Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is internationally recognized as evidence of one’s expertise in project management. In addition to passing the PMP Exam, you must also have experience and the necessary academic requirements to obtain the PMP credential. Hence it is considered a prestigious certification in the global market. Before you chase this highly valued certification, you should know about the latest exam format and the technicalities involved. Don’t worry though! We’ve got you covered!
In this blog, we will cover all that you need to know about the PMP exam, as of 2024!
About PMP Certification
If you looked up the PMP exam, then you definitely know quite a bit about the PMP certification. Still, the PMP is a respected credential offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMI defines project management best practices, and has existed since 1969!
The PMP recognizes candidates who excel at managing the people, procedures, and business priorities of professional projects. The current edition of the certification is aligned with the present job market demands as well as predicted trends.
Therefore, because of its reputed provider PMI, and the research-backed curriculum, the PMP has been standing tall as the number one out of the other project management certifications out there.
PMP certification ensures that you are highly skilled in:
- Motivating people and teams through all phases of a project.
- Using predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches to determine which way of working is best for each project.
- Highlighting the success of a project and its impact on overall strategic organizational goals.
What is the PMP Exam?
The PMP exam is a rigorous assessment, required to get PMI’s prestigious project management certification. This exam abides by industry standards and puts your project management principles and experience to the test.
It tests your knowledge of the following aspects:
- Leadership.
- Team Building.
- Motivation.
- Communication.
- Influencing.
- Decision Making.
- Negotiation.
To be a great leader you should have proper project manager skills, you should have great leadership skills. Plus, you should know how to manage your team members and have effective communication among everyone. You and your team need to be capable enough to share your perspective and work together efficiently. Also, you need to be familiar with the technical details of the project very well. On top of that, you must be able to negotiate with vendors, make decisions for your team, and align with the top hierarchy!
These factors ensure that you are a well-rounded project manager. And the PMP is an industry standard for these star-factors. As we know, qualified project managers are always in demand in the market. So, clearing the PMP exam is your quick ticket to the top!
PMP Exam Format & Distribution
The PMP exam curriculum is divided into 3 domains: People, Process, and Business Environment. The People Section takes up 42% of the exam, the Process Section takes up 50%, and the remaining 8% is for Business Environment topics.
Here are the PMP syllabus or topics covered in each of these PMP domains, as per the PMP Examination Content Outline (ECO):
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Domain 1: People
The People section covers the key project management tasks that involve the “team” and its people. It includes handling conflicts, leading teams, and engaging with stakeholders. It covers setting clear goals, removing obstacles, and effectively managing virtual teams.
Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of training your teams and using emotional intelligence to understand, mentor, and support them. This section of the PMP exam sheds light on encouraging diversity, building trust, and motivating team members. Some other points include negotiating agreements and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
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Domain 2: Process
The process section in the PMP exam evaluates how well you understand the steps required to bring a project to fruition. This includes moving quickly to deliver value, keeping teams and stakeholders updated, and managing risks. You’ll also focus on engaging stakeholders, planning budgets and schedules, and ensuring high-quality project management deliverables.
This section also deals with managing scope and procurement, integrating plans, and handling changes. Basically, the “Process” domain tests your knowledge on the right methods to choose for your project and how to execute it efficiently.
3. Domain 3: Business Environment
The Business Environment Domain covers a minor section of the syllabus. In this section of the PMP exam, you’ll look into managing project compliance, addressing business environment changes, and ensuring value delivery. This includes confirming compliance requirements, identifying benefits, tracking progress, and assessing the impact of external changes on project scope.
Questions on the PMP test will be scenario-based, in which you’ll evaluate organizational culture and project impacts. In addition, you’ll work on the necessary actions to ensure project success within the business environment.
How To Apply For the PMP Exam?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to apply for your PMP exam.
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Meet the Eligibility Criteria for the PMP Exam
In order to appear in the PMP Exam, you need to complete your project management education and required experience. The eligibility criteria to appear for the PMP exam are as follows:
- Four-Year College / University Degree
- 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification
Or
- High School or Secondary School Diploma
- 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
- 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® certification.
2. Fulfill The Training Requirements – IMPORTANT!
As noted in the preceding sub-section, PMI has established some PMP certification requirements. This criterion requires you to undergo 35 hours of comprehensive PMP training. You must enroll in a PMP training course through one of PMI’s Authorized training partners. ProThoughts Solutions is PMI’s premium authorized training partner. We are honored to be among the first globally to acquire this title.
We are known to provide the most comprehensive set of study materials that aid your PMP journey from start to finish. From textbooks like Rita Mulcahy PMP Book to Flashcards for Memorization, to Exam prep strategy – we give it all! Furthermore, ProThoughts provides PMP certification online training, thus, allowing you to learn from the convenience of your own home. Plus, we guarantee that with the advice of ProThoughts’ mentors, you will pass the PMP test on the first attempt!
3. Apply for the PMP Exam
To begin with the PMP application process for PMP certification, you must first create an account on the PMI website. If you already have an account, you can log in with your existing credentials. After that, you can submit your personal information and experience data in accordance with the eligibility criteria. You must fill out information such as:
- Projects you’ve led;
- Places you’ve worked;
- Your role and duties;
- Duration of projects;
- Institutions you attended;
- Courses you completed;
- Your qualifying hours.
You can also save the application as you go, thereby allowing you to fill it out whenever it is convenient. After you apply, the application completeness assessment takes approximately 5-7 days.
PMI may randomly select an application for an audit. If your application is selected for an audit, you must present all papers that support your experience. It includes a copy of your degree, proof of experience signed by your supervisors, and a certificate for 35 hours of project management training courses.
4. Pay The PMP Exam Fee
When your eligibility is verified and your application is accepted, you will be prompted to pay the Exam Fee. As of 2024, for non-PMI members, the PMP exam cost is from $575 – $595, and for PMI members, the PMP exam cost is $405 – $425. A PMI Membership includes access to the discount on the PMP exam cost. The membership cost is $139 – $159 per year. The range is specified due to differences in pricing in the USA and the rest of the world.
After paying the exam fee, you will receive your eligibility code in your email. You can use the same to book your exam through the Pearson VUE testing site.
5. Schedule Your PMP Exam
You can schedule your examination anytime in the 12-month eligibility period. We suggest you schedule it for 2-3 months after your training is complete. You can take your PMP exam either at a Pearson Vue Test Center or via an Online Proctored Test. To schedule your exam, log in to your PMI account and navigate to the “Review Application Status” button. You’ll find an option to Schedule Your Exam there.
Next, you’ll be redirected to the Pearson VUE website, where you can enter “PMI” as your testing provider and proceed further. On selecting PMI, you’ll be prompted to enter your eligibility ID. After entering that, you can choose your testing mode as – Online Proctored Test (OPT) or a Center Based Test (CBT). Choose the date and time of your liking and hit submit!
What Comes Next?
Once all the formalities are set aside, you only need to focus on your PMP exam ahead. Here is a summary of the PMP test details.
- Total Questions: 180 (5 Unscored Pretest Questions)
- Test Duration: 3 hours and 50 minutes, or 230 minutes
- Break Time: 10-minutes (Twice)
- Types of Questions: MC, MR, matching, hotspot, and fill-in-the-blanks.
Related Read: PMP Exam Tips
You have 3 attempts to pass your PMP exam in your 12-month eligibility period. If you do not succeed in the first attempt, the subsequent attempts require Re-examination Fees. The PMP re-exam fees cost $275 for PMI members and $375 for non-members. Since the re-examination fee is substantial, we suggest that you do not attempt the exam until you get a green signal from our experts. Your trainer for the batch will review your scores on the mock tests that we provide. They’ll guide you further based on your performance. With this method, 90%+ candidates from ProThoughts clear their PMP exam on the first try!
For How Long Is The PMP Certification Valid?
The PMP certification is valid for three years. You’ll need to spend 60 hours during that time frame on professional development activities to maintain it. You can explore other certifications, project management webinars, or other educational opportunities. Otherwise, you can sign up to take the exam again.
Get The Best PMP Exam Training with ProThoughts
For candidates to sit for the PMP exam, they need to receive the appropriate PMP training. Two things define “PMP-worthy” – Reputable study materials and Top Notch Instruction. ProThoughts Solutions has verified both of these elements. We provide the PMP certification training course in an interactive environment. Our expert trainers share their knowledge gained from real-world situations, preparing you for any on-the-job challenges.
Some key elements of our PMP certification training batches:
- In-house team of experienced coaches;
- Free exam counseling;
- Extensive training material;
- Free access to our LMS portal;
- Recorded Sessions;
- 9+ PMP exam simulation tests.
Prothoughts gives you PMI-Approved Preparation for the PMP Exam, along with PMI ATP study materials. We also give you a 45-day exam study plan, so that you can clear your PMP exam right away – without wasting much time. We also offer a PMP refresher course in case you want to brush up on your learned concepts.
Thus, with all these components of our PMP certification training course, ProThoughts provides 360-degree learning. The goal of the training is twofold: to help you clear your PMP exam and to overcome typical obstacles you face in the project management plan.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve learned everything you need to know about your impending PMP certification journey. ProThoughts offers a 360-degree learning solution for the PMP certification exam. Furthermore, we will gladly assist you throughout your certification process. Reach out to our team of consultants to start your PMP journey today!
FAQs:
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Q. Is the PMP exam very difficult?
A. Yes, the PMP exam is difficult since it requires applying information and critical thinking PMP skills rather than only memorizing. Situational questions pose what steps the project manager should take in specific situations. However, your project management experience can come to aid in these situations. Apply what you have learned in your PMP training and your real-life experiences and you’re all set!
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Q. Can I pass PMP on the first attempt?
A. Yes, with strategic PMP exam preparation you can pass on the first attempt. The pass rate across the world for the first attempt is around 60%. However, with effective study plans and adequate hands-on practice, it is possible to secure your PMP right away. Your PMP preparation should be well-updated.
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Q. What is the PMP pass rate?
A. The PMP Exam Passing Rate Globally is 84%. As you can see, most people do clear their PMP but it does require dedicated study time towards it.
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Q. Is 70% enough to pass PMP?
A. PMP has no definite passing score. However, you should aim for more than 70% in your practice exams if you want to pass the exam. This ensures that you have covered all the topics well and are ready to take the real test!
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Q. How many hours to study for PMP?
A. To pass the PMP Exam, we suggest studying for two hours each day for 45 days. With consistent efforts, you can clear your PMP in 2-3 months. We suggest not delaying your PMP because it could cause you to forget what you have learned. Taking the test with the concepts fresh in your head boosts your chances of exam success.
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Q. How many attempts for PMP?
A. You will have a total of 3 attempts to pass your PMP exam in a 12-month eligibility period. You have a year to re-apply if, despite three attempts, you are still unable to pass.
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Q. What is the hardest part of the PMP exam?
A. The hardest part of the PMP exam is probably the scenario-based questions. PMP aspirants often struggle with these questions due to lengthy questions and similar answer choices. You must read the questions carefully to avoid being misled by extra information. Moreover, regular practice with mock tests will help you become more comfortable with these types of questions.
