Project management professional certification is the most sought-after credential in project management. The PMP^® Certification exam is notoriously difficult, with a passing rate of less than 70% on the first attempt. However, with consistent learning and practice, you can turn these statistics in your favor and earn the golden ticket to the most prestigious certification in the field.

If you’re willing to appear for the PMP^® exam in 2023 and don’t know where to get started, this is your comprehensive guide on “how to prepare for the PMP^® Certification.” Keep scrolling to learn everything about the PMP^® Certification exam in 2023:

Steps to Prepare for the PMP^® Certification Exam

Let us get this straight: the 81% cut-off is not an easy nut to crack, but perpetual studying and awareness of the exam dynamics can get you PMP^® Certified. Make study plans for your PMP^® exam and consistently put effort into achieving the goal. Once you go through this grinding, the results on the other side of the tunnel will be rewarding in the long term. So, let’s explore the steps you can take to be best prepared for the exam:

Step 1. Understand The PMP Exam Content Thoroughly

To get started on the right foot, you need to understand the dynamics of the PMP® Exam 2023. The PMP® Examination Content Outline is a document issued by PMI that will help you go through the outline of the PMP® exam thoroughly. The record will show you the question weights for each project management domain. It also covers the list of skills and knowledge required as per PMI’s Role Delineation Study. This PMP® exam content outline will give you a solid foundation to build your study plan.

Step 2. Enroll In A Formal Study Course Offered By Reps, Registered Education Providers

PMI has authorized a few institutes to offer high-quality and standardized project management training. These institutes are called REPs or Registered Education Providers. By taking formal training at REPs, you learn from experienced and qualified instructors who can help you prepare better for the exam. You get end-to-end training at these institutes that can help you cover your exam syllabus more efficiently. REPs also provide relevant study material and resources to help you get covered with exam prep.

Besides, by enrolling in a REP, you can fulfill the 35 hours of qualified project management training, which is one of the eligibility criteria to appear for the PMP exam.

Step 3. Study The PMBOK Guide And Other Preparation Guides

Studying the PMBOK guide is vital before taking the PMP exam. PMBOK is a set of standard terminology, characteristics, and guidelines for project management across all industries. This internationally recognized guide consists of the most up-to-date practices in the project management field. Organizations swear by the standards of PMBOK to achieve professional excellence in their projects. PMBOK suggests tools and techniques for each process.

Thus, it becomes crucial that you go through PMBOK thoroughly to be well-prepared for the PMP exam. On page 61 of this guide, you’ll find a table that shows the relationship between 13 knowledge areas and five process groups with 47 processes. Memorize this table thoroughly until you can draw the table on a piece of paper in under 5 minutes. This table will act as a reference for answering the 200 questions in the exam.

Step 4. Create A Study Plan

Whether you enroll in a REP or self-study for the PMP® exam, planning is essential. The PMP® exam syllabus is vast and has five domains. You need to divide your study plan in a way that covers all aspects of your PMP® exam. Devise your study plans according to your strengths and weaknesses, and give chunks of time to different domains and lessons accordingly. This should include going through PMBOK, practicing mock tests, and studying other materials.

Step 5. Take Mock Tests Regularly

This point could not be given enough emphasis. Studying for the PMP® exam is one aspect, and taking mock tests is a whole other aspect, and instead an important one. Studying the PMP® exam syllabus will provide you with the correct information and knowledge. However, that is not enough. The deal with the PMP® exam is to get most questions answered right in just 230 minutes. Taking a mock test in a simulated exam environment will help you become familiar with the time pressure faced in the actual exam.

Tips to prepare for the PMP^® Certification Exam

Along with your PMP exam preparation, practice the following tips to get the most out of your study sessions:

1. Study the PMBOK Guide inside out.
2. Gather the best PMP study material and resources, such as the PMP textbook, for studying.
3. Attend offline or online PMP Exam Prep Workshops.
4. Memorise with flashcards.
5. Participate in online study groups and discussion forums.

What is a PMP^® Certification?

PMP stands for Project Management Professional, and PMP^® Certification is issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP^® Certification is the gold standard of project management. It shows the credibility and ability of an individual to successfully manage people and business processes, execute plans, and undertake the responsibilities of a professional project. 

To get a PMP^® certificate, you must take a project management Certification exam.

Eligibility Criteria for PMP^® Certification

The Following are the PMP exam requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree or a global equivalent degree
2. At least three years of experience in project management, comprising at least 4500 hours of leading and managing a project and 35 hours of qualified project management training offered by PMI or any accredited Registered Education Providers (REPs).
3. If you have a high school diploma, You must showcase at least 7500 hours of experience in leading and managing a team and 35 hours of formal project management education by PMI or REPs.

About the PMP Exam

The PMP exam, or Project Management Professional Exam, is a comprehensive test to check the eligibility of a candidate in the field of project management. PMP^® Certification tests your synthesis of mainly three domains: people, business processes, and the business environment. You will be given situation-based and data-interpretation questions based on these domains. The questions in the exam cover predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches to project delivery.

The structure of the PMP exam is not as straight as any other exam. You’ll be asked 200 MCQ project management professional Certification exam questions, out of which 175 will be considered while scoring your marks, and 25 will be skipped. You never know which questions are missed. Thus, it is always a better idea to attempt all the questions. You get a total of 230 minutes to solve these MCQs.

You’ll need to get at least 141 out of 175 questions, which roughly translates to 80% of the cut-off.

PMP® Exam Syllabus

A group of project management domains makes up the PMP Exam syllabus. Each of these domains tests a different kind of skill and has  an extra of questions asked in the exam:

Preparing for the PMP® Certification Exam? 

Simpliaxis is your trusted partner for PMP^® certification exam preparation

Need practical tools, relevant resources, and foolproof training to prepare for the PMP exam? You’ve stumbled in the right place!Simpliaxis covers all the aspects of a project management course that will help you get one step ahead in becoming a successful project manager. Enroll in the Simpliaxis PMP^® Certification course and benefit from the following key features:

1. Four days of live interactive training sessions by trainers with more than a decade of experience in the project management field
2. Training is based on a comprehensive learning format based on PMBOK guidelines.
3. Earn a certificate for 35 hours of qualified project management training.
4. Get high-quality digital study resources curated by experienced PMI trainers.
5. 24/7 learning assistance and support

FAQs

1. Can I pass the PMP exam on the first attempt?

Although it is difficult to clear the PMP exam, it is not impossible to pass it on the first attempt.

2. How many questions can you get wrong on the PMP exam?

You must get at least 141 questions out of 200 to get roughly 81% in the PMP exam. This is an ideal score to pass the PMP exam.

3. What is the failure or passing rate of the PMP^® Certification exam?

 PMI doesn’t release any statistics about its credential exams. So, there is no way to find out the failure or passing rate of the PMP^® Certification exam.

4. How long should I prepare for the PMP exam?

 The PMP exam preparation period differs from individual to individual. The ideal time to finish PMP® exam preparation is approximately 2–6 months.

 Verdict 

According to the Project Management Institute, the median salary of a PMP^® certificate holder is 16% higher than that of those without the certification. Thus, this is the right time to pursue project management as a highly enriching career. To get a PMP^® Certification, you must pass a PMP exam that tests your knowledge and skills as a qualified project manager.

With 200 questions that needed to be answered within 230 minutes, the PMP exam is certainly not a cakewalk. However, with hard work, consistency, and a foolproof study plan, you can clear the exam with flying colors. It includes studying the PMBOK guide backward and forward and taking mock tests by heart. Join PMP^® exam workshops and study groups to better prepare for the exam.

Lastly, get standardized project management training and enroll at a well-renowned project management training institute such as Simpliaxis, which provides you with end-to-end project management training, exam preparation tools, study material, and a network that helps you get the most out of PMP^® certification exam preparation.

Explore our blog for in-depth insights into PMP^® FAQs. For a thorough understanding, check out our latest posts.