project management and more manageable for those who are less familiar with the subject matter. Another benefit is that it allows the exam to be completed in a shorter amount of time, as you will not be presented with questions that are too difficult or too easy for you.
Overall, the adaptive nature of the PMP exam is designed to provide a more accurate assessment of your knowledge and skills in project management.
After you Pass the Exam, you need to maintain your Certification
To maintain your PMP certification;
- need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every 3 years
- and submit an application to renew your certification
- need to pay nominal fees after your application is approved.
- continue using PMP credentials for next 3 years and repeat the process.
If you fail the exam;
- must wait at least 30 days before you can retake the exam
- must pay the exam fee again
- your unsuccessful attempt will not be recorded on your certification.
How to Study for PMP Exam? (According to my experience)
Good Study Material
- PMBOK (official PMP study guide by PMI.org)
- Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep – This book is very textual and detailed oriented. You might get bored reading this book, but at the same time she has covered all topics in very detail.
- PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim Heldman
- Head First PMP” by Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman – You can use this book if you are not able to understand specific concepts like Earned Value Management. This book uses a unique visual and interactive approach to help readers understand.
Each book includes a full-length sample exam and practice questions at the end of each chapter for you to practice with.
- Step 1: Go through PMBOK at first level. The PMBOK Guide is structured into “knowledge areas,” each of which covers a set of processes crucial to effective project management. Each process is described in terms of its inputs, tools, and outputs, providing a detailed overview of how to approach and manage it.
- Step 2: Take this sample exam to assess your current understanding and knowledge before diving into more detailed study. https://www.pmppracticeexam.org/quizzes/pmp-practice-exam-1/
- Step 3: Create daily timetable based on your availability and current understanding of each knowledge areas.
- Step 4: Go through PMBOK in detail. Create notes.
- Step 5: Select one or two books from the following list, in addition to the PMBOK Guide. I recommend choosing Rita’s or Kim’s book, and also considering Head First as a supplementary resource.
- Step 6: Prepare your own notes, either on physical notebook or Google Docs.
- Step 7: Utilize the AnkiDroid Flashcards mobile app to create your own flashcards for review and have them readily available for revision whenever you have spare time. I found it helpful to visit the app and review the material whenever I had a chance. This app is open source and free.
- Step 8: After completing each chapter, take sample questions to test your understanding. If you are able to answer them correctly, move on to the next chapter.
- Step 9: Take at least 2-3 full length sample exams and check your knowledge. Revisit the difficult chapters or sections. Use internet to browse complicated topics and understand them thoroughly.
- Step 10: If you are able to pass full-length sample exams with a score of 80% or higher, you may be ready to take the actual exam.
- Step 11: Celebrate.