PMP Preparation Journey: Passing the PMP Exam on the First Attempt

What is the PMP Exam?

The PMP exam, governed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a globally recognized certification that validates your skills and knowledge in project management. It’s a challenging exam that tests your understanding of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) and your ability to apply project management principles in real-world scenarios.

Preparation Process

1. Select a Course and Obtain 35 PDUs

To be eligible for the PMP exam, you need 35 hours of project management education, known as Professional Development Units (PDUs). There are various ways to obtain these, from offline to online courses.

Offline Courses: You might consider attending in-person classes, which provide a structured environment for learning. However, these can be time-consuming and often more expensive.

Online Courses: Online courses are more flexible and often more affordable. One popular platform is Udemy, where you can find comprehensive courses that meet the 35 PDU requirement. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s worth waiting for Udemy’s frequent sales to grab a course at a discounted price. Hint - look for the sale around Black Friday!

Here are some recommended online courses that offer PDUs:

• PMP Exam Prep Seminar - Complete Exam Coverage with 35 PDUs (This is the course I personally completed)
• PMP Certification Exam Prep Course 35 PDU Contact Hours/PDU

Official PMI Prep Course: PMI also offers an official preparation course, which provides access to the most up-to-date material based on the current PMBOK (currently Version 7). This course includes practice tests, but it is significantly more expensive than courses available on platforms like Udemy.

2. Practice Tests: Practice tests are a critical component of PMP exam preparation. They help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify areas where you need further study.

• Udemy -PMP Exam-PMI New Format 2024 Mock Simulator I used this one, and it was instrumental in my success.
• PMI - Official PMI Practice Test: Available through PMI, these tests are highly recommended for their alignment with the actual exam.
• O’Reilly - Pearson Practice Test

Caution: While there are numerous YouTube videos with sample PMP questions, I found them to be unreliable. The quality of content varies widely, and the questions often don’t reflect the level of difficulty or style of the actual exam.

Here are some key tips to maximize the effectiveness of your practice tests:

1. Aim for 70% to 80% Accuracy: When you’re doing practice tests, it’s important to aim for an accuracy rate of 70% to 80% on each set. While PMI doesn’t officially disclose the passing score, many in the PMI community believe that answering around 70% of the questions correctly is a good benchmark. Achieving this accuracy consistently will build your confidence and ensure that you’re adequately prepared for the actual exam.
2. Intensive Practice Before the Exam: Try to schedule a period of intensive practice testing in the weeks leading up to your exam. This strategy will help you train for the actual exam conditions, particularly the duration and the speed at which you need to answer questions. The PMP exam is four hours long, so it’s crucial to get comfortable with maintaining focus and managing your time effectively during this period. Simulate the exam environment by setting aside uninterrupted time and avoiding distractions, which will help you build the stamina needed to perform well on exam day.
3. Give Yourself Breaks Between Test Sets: While it’s essential to practice intensively, it’s equally important to give yourself breaks between test sets. This allows your mind to rest and prevents burnout.

Essential Books for PMP Exam Preparation

Although I think that you can pass the PMP exam by completing the course and mastering the practice tests, here you could certainly find some essential knowledge here.

1. PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge), 7th edition - available on PMI.org for free if you purchase the membership but also available at book retailers.
2. Agile Practice Guide
3. Process Groups: A Practice Guide

Supplementary Preparation Books

1. ‘’Project Management Professional (PMP)® Cert Guide’’ By Gregory M. Horine, Asad E. Haque - of all book, I referred to this one the most.
2. “PMP Exam Prep” by Rita Mulcahy.
3. “The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try” by Andy Crowe.

Application Process

1. Get a PMI Account: Creating an account on PMI’s official website is the first step. I highly recommend becoming a PMI member, at least for the first year. Membership gives you access to all PMI books, including the PMBOK and Practice Guides, and offers a 30% discount on the exam fee. Currently, the exam costs $405 for members and $655 for non-members, so the $129 membership fee is a worthwhile investment. Remember to set a reminder to cancel the membership if you don’t wish to renew it.

2. Check Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements before applying. These typically include:

• A four-year degree, 36 months of leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education (35 PDUs as mentioned above).
• Alternatively, if you have a high school diploma or an associate’s degree, you need 60 months of leading projects and 35 hours of project management education.

3. Complete the Application: The application process on PMI.org involves detailing your project management experience and verifying your completion of the required PDUs. Be thorough and precise, as this information is critical to the approval of your application.

4. Choose Your Exam Format: You can take the PMP exam either at a testing center or via a proctored online exam at home. I chose the proctored exam due to its flexible scheduling and convenience, even though it takes up to 48 hours to receive results, unlike the immediate feedback from the testing center.

Note: Your application may be subject to an audit. If selected, you’ll need to provide documentation to verify your project management experience and education. PMI will contact your references to confirm the information you’ve provided, so be prepared.

Taking the Exam: Navigating Through the 180 Questions

The PMP exam is a comprehensive test that consists of 180 questions, with PMI providing you with 230 minutes (3h 50 min) to complete it. Here’s how to effectively manage your time and navigate through the exam:

1. Understand the Exam Structure: The PMP exam is divided into three sets of 60 questions each. After completing each set, you’ll have the option to take a 10-minute break.
2. Time Management: As soon as the exam begins, a countdown timer will appear on your screen. It’s crucial to pace yourself and develop a steady rhythm for answering questions. Hopefully, your practice tests have helped you master this skill. Keep an eye on the timer to ensure you’re not spending too much time on any single question. If a question seems too difficult, it’s often best to mark it for review and move on, returning to it later if time allows.
3. Receiving Your Results:
   • At the Testing Center: If you’re taking the exam at a testing center, you’ll receive your results immediately after completing the test. This instant feedback can be a great relief after a long and intense exam session.
   • Online Exam: For those taking the exam online, the results will be sent to you within 48 hours. In my case, I received my results within 24 hours, but this can vary. Be sure to check your email regularly after the exam for your official score.
4. Understanding Your Results: Your exam results will indicate whether you passed or not and where your performance falls on PMI’s proficiency scale. While PMI does not disclose your exact score, they provide a performance rating for each of the exam's domains: Above Target, Target, Below Target, or Needs Improvement. This rating helps you understand how well you performed across different areas of project management.

1. Maintaining Certification: Once you pass the PMP exam, your certification is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during this period and renew your certification through PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. This renewal process ensures that you continue to develop your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest practices in project management.

Tips for Success

One key strategy is to look for patterns in the exam questions. Understanding how questions are structured and identifying common themes can help you navigate the exam more effectively. Additionally, ensure you’ve covered all areas of the PMBOK guide, especially the newly added content in the latest edition.

Having an accountability buddy or joining a study group can make a significant difference in your preparation. Utilize the Project Management Community group to find a buddy or form a study group. I had an accountability buddy, and it was incredibly helpful to discuss the preparation process, share tips and tricks, and vent frustrations. This support system can keep you motivated and on track.

In summary, passing the PMP exam on your first attempt is entirely achievable with the right preparation and resources. By selecting the right courses, practicing thoroughly, and following the application process diligently, you’ll be well on your way to joining the ranks of certified Project Management Professionals. Good luck!