Exam Guideline:
- To pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam administered by Project Management Institute (www.PMI.ORG) you have to answer 200 questions in 4 hours (240 minutes) – so, its 1 Minute 12 Seconds per question; sounds easy right? But, most of the questions are lengthy and some questions might take 2-3 minutes to answer. Also, you will not find any question that you studied in any books or online on the exam. So, you really need to understand the concept and terminology of the PMI to answer the situational questions. Understanding the situation and apply the concept within the time frame is the KEY.
- Syllabus for PMP is 10 Knowledge Areas or Chapter and five Processes that includes total 47 processes – you need to know ins and outs of this 47 processes
Time needed to study:
- If you spend average three hours to study each chapter it would take 30 hours to finish your initial study. And then if you spend an hour to revise a chapter – then its altogether 40 hours of study time. Please remember you should study continuously – if you have any large gaps in your study, you’ll forget things quickly.
- After the study, you’ll need to solve Questions to test your knowledge. Experts advise that you should answer at least 1000 questions before you seat for the exam. Remember the exam is expensive — $550 for non PMI members and a $19 save, if you become a PMI member. And if you want to retake the exam you’ve to pay about $350 for each. So, at least another 30 hours of study time for the Q & A. Altogether, you’ll need 70-80 hours of concentrated study time. Hence, plan accordingly!
- For the preparation of 1000 questions – my suggestion is using three books:
i) After finishing your study answer the 250 questions of PMI Questions and Answer book (available in PMI site). This will clear your concepts and find any understanding gaps.
ii) Secondly, you can choose Rita Muachys’ book – it has almost 450 questions
iii) Finally you can use Sohel Akhter’s Project Management Certification (PMP)Exam Prep – this book has 30 questions for each chapter and a 200 questions final exam, so altogether 500 questions
After each exam – verify your score! You need to get at least 80-85% in your preparation exam to actually pass the PMP exam!
- 6. PMP Eligibility
A four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent) and at least three years of project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education (PDU).