The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions with four answer options each that must be completed within four hours. The passing score is 114 out of 175 questions answered correctly. Fees are $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. The exam covers the five process groups, nine knowledge areas, and professional and social responsibilities from PMI's perspective. It requires situational judgment and understanding over direct memorization. Common question types include situational, two correct answers, extraneous information, unfamiliar topics, and new approaches to familiar topics. Understanding PMI frameworks is essential to passing.

1. TIPS From Those Who Have Been There

2. Tips The Exam 200 multiple choice questions with four (4) answers per question. Questions are randomly selected from a computer database of thousands Maximum of four (4) hours to complete Passing score on the exam is now 114 out of 175, approximately 70% or better There is no penalty for wrong answers

3. Tips The Exam Fees: PMI members pay $405 Non-members pay $555 Exam must be taken within twelve (12) months of approval date

4. Tips The Exam Test requires significantly more than memorization. Almost half of the exam requires you to define what you would do in a given situation. The exam emphasizes the five (5) process groups, the nine (9) knowledge areas, and professional & social responsibility. Exam requires you to answer the questions from PMI’s perspective NOT the real world.

5. Tips The Exam Rarely will the answer be a direct quote from the PMBOK® Guide. Several questions will be series based (e.g. you must answer the 1st question correctly to have a chance at the next three (3) or four (4) questions. A small percentage of the questions will be basic of the inputs and outputs. Earned Value, PERT and CPM will almost certainly be on the test. About 10%-15% of the exam will require the use of formulas.

6. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Situational Questions – These questions require you to have “been there.” Example: You go to your normal Monday morning status meeting and find out one of your major deliverables from one of your teams will be late. What is the best thing to do? Ignore it maybe it will go away Discuss options with the customer Tell your boss You and the team identify alternatives

7. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Two Right Answers – These are questions that appear to have two correct answers. Usually these questions are asking what you would do as the very next thing and although there are many items that look close only one item would be done first. Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.16

8. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Extraneous Information – It is very important to realize that not all information included in a question should be used to answer it. Example: Experience shows that each time you double the production of doors, unit cost decreases by 10%. Based on this, the company determines that production of 3,000 doors should cost US $21,000. This case illustrates: Learning curve effects Law of diminishing returns 80/20 rule Parametric cost estimating Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.16

9. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Out of the Blue Questions – No matter how well you study, there will ALWAYS be those questions where you have no idea what the question is asking. Example: The concept of “optimal quality level is reached at the point where the incremental revenue from product improvement equals the incremental cost to secure it” comes from: Quality control analysis Marginal analysis Standard quality analysis Conformance analysis Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.16

10. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Words you have never heard before – Sometimes words that you have never heard before are used as possible choices. How many of you understand that a “perk” is an abbreviation for “perquisites?” Example: Parking spaces, corner offices, and access to the executive dining room are examples of: Perquisites Overhead Hertzberg’s “motivators” Entitlements Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.17

11. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions Where Understanding is important – In order to answer many of the questions on the exam, you must understand all the topics. Memorization is not enough! Example: The process of decomposing deliverables into smaller more manageable components is complete when: Project justification has been established Change requests have occurred Cost and duration estimates can be developed for each work element at this detail Each work element is found in the WBS Dictionary Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.17

12. Tips The Exam – Types of Questions New approach to known topic – There may be instances where you understand the topic but have never thought about it in the way the question describes. Example: In a matrix organization, information dissemination is MOST likely to be effective when Information flows both horizontally and vertically The communications flows are kept simple There is an inherent logic in the type of matrix chosen Project managers and functional managers socialize Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.17

13. Tips Recurring Themes PMI®’isms exist & it is critical you understand them… There is a basic assumption that you keep historical records for all your projects. You must understand the process of project management (what to do first, second, etc) You must not only understand the topics, but also why you should care about them. Everything should be coordinated with the stakeholders of a project and expectations managed Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.21

14. Tips Recurring Themes - PMI®’isms All roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined A project plan is not a Gantt chart A WBS is not an org. chart but they are wonderful! Project managers are awesome and must be very skilled! PMI does not support gold plating (adding extra functionality) Source: PMP® Exam Prep p.21

15. Tips The Exam – Why People Fail Belief that they can pass the test from their experience (not studying) A lack of PM experience Failure to read the questions Failure to read all of the choices Not trusting their knowledge Nervousness