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How Hard Is It To Pass the PMP Exam?

A project management certification is no doubt a great boost to the project management (PM) career in terms of improved skills, career value, and remuneration.

The PMP certification procured by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is one most coveted credentials across the globe that demonstrates a professional’s skills, knowledge, and proficiency in project management.

However, many have considered the PMP certification exams a hard nut to crack and validly so. This article analyzes why the PMP examination is deemed difficult. We shall also offer valuable insights to candidates aspiring to take the exams.

First off, let’s understand what the PMP certification is all about and what changed recently.

What is PMP Certification?

PMP Certification, short for Project Management Professional certification, as mentioned above, is a designation offered by the Project Management Institute since 1984 that has over the years gained industry recognition as the project management standard of operation.

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The PMP credential is ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 certified. Many recruiters have come to appreciate the value of the PMP credential thus giving certified PM professionals preference over their peers for project management positions.

The PMP Examination

The PMP examination has since inception undergone several revisions to accommodate changing trends in the field of project management. The most recent revision took effect in January 2021. Let’s first look at what the exams looked like before the revision.

Previously, the PMP certification exams comprised 200 multiple-choice questions which included 25 pretest questions and 175 pretest questions to be attempted within four hours.

Even though the questions are multiple-choice, it is important to understand that the main aim of the exam is to test one’s understanding and real-life application of project management guidelines outlined in the PMBOK guide.

For this reason, how well one prepares will determine how well they score in the examination.

How Did the PMP Exams Change in 2021

In 2019, the Project Management Institute announced some changes to the PMP examination that was to take effect in July 2020. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes had to be postponed to January 2021.

As of January 2021:

Unlike the previous PMP examination that covered the project management life cycle, the new PMP exams cover three domains including:

People. Includes skills and activities around effective project team leadership.

Process. Enhancing the technological resources employed in managing and delivering a project.

Business environment. Refers to optimizing the connection that exists between an organization’s strategy and its projects.

Tests candidates’ understanding of a range of project management skills and methodologies including Agile and hybrid practices.

The PMP exams comprise more diverse types of questions including

Multiple-choice questions

Multiple-response questions

Matching questions

Hotspot questions

Fill-in-the-blank questions

The total number of questions in the examination reduces from 200 to 180 and the pretest from 25 to 5.

This means that the exams will now comprise 180 questions five of which are unscored as opposed to the previous 200 questions, 25 of which were unscored questions.

The examination should be taken within two hours and thirty minutes down from four hours.

An additional 10-minute break for computer-based exams and no scheduled break for paper-based exams.

PMP Passing Score

A valid gauge of the difficulty level of any examination is its scoring rate and the PMP examination is no different.

At the first attempt, the PMP certification exams scoring rate estimation has for a long time stood between 50% and 60% which translates to a 50%-40% failure rate, an indication that almost half of the candidates do not pass in their first attempt.

It is important to note that PMI does not indicate the passing or failure rates of the PMP certification exams on its website. The rates provided above are estimates made by course providers.

What Makes PMP Exams Difficult?

Given such low estimated passing rates, why do many candidates consider the PMP certification examination a difficult one?

Here Is Why PMP Exams Are Considered Difficult

The Structure and Complexity of PMI Exam Questions

While the main resource for studying for PMP exams is the PMBOK guide, examination questions are applied and not direct.

This means that more than testing your knowledge of project management content, examination questions test your understanding, reasoning, and application of PM theory outlined in the PMBOK guide in real-world situations.

Further, pass rates are determined by a psychometric analysis of the answers supplied by a candidate. Thus even with correct answers based on the PMBOK guide, a lack of understanding of the concepts may still lead to a failure.

An Extensive Project Management Syllabus

The project management syllabus is considered broad and comprehensive covering diverse skills and PM methodologies.

This puts a high demand on study and preparation. A candidate is expected to grasp concepts from all the domain topics to ace the exams with the first attempt as no one really knows what will be tested in the examination.

Varying Types of Exam Questions

PMP questions are generally complex, wordy, and of different types. It takes thorough preparation and simulation practice to master how to pick out the key points in the question and answer the different types of questions as expected.

Multiple choice and multiple response answers are sometimes quite tricky. You may need an eye for detail to select the right answer.

Time Management

Previously, the four-hour duration truly tested the candidates’ patience. With the current 2 hours, 30 minutes allowable for 180 examination questions, planning, and proper time management are very necessary.

Other Reasons Why Candidates Fail the PMP Exams on Their First Attempt Include

  • Many project managers prepare for and attempt the PMP certification exams amidst their busy schedules. This means that there is hardly enough time to prepare adequately for the exams.
  • Others assume that they have gathered enough industry experience to tackle the examination without much studying.

How To Ace the PMP Certificate Exams on the First Attempt

Aim Highest in Your PMP Exam 35 Contact Hours of PM Education

Before taking the PMP certification exams, candidates are required to undertake the 35-hour prep course. From the word go, take the prep course with the seriousness it deserves and go the extra mile to pass this course.

This course is intended to prepare you to take in theory and practical knowledge. Not passing this course is an indication that you are not prepared for the official PMP exam.

Ensure that you have selected a registered education provider (REP) to offer you PM training.

Study Resources

The main study resource of the PMP examination is the PMBOK guide. It helps to allow yourself adequate time to study this guide thoroughly and master concepts from all the domains that the examination will test.

Thus additional time should be spent studying not only the PMBOK guide but also other relevant study materials including Agile methodology content.

Simulated Exams and Practice Tests

In addition to adequately studying the theory in the PMBOK guide, it is essential to take simulation and practice tests as many times as possible.

This will not only help you to master the exam structure and how to tackle each question, but it will also give you an in-depth understanding of the project management content that you are studying and the skills required to understand the concepts.

Aim at a 75%–80% Pass in Your Simulation Exams

The beauty of taking simulated exams as many times as you can is that you will not only get comfortable with the exam structure, you can also practice passing these exams by 75%.

Note that PMP questions are typically tricky therefore learning how to tackle each type of question and managing your time well gives you an edge in the examination.

You’ll make many mistakes at first but with time improve your performance.

Forget the Pass/Fail Rate

You’ll soon realize that focusing on the pass or fail rate of the PMP exams only adds to your anxiety. How about focusing on the 75% pass in your practicals.

After all, PMP exams are graded in levels i.e proficient, moderately proficient, and below proficient.

In Conclusion

The importance of having a study schedule that works for you cannot be overemphasized. Plan your time well. How many hours can you dedicate to studying daily or weekly?

What is the most productive time for you to study? Which study resources do you plan to use for your studies? How much time will you devote to practical tests? Most importantly, stick to your study schedule.

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