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.

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