PMP Exam Guidance With PMP Exam Format

PMP Exam based Questions

FORMULA based questions
SITUATIONAL based questions
DEFINITION based questions
KNOWLEDGE based questions
INTERPRETATIONAL based questions
SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE based questions
PMBOK GUIDE KNOWLEDGE based questions
ITTO (Inputs, Tools, Techniques & Outputs) based questions
Professional and Social Responsibility based questions.
Combination questions

Preparation is fundamental to PASS.

Agreed PMP is tough. The reading required is rigorous and effort tremendous. But nothing comes easy and if you wish to crack the coveted PMP exam, then preparation and practice are decisive to pass.

First, let us learn about the Pre-Requisite Qualifications for PMP certification.

It’s important to keep in mind that you must fulfill the eligibility criteria to take the PMP exam. The pre-requisites for the PMP exam are detailed below:

Education and Experience

If you meet the above requirements, then you are qualified to appear for the PMP exam.

FEES

The examination fee is $405 for registered members and $555 for non-registered members.

PDUs

The 35 hours of Professional Development Units (PDUs) is MANDATORY to meet the requirements prescribed by PMI to sit for the PMP exam.  You can gain the 35 PDUs by attending workshop sessions, coursework, and training through a globally registered PMI Education Provider. Please note that one PDU is equal to one hour of training.

PMP Examination Structure

Become familiar with the structure of the PMP exam before you begin your preparation. The PMP exam conducted by PMI will be difficult and demanding. So, get a good head start

It is essential to understand the basic structure of a PMP exam before starting to prepare for, or before sitting the exam. Being familiar with the structure will put you at an advantage.

PMP has the following phases with a breakdown of questions in percentage:

Each phase is significant. The PMP exam will test your knowledge in each phase. All the phases are related from the start of the project to the end. The first four phases are high in percentage because they are the most complex phases of the project.

PMP Exam Questions

• The PMP exam consists of 200 items, out of which 25 are pre-test questions.
• The pretest questions have no score.
• Only 175 will get the score.
• You will not know which question is a pre-test question. You need to answer all the 200 questions.
• The duration of the exam will be 4 hours. And there are no breaks.

PMP Passing Score

• PMP is no longer publishing the passing score.
• The outcome of the exam is indicated by pass or fail. The performance rating of the domains and the overall exam are also published.
• PMI uses “sound psychometric analysis” to calculate the passing figure.
• For each question, a point is awarded, and the subject matter experts selected by PMI will decide the number of right answers to pass the PMP exam.

PMP Exam Preparation

You can confidently sit for the exam and  move forward with confidence: check out these four ways wth which project management professionals commonly tackle the exam prep process.

1. Picture the final line

Write down a mission and vision statement clearly spelling the importance of achieving the PMP credential. State the reasons why PMP is important to accelerate your career and increasing your earning potential. Read it, again and again, to stay motivated.

• Prepare a study plan that fills the weeks and months ahead of the exam day. 
• Make the schedule after careful consideration balancing the work and family obligation.
• Stay on track by sharing the goal with friends, colleagues, other PMP aspirants and PMP professionals known to you that will help in ascertaining your course path.

2. Walk the PMP path

• You have to become familiar with the PMP exam pattern of 200 questions.
• Read and review the course outline and pay attention to the knowledge areas covered.
• Try to get an idea about the different formats of 200 questions by visiting some sample papers.

3. Chart out the course of action

• Execute your plan and start your study based on the schedule prepared.
• Find out the prep resources collected by you – it can be the PMBOK-6th edition, study materials provided by the training institutes where you earned the 35 PDUs and other relevant and required books and literature.
• Attempt as many practice tests and mock exams. These exams are available online and offline as well. Check with your training institute who might offer a question bank or simulator to help you practice. Preparation is the key.
• Get guidance from PMI chapter members and recommendations from PMP professionals.

4. Become a part of the community

• Get connected with the PMP community wherein you can benefit from the experience and wisdom of Project professionals who advise and keep you motivated.
• Join the discussions of professional groups, like PMI’s LinkedIn group that centres around PMP certifications. You can get to know the challenges and seek professional help in overcoming the odds.
• Become active in other PMP communities. Post a question, provide answers that you might know and engage in that thread. It's good to stay connected.

PMP Exam Question Format and Types

The PMP exam is composed of 200 multiple-choice questions.

The different types of questions that appear in the PMP certification exam are listed below

1. FORMULA based questions
2. SITUATIONAL based questions
3. DEFINITION based questions
4. KNOWLEDGE based questions
5. INTERPRETATIONAL based questions
6. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE based questions
7. PMBOK GUIDE KNOWLEDGE based questions
8. ITTO (Inputs, Tools, Techniques & Outputs) based questions
9. Professional and Social Responsibility based questions.
10. Combination questions

1. FORMULA based questions

• In order to pass the PMP exam, it is critical you will have to be well-versed with the definitions, concepts, all the formuals, processes and knowledge areas.
• There are 49 PMP exam formulas which you should know like the back of the palm. It can range from averages to probability to forward pass or backward pass.
• You need these formulas to answer all the mathematical or formula-based questions.
• Get to know the formulas and their application. You must be good at knowing which formula to be used for what situation.
• Questions posed in this set of questions include concepts like critical path method, PERT, EVM (Eearned Value Management) and so on.

2. Situational PMP Exam Questions

• Most of the questions posed are situational in nature. It can be as high as 60%. The questions are long with too many words packed.
• These questions test your competence to apply your knowledge in real-lifetime scenarios and situations.
• You will be tested in identifying what's important and discard the ones that don’t matter. Its easier said than done as you need an eye for details to spot the right from wrong.
• The choices presented for this set of questions are “what is the Best Choice” or what is the only answer” or “except”. Mind you, situational questions can be tricky. Expect choices as NOT or EXCEPT or ONLY or ALWAYS which can alter the meaning of the question.

3. DEFINITION based questions for PMP

• These questions cover the definitions of the PMP certification exam, like definitions of project, risk, scope, etc.
• This set of questions can be easily answered if you are clear and conversant with the concepts and definitions detailed in the PMBOK and project management.

4. Knowledge-Based PMP Exam Questions

• You will have to analyze the data provided to arrive at the right answer. Your proficiency to understand a concept will be tested, and the ability to chart the right course of action.
• The questions asked might be about identifying the right process attached to the knowledge areas or the correct Inputs, Tools & Techniques or Outputs that are mapped to the process.

5. INTERPRETATIONAL based questions for PMP

• Interpretational questions test your ability to decode a situation or condition based on your understanding of the description of the problem.
• You will be presented with some data to analyze and interpret the right answer.
• You will have to infer the situation based on the information provided, and answer correctly. The questions analyze your awareness.

6. SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE based questions for PMP

• You will be presented with the details about a specific situation and asked to answer question-based on the situation. Say something like a network diagram or a flow chart.
• Sometimes, you will be asked to provide information that’s essential to the situation.
• The response you provide should directly relate to a component in the situation.

7. PMBOK GUIDE KNOWLEDGE based questions for PMP

• The questions in this type will probe your knowledge and understanding of the 10 knowledge areas and 49 processes.
• You will be tested about the ability to the application of the Processes and Knowledge Areas. Specifically, your proficiency in the concepts, processes as to how they are related, where do they occur and what do they consist.

8. ITTO based questions for PMP

• According to the  PMBOK® Guide – Sixth Edition, there are 49 processes and each process features and input, tools & techniques and Outputs.
• You need to know about each input, Tools, Techniques & Output for every process, meaning, which ITTO belongs to what process and how can it be applied.
• Typically, the questions presented in this type will be the selection of the right correct Input, Tool & Technique, or Output for the given process.

9. Professional Social Responsibility based questions for PMP

• There are ethics and professional conduct prescribed by PMI, as part of becoming certified. 
• The questions will be in line with professional and social conduct.
• These questions will check your knowledge about adherence to  standards and ethics in doing what is right and honourable as sted by PMI

10. COMBINATION based questions for PMP

• The questions posed will be a combination of any of the above-mentioned types.
• You need to be proficient in all the formats or types of questions to answer correctly.
• Proficiency comes from practice. when the frequency of taking up practice tests and mock exams increases, you become more familiar with the formulas, situations, definitions interpretations, ITTO, and concepts.
• This not only prepares but boosts your confidence in cracking the PMP exam. Of course, in the first attempt.

For more information on PMP Exam, visit: https://www.pmi.org/

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