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An exam is fundamental to the process of certification. Preparing for an exam requires planning and systematically implementing the plan. This includes time management, hard work, and persistence. To be certified in Project Management it is a good idea to take the Project Management Professional (PMP®) exam. It is a very tough one and requires thorough preparation. The all-encompassing manner of studying for the PMP exam in a form of PMP training will show tremendous progress. The period of preparation is for many months. A PMP certification convinces organizations that you are a thorough professional in project management.

Often we are so involved in our career progression that we do not think of upgrading our skills from time to time. This is essential to be in sync with the latest developments in your field. When certification or taking a course for better productivity becomes a requirement by your company or for yourself as a professional, you will wonder where to start. Substantial study resources are plenty. In this article, we will enlighten you about the various aspects of PMP.

Why is PMP certification important?

There will be nearly 2.2 million new project-oriented roles each year through 2027. This clearly shows the demand for skilled project managers. PMP certification is one of the fastest-growing certifications in the world. Having a professional certification determines your commitment to professional development. It helps to make headway in your career.

Scope of the PMP Certification

A PMP certification will differentiate you from your peers. The pandemic has steered a new path to professionals that to upskill themselves is the need of the hour. A PMP training leading to certification can unequivocally add value to your capabilities and bring assurance to your organization that you have what it takes as an accomplished project manager.

What is the PMP exam?

It is a 200-question multiple-choice exam. The syllabus is very extensive. The questions are not very straightforward. The successful ones are those who have used multiple methods of study. A prospective candidate should practice PMP Exam sample questions. Undergoing PMP training is also crucial to passing the exam in flying colours. That does not look difficult at all. The question is, Are you prepared for the number of question styles? Every question has a purpose and a requirement. It is crucial to know how to attempt and solve the questions rightly and within the time specified.

Enroll in our PMP Certification today and develop a strong foundation in the principles of project management.

The Pattern of the PMP exam

The Project Management Institute (PMI) examinations have a standard method of conducting the PMP exam. It used to be primarily center-based testing (CBT) and paper-based testing (PBT) under certain limited circumstances. However, you can take your PMP certification exam from your home or office, 24/7. It is conducted by an online proctored exam.

There are 200 multiple-choice questions, out of which 25 are pretest questions. The pretest questions do not affect the final score. The pretest questions are used to test the validity of future examination questions. The current pattern of the PMP exam to get PMP certification is as below:

•  Scored Questions: 175
•  Pretest Questions (Unscored): 25
• Allotted Examination Time: 4 hours

It is up to you to take the optional tutorial and a survey before the PMP exam. It can take up to 15 minutes to complete. The time used to complete them is not included in the examination time.

The New Pattern of the PMP Exam- A Change!

If you are one of those who have started your preparations from the beginning of this year, you can take the existing exam online. It is on until 31st December 2020. There is still time for PMP training.

The new changed pattern of the exam to get PMP certification will be available after 2nd January 2021.

Please take the current exam online on or before 31st December 2020 if you have:

• already registered for the exam to earn the PMP certification
• paid for the application to take the PMP exam
• have spent time studying the current exam content
• able to schedule your exam

PMP certification is always up-to-date and future-focused. The new Project Management Professional (PMP)® that will be released in January 2021 is reflective of this approach. The pattern has evolved to keep up with the current trends. From a process-oriented exam, it now focuses on domains, mainly people, business environment, and process. The focal point is the requirement of practitioners in the present scenario. 

Types of PMP Exam questions:

• Formula-Based Questions – There are around 49 PMP exam formulas that you must know to pass the PMP Exam. A thorough understanding of each of them is beneficial. The importance of each element will assist you in making the right decision to take account of or omit the values in the PMP exam question.
• Situational Questions – Situational questions test your ability to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life project management situations. They are often presented elaborately. Live projects have information that is pertinent and unrelated. The task given is to classify what’s relevant and, overlook mundane issues. The next step is to work on the real issues in a focused manner with accuracy. It is essential to disregard impractical information. Situational questions offer two choices that look reasonably accurate. So, when you answer the question, it helps to understand the fine line between the choices.

• Knowledge-based Questions – Here you are required to ascertain the meaning of the situation. Facts are provided to form a basis for your understanding. Don’t be surprised to see questions like, “What is the exception?” or “The following are the effects of good decision-making except:” Some knowledge-based questions are answered using charts or graphs.
• Interpretational Questions – Interpretational questions assess your capability to reason out a situation from the description of a problem.
• Specific Technique Questions– These are focused questions that are asked only by providing a brief of a situation. For example, they give a network diagram and ask you to deliver a component that’s integral in that diagram.
• Knowledge Questions from the Guide– The PMBOK® Guide is an important reference material to prepare for the PMP exam. Having in-depth knowledge of the contents and description of the guide will certainly help you answer questions from the PMBOK®  guide with ease.

Pre-Requisites Before Starting Preparation For an Exam

You should have the following to take the exam for the PMP® certification:

• A secondary degree (i.e., high school diploma, associate’s degree, or global equivalent)
• 7,500 hours experience leading and directing projects
• 35 hours of project management education
• A four-year degree
• 4,500 hours leading and directing projects

Before you apply, all certifications require you to have had experience in the field, a four-year degree, or both. The exam authorities will ask for the details about this experience and/or education. It is advisable to collect and assemble all this information and relevant documents before you start preparing for your application. The eligibility requirements are in the handbook for the certification. Each criterion is unique.

Important Points to Note

Analysis – Analyze and review the study material that you plan to cover. Evaluate all the charts, graphs, and headings that are in the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) and your prep book. Be aware of where to find the topics that are in your study plan. Once you achieve comfort in the syllabus it is easy to arrange the information that you have to study methodically and logically.

Keep Goals – At the beginning of the day, figure out your study goal and recap questions.

Examine – Research and make a list of questions. Examine them thoroughly through research. There is enough material to delve into. As an active researcher, this will be helpful when you decide to study from the PMBOK® Guide.

Loosen-up – According to researchers of Psychology, during a specific time spent studying, a person tends to remember the first and last features from the study material. Taking a cue from that, it helps to split your preparation sessions into smaller time bubbles. For example, if you plan to study in the morning for four hours. Break it down into four 30-minute sessions and two 45- minute sessions with short breaks according to your convenience to refresh. Disengaging briefly from time to time enhances your ability to recollect.

The Credibility of the PMP Certification

Most people are apprehensive before embarking on a course or certification. The PMP certification is of a gold standard in the industry. Practitioners themselves are involved in providing information. After extensive research, practitioners and researchers highlight the nuances that organizations experience.  They also present the specific skills and competencies that professionals lack. This feedback is reflected in the exams.  The examination questions are developed by the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. The exams are independently validated by subject-matter experts.

The PMP certification is awarded after passing exams that are designed based on cognitive studies. The most critical tasks are identified for people to perform in their roles as project managers. This is called a global practice analysis. In the most recent redesign of the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification, there were more than 2,000 people who responded to the survey in five different languages. Those who responded were an amalgamation of volunteers and project managers who were recommended by their organizations. Besides increasing the validity of the certification, it helps to filter out irrelevant topics.

What It Takes to Pass the PMP

You will not regret investing to earn the PMP® certification. It takes an indomitable spirit, impeccable time management, collating, and familiarization of study material, and a humongous amount of commitment for the PMP exam prep. Be optimistic, all the way!

Your project management experience or a high education qualification status may still not be adequate to take the PMP exam. The PMP exam prep is a dynamic one. The journey to the exam may have its winding routes, but it is still worth the rigour after you earn the PMP certification. Successful candidates typically use multiple study aids, undergo PMP training, take courses, join study groups, and indulge in self-study. On average, those who achieve the landmark accreditation say that they have prepared for a minimum of 35 hours but generally have done much more. Make sure there is enough time for this.

How to Prepare for the PMP exam

The PMP exam is very similar to taking the exam in a computer testing center. There are two things that are different. They are the online check-in process and that it is a proctored exam. You as an examinee are proctored by a remote proctor who uses your microphone and webcam for this purpose.

The internet has numerous free PMP sample questions available. A Google search is the most you have to do to access them. However, you must be forewarned that you should be very careful. Free mock questions don’t always give you the best. The ones you pay for have more credibility. Before you are ready to tackle the exam, it is advisable to answer many samples of each question type.

The number of PMP exam takers has increased tremendously, which means that the PMP exam preparation is of paramount importance. The pyramid is steep and competition has risen more than ever before. Stay calm! With a systematic approach, you can still master the syllabus. A combination of effort, dedication, and guidance is bound to help you overcome the challenge of passing the PMP certification exam.

7 Key Tips To Ace PMP® Exam

1. The PMBOK® Guide – Master it!

Many aspirants as part of PMP training refer to the PMBOK® Guide as a go-to reference book. Have a clear mission and chalk out a plan. For example, studying one topic of the PMBOK® Guide a week is a focused way to manage your PMP exam prep. After you have thoroughly gone through the guide read other reference books. This facilitates an in-depth understanding of each knowledge area. You could also break the subject area down further to absorb the information to the best you can. This helps to envision the finish line and take the PMP exam prep in small steps. Setting weekly study milestones is another smart way to amplify PMP exam prep.

Ascertain whether you have the latest version of the PMBOK® Guide. By the time you have read through the study material in the guide thrice, you would have registered the concepts. From now on it will then be easier to absorb the subject matter and learn the formulas and processes.

2. Refer Other Exam Prep Books

After you study each aspect from the PMBOK® Guide book you will need a breather. Then you can think of referring to other credible PMP® exam prep books. A good PMP® textbook is a must. In-depth preparation material will certainly make your efforts worth it. Reference books suggest that future contenders start from scratch before going to higher-level nuances that deal with inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs. This can be a challenge. However, when you start with the reasons why a process is used, the components of the process, and the application of it, it just becomes easier.

3. PMP Exam Prep Workshop Through Accredited Providers

Prominent accredited registered providers conduct workshops and PMP training as a run-up to earning PMP certification. There are options to take a classroom setting or a one-on-one interface. This will connect you to other aspiring project management professionals. You could also get a PMI membership. Another advantage of attending a workshop is the fulfillment of the 35-contact-hours requirement that’s a prerequisite for applying to take the PMP exam. Enrolling in a PMP® certification course is a good idea to build a concrete base in project management with the know-how in plenty.

4. Online PMP Training Program for PMP Certification

Online courses were steadily gaining popularity. But today’s unsettling global health crisis has catapulted the demand for these courses up a notch. Enrolling for an online PMP Certification Training program with in-depth e-learning modules is valuable as a part of your preparation for the PMP certification. These days online courses are in abundance. They are flexible and can be managed within your routine. Also, they are inexpensive, time-saving, and convenient. Compare the various courses before you embark on one. Reviews and testimonials will give you a good start.

One of the high-quality programs is Henry Harvin’s PMP Certification Training Course taught by industry experts. The in-depth e-learning modules satisfy all the requirements of the learner. The live project, unique pedagogy, world-class trainers and end-to-end engagement makes it an extremely credible course to enroll in. The PMP training course is accredited by the PMI and Henry Harvin is a registered training provider. Check the course curriculum.

5. Flash Cards

Digital or paper flashcards are an economical, convenient, and fool-proof way of studying for the PMP exam. Your creativity can be utilized in the best way that suits you to improve learning and retain what you have studied.

6. A Local Chapter to find Study Groups

A local chapter closest to where you reside will help you connect with a study group or join a discussion forum. This is of great use to help you prepare. It is a logical way to start your PMP training.  If you are the kind to extend a helping hand to others, this is the right place to be in. You can also address your unanswered queries and update yourself to numerous suitable resources. This method is also time-saving.

7. Online PMP Exam Simulators or PMP Mock Exams

Sign up for a PMP exam simulator. It is one of the best ways to practice sample question papers. It is easily accessible over the internet. The flexibility a simulation offers helps you manage your schedule efficiently. The PMBOK® Guide is a good reference book to check whether the questions are the latest. The questions you attempt should be a good mix of all the types of questions and the concepts from the PMBOK® Guide must be learned well.

PMP® simulators are a great way to practice exams. The format is the same as the actual PMP® exam. They aim to replicate the exam environment. After continuous practice, you will be confident and calm on the day of the exam. This is a great way to measure your level of preparation. A simulation is a fabulous way to familiarize yourself as part of the PMP exam preparation.

To learn about the different types of questions in the exam, practice them by using an authentic PMP Exam simulator. Decipher the real question from each of these question types. This will increase the odds of opting for the right answer from the choices provided. The process includes, refreshing your memory and, implementing the theory that you have learned. Also, your project management experience will be beneficial for the whole exercise.

PMP exam simulators are popular. Prospective candidates are also exposed to project management in different sectors, for example, project management in healthcare.

Important Note

If you are not quite ready or just learning about the PMP? You may want to wait to take the new exam on or after 2 January 2021. There have been significant changes due to the COVID-19 situation. Here are some ways to help you prepare for the new exam:

• Learn about the PMP Exam Updates

• Review the 2021 PMP Exam Content Outline

• Take this new online, self-paced course

• Check the latest edition of the guide book

How Will You Know That You Are Ready?

PMI® does not specify how many questions must be answered correctly to clear the exam.  It is prudent to work out the maximum number of sample questions and answer at least 85 percent correctly. This score looks good to go. Of course, do not stop studying until the final day! Constantly focus on trouble spots and improve your score. In this competitive world, you never know what the cut-off is likely to be

Conclusion

After you pass your certification exam, the end is not yet in sight. There will be interviews to appear for. This requires a certain amount of preparation. Every job interview is different from the other. For those with a PMP certification, some significant questions will most likely be asked during your interview. Once you have passed the exam and attained your PMP® credential, the credential will need to be renewed periodically. The following are required for the maintenance of your certification.

• The Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program is designed to help develop the skills and to continuously maintain your certification status.
• Professional Development Units (PDUs) are one-hour blocks of time that are utilized to spend learning, teaching others, or volunteering. Track these for over three years to maintain your certification status with PMI.
• Renew Your Certification

Wish you good luck with the PMP Exam!

Recommended Reads:

• Top 9 Project Management Courses in Kolkata
• PMP certification exam cost
• TOP 20 PMP Exam Questions and Answers
• Is PMP Certification Worth It in India?
• 10 Best PMP CERTIFICATIONS IN SINGAPORE

Also Check this Video

FAQ’s

 

Q1. How do I complete the application?

Ans : Applications are done online. It is easily available. Make sure there are no mistakes.

Q2.  What supporting documentation should I send with my application?

Ans : No document should be sent unless specifically asked case by case.

Q3. Is the PMP exam available in languages other than English?

 Ans: Yes. Please check the respective certification handbooks for more details.

Q4. What if I fail the exam?

 Ans:  You can re-take it two more times. There is a one-year eligibility period. 

Q5. Should I pay fees for every re-examination?

 Ans:  Yes. 

 

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