MBA Or PMP: Which Do You Think is Profitable in 2022?

A common question we might have heard recruiters asking the candidates: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? And it’s high time we start asking ourselves where we would like to land in 5- or 10-years’ time.

A professional designation such as PMP or MBA certification is supposed to assist us in gaining a competitive edge in our career; hence, it should satisfy the below-given criteria:

• Make you more worthy for the job market
• Must have short and long-term benefits
• Should aid you in earning more.

Any kind of designation you consider must be evaluated based on these points. Ultimately, the answer will depend on your personal career preference, though there are a few facts a professional must consider before making a decision.

An Ocean of MBA Graduates

There was a time when an MBA degree was sporadic, a 2-year graduation degree that not many acquired. Moreover, there weren't many universities or colleges that provided the degree program.

But as the demand for MBA courses sky-rocketed, several education providers started providing short executive MBA courses, making it easier for a working person to get the degree and for those who could afford one.

At present, MBA courses are more surplus than ever before. This is because every college/institution has hoped into the MBA drive. Adding to this, the online education choice looks like an ocean of MBA graduates and courses.

However, is the sector all set for the massive wave of professionals? Apparently not. Professionals realize that their careers are static even after investing thousands of dollars and time to gain an MBA degree.

On the contrary, PMP works according to the industry requirements. Therefore, you get trained in the sector of your choice to fulfill a specific need of the vertical. Indeed, a PMP accreditation helps professionals develop their skills while working in the industry.

Another fact to consider - PMP is relatively a new program, and there aren't many PMP professionals in the job market compared to MBAs.

Stereotyping MBA Programs

MBA degrees are created to develop managers. Therefore, an MBA program can be stereotyped, hardly targeted on a specific vertical or functional field, which is its superior strength. Preferably, an MBA degree can find jobs in any industry vertical.

However, companies, especially technology giants, have recognized that they require more than just managers. They need professionals who understand and work with technologies.

So, what’s the solution that organizations have come upon? Will they hire professionals with a solid technical background and lack leadership and management potential?

The answer to this is the PMP credential, where individuals attain technical knowledge and managerial skills. Professionals with the certification are immediately recognizable to recruiters as someone with actual skills. In addition, the PMP certification training offers specialized expertise that an MBA lacks and has a higher value in the job market.

MBAs Cost a Fortune

How much does an MBA degree cost? Probably worth a king's ransom. A good grade MBA course can cost you around $100,000.

However, when we compare PMP and MBA costs of education, PMP certification turns out to be relatively budget-oriented. The average expense of PMP is $2,000.

Another thing to consider is that MBA takes more educational hours than a PMP certification. Moreover, the average salary of an MBA in the US is $105,684, while that of a PMP is around $112,000.

Once the professionals are done with their PMP training, the certification holders get more handsome remuneration than an MBA holder at 1/50th the price.

The State of the Economy

The last decade has been a white knuckle, and the organizations have been pressurized to evolve for survival. As a result, many companies have become leaner, meaner firms, while those who failed to make changes have fallen out.

That being the case, recruiters are looking for professionals suitable for their company's portfolio, individuals with hard-earned competency who can exhibit leadership in their selected areas. Hence, it's not surprising why organizations recruit PMP-certified project managers these days.

What Do You Think: PMP, MBA, or Both?

Now that you've got an idea of why PMP is more advantageous than an MBA in an organization, the ultimate choice to decide is yours.

But there are few benefits to an MBA that a PMP certification can't match. For example, MBA programs teach business theories and practices that aren't covered in a PMP certification training. Moreover, if you acquire an MBA degree from a reputed college/university, you get access to good networking opportunities.

In contrast, obtaining a PMP credential prepares the candidate for what is known as the rapidly growing profession in the modern world. It needs a professional to have sound work experience, which the accreditation then builds upon. As a result, the certification makes you job-ready.

In the Erewhon world, you should aim for both the credentials, and this is the choice several individuals are making - MBAs are acquiring PMP accreditation and vice versa. Having both is sure to make you an all-rounder in any verticals.

About US

If you're looking for PMP certification training, explore iCert Global's training courses to aid you prepare for the PMP credential test. Our courses are conducted by certified lecturers and they are designed to help you pass the exam on the first attempt.

Gain an in-depth understanding of project management and learn how to manage challenging ones with our Project Management Training course now.

How does PMP Training of Employees Benefit Organizations?

Project management is an in-demand career field as it's not bound to a certain industry and has an exponential increase in job opportunities across various sectors worldwide.

If you want to benefit from the ocean of opportunities, you will have to put your best. Certification in project management can help the professional become fruitful in the work and organization they work for.

A stepping stone toward a project management career is Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by PMI, a globally renowned and prestigious credential that benefits employees and organizations.

If you are a manager in education, construction, healthcare, IT, and more, you should go for a PMP training program to gain a competitive edge at your workplace. Being an international recognition credential, the PMP exam is not a piece of cake to crack, but it's never impossible with adequate support.

PMP Training Benefits to the Workforces

1. Global Recognition: If you want the freedom of choice to work in any part of the world with your current educational certification, PMP is the right path for you. It is one of the globally recognized credentials by PMI with an excellent reputation and handsome remuneration for the project managers in any industry vertical.

2. Salary Perks: Through PMP training and certification, professionals can earn a higher salary package. In addition, the training offers insights and expertise to professionals, which they can leverage to stay ahead in the career race. A PMP-certified holder earns over 22% more than their non-certified peer.

3. Credibility: If you want to create an impression among your peers and employers, your resumes need to be eye-catching. With the PMP credential badge, you leave a mark even before appearing for the interview. In every industry vertical, there is a criterion of professionals who constantly upgrade their knowledge and potential. PMP is a first step that can drastically change your management and technical career.

4. Challenging Tasks and Projects: If you're a project manager looking for challenges at work, you need to start working to achieve your PMP accreditation. With the credential, you get the opportunity to face novel challenges in your work area. The training program aids in building up the potential to tackle these challenges efficiently.

5. Meet the Industry Criteria: All industries have project managers, IT, automobiles, construction, or healthcare. In all these verticals, there is always a demand for skilled and qualified managers who can efficiently oversee business operations. PMP credential training conveys valuable knowledge to individuals, beneficial in significant industries.

6. Job Security: If you ask any industrial professional, 'What is your biggest concern working in the specific industry?' their answer will be job security. There are several reasons why the workforce lost their jobs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main reasons is 'Automation.' Despite everything else, a wide gap exists between the demand and availability of skilled professionals. Though there is no specific percentage of job security for managers; however, PMP certified holders have a better job position and safety than non-holders.

PMP Training Benefits to Companies

All organizations wish to excel their competitors, and there is a constant demand to recruit skilled professionals. A company that hires PMP-certified holders gets the following advantages:

1. More Value: A manager who has taken a PMP training program adds more value to the organization they are working for. In addition, recruiting certified professionals assures the organizations that their business projects are with the right person.

2. Deliver Successful Projects: A project may fail for several reasons, such as the inability to meet customers' demands, unrealistic schedules, insufficient resources, monetary concerns, etc. However, with a PMP training program, individuals get to tackle projects with top-notch efficiency, insights, and acuteness. This gives the project to be managed with few errors and greater responsibility

3. Enhanced Work Culture: With certified holders leading and directing projects in a company, the workforces working under them get to acquire many experiences and knowledge. In addition, the approaches adopted by these managers to tackle projects offer an excellent example for their peers, thereby enhancing the work culture overall.

PMP certification is a resource that benefits the people acquiring the credential and the companies recruiting these individuals, as the certification does offer tremendous value in the project management world.

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

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Is It Worth Acquiring a Project Management Certification?

Whether or not you should acquire a project management certification depends on where you want to head with your career. Generally, project management is practiced as a discipline within a former position, i.e., project managers are rarely just project managers. Instead, they may be IT experts or external contractors who assist in managing projects in addition to their actual crucial roles.

Project management roles gradually develop out of your current job position most of the time. For instance, you are working for a print publication, where you must ensure that the marketing department has placed the advertisements correctly. You might not consider yourself a project manager; however, prompting prerequisites is a massive part of what project managers execute.

If you can determine tasks in your existing working environment that qualify as project management responsibilities and precisely communicate how they might aid you in a full-time position, you will impress hiring managers.

Some qualifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP) and PRINCE 2 are considered renowned and industry standards. You will be at a disadvantage if you don't possess one.

If nothing else, a certification in any project management course is a seamless method of showing the recruiters that you got both - the skills and knowledge needed to oversee projects and complete them within the timeline and budget.

Can I Get a Job with Project Management Certification?

Demonstrating your abilities is significant to set yourself apart from other peers or participants in the corporate world. Even if you have the necessary experience in project management, undergoing a certification course in the field will undoubtedly improve your current skills and knowledge.

The enhanced skill sets will increase your career prospects and help you create a rapid shift to the project manager role. In addition, the organizations prefer these managers with accreditation from a reputed training institute or college and are given ample remuneration for their potential to derive critical business values.

Project managers with a valid certification earn 16% more than their non-certified peers.

There are many scopes for career development for beginners and senior personnel by acquiring the proper project management credential.

After achieving the credentials, let us see some of the project management designations you acquire.

• Project coordinator
• Project manager (construction, engineering, healthcare, law, IT, environmental research, and architecture)
• Chief operation manager
• Social media manager
• Marketing manager'
• Operations manager
• Program manager
• Portfolio manager

If you don't have any relevant experience in the project management industry, don't worry. You can still find roles in the field that might not need special training.

These roles will be of low risk, i.e., you will have to manage small teams, and the only resource you receive is the skills brought in by your teammates. It's not much; however, working your way up will guarantee by the time you start managing challenging projects.

How Long is Project Management Course?

The duration of project management programs depends on what level of accreditation you're striving for. Most courses might take over a week, including the examination. Then, depending on the qualification, you might choose to opt for an online program.

Some advanced programs need routine peer-review or tests by an external board. In these scenarios, the procedure can take at least a month. However, these advanced courses aren't mandatory for most industry verticals but are suited to project managers interested in management theory.

Are Project Managers on Demand?

The demand for project managers is sky-rocketing. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI) report, there will be 22Mn new project management job openings through 2027.

One of the reasons why project managers are in demand is their ability to switch jobs almost at will. The wide range of options that project managers have in finding the right fit is never-ending. Qualified professionals can work as freelancers, shifting from one project to the next, or can focus on a particular sector to build experience.

Hence, project managers are required in a wide range of industry verticals. Although there are pretty popular in the IT sector, project-related work is also common in finance, manufacturing, business service, construction, oil & gas, and utility sectors across the globe.

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

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How Six Sigma Reduces Stress in Daily Life?

Although stress can be harmful to your health, it can also be beneficial. Stress motivates people to succeed, builds resilience, boosts immunity in the short term, and makes life more meaningful. However, this benefit depends on how you handle stress.

Stress can lead to various health problems, including hypertension, insomnia, and depression, making you less productive at work and causing problems in your relationships.

While there are many ways to alleviate stress, one of the most effective is Six Sigma. Here's how it works.

Yields Increased Productivity

When you are overwhelmed by tasks, you may not have enough time to relax. Being efficient means completing jobs on time and with the least effort. Six Sigma has a tool called DMAIC that can help you optimize processes in your daily life by eliminating inefficiencies.

DMAIC is an acronym. D stands for define, M stands for the measure, A stands for analyzing, I stand for improving, and C stands for control. It allows you to apply a simple framework to your daily household tasks, such as vacuuming the living room, laundry, and feeding your pets. In the end, you will have less stress on your mind.

The DMAIC methodology lets you identify unnecessary steps in a process and eliminate them so that the remaining steps become much more effective. You can apply this approach to many different methods, making it a valuable tool for organizations to improve efficiency.

Make the most of your space.

When you have a messy space, it can lead to stress. You might constantly think about what needs to be done and disrupt your relaxing ability. This low-grade stress can drain your energy, making you less productive in other areas of life.

The Six Sigma approach to creating an organized space has five steps: Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize and Sustain. For example, if you want to make your home a more relaxing place, these steps will help you get started:

Sort: Go through all your belongings and decide what should stay and go.

Set: Put the remaining items in a logical order that is efficient and convenient. For example, you may want to arrange them by type or frequency of use or where they can be stored.

Shine: This step involves putting everything back in its proper place and cleaning the house.

Standardize: Keeping your home clean and organized is easier when you have a disciplined routine. For example, you might choose to create a cleaning schedule and assign each room a day of the week or create a list of tasks by room.

Sustain: Sustain is about keeping things tidy and organized. The idea is to involve everyone in the process because everyone can help with 5S and motivate them to keep it going.

Can you use six Sigma to solve real-life issues?

Absolutely! Lean and Six Sigma provide creative ways to solve real-life problems and deal with them effectively.

It allows you to look at problems in new ways and find solutions you may not have thought of before.

Here are six ways that you can use the six-sigma methodology in your personal life:

• It helps you maximize your time in bed by minimizing distractions and improving sleep quality.
• Increase your productivity at home or the office.
• Cut unnecessary costs from your budget.
• Reducing downtime is a waste-reduction effort.
• Improve your relationships with other people, finding life more enjoyable.
• Create a balance you feel at ease with.
• Enhance your leadership capabilities and develop a sense of responsibility.
• You get to do your job the way you would like to do it, and when you are done, you can feel good about the work you have done.

Conclusion

Six Sigma helps the practitioner in reducing stress in everyday life. Jobs related to Six Sigma help reduce stress levels to a great extent. These jobs are very persuasive as they pay well and are convenient for a Six Sigma practitioner to work and remain motivated.

That's many numbers, but the key takeaway from six Sigma is that it can help reduce your stress levels and make your daily life more efficient. The more you try these ideas out and practice them, the more natural they'll become. And with that, you can increase your efficiency even further—and reduce stress along the way.

Six sigma optimization is a systematic approach to continuous improvement and managing processes more efficiently. The programs focus on reducing defects and improving quality while increasing productivity and are a great way to decrease stress left over from your day.

Six Sigma is a technique and methodology for improving business. For those who are unclear about this idea and insistence, it is time to get things clear so that you can understand how it works. Start by taking a look at what the six Sigma is. This phrase is called the DMAIC, abbreviated as a process for Six Sigma to improve and enhance the quality of work.

If you take nothing else away from this, Six Sigma is about reducing variability, not eliminating it. In other words, it should be a methodology that you confidently incorporate into your everyday routine, one which will help you effectively reduce stress levels while increasing your overall quality of life.

In the end, six Sigma can make a real difference in your life. It's not just a bunch of jargon or empty promises. It's not an impossible goal, although it takes dedication and persistence. The main takeaway from this whole piece? Focus on the process, not the end product. Let six Sigma be your guiding light to getting there, and you'll do fine.

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How Business Process Management (BPM) Relates to Six Sigma?

Businesses often stop and start reflecting on their work processes - determining different ways to improve efficiency. The Business Process Management (BPM) and Six Sigma's DMAIC methodology can help organizations find these chances.

Operational Excellence is a management ideology that stresses the application of a variety of methodologies, such as BPM and Lean Six Sigma, toward sustainable improvement. 

It is based on a long-term change in organizational culture rather than just focusing on specific events.

A blend of business process management (BPM) and Lean Six Sigma can boost a company's performance in the long term. This is because BPM emphasizes process improvements and automation to drive performance improvement. At the same time, Lean Six Sigma uses statistical analysis to drive quality improvement. 

Although the two methodologies are sometimes conflicting, some companies that bring them together have noted more remarkable overall improvement than before.

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a set of practices and principles used to enhance the quality of products or services and minimize expenses. At Motorola in the 1980s, they began leveraging Six Sigma to improve the quality of their products and services.

Today, many successful companies use the principles refined over the years by adding Lean principles and improving them over time.

By implementing a systematic, rigorous routine, companies can become more efficient and increase customer satisfaction, which increases profits.

Lean Six Sigma is an approach to business that gives attention to details, from the small to the large. It involves five levels of activity:

Philosophy: The commitment to zero defects means making decisions based on complex data and customer focus.

Make the customer your focus: meeting or exceeding their expectations

Metrics: To make process outcomes defect-free, we focus on statistics. Otherwise expressed as 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

Methodology: The structured approach uses business rules to model the most important metrics and then apply them to find an appropriate solution to the problems.

Processed Based: The flaws found in a product or service are due to deficiencies in the production process.

Lean Six Sigma is a method of solving business problems. It helps organizations reduce waste, become more efficient, and delight their customers.

It's also an intensive process that offers measurable results, and it's a great way to learn mathematics and statistics.

Lean Six Sigma is a great way to achieve successful business management. By following the five-step DMAIC process, businesses can achieve goals, avoid waste, and continue to improve.

During the Define phase, you will define project goals and boundaries, identify the issues that need to be addressed, and clarifies how to achieve higher sigma levels.

The Measure phase of the Six Sigma strategy helps you better understand your current processes by acquiring information and determining what works and what doesn't.

The Analyze phase of the Six Sigma quality effort aims to identify the reason for the quality problem and document the root cause with relevant data.

To address the problems identified during the previous phase, try implementing these solutions from the Improve phase.

In the Control phase, you can evaluate and monitor the previous step's results.

You need first to identify a problem in your company or industry and then examine how it came about. Next, identify methods to fix the problem. Of course, Six Sigma is a very aggressive goal. However, if your organization works at less than three Sigma now, you should understand that a shift from 2 Sigma to 3 sigma means a ten-fold improvement in defects and errors.

Business Process Management

First, let's learn a little about Business Process Management. BPM uses four steps to create better processes and improve performance. The steps are as follows:

• Documenting the process from start to finish is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your choices and the work you produce along the way.
• Keep track of the process's performance and use your findings to help the process run more smoothly.
• Make improvements to improve quality, efficiency, customer satisfaction, etc.
• Manage the process through communication, feedback, and accountability.

Business process management (BPM) is closely linked to business process automation, which depends on software applications to streamline and automate processes.

BPM enables links between multiple departments or groups at the software level that affect processes. At its highest level, BPM expands to an enterprise-wide system.

This level combines software and IT aspects with management practices to address broad structural and systemic issues within a business or organization.

Business Process Management (BPM) allows companies to measure and analyze their value chain processes systematically, thus allowing them to see how changes to these processes affect their bottom line. The Six Sigma approach is a process improvement methodology that relies on BPM and has been proven to allow companies to achieve dramatic results.

BPM and Six Sigma Combined to Maximize Efficiency in Your Organization.

BPM and Lean Six Sigma can be merged to create a powerful synergy. As a result, your entire workflow will focus on quality and operational excellence by leveraging both practices.

BPM is excellent at analyzing data and workflow and at establishing complex processes.

However, it is not as strong at giving immediate feedback about the performance of a large number of similar techniques or procedures with many variables.

Lean Six Sigma fills this gap by providing detailed information regarding process performance with its rigorous statistical methods.

Business Process Management (BPM) and Six Sigma both represent significant commitments for a company, so it's helpful to remember that you don't have to implement either business initiative in its entirety right away.

By taking on some smaller projects first and moving into more enormous transformations over time, companies can keep things manageable while still reaping the rewards of using BPM and Lean Six Sigma.

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Prepare for Project Manager Interview | Top Questions with Answers 2022

A project manager interview can be strenuous, especially when the participants aren't familiar with or unsure what to expect. There are many unknowns; however, focusing on critical areas and providing accurate solutions to the questions based on them during the procedure helps you get selected.

HR managers and senior heads acknowledge project management as crucial to business success. They understand that potential and approved project managers are among their most essential assets.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports that in the US, around $122Mn gets wasted for every $1Bn invested because of poor project management. However, when recruiting certified project managers, things get a bit challenging, and participants are reviewed in various methods.

Here are the top project manager interview questions that recruitments are sure to ask, followed by how to answer - helping you be the right fit for the role.

Project Manager Interview Questions 2022

Q1. How will you define an ideal project?

One of the most significant project management questions often asked during the interviews is to get an idea of the projects you wish to take up.

By answering the question, you will create a new door of opportunities to manage projects that fascinate you or those you are proficient in.

While answering, ensure you add multiple relevant points such as whether you're interested in working as a team or alone, the type of timelines you prefer, whether you like creative projects, and more.

Q2. How do you prioritize project tasks?

Irrespective of a project's scope and size, prioritization is crucial in determining a project's success and timely completion. Therefore, this type of question tests your adaptability and flexibility in managing a project.

When the interviewer asks you to define task prioritizing, your answer must include how you differentiate significance and short turnaround time. You can elaborate on what is essential and what not to consider.

Q3. Describe a scenario where the project you were managing underwent a downfall.

Downfalls are common when managing a project. Therefore, recruiting managers will want to know how you overcome such a scenario.

Since dealing with unpredictable situations is a central part of project management, you can highlight a few instances and mention how you include change methods in the project.

First of all, start with the facts of the scenario and why it happened. Secondly, explain what tasks you were expected to do to solve the situation. Next, describe what your role was and how you solved the issue. Last but not least, share the result, and explain what you learned from the experience.

Q4. According to you, what is the most desired skill a successful project manager must have?

If you're expertise in the project management field, you may know that no single skill is enough to become successful in the industry.

To become a successful project manager, one must possess several skills like communication, negotiation, time management, and leadership.

To give an accurate answer, you must justify why you choose a specific skill - including a few examples to state your answer.

Q5. How will you resolve internal team member conflicts?

By asking this question, the interviewer is trying to understand your mediation skills and how unbiased you're while making decisions to deal with internal conflicts.

You can describe why listening to both parties and understanding their vision is necessary. Your answer must include how you will convince either to reach the best conclusion for the project at hand.

Q6. Can you distinguish risk from issues? What are the different kinds of risks we come across in a project?

Risk is an uncertain future event that will either positively or negatively affect the project objectives. Issues indicate any scenario that currently involves the project goals. In a more straightforward form, risks target future events, while the issue is all about present occurrences that are often negative.

The major types of risks are:

• Cost
• Strategic
• Technology
• Market
• External
• Operational
• Resource

Q7. What are the approaches you may use to define a project scope?

Here, the interviewer tries to understand your insight on the concerned area. You can highlight various approaches involved in defining project scope, such as:

• Requirement analysis
• Alternatives analysis
• System analysis
• Product breakdown
• Value analysis
• Systems engineering
• Value engineering

Q8. When would you escalate an issue?

An escalation of an issue take place, if:

• The issue creates a project delay or budget overrun.
• Attempting to reach a deal and develop a common ground with concerned authority.
• Previous leveraging of trial and fail approach to solve the issue with several approaches.
• Due to issue, you or other team members are forces to accept massive work.

Q9. Describe your experience in budget management.

Recruiting managers may ask questions on various skills such as budget management. In most cases, it's not a deal-breaker if you've no prior experience; they're just trying to understand where you stand.

Budget management includes estimating the cost, allocating funds, maintaining expense records, and planning unexpected expenses.

If you have experience in budget management, it's great to pitch in a few scenarios. If you don't have much experience, you can share what you know of budget planning or speak about an experience you had in your personal life of managing expenses, if relevant. It's also good to highlight that you're good to go with new skills.

Q10. How will you describe a project plan?

For this type of question, start with explaining crucial factors for a project plan, such as team members, targets, and tasks. You can go further in-depth by stating a few examples of how you implemented the elements in the past.

Q11. State some communication challenges you faced on the last project?

For a successful project completion, project managers must communicate with team members. Unfortunately, during this process, the chances of misinformation or other communication-related issues are enormous.

The hiring manager wants to see how you tackled these challenges seamlessly and effectively as a project manager. It needs to be clear that you were able to work with your team efficiently with these obstacles, and the project outcome came out pretty good.

Q12. What are your project and career objectives for the next 6 months?

If you've any short-term project objectives, speak about them, as it shows the hiring manager that you're a dedicated and goal-oriented professional. When it comes to career objectives, ensure that you include the organization you're interviewing with as part of your targets.

If the interview is with a job placement recruiter, you might not have a particular firm in mind, and that's fine. You need to be honest and transparent about what type of role you will like to see yourself in the next six months or more.

Q13. How will ensure that the project is on track?

The recruiters might want to know how you track the project progress and whether you’re detailed-oriented.

Therefore, you will have to describe how you monitor a project from beginning to end. For instance, you will have to highlight that effective communication is a key to ensuring projects are on track.

Q14. How do you monitor and control changes to your project?

Some levels of change are inexorable. However, as a project manager, it's crucial to acclimatize those alterations rapidly. Explain to the hiring managers how you continue to maintain your team on track whenever a change occurs.

Q15. Mention some best practices you have leveraged to build top-notch customer relations?

Current clients make the best loyal customers, and it's vital to keep superior relationships beyond just offering them what they paid for. The interviewer wants to know you feel the same, so as you describe the methods you have maintained superior customer relations, ensure to weigh the significance of having delightful customers.

Conclusion

Project management sometimes needs a good judgment call in a limited period. Therefore, though the questions mentioned above are short-numbered; however, we have selected the top and often asked interview questions for the project manager post.

Nonetheless, the interview questions cover the most effective project management skills and competencies that the participant will be tested on during a hiring procedure and will need to succeed as a project manager. 

6 Steps to Become a Project Manager

The project manager role can be a remunerating experience. They are responsible for organizing teams of individuals to achieve a specific objective, project, organization, and other firms.

A project manager must be versatile when leading and directing their team and have soft and hard skills. If you are organized and interested in pursuing considerable roles in your career, project management is the right call.

There are several methods to become a project manager. For instance, some people might go for project management education in school and directly apply to the field after graduation, while others become project managers by taking on more responsibilities in their current position or shifting from unrelated areas.

Whatever steps you wish to choose, here are 6 steps the enthusiasts must take into account to become a project manager.

How to Become a Project Manager?

I. Understanding the Project Management Skills, You Possess

If you have done planning, leading, directing, scheduling, budgeting, or even documenting a project's progress, you have done some essential aspects of project management.

Some might not have thought that organizing an event in a workplace or determining novel approaches to make the working environment more efficient was a part of project management during your earlier times. However, your prior experience might have given you the edge in a few skills that one will need as a project manager.

If you find you have gained quite a lot of experience, you can prepare yourself to apply for project manager jobs or even approach your current workplace head to highlight your interest in project management, and you're really looking forward to becoming one.

If you have experience of 3 years, you're eligible to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam powered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), thus, creating a massive wave of opportunities for you in the project management field.

II. Building Experience in Project Management

Many project managers get their head start in non-managerial roles in a team. For instance, IT project managers may work for an extended period as an IT associate or a business analyst supporting their IT team.

Their job role might significantly grow as they gain experience in the sector, take managerial positions, develop organizational skills, and learn how to work with their team members.

If you're among those trying to develop their project management skills, we recommend you begin the search in your current workplace. Whether you work in a pharmaceutical, retail store, construction, or restaurant, chances are pretty high as several things have to be planned, executed, or enhanced.

Though there might be instances where these tasks have to be performed, find out whether you can join in these efforts. If you can - approach your manager with ideas on how you'll contribute, and let them know your interest in building project management experience.

III. Developing Project Management Skills

What does it mean to be a good project manager?

Though an educational qualification or simply delivering a project manager's primary roles and responsibilities are significant.

But real game-changers behind great and successful project managers aren't just time, tasks, and technical prowess - it's the project management skills.

A lot goes into the list of project manager skills, but technical and soft skills definitely need refinement with many career choices.

Here are some of the complex and soft skills commonly seen in the project manager job role description:

• Risk Management
• Budgeting
• Timeline Planning
• Agile Project Management
• Scrum
• Communication
• Organization
• Leadership

You can develop the skills by taking programs related to the subject, acquiring certifications, or practicing them at your company.

IV. Sharpening Your Project Manager Portfolio

As you gain skills and experience in the project management field, take the time to sharpen your portfolio/resume. You can assess the project manager job description, from the entry-level to advanced roles, to identify what organizations are looking for.

Emphasize the qualifications you have that match the job criteria and prominently put them down on the resume. Use action verbs to highlight the work you executed in prior job roles, and if possible, point out any quantifiable results.

V. Search for Entry-level Job Roles

Step by step, working your path up the career ladder from within a team is not the only possible way to being a project manager. Several project managers get their head start in entry-level job roles to develop vital skills.

Some of the entry-level job positions are:

• Jr. Project Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Admin Associate
• Operations Coordinator
• Operations Associate
• Associate Project Manager

VI. Consider Getting a Project Management Accreditation

If you have worked as a project manager or want to get into that profession, you might wonder if getting a project management accreditation is worth the time and money.

The simple answer is YES, as the credentials offer several perks. For example, if you've worked in project management, certification can augment your knowledge and skills to shift to a more formal project management job position.

It can highlight your potential and help you stand out from the crowd, which is beneficial if you're new and looking for a project manager role or experience and love to get a promotion to enhance your career status.

Some of the project management credential that you can consider for a career boost are:

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
• ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

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Importance of Communication in Six Sigma

When Six Sigma is deployed, you'll have to deal with many organizational changes. Unfortunately, productivity and morale often suffer when there's a lot of difference. In addition, adapting to the new ways and learning to live with the "new normal" can bring out some fear in people. In those situations, communication becomes more critical than ever.

Communication during a Six Sigma project is vital to its success because the process requires a significant commitment from everyone in the organization. Management can overcome resistance to the change by communicating clearly and openly about both the benefits and the challenges of applying Six Sigma.

Six Sigma is a methodology that helps companies become more successful by improving productivity and eliminating problems and defects. For the program to be successful, businesses must communicate well. To establish six Sigma as a culture or strategy, everyone must be active and engaged in the processes and success of the company.

User support

By identifying the needs and goals of customers, companies can increase their revenues. This requires good communication between the company and the customer. Employees need to be skilled at communicating with customers to obtain information passed on to other company employees.

To sell a company's goods and services, a sales team must communicate the features and benefits of those products and services as clearly as possible. This will attract new customers.

Quantity and Quality

To ensure effective communication and a proper flow of information, organizations need to fix their issues related to transmitting messages and reports between employees and their managers. Simple, practical techniques, such as highlighting key points in documents, can make it easier for employees to do their jobs.

When Six Sigma is implemented in a company without fixing the communication problems, it will add to its problems. So first and foremost, companies must fix their communication problems before implementing Six Sigma.

Communication skills can help companies adopt training and protocols to assist their employees in explaining new ideas more efficiently. This will enable employees to create solutions for problems rather than creating problems for other employees.

Charts and Analysis

Six Sigma relies on statistics and mathematics to track progress and efficiently solve problems. It provides a concrete way to identify errors and improve processes. It also reduces speculation and useless planning conversations by using data to support arguments.

A team needs to be able to communicate to serve the clients well. The team needs to be able to explain how to implement the solutions and what each key is for. This way, every team member understands how every client relates to the company’s goals.

Since Six Sigma involves a commitment from every employee in an organization, communication skills training is essential for everyone to support the efforts of other employees and themselves.

How Six Sigma Benefits the Organization?

Six Sigma has proved to be a successful tool for organizations to recognize issues, remove the roots of mistakes or failures, and boost their business processes. Since its invention in 1986 by Motorola Company, Six Sigma has been broadly taken up by firms in different industries. Offered that emerging companies are listening and pleasing to client demands, the already developed companies may use Six Sigma concepts in accomplishing the never-ending objectives of enhancing the quality and reducing costs. Thus, six Sigma helps the organization in the following way:

Improving Your Time Management Skills

Time management is a critical element of business, with every minute representing money that can be made or lost. Six Sigma implementation helps people better manage their time, which generally leads to increased productivity. When Six Sigma principles are applied, employees present a set of goals that they strive to achieve.

Waste Reduction

Delays in production and high operation costs can often lead to waste. By managing waste, you ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. As a result, you can eliminate waste, reduce the possibility that your company will fade away, and improve processes that add value for the customer.

Boost Employee Morale

All companies want to have qualified and efficient staff. Motivation is one of the most effective methods for accomplishing this. When employees are motivated, they are more productive. Many companies have seen an increase in productivity by as much as 50% when they engage their employees fully. Organizations can create systems that motivate employees to perform their duties with Six Sigma tools. However, not all businesses are the same; what works for one company might not work for another company. Thus, Six Sigma will customize a system that motivates your employees specifically.

Generate Customer Loyalty

The demand for various products and services has caused customers to become very demanding and selective. In addition, the increasing globalization of companies has forced them to distinguish themselves from competitors by providing quality in their products and services at a reasonable price. Therefore, Six Sigma processes and methods are necessary for creating customer satisfaction. Furthermore, treating the quality defects that customers notice will show them that the organization is willing to improve to meet their needs.

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The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a highly-prized qualification prerequisite to many Six Sigma Black Belt projects. The Green Belt denotes that an employee has the necessary skill sets to implement the Six Sigma methodology.

Green Belt certification educates professionals on the tools necessary to implement a proven improvement methodology called “Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control.”

In addition, the individual earning a Green Belt certification is recognized as someone who can effectively use Lean and Six Sigma to streamline processes and reduce waste and variances.

Professionals with a Six Sigma Green Belt certification should have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of Six Sigma and be able to apply those principles daily.

Mid-level project managers, process engineers, specialists, and industrial engineers are all positions suitable for Green Belts.

The Six Sigma Green Belt is an expert in applying daily concepts to improve business operations. Many firms have found that the Green Belt can help improve many different areas of their business operations.

In addition, there are many career opportunities for the Six Sigma Green Belt because many companies hire people who can apply Six Sigma approaches to improve productivity and save money.

What is Lean Six Sigma Certification?

Six Sigma describes a Six Sigma Green Belt as someone who “has been trained on the improvement methodology of Six Sigma and will lead a process improvement or quality improvement team as part of their full-time job.”

Green Belt certification has significant value in the workplace. Certified professionals should take advantage of their position to enhance customer satisfaction and improve processes.

Companies may elect to promote Green Belt certification employees to a Black Belt position. However, professionals typically fill these positions with Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

The Need for Lean Six Sigma Green Belts

The Society for Human Resource Management says that Six Sigma data processing and process evaluation can help minimize HR costs and can be used to attract employees or optimize workplace satisfaction.

Employers seeking people with Six Sigma skills include many in the automotive, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics fields.

In addition, green Belt certification is a must for many workers in process engineering, quality control, and exhibition careers. Some of the top companies looking to fill Six Sigma positions include Hershey Company, IBM, Wells Fargo, Siemens, etc.

Six Sigma Green Belt Careers by Job Title

Green Belts are problem-solvers who focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. Green Belt jobs involve analyzing data and improving processes. Jobs for professionals with Six Sigma Green Belt certification include:

Process engineers support a company's leadership in evaluating internal processes. Their goal is to make processes more efficient so their organization can produce high-quality products. The median salary for a process engineer in 2016 was $70,876.

Continuous improvement specialists collect data and conduct root cause analysis to identify and coordinate ongoing improvement initiatives. Then, they make recommendations and share their findings with senior management.

Six Sigma consultants use project management skills and business acumen to analyze current processes, challenge business assumptions, and recommend changes to improve workflow and reduce waste.

Operational excellence managers work with team members to manage an organization's Lean Six Sigma initiatives. As a result, they play an essential role in the success of improvement projects.

Quality engineers are responsible for ensuring that the products their companies manufacture meet customer standards. In addition, they usually take part in day-to-day operations and long-term improvement planning.

Industrial engineers help companies streamline their production processes, increase employee productivity and reduce costs by identifying ways to use employees, equipment, and other resources more efficiently.

Manufacturing engineers develop and optimize the processes used to design, build, and ship products such as cars and electronics. They use their knowledge of lean methodology to troubleshoot problems and continuously improve the manufacturing process.

Project managers track schedules, budgets, and other project statuses. They also use Six Sigma knowledge to ensure that projects are completed effectively and efficiently.

Mechanical engineers focus on new product development and the improvement of existing products. They use their knowledge of Six Sigma to create product concepts, design equipment, and test products.

As a Reliability Engineer, you will be working on developing reliability test plans for a company's products and working with internal teams and customers to remedy any reliability concerns.

Conclusion

A Six Sigma Green Belt can use its skills to take on a wide range of quality management roles in many fields. Many experienced quality professionals are looking for jobs as Green Belts because they know they will be able to make a meaningful difference in an organization, doing projects that create real company-wide impact.

People with Six Sigma Green Belt certification enhance their job prospects by demonstrating that they have the skills and training to help businesses lower costs and improve performance across departments and locations.

Six Sigma is an advanced application of statistical methods that allows you to test and improve your processes' quality.

Although it does require a particular skill set, it offers better opportunities for employment for people who already have relevant experience and want to advance in their careers.

Innovation and improvement are on the rise. Driven by customers who want better products and services, companies are starting to figure out ways to create better performance.

In addition, many companies want their employees to understand why it is essential to measure and improve performance.

This is a demanding job; being a sigma green belt, you will get to work on anything and everything about project management.

But the pay and the experience of working in such a big organization will be rewarding. I suggest studying hard and getting into one of the best colleges. You can only get a job in six sigma green belt after graduation.

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Project and product managers often work closely but have distinct roles. For example, a product manager sets the milestones and business trajectory of a product, while a project manager directs and leads several projects to make the milestone a reality.

Therefore, a project manager is more of a performer and the product manager, a strategic thinker.

Before discussing the difference between product and project managers, let's first understand the idea behind a product and a project, like how these terms are different.

Project Manager Vs Product Manager

1. Roles and Responsibilities

a. Project Managers

This type of manager supervises projects from the initial to the final stage. Projects are a set of tasks created to acquire a specific target. It can be massive, for instance, the construction of novel buildings, or more minor, like deploying a novel tool for leverage.

The primary roles of a project manager are to plan the project by building teams, identifying schedules, managing expenses, and interacting with stakeholders until the project is completed.

Some of the certain tasks of project managers are as follows:

• Ensuring teams are associating well, and staying motivated and on schedule.
• Develop and maintain procedures for the project changes.
• Leverage project management software to monitor schedule and tasks.

b. Product Managers

These managers oversee a product from the start to the end of its lifecycle. They set the vision of a product, manage any updates, and ensure the product satisfies customer prerequisites. 

Unlike project management, product management doesn't have a precise start and end, i.e., it doesn’t have a set timeframe.

In huge companies, product managers can take on head-wrecking tasks, as team management, and for smaller companies, they end up doing primary tasks like market research or project management.

Product managers being a new role in the market; their roles and responsibilities can vary widely from organization to organization. In general, a product manager's role includes:

• Defining key metrics
• Determine ways to enhance products via market analysis and other research
• Monitoring of competitors
• Understanding the requirements of customers and convey them to the product team
• Tracking the progress and performance of products
• Working with cross-functional teams such marketing and engineering to create product strategy
• Testing and monitoring of novel product features

2. Salary Perks: Who Earns More?

Generally, product managers earn more than project managers in the United States. According to May 2022 data from Glassdoor.com, the average salary of the project manager in the US is $88,907/year, while the product manager in the US makes an average salary of $113,446/year.

Let’s see the average salary earned by Project Manager and Product Manager in different countries.

3. Career Paths

The path to becoming a project or product manager has many in common; project managers can indeed become product managers.

a. Product Managers

Though you might become a product manager straight out of college; however, it's common to develop skills and experience beforehand. As these managers have a sound knowledge of business and customer demands, you might see them with business or marketing operations portfolios.

With experience in the product management field, the product managers can acquire the jobs as:

• Lead Product Manager
• Sr. Lead Product Manager
• Principal Product Manager
• Sr. Director of Product
• VP of Product
• Chief Product Manager

b. Project Managers

Project managers often get started in industry work. For instance, a software development project manager might work as a software developer for a few years. They might also work as a project coordinator or an associate project manager.

With experience in the project management field, the project managers can acquire the jobs as:

• Sr. Project Manager
• Project Manager IV
• Principal Project Manager
• Sr. Principal Project Manager
• Director of Construction Project Manager
• Executive Project Manager
• VP of Project Manager
• Chief Project Manager

4. Skills

For both project and product managers, soft skills are of utmost importance. Other than that, you must have some technical skills.

a. Project Managers

Some of the technical knowledge for project managers is as follows:

• Basic budgeting
• Risk management
• Planning and forecasting
• Project management methodologies such as Waterfall, Scrum, and Agile
• Project management tools such as Gantt charts and Asana.

b. Product Managers

Some of the technical knowledge for product managers is as follows:

• Data analysis
• SQL language
• A/B testing
• Product roadmap development
• Market assessment
• Price modeling
• Basic business knowledge
• Data structures and algorithms

5. Certification

Certifications aren't mandatory if you're looking forward to becoming a product or project manager. However, you an extent, the certificate offers you an edge in job applications by adding value to the resume.

Some companies seek candidates with certification in product or project management during the recruitment process. 

Project management certifications are more common than product management. Let us see the different types of accreditations fruitful for managers working in either field.

a. Project Managers

Common project management credentials are:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• Program Management Professional (PgMP)
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Professional Scrum Master (PSM I)

b. Product Managers

Common product management credentials are:

• Pragmatic Institute - Certified Product Manager
• AIPMM Certified Product Manager Credential
• Product School - Product Manager Certificate

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

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PMP Certification: Course Details & Exam Costs

Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation is provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to individuals who satisfy particular education and experience prerequisites.

There are many criteria that professionals must fulfill before certification application. Once the application is accepted and approved, the candidates must succeed in the comprehensive test to become a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

Though this type of accreditation isn't compulsory for most jobs and organizational roles, it's a widely renowned credential that enhances credibility and adds value to one's resume.

It was designed to develop a standard of project management bridging different sectors. Acquiring a PMP designation is one of many ways a professional can prove their potential and commitment to their profession to a current employer.

Professionals who have completed the application and credential exam procedure are expected to know the usual challenges, concepts, and vocabulary of project management.

Several project management skills transfer seamlessly between sectors so that PMP-certified professionals can be prepared for various outcomes.

PMP Certification Criteria

PMP Exam Eligibility

Achieving your PMP credential is a responsibility, and that's why it's fruitful. However, for PMP enthusiasts to appear for the credential test, they must satisfy some of the stringent requirements set by PMI, which are:

• Education: A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate's degree or global equivalent)
• Leading project experience: 60 months
• Project management training: 35 hours or CAPM certification

OR

• Education: A four-year degree
• Leading project experience: 36 months
• Project management training: 35 hours or CAPM certification

PMP Admission Procedure

Once you have reviewed and made sure that you satisfied the eligibility prerequisite, filling out the application for a PMP credential is the next step. The form is available on the official PMI website online and in PDF format to make a print.

The application review takes 5 to 10 days. After the application is processed online and determined to be completed, you will be contacted by PMI for payment.

You can take the PMP exam online or paper-based, making payments accordingly. Once the payment invoice has been issued, the application is eligible for the audit process.

The application audit is a random process. PMI chooses a few out of several applications, and if you're lucky, you're free from the audit procedure. However, PMI will alert you via mail if your application goes for audit.

PMP Certification Cost

Being a PMI member is not a criterion for the PMP credential test. If you didn't pass on the first attempt, you're allowed to take two more tries in one year.

Remember, each re-examination costs you an extra payment.

PMP Certification Exam

PMP certification exam focuses on three domains that you need to acquire a competitive edge and prove your work smarter:

PMP Exam Format

• Total number of questions: 180
• Pre-test questions: 25
• Duration: 230 minutes (approx. 4 hours)
• Question types: combination (hotspot, matching, MCQ, multiple responses and limited fill-in-the-blanks)
• Exam type: Online or paper-based

PMP Reference Materials

PMP Certification Maintenance

Professionals who succeed in the PMP examination and receive their credential badge must maintain the designation. In addition, the candidates must complete 60 PDUs every three-year, i.e., 35 Education PDUs and 25 Giving Back PDUs.

Project management skills are applicable in almost every business environment and can be the best method to use personal value in a company. Therefore, people who satisfy the PMP prerequisites must consider acquiring the credential to focus on their career development in leadership/project management.

The PMI has several members in different countries, and their PMP accreditation is a globally renowned certification.

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

Is PMP the Right Choice for the Construction Industry?

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a top-notch certification accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The credential exhibits an individual's potential to lead and direct projects efficiently.

The construction industry is one of the most diversified and chaotic sectors, enriching the demand for professional skillsets. The method used to manage projects in the sector is 'Waterfall,' which is emphasized by the PMP-certified professionals.

A prime concern of the construction industry is to avoid costly errors as millions of dollars are at stake. Furthermore, the professional in this sector is under time and economic pressure; therefore, they must picture every possible situation and factor it into their planning.

In this article, we'll see whether PMP is the best choice for the construction sector, the role of managers in the industry followed by job roles and salary.

Significance of PMP Certification in the Construction Sector

The PMP is a highly in-demand accreditation in the construction sector, gaining recognition in a wide range of industry verticals. The credential is significant for construction managers as it offers you the basic potentials need to generate outcomes and lead teams.

PMP for construction management is significant as the projects in this field are generally massive and challenging. Hence an unexpected churn in the projects can cause an enormous impact on the overall expense, deadline, and quality.

Let us see how the PMP credential is important for construction project success.

Planning and Development

The initial step in the construction method is to decide whether or not to move forward with the project. Once you start with the project, it will cost a leg to cease, and the more they progress, the more losses the managers and organization will face.

It's crucial to evaluate feasibility studies and acquire data from stakeholders during the planning and development stage. In addition, due to the construction project complexity, the agreement for projects must be finished and well-defined from the beginning.

The PMP credential awards you with the knowledge needed to execute this work accurately.

Preconstruction

The main objective of the preconstruction process - develop a project plan highlighting 'What, When, and How' it's done, followed by the process expenses. 

This phase includes crucial tasks like setting up budgets, creating deadlines, defining & allocating resources, distributing works, and charting operations. Therefore, excluding accurate planning can lead to detrimental consequences for the project.

The PMP credential in the construction process educates you to plan a project from the beginning to the end and collect detailed game plans for each project aspect.

Execution

The project management game plan should carry out the instruction to ensure that all the business plans are completed within the timeline. 

Project execution is the most vital and resource-intensive part of the construction sector; PMP accreditation in construction educates the professionals on carrying out plans and managing the resources efficiently.

Monitoring & Control

Every nook and corner must be carefully monitored and controlled when a project is in progress. When it comes to construction projects, this phase is of utmost significance as a small fallacy in scope or cost creep can be dangerous.

The real-time updating of significant KPIs offers relevant insight into project performance. Therefore, determining the accurate KPIs is crucial as it allows us to keep an eye on the project's progress and find any deviations from the actual plan.

The acquisition, expense, and other essential factors of the project can be monitored to maintain budgets under control and meet deadlines.

With the certification of PMP for construction management, the managers will have the tools and methodologies required for monitoring and controlling a project to its closure.

The Roles of Construction Project Manager

The role of a project manager is to keep track of projects in terms of resource allocation, schedule & budget, project progress, and produce high-quality results. 

By prioritizing data and streamlining communication, the project managers enable more efficient tasks.

Here, we will see how PMP certification helps project managers in the construction industry.

Project Planning

Handling a large-scale project is never easy, especially in the construction industry; hence project planning is crucial. With a well-defined strategy, running costs can be controlled, expenses can be minimized, deliverables on time, and maintaining of quality standards.

It's the role of project managers to partner will all groups involved to create milestones that individuals can meet.

Risk Management

Risk management is a vital factor in construction projects. Project managers must closely watch every process phase, determine potential loopholes, quantify them, devise techniques for alleviating them, and have an occurrence plan in place.

Quality Control

Quality standard maintenance is a significant factor in completing a project on time and within budget. In addition, due to project stakeholders' high level of urgency, the project tends to tend to fasten up its processes.

When it comes to achieving ROI, the construction manager must monitor the quality and safety level that must be satisfied.

Subject Matter Proficiency

The management of operations and tasks is carried out by project managers who bring their proficiency to each project. Moreover, they empower open and considerate communication among the stakeholders, i.e., from senior management to vendors.

Individuals who have attended project management courses are well-resourced to tackle challenging projects and ensure the project's goal and quality are fulfilled on time and within budget.

Salary and Job Roles of Construction Project Manager

The construction sector provides a wide range of roles talent pools can prove themselves, educate from, and develop into.

The below-tabulated figure indicates the pay scale and job roles of PMP certified professionals in 2022:

Winding Up

Due to enormous money and other resources at stake in the project development, the price of downfall is considerable. Therefore, a professional method of construction management is always ideal.

Holding a PMP certification in the construction sector will benefit the professionals by educating them on the best methods, structures, and tools for successful project management. Moreover, they can closely watch the project's progress and create a more uniform approach to executing the project at all levels.

To build a career in the project management field and develop your skills, enroll in the iCert Global PMP Certification Training Program, a PMI-approved training provider. The course will teach you how to plan, organize, execute, and direct successful projects irrespective of the scale or complexity.

How PMP Exam is Scored?

Every PMP enthusiast wants to know the PMP exam passing score and how it's calculated. You, too, might ponder the PMI's prerequisite offering the PMP certification.

Years back, the passing score for the PMP credential test was 61%; however, we aren't sure whether the same is applicable for the 2022 PMP exam. The PMI has some minimum passing scores, which they haven't unveiled, or leveraging a percentile method for the certification.

We know that PMI follows a grading approach but how it's done is a big question mark. In the present system, candidates are provided a grade on a point scale of four for three different PMP domains.

Here, we will have some significant features of passing the exam that is generally believed to be positive. In addition, you will also see some facts based on the passing of the PMP exam.

Let’s get started!!!!

PMP Exam Scores Till 2007

PMI always had a clear-cut passing mark from the beginning of the PMP credential test to 2007. In 2005, the score was 68.5%, meaning an exam taker must get 120 questions right out of 200 (25 are pre-test questions).

Later, PMI increased the passing score to 80.57%, meaning you'll have to score 141 out of 200 questions. Because of this significant shift in evaluation, the PMP passing rate might have reduced substantially.

In 2007, PMI dropped down the score from 80.57% to 60.5%, i.e., exam takers had to attain 106 out of 200 questions correctly. The same year, the PMP exam had again undergone a change, where the credential test's substantial passing percentage was removed.

Grading System of PMP Exam Till 2018

Till 2018, the PMP exam grading technique was based on proficiency levels. The exam takers were tested on five domains. The percentage of questions that came from these domains are:

Each domain was given one of the three levels of proficiency:

1. Proficient: This level indicates your performance is above average of knowledge in this chapter.
2. Moderately Proficient: This indicates performance that is at average level of knowledge in this chapter.
3. Below Proficient: This indicates performance is below the average level of knowledge in this domain.

Proficiency levels and performance rating categories are used for the same purpose, i.e., to evaluate the PMP exam outcomes. Till 2018, the target was more on proficiency, involving three rating levels.

However, the new grading system, which we will see in the next section, involves performance rating categories under four target heads.

PMP Exam Score in 2020

The scoring technique in 2020 is similar to what we have now. As explained in the previous section, each domain is graded on a 4-point scale called performance rating categories.

The questions from the five domains were based on the PMBOK Guide specification and PMI Code of Ethics.

PMP Exam Grading in 2022

According to PMP Handbook, the passing mark for all PMI accreditation exams is determined by sound psychometric analysis. PMI uses project professionals from different disciplines worldwide to help identity how many questions one must answer correctly to pass the test. Each score question equals one point; your final score is calculated by totaling the points you acquired on the PMP exam.

This means that no two exam takers will have the same question set, so their scores might be different.

As the participants have different sets, some may get more straightforward questions than the rest. Therefore, it's not just to set the same passing score for every candidate. So, the psychometric analysis assists the PMI in rating the final score for each and ensures that there is a simple technique for grading the test.

You know that there are 180 questions in the PMP credential test, with three domains. Exam Content Outline (ECO) gives a detailed description of these domains.

The weightage of questions from each domain are:

The result of the PMP credential test is given on a score report. The report grades the exam takers for each of the three domains using performance rating categories, which are:

1. Above Target: Your performance excels the minimum criteria for the PMP exam.
2. Target: Your performance meets the minimum criteria for the PMP exam.
3. Below Target: Your performance is slightly below target and fails to fulfill the minimum criteria for the PMP test. Extra prep is suggested before retest.
4. Needs Improvement: Your performance is further below target and fails to satisfy the minimum criteria for the PMP test. Extra prep is strongly suggested before retest.

Can I Pass the Test If the Score is Below Target in One Domain?

YES, you can pass the PMP credential test even if you score below target in any one of the domains. Whether a candidate will succeed or fail the test is evaluated based on their overall exam performance. Some candidates have passed even with below target scores.

Final Thoughts

PMP is one of the globally renowned accreditations, where professionals with sound experience in project management are fit to take the credential exam. Being highly valuable, the PMP certification exam is tedious to succeed but never impossible.

If you are done preparing and scored well in the practice test, then congratulations, you're all set for the actual PMP exam. However, instead of focusing on a specific score, you should build a strong base by doing routine exercises.

Even if you score less on some practice tests, don't worry or panic; all you have to do is concentrate on preparing and passing the test.

About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

The Project Management Professional (PMP) accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is one of the most challenging and prestigious credentials in the project management field.

Today, several organizations across different industry verticals highlight PMP as a prerequisite for project managers. PMI is aiding individuals to succeed in their respective job careers by providing massive resources to explore more opportunities.

To acquire a PMP accreditation, professionals need a particular experience and potential. The certification is a benchmark of excellence that recruiters will get amazed by. PMI creates industry standards and provides globally outstanding credentials to qualified project management professionals.

We will discuss the PMP exam in 2021 before preparing for the PMP exam in 2022.

PMP Exam 2021 & Onwards

The PMI governs the PMP credential process, exam administration, and exam content, including changes within the same. In January 2021, PMI introduced a new PMP accreditation test, followed in August by a new PMBOK Guide Ed 7. However, as of the date of writing this article, the PMBOK Guide Ed 6 remains the significant reference material for the PMP exam.

PMP Exam Structure

As of January 2021, PMI changed the exam structure with modifications in the number of questions, duration, and breaks. This novel structure won't significantly affect study strategies; however, it will aid professionals in knowing how to approach the test.

The PMP exam structure is as follows:

PMP Domains and Tasks

PMI conducts thorough research to decide how, if, and when changes to the PMP exam content and project management standards.

The new PMP exam has evolved to meet the demands of today's profession, organizations, and ourselves. Therefore, the domains and tasks according to ECO 2021 are:

In the 3 new domains there are total of 35 tasks, which are:

• PEOPLE: This domain has 14 tasks, including conflict management, team leadership, encouraging team members to engage virtual teams, and educating necessary stakeholders.
• PROCESS: This domain has 17 tasks, including project execution with an emergency, communication management for suitable project approaches, and project closure management.
• BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT: This domain has the least number of tasks, i.e., 4. It includes estimating project benefits and addressing external business changers to support organizational transformation. 

PMP Exam Delivery Option

PMI offers a 7-page instruction list to schedule a PMP certification test session. However, Pearson VUE manages all PMP exam sessions. Considering the local health safety policies and guidelines, it is crucial to go to the Pearson VUE site for the testing protocols.

The exams can be taken both online and at the center. However, not all PMI credential tests are taken at the testing centers. The global health scenarios prompted by the pandemic resulted in online PMP testing options. The candidates can leverage Pearson VUE's seat availability tool to confirm PMP exam availability.

To know more on the examination changes followed by rescheduling and refunds, access the Pearson VUE PMP exam FAQs page.

Will PMP Exam Change in 2022?

PMI announces no changes for the year 2022 to date. The current exam is based on the Examination Content Outline (ECO), which started in January 2021. Therefore, until further notification by PMI, the exam shall continue with the same pattern.

Of the PMP exam, the most significant ones are the addition of Predictive, Agile, and Hybrid methodologies-based content. It is a late shift for some project managers, and the added content is intimidating for others.

With half of the PMP exam questions covering Agile and Hybrid approaches, you need to learn them all, no matter which project management practice you leverage.

Predictions for Next PMP Exam Changes

Using industry research from PMI data, member surveys, and job bank data, PMI updates the PMBOK Guide every 3 to 5 years to ensure correspondence with where the profession is and where it's moving.

Generally, PMI follows the PMBOK Guide introduction with PMP ECO changes within six months. If that format is held, we can expect a new PMP exam this year. Yet, the Institute has already informed Authorized Training Providers (ATP) that the exam content question changes will be circumspect.

PMP Exam Date 2022

You can take the PMP test from home/office or at a PMI Authorized Test Center. Exams take place daily, and once you're done with the preparation - schedule the PMP credential test according to your comfort and preference.

Remember, the credential exam date might not be available on short notice; hence, book the exam in advance to attend it on the intended date.

How to Apply for PMP Exam 2022?

Before you apply for any exam, there are certain process to be followed, and same goes for the application of PMP exam 2022.

Let's look at the procedures of applying PMP exam in 2022:

• To attend the PMP exam, PMI has some prerequisites. Confirm that those eligibility requirements are met.
• Undergo a professional training of PMP to acquire 35 contact hours.
• Create an account in pmi.org to register and start your application
• Provide your information and complete the application form
• You will receive confirmation, and PMI might perform an audit
• Make the payment for PMP exam within 1-year of application approval
• Schedule PMP exam prep plan
• Book the exam once you're confident
• Take the credential test either at your home or center with necessary documents.

Conclusion

The PMP exam is changing in 2022. We don't know what will change when. However, the exam will adapt to reflect 21st-century project management and project managers' real-life situations. 

This is great news for project managers because the way we work and manage projects is no longer confined to office spaces within time zones. But unfortunately, this also means that certification exams will evolve, too.

The new PMP exam for changing the focus from process management to business management meets the business's high demand value. 

On top of this, PMP exam prep will be more standardized and flexible due to efforts toward making the certification more accessible and affordable.

Passing the PMP Exam is an important milestone for any project manager. Luckily, you have plenty of time to study for the exam. First, however, we recommend looking at your current experience and determining how many hours you will need to learn to pass. 

Then, use your schedule to find time to review your notes, online practice exams, and test yourself with full-length tests.

For more information about PMP certification training courses worldwide, please visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com

OR

E-mail Us: info@icertglobal.com

At some point in life, individuals, especially IT professionals, might have pondered about the PMP certification, how much the certification exam cost, and how and where to kickstart.

If you have set your targets on acquiring the PMP credential badge, you have made the best choice over your lifetime. However, getting certified in PMP is not a five-finger exercise. The accreditation demands real-life project management education and experience.

Before jumping onto the actual topic, let's first understand the concept of PMP.

What is PMP Certification?

Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation is a prestigious professional designation for project managers globally. The credential is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

PMP indicates the documented education, experience, potential, and competency needed for leading and executing projects. It is one of the well-reputed certifications provided by the PMI, USA.

In simpler words, PMP certifies your potential in managing projects and recognizes the hard work you have done hitherto.

According to pmi.org, there are more than 1Mn PMP-certified project managers worldwide and 300+ chartered chapters in 218 nations.  

Moreover, the credential is valid for three years; hence after acquiring the PMP certificate, professionals must maintain the same through Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program. 

What is the Cost of PMP Certification?

Pondering how much does the project management certification cost?

PMP certification costs incurred to achieve 35 PDUs vary according to the country. Here is an example of the average expenses of PMP training costs for different nations:

The PMP certification exam costs for PMI members and non-members are as follows:

An individual choosing to become a PMI member amid application will have to pay a PMP certification exam cost of $555 - covering both the examination and the membership fees ($129 + $10 one-time application fee).

If an individual doesn’t wish to be a part of PMI, they will also have to pay the same PMP exam fee, $555. Therefore, we suggest you apply for the PMI membership option so that shelling out your PMP course expense is more logical.

How to Renew PMP Certification?

Once you receive the PMP credential badge, ensure that you maintain the same by earning 35 PDUs over three years. After PMI confirms that you have met the PDU prerequisites, you'll receive a mail/message to apply for PMP certification renewal – asking you to make payments through the online certification system.

PMI will send the individual an updated certificate with new CCR cycle dates after processing the application and renewal fees. This usually takes around 6-8 weeks to get delivered through postal.

The credential holders must agree to comply with the terms of use, including audit norms agreements. The participant can renew the accreditation only after completing the audit and agreeing with all the terms and conditions during an audit.

The auditing done by PMI is random, i.e., PMI selects a group of PMI certification holders randomly, where they must submit supporting documentation to prove PDUs.

Therefore, credential holders must keep these PDU claiming materials for 18 months after the end of the CCR Cycle.

Cancellation of PMP Certification Renewal

An applicant has the right to cancel their certification renewal at any time. For this, they must write a cancellation request to customercare@pmi.org.

On receiving the application form, PMI will refund one-third of the renewal fee for each full year of the CCR cycle that the applicant hasn't leveraged following the date of cancellation request.

If other mitigating scenarios ban an applicant from completing the renewal procedure, they may contact Customer Care - PMI will review and settle the claims on a valid basis.

Why PMP Certification?

The PMP certification adds value to your career. This program has been ranked the top Project Management Certification by the CIO magazine as it offers evident proof that the participant has the needed potential and experience that employers require.

According to PMI's Salary Survey 2021, individuals with a PMP certification report higher average salaries than those without the credential, i.e., 16% higher on the median across the 40 nations surveyed.

The willing applicant must succeed in combination-type question sets to clear the credential test, answering 180 questions in 230 minutes. The test can be taken in 15 different languages worldwide.

PMI has designed the PMP exam to meet the growing demand of the profession, organizations, and you. It focuses on three domains you require to acquire a competitive edge and prove your work smarter:

• People (42%)
• Process (50%)
• Business Environment (8%)

PMP Exam Reference Materials

Let's look at the top 4 PMP exam reference books that you must consider for the credential test in 2022:

• The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, Sixth Edition

Author: Andy Crowe

• All-in-One PMP Exam Prep Kit

Author: Darron L. Clark, PMP

• Head First PMP: A Learner’s Companion to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam, 4th Edition

Author: Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman

• PMP Exam Prep Simplified

Author: Andrew Ramdayal

Final Thoughts

The PMP accreditation helps individuals acquire remunerative job roles in finance, IT, healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, and other exciting industries.

PMI, the accrediting body of PMP, released the PMBOK Guide, which is the base for the PMP credential test. The exam is challenging for most as it covers a wide range of areas conforming to the syllabus based on the Guide. Therefore, the choice of a good training center is crucial.

Succeeding the exam is hard; hence, it will be better if you revise a few resource materials on the topic.

You can also enroll in our PMP training course that encapsulates the latest best practices specified in the PMBOK Guide Ed 6 and learn from the expert, thereby passing the PMP exam on your first strive at ease.

About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

7 Most Common Mistakes You Must Avoid for PMP Exam

Scheduling, attempting, and succeeding in the Project Management (PMP) exam can be nerve-racking. So what's better than taking a little tension off and molding yourself to the path of PMP exam preparation?

This blog will see the seven most common mistakes in individuals who didn't pass the credential test on the first strike but ultimately learned from that and made changes to pass on their second attempt.

#1 Lack of Planning a Relevant Path to PMP Success

If you have been a project manager for a few years, it doesn't mean you can walk in on the exam day without an effective preparation plan. If you aren't sure where to begin, take a full-length PMP exam without concern over the period. From the initial trial, you can determine you're lacking in knowledge.

For instance, you did well on questions for one or more knowledge domains and poorly on the rest. This indicates that you must plan your path to PMP success. First, you will learn what domain you lack and where you're strong. From this, you can create your study schedule.

#2 Lacking Confidence to Appear for the Actual PMP Exam

The right amount of confidence is hard to obtain – either it's too much where you feel you don't need to study for PMP or too little where you assume you can't pass the credential exam.

If you have years of experience in the project management field and think the PMP exam will be as easy as ABC, please ensure that your experience covers the domains per the Exam Content Outline (ECO) 2021.

If it does, then that's a great head start. However, if it doesn't, you will have to create a plan for learning the concepts and terminologies of project management as defined in the PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guide.

Being indecisive about taking the PMP certification exam is a hurdle. However, you gain a bit of confidence by trying to understand the concepts of PMBOK and Agile Practice Guide than memorizing and by taking full-length practice tests and scoring 80% or more will help you get an idea of the question patterns and difficulties.

#3 Depending on the Unpaid Questions for PMP Prep

Free questions can be an excellent asset for PMP exam prep but to an extent. We all know the hefty expenses on the certificate - from training to the PMP credential test. And spending another leg on paid-accessing question banks is questionable, especially when free resources are widely available.

Like always, everything has its limitations, and so do unpaid questions. These questions only tell you whether the answer is correct or wrong. But several paid questions and exams offer you an explanation of why that particular question is right or wrong.

With explanations, candidates can learn from the mistakes and understand why it's a correct response. In addition, the PMP exam simulator offers around 1600 real exam model questions and access for 90 days so you can practice full-length tests.

#4 Not Taking Full-length PMP Exam

As you're aware, the PMP exam is 230 minutes consisting of 180 questions. If you are like many trying to pursue the PMP certification, it may have been some time as you had to sit for approximately 4-hours to complete the test.

During the actual PMP credential test, if you don't know the answer to a particular question, mark it and move on to the next question as time is limited. When you're done with the first 120 questions, you are given time to review the questions if you require a 10-minute break.

Hence try taking full-length PMP exams, which will help you in:

• Getting used to sitting for long-hour exam
• Answering questions on a computer
• Understanding time management

#5 Focusing on the Wrong Concepts for the PMP Exam

The PMP certification exam covers a wide range of terminologies and materials. As a result, it can be easy to shift focus to the wrong areas. When you are too attentive to running through a mock test instead of concentrating on a combination of completing the exam and studying concepts, you may end up failing.

Therefore, ensure that the concepts you are focusing on are relevant and align with the current PMP exam. Such irrelevant focusing on subjects can lead you to a total mess most of the time, adding more stress than usual.

#6 Not Taking a PMP Exam Preparation Program

Some people attempt to cut down on their expenses and start studying independently. This is indeed a wrong choice. Exam preparation courses explain how the PMBOK Guide is the framework of best practices, and you can't solely depend on the Guide as a preparation ultimatum.

The preparation course also assists you in each exam section, breaking down relevant terminologies and concepts to ensure an in-depth understanding.

#7 Not Preparing for the Actual PMP Exam Day

As mentioned above, there are several mistakes the candidates have to look for before the exam day. But, that’s not all; specific prep has to be done on the day of the PMP exam too, which includes:

• Not familiar with the exact location of the exam center.
• Last minute rushing to the exam center.
• Not having food before the exam
• Not planning for and practising breaks.

About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

Acquiring the Project Management Professional (PMP) accreditation by Project Management Institute (PMI) is a crucial career turning point. The credential is valid for three years from the date of receiving.

Certified PMP professionals must renew their accreditations every three years to remain recognized and relevant in project management.

How can I renew the certificate? By earning 60 PDUs every three years.

This blog is for PMP certification holders and those who haven't taken the test; you don't require PDUs. Read it until the end to understand how to renew the PMP certification and its cost.

Why Should I Renew PMP Certification?

The PMP credential is valid for three years, and if not maintained, the certification is suspended for one year and becomes invalid. Therefore, it's a PMI prerequisite that PMP-certified professionals must renew and maintain their accreditation - helping us to stay relevant in the evolving business world.

If you're confused about whether you have to repeat the PMP examination to make it valid, then NO; you don't have to. Instead, PMI needs individuals to enhance their industrial experience, offering a top-notch choice to stay up-to-date with best sector practices through professional development programs.

The renowned and prestigious credential is considered the apex of project management success. Hence for PMP certification renewal to be efficient, constant progress is needed.

6 Procedural Steps in Renewing Your PMP Certification

1. Renew the PMP Certification Within the Validity Cycle

If the 3-year PMP credential validity time has passed without renewing, your certification status changes from Active to Suspended. Once it happens, you can't refer to yourself as a certified PMP professional or display the designation following your professional title and name for a period of one-year (suspension period). You must acquire the required PDUs (60 PDUs) for credential renewal within this period.

Remember, your status changes from Suspended to Expired like a snap of your finger if you let the one-year period go in vain. This is as nearest any PMP practitioners can reach the catastrophe. Even a thousand PDUs won't come as a rescuer if this happens. You must re-apply for the PMP credential, spend several sleepless nights revising the PMBOK Guide, pay the hefty sum, and re-take the tedious exam.

If you ever come into such a scenario, it's high time to repent for not tracking and building PDUs within validity plus suspension period. If you are incapacitated or deployed with the military, you are given an exception but only under solid proof.

2. A Clear Picture on Where Your PMP and PDUs Stand

To keep up to date on your PMP credential and PDUs, certification holders must leverage the Continuing Certification Requirement Systems (CCRS). It is a web-based program having a user-friendly dashboard that lets you keep track of:

• Number of days left until your credential expires
• How your PDUs suit the CCR guidelines?
• Number of PDUs you need to maintain the credential
• List of your entire PDUs obtained

3. Earn 60 PDUs to Maintain the Certification

To meet the specified CCR, PMI needs all the PMP-certified professionals to acquire 60 PDUs. Here is the 60 PDUs breakdown:

• Education PDUs

According to the PMI prerequisite, PMP practitioners must acquire a minimum of 35 education PDUs through learning programs such as webinars, seminars, or other similar events. 

Along with these 35 PDUs, the professionals must have technical, leadership, and strategic & business management skills, as these three skills make up a PMI Talent Triangle.

Since you must earn a minimum of 35 PDUs; however, you can also gain all the 60 PDUs in this category. 

• Giving Back PDUs

This is an optional step where you can only 25 PDUs. These are acquired through teaching, volunteering, or engaging in similar programs. However, as PMI appreciates your efforts in sharing your knowledge in PMP and actively leveraging your skills, thus Giving Back is acceptable.

After earning the required PDUs, you can submit the PMP certification renewal application - with your contact information, PMI member ID, and payment information. The application can either be done online, or you can download, fill it out and re-upload it.

4. Pay the Credential Renewal Fee

When it comes to the cost of certification renewal:

• The fee for PMP credential renewal is $150, if you aren't a member of PMI.
• If you're a PMI member, then you'll only have to pay $60 for renewal.

5. Here Comes PMI Confirmation

PMI will send you a confirmation mail after your application has been approved and the payment has been processed. The mail will include the following:

• Credly's upgraded e-PMP badge for online access and use.
• Details on your new PMP renewal dates.

6. Start With PDU Building for the Next CCR Cycle

Several PMP-certified holders have a familiar doubt about whether they could transfer the remaining PDUs to the next cycle.

The answer is YES; you can. If you've earned more than 60 PDUs, you can claim them for your next PMP renewal cycle. However, the PDUs acquired during the first two years of the validity cycle cannot be applied to the following process.

Instead of pushing the PDUs earning to the edge, we recommend you start acquiring PDUs the day you get PMP certified or renewed.

Concluding Thoughts

A PMP certification is a stepping stone to other project management accreditation, offering you a competitive edge in the market, a source of pride among peers, and several other perks.

Therefore, as soon as you get hold of the PMP credential, you must create a plan on how and when you start earning 60 PDUs for the next cycle.

You are delaying and dragging the time to build PDUs until the last minute is not a good idea. Though you may've practiced the same during your college days; however, renewal of certification is never easy as earning 60 PDUs can't be cracked like done for exams in your tertiary education.

The key is to approach the renewal procedure positively and view it as a choice offered to you in building your technical potential, business acumen, and personal characteristics. Moreover, the process is flexible enough to have much freedom in filling the PDUs.

About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

PMP enthusiasts are perplexed on whether or not to read the entire PMBOK Guide, and if done, is it all one needs to pass the PMP exam? We have come across these questions on several Q&A platforms; therefore, we decided to give some PMBOK Guide-based doubts a shot with a detailed explanation.

People tend to ask these questions as the PMBOK Guide is not an easy task that you could finish reading in a day. It's not only tricky and hard to get in-depth knowledge of the concepts, but at the same time is tedious and tranquilizer.

Never mind, at the end of this article, you will understand how to read the PMBOK Guide. So, without wasting much precious time, let's skip to the good parts.

All I Need is a PMBOK Guide to Pass the PMP Exam?

For this question, the answer is NO. You can't just rely on the Guide to pass the credential, but with additional study materials.

Though PMI has released the PMBOK Guide, which is considered a PMP exam reference book. However, it doesn't mean the exam is entirely or partially dependent on the Guide. Remember, with PMP ECO 2021, PMP includes three key approaches:

• Predictive
• Hybrid
• Agile

Therefore, PMBOK Guide alone isn't sufficient.

The exam questions are based on tasks. Some of the explanations on Tasks are in the Guide, while some aren't. Hence to prepare the candidates to the fullest and pass on the first try, PMI does offer other study material resources.

NOTE:

The PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guide can be acquired at zero cost for PMI members. However, we recommend you to prepare from a good book by investing some amount in a paper copy of the PMBOK Guide or other materials.

You can check out other reference books in the PMI's reference list.

Other the PMI resources, there are countless other materials for you to prepare for the PMP credential test. We suggest you read at least one PMP preparation book and take many practice tests.

Here are some of the top PMP Exam Prep Book you could benefit from in 2022:

Can I Pass the PMP Exam Without the PMBOK Guide?

Yes, candidates can pass the PMP credential exam without the PMBOK Guide. In our experience as training providers, we have seen large such scenarios in the past. However, emerging for the credential test without reading the Guide is not advisable.

We, as training providers, do agree that reading the entire PMBOK Guide can be a considerable challenge. However, the Guide is one among many PMP preparation materials, and neither PMI nor any other experts forcefully recommend learning the book from cover to cover.

We ask our candidates to go through PMBOK Guide at least once before the exam because PMP is a complex and expensive test, where you don’t want to take the chance of re-examination. Moreover, the concepts of the credential test often use languages/terminologies seen in the PMBOK Guide, which for non-readers can be a huge hurdle.

Is Reading the PMBOK Guide a Prerequisite?

The PMBOK Guide is a must-read if you are serious about taking the PMP credential test and succeeding in the first attempt. The preparation for the examination should also include other reference books, as mentioned earlier.

However, reading the PMBOK Guide is not mandatory. You can read; otherwise, skip and go for much simpler PMP prep resources.

But if you ask whether we recommend reading the Guide before the exam, our answer will be YES.

The PMI published the PMBOK Guide, which consists of terminologies and best practices for project management. Since PMI holds the credential test; hence, studying it can enhance your chance of passing the test.

Shortcuts of Reading PMBOK Guide

Individuals new to project management are burdened with one question: How to read the PMBOK Guide? Are there any shortcuts to reading the PMBOK Guide?

A common mistake most aspirants make is straightaway reading the PMBOK Guide without guided help. By guided help, we mean knowledgeable PMI-certified instructors or PMI-approved training centers. The PMBOK Guide is a challenge to crack and learn, and it becomes so strenuous without authoritative guidance.

Therefore, we, a PMI-approved training provider, advise you to attend a 35 contact hours training PMP course before looking at the Guide. This will aid you in understanding complex structures and terminologies.

Studying the PMBOK Guide with the help of a training center makes it a much more streamlined and seamless process.

In addition to good guidance, the below-given points will aid you in studying the PMBOK Guide quickly:

1. Read and Understand, Not Memorize

Be it any exam preparation book, it's always better to understand vital concepts and facts from it rather than memorizing each and every single line. PMBOK Guide being bulky, you must follow the technique 'Understand and not Memorize' from the beginning to the end of chapters.

This will help you gain sufficient knowledge of each terminology and can answer the questions if conceptual.

2. Understand Tasks in Each Domain

As the PMBOK Guide follows the knowledge domain methodology, many among us do have the misconception that it's the best way to learn the Guide. However, it's not. According to the 2021 ECO change, the concept of learning from 5 process groups has shifted to learning 35 tasks in each domain – Process, People, and Business Environment.

Thus, understanding the domain tasks will help you to a greater extent.

3. Consider Other Prep Books with PMBOK Guide

Reading the PMBOK Guide alone is insufficient to pass the PMP credential test. With a new ECO on the line, you will have to understand the concept of Agile and predictive methodologies.

Therefore, try using other reference materials mentioned in this article and the Guide. This will help you understand a particular task from a third-person view. Thus, PMBOK Guide will become an easy read.

4. Relate it to Your Projects

When you start reading the PMBOK Guide, you should relate its concept to your previous or current projects. This will help you acquire a good understanding of the Guide and aid you in your future project and clearing the exam.

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About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

How Much Time Do You Need to Study for the PMP Exam?

To prepare for the PMP exam, expect to invest about eight to twelve weeks of study time. But, before we move on, let's address a different question: How long does it take to prepare for a marathon? 

Assuming you are just starting as a runner and have no fitness background, it will probably take you five hours of practice per week in the first few months. Later, you'll need to put in about 20 hours per week of training. 

Remember, these numbers are only guidelines: every runner is different.

Everyone is different, and so are the circumstances that determine how long it takes to study for the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam.

For example, you might need to spend months studying, or one month is enough. The only way to know is to plan your preparation schedule and stick with it.

How to Study for Your PMP Exam

You should use the following sources to study for your PMP Exam:

The PMBOK Guide

This is a common misstep among people studying for their PMP Exam Review. The PMBOK Guide is a vital study resource, but it shouldn't be the only resource you use to prepare.

If you're looking to pass the exam on the first shot, you should review as many other resources as possible.

Study the material you learned in your 35-contact hour training program.

Preparation for the exam begins with a 35-contact hour training course, which is a mandatory requirement to take the PMP Exam. 

The 35 hours will help you get on track to understanding the nitty-gritty of PMBOK Guide concepts, and you must use these study materials as your first source of study. 

Many people try to dive into the hard copy of the actual PMBOK Guide. But, unfortunately, they get overwhelmed, so I advise that you start with the training materials instead.

A PMBOK Guide-based reference book

You will find the bulk of information on which you should base your study for the PMP Exam in the PMBOK Guide.

But no single book could cover everything on the exam. That's why it is essential to have additional resources.

You can check out other reference books in the PMI's reference list.

A test simulator offers a way to get ready for the exam.

There is a saying that practice makes a man perfect. Therefore, for the PMP Exam, it is recommended that you complete at least 1500 questions—depending on your knowledge of project management and the concepts in the PMBOK Guide—during your study period.

In addition to the studies described above, it would benefit you to refer to the Internet for additional reference and practice sources. Finally, you likely know that you'll need to study a lot to pass the exam. We have now described what all needs to be learned. The next step is to find out how much time you'll need for your studies.

How long it'll take to Get PMP Certified

A well-planned training schedule makes it likely that you will pass the PMP certification test on your first attempt. 

We have broken down the whole PMP preparation plan into significant components, making it easy to create a personalized study plan.

Follow the steps below to create your study schedule.

1. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) has thirteen chapters. You will probably be tested on most, if not all, of these chapters. Study one chapter at a time.
2. Start by studying the chapter of the study material that your training company provided. Then, you can watch the video and use your training notes.
3. After studying the material in a training manual chapter, I recommend reading the equivalent section of the PMBOK Guide. Learning both side-by-side helps me focus on how each reference treats similar topics.
4. You can also include other credible sources that may be available to you.
5. After finishing a chapter, try some sample questions to test your knowledge. The practice will help you see where you need to study more.
6. If you feel ready, move on to the next chapter.
7. After you've worked through the entire book, do some practice tests.

The more time you put into studying, the more you will get out of it. This is because the size and difficulty of the material depend on your knowledge and skills.

For example, a significant and challenging chapter might require more than two hours to complete instead of a smaller and simpler chapter that can be done in an hour. 

In addition, you would need about three-four hours for the PMBOK Guide and reference book study. 

Lastly, you would need about one-two hour each to practice some end-of-chapter sample test questions.

Final thoughts

Exams are necessary for most certification programs, which are valid for PMP. To get certified, you have to pass the exam. 

You can learn about the PMP exam thoroughly by reading all the material available as a study guide. However, suppose you are jumping into studying within a few weeks before your exam date.

In that case, it probably means that you are not ready to take that big step in getting certified. Taking an exam without adequate preparation can result in a low passing grade which is practically useless.

The Project Management Professional certification is a popular accreditation for project managers. 

To pass the exam, you will need to study for it. Therefore, start looking early and finish your studies at least eight weeks before the exam date, or 12 weeks if you have not worked in project management for a significant period.

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Are you looking to become a PMI member but not sure if being a part of PMI does offer you some perks? Or is the PMI membership expense a worry for you?

To become a PMI member, you must pay an annual membership fee of $129 plus an application fee of $10, totaling a cost of $139 in the first year.

If you want to pursue PMI credentials, you can save many pennies by being a PMI member. For instance, if you're a PMP enthusiast, you can save $150 on the credential test by joining PMI, i.e., the actual cost of the PMP credential test is $555, but being a PMI member, you can schedule the exam for $405. In addition to that, being a member, you can download PMBOK Guide at zero cost.

Moreover, after becoming a PMI member, your career and learning can upspring to the next level because the members can access many learning resources either at zero cost or a discount price. In addition, more than 1000 free templates and tools in PMI's resource library will help you become more productive and efficient.

Along with PMI membership, you can join your local PMI Chapter, which allows you to expand your network. Chapter events and meetings allow individuals to connect with similar brain cell professionals to share resources and knowledge. There are around 650K members in more than 300 Chapters in 213 nations worldwide.

Today, we'll see PMI membership in detail and the perks of getting one.

PMI Membership Types and Renewal

PMI membership fee is applicable for a year, and there are three types of membership offered by PMI.

1. Student PMI Membership

This category membership is for students with a high passion for project management and college/university enrollment verification. The initial one-year fee of $42. To renew your student PMI membership, you must pay $32 every year.

2. Individual PMI Membership

This membership is for everyone; i.e., any professional can join PMI by paying the application fee. For a year, the Individual PMI Membership is $139, followed by $129 for every time you want to renew the membership.

3. Retiree PMI Membership

If you have been a member of PMI for 5 consecutive years and have retired from active employment, you are capable of a discount retiree membership of $65 per year.

4. Group Billing for Individual Members

You can join PMI with your peers - saving application fees and merging paper works. Leverage the PMI Group Billing Plan, a group-invoice program for a minimum of 15 individual members from the same university/company, to make joining seamless. Each application fee of $10 will be waived off with Group Billing.

PMI Membership Renewal

PMI members interested in uninterrupted access to PMI membership perks can renew now. You must be within 90 days of your existing PMI membership expiring date to continue and retain the perks and choices of the membership.

Perks of Being a PMI Member

1. Discounts on PMI Credentials Test Fee

One of the top advantages of being a PMI member is getting a discounted price for its different certification tests.

Let’s see the few PMI credential exam fees for PMI members and non-members:

Your savings can augment if you get hold of more than one credential exam within a year, as you will be eligible for a discount on all the exam applications. The discount is also for re-examination amid unfortunate failing scenarios on the first try.

2. Free Download of PMI Standards

Once you become a PMI member, access to all the PMI standards, including the PMBOK Guide, will be free. In addition, you can download the digital copy of these resources from PMI Global Standards Library, which can be used as a study reference.

For instance, PMP enthusiasts and certified professionals can download an electronic copy of the PMBOK and Agile Practice Guides free of cost. However, if you're looking for a paper copy of these books, they cost over $60 on Amazon.

The standards published by PMI include Practice Standards & Frameworks, Practice Guides, and Foundational Standards. In addition, a PMI member can download 20+ book materials at zero cost.

Check here for a complete list of all the PMI standards.

3. Free PDUs for Certificate Renewal

All PMI accreditations are valid for three years. Certificate holders have to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) during these periods to renew the certificate for another 3-year validity cycle.

Different credentials have different prerequisites for PDU. For instance, PMP-certified professionals need to earn 60 PDUs to maintain the certificate.

As a member of PMI, you can attend free webinars on projectmanagement.com to get PDUs.

4. Accessibility to PMI Research Papers

Being a PMI member, you get free or discounted access to numerous research papers released by PMI. These papers help improve and update an individual's knowledge on project, portfolio, and program management.

5. Free Subscription to PMI Magazines

PMI released several monthly magazines and other periodicals. You are granted a free subscription to these magazines, including PM Network and Project Management Journal.

These materials will keep you updated on what's happening in the project management world and inside PMI. In addition, you can find in-depth interviews, articles, and many case studies to enhance your knowledge.

6. Connect with PMP Experts

By being a member of PMI, you can network with other project management experts through PMI-organized events and seminars. You can also share your thoughts in different discussion forums, virtual and global meetings, and more.

7. Participate in Local PMI Chapter

If you're a PMI member, you can join local PMI chapters at a budget-oriented price. You will get an invitation for every chapter at a discount or sometimes free of cost after joining the local PMI chapters.

8. Finding a Job on Career Center

Once you have a thorough knowledge of project management and become certified, the next thing for you is to land a better and more secure job. You have to search for project-related jobs and browse through several unrelated ones to do so.

From being tedious with many searches through unwanted content, PMI Career Center comes with a solution. It's a job portal focused on project management and its related positions.

Final Thoughts

To understand the perks of PMI membership, you have to be one among them. There are many more to add to the PMI membership perk list, from discounted credential exam fee rates to networking with project management luminaries. Some of the most significant ones, according to iCert Global, are mentioned above.

Moving over to you, what are your thoughts on PMI membership? If you’re a PMI member, mention your views in the comment section below on the most vital perk of being a member.

About US

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

If you plan to become a project management professional, you will undoubtedly take the Project Management Professional Exam. The Exam is quite in-depth, so it's essential to have a solid study strategy and understand all concepts.

Here's the plan we've come up with to help you succeed on your PMP exam.

The Project Management Professional certification exam includes quality control and monitoring of 180 multiple-choice questions. These five questions are randomly distributed throughout the Exam and not marked as part of the results. Therefore, answer each question carefully, regardless of whether or not it is marked as part of the results.

The Project Management Professional exam asks questions from three domains:

• People
• Process 
• Business Environment

Are you prepared to take the PMP exam?

Suppose you're pursuing PMP certification in your spare time. In that case, a quality study plan can help you make the most of your valuable time and pass the project management professional (PMP) exam.

Below you'll find our seven-step plan for studying for the PMP certification exam:

1. To get your PMP® certification, choose a date for testing.

To prepare yourself for the PMP exam, evaluate your workload and schedule for the next few months to determine how much time you can dedicate to studying for the Exam.

It takes a serious commitment to study for the PMP® Exam. On average, it takes about 70-85 hours of study time, but you'll need more time if your background or skills are lacking.

To study for the PMP exam in three months, you'll need to dedicate around 6-8 hours of study per week. 

Setting an exam date four months from now will allow you enough time to study at this pace without rushing. 

If you have a busier schedule or if you'd want additional time off in-between studying, you may want to increase your studying time each week or choose a date further in the future.

2. Make a schedule for your studying.

Suppose you are studying for the PMP certification. In that case, you should be committed to a study schedule to take the Exam on your target date. 

One way to do this is by dedicating specific days of the week to study and setting aside enough time every day to look.

If you follow this plan, you'll study more material than you would have otherwise. Each chapter has a different content, so finish one chapter per week or two chapters per month.

 All these parts are smaller than some of the others, so you can read them faster or slower depending on your time availability.

Some weeks, you probably won't be able to commit to an entire module. But during other times, you might be able to dedicate double the time to your PMP exam preparation. 

Work these into your schedule and cater for ups and downs; if your only commitment is one section per week, do not let that stop you from studying for more extended periods when you can.

3. Make a proper note.

During your studies, you will likely have questions about terms that are unfamiliar to you. In addition, concepts may be complex, and there will be formulas you will have to memorize for the Exam.

During this period, you need to study with the notes you will makeover a few months before the Exam to be familiar with the material when taking the test.

As you study any subject, you may forget some things you learned initially. If you take notes, you will be able to go back and find this information more quickly if it's all in one place.

4. Take lots of practice exams.

Building your PMP certification is a challenge. You can make it easier on yourself if you take regular practice exams. 

After taking the Exam and getting your results, check your answers to see where you need more studying. Then, if you work hard at improving these weaker areas, you will be prepared when it is time to take the actual test.

5. Try to figure out why when you get a question wrong before moving on.

After reviewing your wrong answers, spend time each day working out the correct solutions to the problems you missed. Then, if you know where you went wrong, you can fix the problem so that it does not repeat itself on the actual Exam. 

If one section is giving you more trouble than the others, you may want to review a portion of that chapter again.

6. Revise your notes once more before you take the Exam.

If you want to be prepared for the PMP certification exam, you'll need to revise your notes at least once a week. By changing regularly, you will reinforce your memory of key concepts and increase the likelihood of remembering all the essential things during testing day. 

If you can commit around half an hour a week to revising your notes, for instance, while having dinner or before bed, your chances of remembering all the essential things will be significantly higher.

7. Be sure to take the Exam.

Suppose you feel that you understand the concepts sufficiently after reviewing all your notes, taking a few practice exams, and scoring consistently above 70 percent. In that case, it is time to sign up for your PMP certification exam. 

Once set with a date and location, make sure everything is appropriately arranged and begin studying hard. 

Try not to cram too much in the last week of preparation, but try to be sure you understand all your notes and review any areas of weakness.

To perform at your best on the PMP exam, schedule a whole night's sleep before the Exam. Then, get to the test site early. If you find yourself stumped about a question, try not to panic. 

Remember that specific questions may be intended to trip up even the most seasoned project management professionals.

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About us

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and worldwide.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on:

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

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-CAPM Certification Training

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The word 'PMBOK' stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge, and it's an entire collection of terminologies, processes, guidelines, and best practices that are accepted as standard within the project management field.

The Guide is considered the most valuable asset for organizations as it aids them standardizes practices across a wide range of departments, customizing processes to suit particular prerequisites, and preventing project failures. It is also a top study resource for the PMP credential test.

As the body of knowledge evolves as practitioners come upon novel practices or best approaches, it must be regularly revised and disseminated. This endeavor is governed by a global non-profit member association of project management, the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Many aspirants are already knowledgeable about what's in the PMI PMBOK Guide, or do they know what the Guide is? However, the term 'PMBOK Guide' will be new for fresh PMP enthusiasts.

Therefore, considering the newcomers in the project management industry, this blog will answer the questions:

• What is PMBOK Guide?
• Why PMBOK Guide Ed 7?
• Comparison between PMBOK Guide Ed 6 and Ed 7.
• Is PMP Exam 2022 Based on PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Most of the aspirants are perplexed on the last point: whether the PMP exam will change this year and will the exam be based on the PMBOK Guide's latest version. Stay tuned for the answer.

What Exactly is PMBOK Guide?

The PMBOK Guide is an instructional book consisting of fundamental standards, guidelines, and terminologies to assist professionals in managing diverse projects.

It breaks project management processes down into five - initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing, which can be integrated into your choice of project methodology.

PMI attempts to integrate standards that reveal the upgraded practices in portfolio, project, and program management professions via the PMBOK Guide.

PMI ensures regular updating of all the standard products, keeping this in mind. The first edition of PMBOK Guide was released in 1996, and its latest version - PMBOK Guide Ed 7 fin August 2021.

Other than the 5 processes, there are other disciplines included in the Guide: organizational behavior, budgeting and forecasting, management science, and different planning approaches.

The PMBOK Guide is developed by active project management experts and subject matter luminaries. In addition, the project management community reviews it before its release to ensure that the Guide reflects the profession's current state.

Why PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Over the last few years, emerging technologies, new methods, and swift market transformations have changed how we work, driving the profession to advance. To meet these challenges, better align to how professionals work today, and assist them to be more innovative, dynamic, and agile, PMI has released A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Ed 7.

Quick Facts on the PMBOK Guide Ed 7:

• Reflects the full range of development approaches such as agile, predictive, hybrid, traditional, and more. 
• Offers a complete section dedicated to personalizing the development method and processes.
• Expands the list of techniques and tools in a new area - Models, Methods, and Artifacts.
• Target project results in addition to deliverables. 
• Incorporate with PMIstandards+ for access to content that aids individuals in applying their knowledge on the job.

With both The Standard for Project Management and the PMBOK Guide, the seventh edition includes 12 project management principles and 8 project performance domains crucial for the effective delivery of project results.

PMI has published the seventh edition in English and 9 other languages, which are:

• Korean
• Spanish
• Simplified Chinese
• French
• Arabic
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Russian
• Italian

Edition 6 Vs Edition 7 of PMBOK Guide

Is PMP Exam 2022 Based on PMBOK Guide Ed 7?

Many PMP aspirants are under the wrong impression that the PMP test is based on the PMBOK Guide. The accreditation is not dependable on certain books but on the Exam Content Outline (ECO). However, the exam follows PMBOK Guide as a significant reference study resource.

The ECO is similar to an exam syllabus, with its current version being released in January 2021. The ECO is revised by PMI every 4-5 years. According to the January 2021 ECO, there are 3 domains - People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%), and each of these domains has multiple tasks. 

The PMI has published an article containing a list of reference materials to prepare for the PMP exam. According to that article: The seventh edition of the Guide will be a reference to inform the development of the exam; however, before the addition of additional items to the test, there will be a thorough review and field test cycle. This procedure takes more than just 2 months. 

Hence, it's clear that the introduction of PMBOK Guide Ed 7 questions in the PMP exam is still far away. However, if the format of the exam has changed, PMI will surely make an announcement beforehand.

Concluding Thoughts

PMP is a complicated exam, with its difficulty level increasing due to uncertainties around study materials and passing criteria. As a result, several enthusiasts don't attempt or go for PMP because of these lingering uncertainties.

In our opinion, you should not get dejected by the things that aren't under your hold. Instead, try to focus on things you can hold, such as selecting a good training program and striving harder for the credential test.

We hope the article has helped you gain a better idea of the PMBOK Guide and its relation to the PMP exam. Please feel free to mention this in the comment section below in case of any queries.

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a globally recognized credential that validates skills in project management methodologies and tools. To obtain the PMP certification, candidates must take 35 hours of the training course and pass the PMP exam.

Candidates can take part in PMI's Project Management Professional Training. This Project Management Training aims to ensure that participants meet the eligibility criteria, learn requisite project management methodologies, and successfully pass the PMP certification exam.

For those who want to make a career in project management, the PMP certification is undoubtedly a big boost. Studies reveal that certified project managers earn 25% more than their non-certified counterparts.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification by iCert Global is one of the most sought-after. This certification course has comprehensive coverage and is ideal for project management professionals looking to boost their career prospects.

Suppose you're looking to stand out in the competitive job market. In that case, a PMP certification is one way to demonstrate your project management prowess. iCert Global online learning boot camp tools can help you study for your PMP exam and pass it the first time around.

Key Features

Benefits

Consider upskilling with a PMP certification to boost your pay and responsibilities. You'll open new doors in finance, energy, government, IT, and healthcare by earning the PMP certification. It's an unbeatable career asset.

To know more about the various role, follow the link top 10 roles of project managers.

Training Options in iCert Global

Click on the link to get more info.

Why PMP Certification?

Career Growth – 33 %

Salary Growth- 23%

Demand across the various industries

PMP® accreditation is the gold standard in project management. It's a validation of your knowledge and skills and the ability to apply concepts in the real world.

You'll be equipped with everything you need to be a highly sought-after Project Manager. Join over a million PMP certified professionals in top companies worldwide in various industries.

An estimated 88 million job openings will need to be filled in project-related roles by the health PMP Certification Training; you'll be ready to take advantage of promising opportunities at top companies.

How to Get PMP Certification Online

Learn project management processes and concepts at the PMI® certification in iCert Global and network with other professionals.

Join the Training Program

• Ensure you meet all prerequisites before applying to become a PMP® certified project manager.
• Register with the Project Management Institute® or join your local chapter.
• Undertake 35contact hours from iCert Global.

Prepare for the PMP exam.

• See the PMP® training class dates and schedule to find a convenient class that best suits your needs.
• Sign up for the PMP® Exam by filling out the application form on the PMI® website and sending it in.
• After completing the online application, PMI will send you an eligibility code to request payment.
• Pay the fee for your credential. Know about the PMP certification fee
• Make sure you're well prepared for the Exam by developing a detailed study plan and thoroughly studying each topic in the PMBOK® Guide.
• Come to the Exam with the required documents and aim to get an 80% or better.

Become PMP certified

You'll receive an email congratulating you when you pass the Exam, typically within two weeks. Afterward, your name will be listed on the PMI registry. Again, congratulations! You are now certified as a Project Management Professional!

What you can gain from our PMP training online

• Motivation
• Leadership
• Team building
• Mentorship
• Time management
• Conflict resolution

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The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and worldwide.

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How Many PMP Questions Should I Practice for the Test?

Getting a PMP credential is hard work and needs significant personal and financial liability. This is why credentials are highly venerated throughout professional communities. The more demanding an accreditation is to acquire, the more valuable and favoring it becomes.

Moreover, the more certifications an individual possesses, the more esteem and honor they receive. This admiration, in most cases, is displayed in ameliorating earnings, career choices, and peer respect.

Though there are several credentials worldwide, the basic steps to acquire them are the same - Study, Train, and Test. 

Today's blog will discuss how many PMP questions candidates should practice for the test, followed by other PMP exam aspects. 

How Many Questions to Practice for PMP Test?

Not just for PMP, but for any exam preparation, practicing mock questions/test are highly recommended. Now, if you're asking how many questions must I practice, then there is no definite answer for it, as each individual is unique, and they do have a different way of learning. 

Some might feel confident about appearing for the actual PMP exam after over 600 questions, while others might not feel comfortable even after 1000-2000 questions.

Having said that, let's plot some ways to determine how many questions must a candidate do to crack the PMP exam?

You should have over 50 questions per chapter while studying the PMI PMBOK Guide 6 and do 100 questions while learning the Agile Practice Guide. This will make over 700 questions for 13 PMBOK and Agile Practice Guide.

After finishing these guides, ensure you do at least 4 complete-length tests comprising 180 questions each, making it to a grand total of 1800 questions – which is the right amount for most individuals. 

If you do over 1500 questions and score 80% or more in the mock tests, you should feel assertive about clearing the PMP credential test. However, if you still don't feel positive, you can practice a few more. 

To practice different questions that appear for the PMP test, you can use PMP exam simulators that consist of tough exam-style questions. By doing so, you feel confident in taking and cracking the test.

How Many Questions in the Actual PMP Exam?

The PMP exam is conducted both as Paper Based Test (PBT) and a Computer Based Test (CBT), where CBT is conducted by Pearson VUE on behalf of PMI. Another significant aspect of the PMP exam is that you can now take the exam online, i.e., in the comfort of your home/office. 

Unlike the previous PMP exam format, the credential test from January 2021 has 180 combination-type questions that come from 3 different domains - People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%).

Read More: What are the Domains in Project Management?

Regarding the duration of the PMP exam, you've 230 minutes to complete the test, followed by two 10 minutes of scheduled breaks for CBT candidates. For PBT, you aren't given any break. Therefore, these two breaks aren't counted towards your PMP exam duration; you get 250 minutes to complete the credential test. 

When can I take these 10-minute breaks?

After completing the 120 questions, the Pearson VUE Software provides an option of taking a 10-minute break. Remember, the break is only confirmed once you have reviewed all the 120 answers. Once the break begins after the reviewing, you can't return to the previous section questions; hence be 100% sure before taking the one.

What is the Passing Score of the PMP?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) hasn't unveiled any fixed score or requirements to pass the PMP credential test. Back in 2007, the exam did have a specified passing score of 61%; however, with time, no one actually knows whether an actual pass percent exists or not.

Instead of a fixed score, the entity uses sound psychometric analysis to pass and fail the candidates. PMI provides a score report once a candidate finishes the exam, indicating your ratings on a 4-points scale for the 3 domains. These are known to be performance rating categories, where we see:

• Above Target
• Target
• Below Target
• Require Improvement

You can also refer to our other articles: Passing Score for PMP Exam and What If You Fail the PMP Exam?, for a better understanding.

What Type of Questions Should I Practice for the PMP Test?

Other than the 5 different question types such as MCQs, Hotspot, Matching, Fill-in-the-blanks, and Multiple responses - the exam tests you on 7 various others, which are:

1. ITTO

It stands for Input, Tools & Techniques, and Output, where you will have a series of questions asking about selecting the correct input tools, techniques, and output for a given process. There ITTOs for every process group.

2. Interpretational

In these sorts of questions, you will be given a few data, for which you have to diagnose and find a suitable answer.

3. Situational

These questions are based on the PMBOK Guide concepts that test your knowledge of applying theoretical aspects to real-life scenarios. Situational-based questions' prime intent is to check your pertinence for the task.

These questions are prolonged, making them analogous to a real-life problem. The options given with situational-based questions may seem perplexing, and they might give you a sense of more than one right choice.

4. Formulas

To unravel formula-based questions, you must first be aware of the mathematical concepts described in the PMBOK Guide. Once you understand the concepts/formulas, it gives a critical decision-making process that helps you determine which data included in the PMP exam question is used for the calculation.

A piece of good knowledge of the formulas will help you eradicate the options seamlessly and solve the questions at a swift pace.

5. Professional Responsibility

As a certified professional, PMI expects the candidate to follow a code of conduct. Therefore, you get questions based on the PMI code of ethics and professional conduct.

6. Definition

Like the name, these questions are based on the definitions provided in the PMBOK Guide. The definition-based questions are the simplest types where either you are given a term, and its definition is asked, or vice versa.

7. Diagram

These questions are based on a flowchart or diagrams, where you're given one and have to answer based on the figure shown.

Although no one knows how many questions from each category come for the PMP test, it's expected to have bulk questions situational-based.

Having said that, you must practice all kinds of questions for the actual PMP exam. You have to start preparing from some direct and ITTO questions before moving to other questions.

Conclusion

PMP is one of the extremely valuable PMI accreditations worldwide, where professionals with sound working experience in project management are eligible for the PMP test.

Being the most prestigious and demanded credential, the difficulty of the exam is no joke; however, it's not impossible either. 

Like a proverb: "If you have a will, you have a way" - goes for the cracking of the PMP exam at ease. You need to enroll in a good training center that provides 35 contact hours PMP courses, such as iCert Global. 

A 35 contact hours of training is a prerequisite for appearing in the PMP exam, and its certificate remains valid till you appear for the test. After completing the training program, you must practice several questions to be fully confident and prepared for the PMP test.

You must not lag your desire to acquire PMP certification due to uncertainties. With each day passing, you are potentially losing a chance of a 16% increase in your salary and career development.

Give the PMP certification a thought; it's now or never. Let us know in the comment section below.

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iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

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-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

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-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

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Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

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Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

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Is Calculator Allowed In PMP Exam?

Yes, you can use a calculator during the PMP certification exam. The calculator must be any four-function electronic or handheld electronic device that gives results to four decimal points. Cell phones and smartphones are not allowed. To prevent cheating, a candidate will be mandated to turn in their calculator after taking the exam.

To perform, you can use the calculator built into your computer or ask the Pearson VUE staff to provide you with a calculator to complete the calculations. You borrow a calculator which doesn't have any special programs.

You will need to make some simple calculations for the PMP certification exam. However, you don't need anything complicated.

Note: You will not be able to bring your calculator into the test room. You must deposit all personal items in a locker before entering. You will keep the key to the vault.

To know more about PMP, continue reading the blog.

Can I take the PMP exam at home?

The Project Management Institute has created a new exam-taking option,i.e., to take the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam from their homes/offices. This option is available for anyone wanting a convenient test-taking experience.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has made it easy for you to ensure continuing education through an online version of its exam, taking advantage of the same technology as the in-person version.

The PMP Exam will be available anywhere and everywhere. You can take the exam whenever you want, day or night.

What things are essential for one to study at home for their PMP exam?

1. Internet connection
2. Computer with webcam
3. Quite a space where you can give the exam without interruption

Now's the time to get action-oriented and start getting ready. Successful PMP candidates spend 35-plus hours preparing, so make sure you leave plenty of time to study before taking the exam. Make sure you're ready—and prepared—before taking the exam.

One of the major concerns for everyone taking the PMP is whether or not the online proctored testing is secure.

PMI cares a lot about protecting the integrity of the PMP exam and will do everything it can to make sure that online testing is safe.

To ensure the safety of candidates, PMI has implemented several security features, including:

• Use of AI-assist lives remote proctoring to ensure that students are not cheating.
• Authentication through fingerprint identification or facial recognition software at check-in.
• A rigorously analyzes data from each exam to detect and dig out any misconduct or other issues that might impact the tests' dependability.

While PMI acknowledges that online testing poses unique challenges for security, it remains committed to maintaining the rigor and prominence associated with earning the Project Management Professional certification.

How is the PMP score calculated?

When you take the Project Management Professional certification exam, how well you do determine whether you pass or fail. Unfortunately, PMI doesn't include the passing score or formula to calculate scores in its Project Manager Professional Certification Handbook. Some experts believe they're using a percentile system to determine scores, but there's no way to know.

No one knows who grades the papers or how this grading is done. For example, the PMI currently grades the documents on a four-point scale for three test domains, but there are no explanations for how points are awarded.

The score for PMP Exam in 2022

The passing score of the PMP has not been made public by the Project Management Institute (PMI). However, here is an extract from the PMP Handbook:

"The passing score for all PMI exams is determined by sound psychometric analysis. PMI uses subject matter experts – project professionals from around the world and many different disciplines – to help determine how many questions you must answer correctly to pass the exam. Each scored question on the exam is worth one point, and your final score is calculated by totaling the points you have earned on the exam."

This means that each candidate will have unique questions, and thus, the candidate's score will not be the same. Furthermore, because the candidates have different questions, some candidates may get straightforward questions while others get more challenging questions. With this information, we can adjust the scoring system to ensure a fair mechanism for passing the exam.

The PMP exam has 180 questions from three different domains. The Domain Content Outline explains the nature of these domains in detail and shows what percentage of questions will come from each.

The score for PMP in 2020

In 2020, candidates were tested on five subjects instead of the three they are currently trying. The percentage of user questions from these five subjects is shown in the table below:

The domains and questions in this exam were based on the PMBOK Guide specification and the PMI Code of Ethics.

Frequently Ask Questions

Would a score of 61% mean that you passed the PMP exam?

The pass percentage of PMI has not been disclosed, as it may change in the future. You mentioned the 61% score is historical data, removed from the exam pattern.

Can you pass the exam if you score below the target in one topic?

Yes, you can pass the PMP exam even if your score is below the target in one of the domains. This is because their overall performance in the exam judges everyone. Some people have passed with scores that were below target in one domain.

How many points do you need to succeed in the PMP exam?

As many people believe, it is uncertain if everyone has a fixed score or a percentile ranking. There may be or may not be, but it could be based on some complex statistics.

Do all questions on the exam carry the same weight?

Yes, you are correct. See the PMP handbook for details.

PMP is a prestigious certification offered by the Project Management Institute that is open only to project managers with significant work experience.

Please don't hesitate to move forward with your PMP certification. After all, if you wait another day, you could be missing out on a 16% increase in your salary.

Becoming a certified PMP is extremely valuable in the real world. However, this demanding certification exam is challenging to pass, but it is not impossible.

We offer a PMP training program that contains all the information you need to pass the certification exam on your first attempt.

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About us

Please visit our website for more information on how iCert Global can help you achieve your project management certification goals.

https://www.icertglobal.com/

We provide instructor-led classroom and online training across the globe, followed by Corporate Training for enterprise workforce development. Project management certification courses by us across the globe:

PMP Certification

CAPM Certification

PgMP Certification

PMI-RMP Certification

Finding Best Exam Simulator to Crack PMP in 2022

You might be scouring for the finest PMP exam simulator, where you'll find different simulators, including iCert Global, for practicing PMP test questions. Some of the simulation resources are sound, while some aren't sufficient.

If you are looking forward to succeeding in the credential test on the first shot - you must invest time, money, and effort for good. But, how will you know which is a good PMP exam simulator and which isn't?

Today we will discuss some criteria for finding the top PMP exam simulator for practicing tests. We will also see the features you must look for before choosing.

Why PMP Simulator Important?

A simulator is a testing program that assists you in practice tests in an environment similar to the main exam. It mimics the actual examination patterns, questions, and difficulty.

The resource helps you become familiar with the exam pattern - checks your level of preparation, and offers spot feedback emphasizing the areas you lack and are strong.

The simulator allows you to enhance your knowledge and performance in the actual PMP credential test.

Ways of Finding Best PMP Exam Simulators

There are different ways on how PMP enthusiasts can find the best exam simulators. Here we will discuss on the 7 best ways of determining the same:

1. Topic-wise reports
2. Test generator
3. Question bank
4. Statistical data
5. Correct answers and explanations
6. Difficulty of questions
7. Based on the PMBOK Guide

1. Topic-wise Reports

Simulators must have and offer a wide range of reporting aspects. Comprehending the reports will help PMP aspirants assess their performance and keep a score track across PMP Knowledge Domain and Process Groups over time.

You can identify the areas where you lack and train accordingly. A substantial report will assist aspirants in tracking strength and weakness - which is analyzed through paid exam simulators.

2. Test Generator

The test generator in a simulator does spontaneous picking of PMP questions from the question bank based on the Knowledge Domains and Process Group. Most popularly paid PMP exam simulators offer this attribute, making it valuable for candidates to enhance their credential preparation.

3. Question Bank

According to the latest PMP ECO format, a simulator with top-notch quality questions will guarantee that it covers the entire topics of PMP Knowledge Domain - People, Process, and Business Environment.

4. Statistical Data

A good simulator will have a section called Statistical Data, where the PMP aspirants will get a picture of exam scores across different domains. In addition, they will know about their chronological records, statistical evidence such as median, mean and more.

5. Correct Answers and Explanations

Every practice test question, be it moderate, easy, or complex, must have a clear explanation. Sound reasoning always helps the aspirants to memorize the concept seamlessly.

Remember that the answers should have the PMBOK Guide Ed 6's reference.

6. Question Difficulty

PMP aspirants are already knowledgeable about the pattern of the PMP exam. However, it’s not a piece of cake that you could just go, write the exam, and pass. The reason why it’s a golden standard certification is due to the quality and difficulty of questions which is impossible to crack without sufficient effort.

Hence, keeping this in mind, a good PMP exam simulator will have unique and challenging questions, making it seem like a natural exam environment – thus developing confidence and knowledge before attending the real one.

7. Based on the PMBOK Guide

Last but not least, to find an exemplary PMP exam simulator is to check whether the practice questions are based on PMBOK Guide or not. From January 2021, PMP's new ECO has come into effect, though the Guide to refer to remains the same – PMI PMBOK Guide Ed 6. 

The PMP handbook recommends aspirants leverage the Guide as one of the references, and according to a survey, it's seen that more than 80% of aspirants did read the Guide at least once during PMP preparation.

A plus point for PMI members is that you can download the electronic copy of the Guide for free.

But many candidates think that it's difficult to read the entire PMBOK Guide as it contains many pages, which is a tedious task. Hence, they opt for something simpler that covers significant points of PMP or other resources that are beneficial for cracking the credential test.

Another fact is: If you think reading or learning the entire Guide is enough for you to pass the PMP exam, then NO, it's not. Do not depend on the Guide solely for succeeding in the exam.

The PMBOK Guide is indeed released by PMI; however, it's meant to be a framework for project management practices. Therefore, the actual PMP exam is more than what's on the Guide. 

According to some experts, the exam includes content outside the PMBOK Guide; hence it's better to prepare according to relevancy. While most of the contents are from the Guide, it's best to prepare for worse to crack the exam on the first try.

Create a plan or a schedule of PMP topics that have to be included in your prep, and do accordingly. Moreover, the test questions change frequently, so don't leave anything for a chance of failure. 

Concluding Thoughts

Taking a simulator-based practice test is as significant as preparing for the PMP exam. Therefore, we have listed a few vital points before going for exam simulators.

PMP exam prep at your own pace is beneficial as it helps you learn and understand the concepts accurately. However, taking an exam simulator will test your knowledge and guide you to enhance exam preparations through correct explanations of answers.

It also offers you an additional push and gains confidence which is a must before sitting for the PMP credential test.

Benchmark your current level of preparation for the latest version of the PMP Exam. 

Download Free PMP® Exam Practice Test with 200 PMP® Questions.

You may also be interested in Sample PMP® Exam Prep Questions before you download the Free PMP® Practice Test.

Download our Free PMP Brochure for more information. Do visit our Corporate Training to know more about core offerings for enterprises in empowering their workforce.

iCert Global conducts Project Management, Quality Management, Business Analysis, Agile, Scrum, and DevOps Certification courses across the globe.

Visit us at https://www.icertglobal.com/for more information about our professional certification training courses

OR

e-mail us at info {at} icertglobal {dot} com.

The company conducts both Instructor-led Classroom training workshops and Instructor-led Live Online Training sessions for learners from across the United States and around the world.

Please Contact Us for more information about our professional certification training courses to accelerate your career in the best possible way.

Connect with iCert Global on: 

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest 

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | Subscribe to our Telegram Channel

Professional Certification Training Courses from iCert Global

-PMP Certification Training

-CAPM Certification Training

Quality Management Training by iCert Global:

-Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (LSSYB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) Certification Training Courses

-Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) Certification Training Courses

Scrum Training by iCert Global:

-CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) Certification Training Courses

Agile Training by iCert Global:

-PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Professional) Certification Training Courses

DevOps Training by iCert Global:

-DevOps Certification Training Courses

Business Analysis Training by iCert Global:

-ECBA (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CCBA (Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis) Certification Training Courses

-CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Certification Training Courses

What If You Fail the PMP Exam?

Although the Project Management Institute has never offered to fail applicants who take the Project Management Professional certification exam, a minority of test-takers do indeed fail. 

This is usually more common than publicized and is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the PMP exam is challenging. If you ask most people who passed their first attempt at the PMP certification, I am sure that they would tell you that they were relieved and a bit uncertain about whether they would succeed.

For those who have not yet passed the PMP, I suggest that you devise a plan for passing the exam.

If you have failed the exam, please consider the following action plan:

• If you scored below the baseline on certain PMP areas, concentrate your studying on these weaker subject areas. If you contradict your PMP exam results, you may challenge your results with PMI.
• Don't wait to take the next step in your studies. Set up a schedule and register for the exam online or call our office. We'll help you schedule an exam date based on your information. If needed, you can retake the exam up to two times within your eligibility by submitting a completed re-examination form and paying the fee.
• To be successful at taking the PMI exam, you need to train your brain to think like PMI. Therefore, the online simulator should provide timed quizzes and mock exams, and progress measures to determine whether you have excelled in the material sufficiently to pass.
• Create a study schedule and stick to it.
• Get to know the people at PMI's PMP Question and Test Taking Tips and Techniques community.

Things You Should Know if You Failed the PMP Exam

Let's examine a few facts before discussing strategies for your next attempt.

For the second and third attempts, the exam fee will be discounted for PMI members and non-members.

The fees for the second or third re-examination of the computer-based test are:

PMI members: $275 

Non-members: $375

The second and third re-examinations of the paper-based test are offered for a fee:

PMI members: $150 

Non-members: $300

Failure Rate of PMP Exam

Since you have failed your test, you may be wondering how many aspirants are in the same situation. The Project Management Institute does not publish any official data about it, so there is no way of guessing how many candidates fail the exam.