Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the PMP Exam

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FAQs on PMI's Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the PMP exam

The Project Management Professional (PMP) credential recognizes demonstrated knowledge and skill in leading and directing project teams and in delivering project results within the constraints of schedule, budget and resources. It is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading global association for the project management profession.

Who should apply? Those who lead and direct cross-functional teams to deliver
projects within the constraints of schedule, budget, and scope.

What do PMP candidates do? Candidates are responsible for all aspects of individual projects for the life of the project.

Image Source: Flickr / a kep

A Quick Glance at the Contents 

PMP FAQ Challenge

Email me a question about the PMP Exam that is not listed on this page, and I'll email you back a gift certificate, which can be used towards purchase of PM Prepcast. Simple.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the PMP Exam? 

To be eligible for the PMP credential, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight consecutive years prior to your application submission.

The eligibility requirements depend upon your Education Background.

  1. If you hold a High school diploma, associate's degree or global equivalent, then you need:

    • Project Management Experience: Minimum five years/60 months unique nonoverlapping professional project management experience during which at least 7,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks.

    • Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education (or PDUs)

  2. If you hold a Bachelor's degree or global equivalent, then you need:

    • Project Management Experience: Minimum three years/36 months unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks.

    • Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education (or PDUs)

For complete details, refer to the PMP Handbook.

How far back can I go for the Project Management experience on my PMP application? 

All project management experience must have been accrued within the last eight
consecutive years prior to your application submission.

What is the format of PMP Exam Questions? 

All the questions in the PMP Exam are multiple-choice questions. Each question has exactly 4 correct answer choices.

What are the fees for the PMP Exam? 

The examination fees varies depending upon whether you are a PMI member.

For PMI Members

  • Computer-based exam: USD 405

  • Paper-based exam: USD 250

For Non PMI Members

  • Computer-based exam: USD 555

  • Paper-based exam: USD 400


Tip: There's an obvious benefit in joining PMI before signing up for the PMP exam. The discount on the exam is more than the membership fee. For more on PMI Membership benefits, read 10 Benefits of PMI Membership


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How many Questions are there in the PMP Exam? 

PMP Exam comprises of 200 questions. Of the 200 questions, 25 are considered pretest questions.

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What are Pretest Questions? 

A PMP Exam consists of 25 Pretest questions.

Pretest Questions:

  • Are "trial" questions.

  • Are used in examinations as an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions.

  • Do not affect the score.

  • Are randomly placed throughout the exam.


Tip: If you have studied the PMBOK well, referred at least 2 exam guides (apart from the PMBOK Guide), attempted at least 1000 sample questions, reviewed other exam resources, and you still see a totally "out of the blue" question on the exam, there's a high probability that it may be one of those 25 Pretest questions.

What is the Passing Score for the PMP Exam? 

PMP Handbook says: The passing score for all PMI credential examinations is determined by sound psychometric analysis. PMI uses subject matter experts from across the globe to help establish a point at which each candidate should pass the examination(s) and the examination point of difficulty. Data that shows how candidates actually performed is cross referenced with the subject matter experts to ensure that the point of difficulty on each examination is healthy.

PMI has not mentioned the exact passing score in the PMP Handbook.

However, in 2005, PMI published a document "Frequently Asked Questions regarding the new PMP Examination", in which they clearly mentioned the passing score as 106 out of 175. The FAQ document is not distributed by PMI anymore. Therefore, candidates take 106 as a rough guideline for the passing score.


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Is there any negative marking in the PMP Exam? 

No. There's no negative marking in the exam. If you don't answer a question correctly, you don't get any marks for it. You score only for the right answers.

How much time is allotted for the PMP Exam? 

The allotted time to complete the computer-based examination is four hours. The examination is preceded by a tutorial and followed by a survey, both of which are optional and both of which can take up to 15 minutes to complete. the time used to complete the tutorial and survey is not included in the examination time of four hours.

Tip: Exam takers usually take the 15-minute survey, which precedes the exam, to do brain dump of formulas, important terms, or anything else they want to get off their head. Some even take this time to relax or meditate.


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Can I bookmark a question in PMP Exam and revisit it again? 

Yes. You can mark a question for 'review' and revisit it anytime during the exam. You can use this feature to your advantage.

Tip: If you are not sure about the answer of a particular question, just go by your instincts or your best guess and select an answer. Mark this question for review. Complete the first pass of all the (200) questions and then revisit the questions marked for review, at the end.

.. and don't forget to bookmark this page.

Are the answers on questions marked for review on the PMP Exam counted? 

Yes. As long as you've answered the question, it is counted at the end of the exam, irrespective of whether it's marked for review or not.

Do I need to use a calculator in the PMP Exam? 

Probably, yes. The exam is not a test of your math skills and if you can do primary school level calculations in your head, you don't need a calculator. However, people are known to stumble on '2+2=4' type calculations also under intense pressure, and it won't hurt to verify your results on a calculator.

Nowadays, the PMP Exam software has a calculator application built into it (as per PMP Handbook). However, I wasn't aware of this when I took the exam and cannot say how well it works. I was given one of those dollar-store calculators with huge buttons and bold display. I wasn't even sure whether it was spitting out correct results. Fortunately, I passed the exam.

Normally, the test centers provide calculators and you are not allowed to carry your own calculator inside the test area. But you might also want to carry your own calculator to the test center, just in case. Most likely, you'll be asked to leave yours outside (in the locker).

Is there any official break during the PMP Exam? 

No. The PMP Exam is for 4 continuous hours, without any official break. The clock doesn't stop once it starts ticking, until the end of the exam.

However, you are allowed to take breaks - nature, or regular - during the exam at your own expense (time). It's best to check with the Prometric test center, where you've scheduled your exam, about their policy on this matter.


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What is the Domain-wise distribution of PMP Exam Questions? 

The PMP examination is developed based on the PMP examination blueprint contained in the Project Management Professional (PMP) Examination Specification. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each project management process group. The following represents the percentage of questions in each domain that are included in the examination.


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Which edition of PMBOK is the PMP Exam based on? 

Until June 29, 2009: PMBOK Guide Edition 3

From June 30, 2009: PMBOK Guide Edition 4

Changes to the PMP Exam

Starting June 30, 2009, PMP Exam will be based on PMBOK 4th Ed. If you plan to take the exam on or after this date, then I'll recommend some of the best available exam prep resources. See the next section for details.

Is there any change in PMP Exam pattern from June 30, 2009? 

Many PMP aspirants are anxious to know whether there's any change in the exam pattern (such as number of questions, passing score, type of questions, difficulty level etc.) from June 30, 2009.

I specifically asked this question to PMI and their response was "No". There's no change in the exam pattern. The only difference is that the exam will be based on PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition.

If I have any updates, I'll post them on this page.

Which version of PMBOK will the exam be based on, if PMP application is approved before Jun 30? 

The exam doesn't depend upon the date your application is approved. No matter when your application is approved, if you take the exam on or after June 30, 2009, it will be based on PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition.

How can I get a copy of the PMBOK Guide? 

You can get a PMBOK Guide in various ways:

1. If you are a PMI member, you can download an electronic version (soft copy) of the PMBOK Guide here -> PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition Download.

2. If you are not a PMI member, you can purchase a hard copy of the PMBOK Guide on Amazon.

Exam Prep Material for PMBOK Fourth Edition 

1. Project Management Prepcast

This is the new video version of the extremely popular PM Prepcast and is based on PMBOK Fourth Edition (latest). A few words on the Prepcast for those who are not familiar with it:

  • It is a video Podcast compared to the previous audio-only version.

  • It has 111 lessons and total duration is over 47 hours - 38 hours video and 9.5 hours of audio.

  • You can use it on your computer, iPod, iPhone or any modern smartphone or multimedia player.

  • Using this workshop, you can earn the 35 Contact Hours, which are a pre-requisite for the PMP Exam, at your own pace and anywhere.

  • You need to pass a 25 question online test to receive your 35 Contact Hours Certificate. You need to answer 17 out of 25 questions correctly in order to pass the exam. You can take the test 2 weeks after purchasing the Prepcast. The good part is that you can take it anytime and as many times as you want.

  • It comes with lot of bonus material, the most useful of which is a sample exam with 60 tough questions.

  • It comes with an unconditional money-back guarantee.

  • Price: $99.97

I have an evaluation copy of Prepcast and posted a comprehensive review here. I suggest you read the review before purchasing it.


If you are interested in the Prepcast, you can buy it by clicking on the image below:

Project Management Prepcast



2. 1,750 PMP® Exam eFlashCards

PMP® Exam eFlashCards is one of the first products in market for people who want to take the exam on or after June 30, 2009. The flashcards are based on PMBOK Fourth Edition (latest).

Here are some product facts:

  • 1,750 cards are in the set

  • Bonus Item 1: Three sets of 167 ITTO eFlashCards.

  • Bonus Item 2: Demystifying the PMBOK® Guide Email Course.

  • Bonus Item 3: Access to Exam Discussion Forums.

  • For PMP and CAPM

  • Based on PMBOK Guide 4th Edition standard

  • eFlashCards can be used on a computer or "any" modern device like iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Treo and most "smart phones".

  • It comes with a 1-year unconditional money-back guarantee.

  • Price: $29.99

Disclosure: I own a copy of this product and can testify that it's a wonderful tool for PMP Exam Preparation. I'm going to post a comprehensive review, on this blog very soon. Even at $29.99, it's a steal. What more, it comes with a 1 year money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied for any reason - absolutely no questions asked.

If you are interested in the PMP eFlashcards, you can buy it by clicking on the image below:

PM Flashcards



3. PMP Exam Formula Study Guide

Here's another new product for PMP Exam based on PMBOK Fourth Edition - PMP Exam Formula Study Guide.

Some product facts:

  • You get 3 PDF documents:

    • Formula Study Guide

    • Formula Pocket Guide

    • 105 Exam Sample Questions

  • Mainly for PMP. Overkill for CAPM.

  • Based on PMBOK Guide 4th Edition standard

  • Price: $29.97

I have an evaluation copy of the PMP Formula Study Guide and posted a comprehensive review here. I suggest you read the review before purchasing it.


If you are interested in the PMP eFlashcards, you can buy it by clicking on the image below:

PMP Exam Formula Study Guide

How much time does it take to prepare for the PMP Exam? 

There's no right answer for this. Preparation time varies by individual.

Most people take about 3 months for preparation. Some claim to do it within a month too, while others take as long as a year.

Tip: You can drastically cut down your preparation time if you know the right approach and get the right resources quickly. Read the following sections and you'll be cruising soon.

What is the difficulty level of the PMP Exam? 

PMP exam is generally considered difficult. To read the full story, click here.

How do I prepare for the PMP Exam? 

That's a million dollar (or maybe billion now) question. You are asking the 'well' where the water is. All you need to prepare for the exam can be found here:

How to Become a PMP in 6 Steps

The above post will guide you through all the steps, resources, tools, tips, techniques, lessons learnt etc.


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What is the easiest way to get 35 Contact Hours for the PMP Exam? 

The easiest and an effective way to get 35 Contact Hours of Project Management Education is the new Video PM Prepcast. It is a Podcast based program. It provides audio-video study material, sample exam questions, an email-based course and mock exams to prepare for the PMP certification exam. You need to pass a 'final' exam at the end of the program to get your Contact Hours certificate.

You can get more details about this program here - PM Prepcast.

To read a comprehensive review of PM Prepcast, click here.

Are there any other means to earn Contact Hours? 

Yes. Here's a very good article on some of the lesser known means to earn 35 Contact Hours for PMP Certification:

Project Management Training for the PMP: Satisfying the 35 Hours Requirement

What doesn't qualify for 35 Contact hours of PM Education for PMP Certification? 

A few things that do "not" qualify towards meeting the 35 Contact Hours of PM Education for PMP Certification are:


  1. Attendance to PMI chapter meetings, unless spent conducting a learning activity.

  2. Self-study (e.g. reading books).

  3. Degree programme, such as an MBA, in its entirety, but many of the classes within the programme will apply and must be documented individually. Source: Project Management Training for the PMP: Satisfying the 35 Hours Requirement

What is the difference between Contact Hours and PDUs? 

Contact Hours are hours earned before becoming certified. Contact Hours can only be earned as traditional course time that focuses on project management.

PDUs are earned after one has become certified and there are many ways to earn PDUs.

There are 5 Categories which PDUs fall under.

Category 1: Formal Academic Education - courses taken in a degree granting program related to project management.

Category 2: Professional Activities - authoring articles in Journals, speaking or teaching PM related courses, developing a course related to PM, practicing project management and self directed learning activities.

Category 3: PMI REP - courses taken through registered education providers and chapter events such as meetings.

Category 4: Other Provider - courses or seminars taken through organizations not registered with PMI.

Category 5: Volunteer Services - services provided to your local chapter, other PM related organizations or charitable organizations.

PDU Calculations and documentation requirements can be found in the Handbook of your respective certification and does provide a more detailed description of each activity.

Do the Contact Hours have an Expiry Date? 

No. PMI does not mandate any expiry timeline for the Contact Hours (CHs) earned to qualify for the PMP Exam, as long as you retain the proof (certificate). For example, if you earned the Contact Hours in 2005, there's nothing stopping you from taking the exam in 2009.

Let me quote a message that I received from PMI on this matter:

"There is no deadline or expiry date for the PM education requirement, though the PM education must have been acquired before the submission of the PMP application."

Which is the best book for PMP Exam preparation? 

PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

PMP Exam Prep, Sixth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

by: Rita Mulcahy, PMP

The bible for PMP Exam is of course, the PMBOK Guide. However, there are many other good books in the market to prepare for the exam.

The most popular book is PM Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy. I have personally used it and recommend it whole-heartedly. I've been running a survey on the best PMP Exam Prep book on my blog, for the past 2 months. So far, 65% people have voted in favor of this book.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Which is the best PMP Exam Simulator? 

PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6

PM Fastrack Exam Simulation Software for the PMP Exam: Version 6

by: Rita Mulcahy

Amazon Price: $188.37 (as of 12/11/2009)Buy Now

In my opinion, Rita Mulcahy's PMP Fastrack is the best exam simulator. It is ahead of the rest in several terms such as quality of questions, number of questions, simulator features and software quality. It comes with 1500 questions and the question format, quality and standard is very close to the real PMP exam.

I used it personally for my preparation and would highly recommend it. The only con is probably the cost. If you can afford it, I would say, you don't need to look elsewhere.

Tip: Even if you have this simulator, you should try at least couple other free mock exams as well. Read the next section for the list of free mock exams.

Ready Set Pass: This is another good exam simulator that has been rated highly. I have not used it personally but have received good feedback from reliable sources.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Where can I find resources to prepare for the PMP Exam? 

Here's the address to the "Gold Mine" of PMP Exam Resources:

Directory of *Best* PMP Exam Resources on the web

Here you'll find more than 3000+ sample exam questions, links to exam preparation guides, forums, simulators and a lot more.

New Books based on PMBOK 4th Edition

So far, only a handful of publishers have released new or upgraded books for PMBOK Fourth Edition. Many have announced the plans and books are available for pre-order on Amazon. See the list here: PMP Exam Prep Books for PMBOK 4th Edition

Which are the toughest topics on the PMP exam? 

Among the Knowledge Areas, the toughest topics are the Project Management Processes, Procurement Management, Risk Management and Integration Management.

I remember I had loads of questions from Procurement Management. Also, many times one question touches upon several different Knowledge Areas.

Among the Process Groups, Monitoring & Controlling and Initiating are the toughest.

Which formulas should I know for the PMP Exam? 

All the formulas that you need to know for the PMP Exam are mentioned on this post: Review of PMP Formula Study Guide.

What is the Application Process for the PMP Exam? 

At a high level, the PMP application process involves the following steps:

  1. You submit an online application for the exam to PMI.

  2. PMI reviews your application and if it is determined to be complete, PMI will send you an email to submit the exam fee. Your application approval is valid for one-year from the date you receive the approval email.

  3. After you pay for the exam, PMI will send you an email indicating one of the following next steps:

    • Examination scheduling instructions to help you schedule your examination

    • Application has randomly been selected for PMI's audit process

  4. If you receive exam scheduling instructions, you can go ahead and schedule your exam with Prometric.

  5. If your application is selected for an audit, PMI will provide you the follow-up instructions to comply with the audit.

Note: If your application is selected for an audit, your one-year eligibility clock stops, and would restart only when you successfully clear the audit.

Tip: Please make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria before submitting your application. Also, fill your application form honestly and truthfully. If you follow these guidelines, you would have nothing to fear from the audit.

How do I report my Project Management experience in the PMP Exam application? 

You need to report your Project Management experience hours to PMI as part of your PMP Exam application. The experience is reported process group-wise for all relevant projects.

Record your project management hours in an excel sheet first. This will come very handy when filling up the online application form. A sample worksheet (template) is located here.

How do I apply for the PMP Exam? 

PMI encourages candidates to apply for the PMP exam online. The online application can be submitted on PMI's Online Certification System.

If you want to apply offline (through postal mail or fax), you can print the following form and send the hard copy to PMI Global Operations Center (address available in PMP Handbook):

PMP Application Form

How far in advance should I apply for the PMP exam? 

Read How to become a PMP in 6 Steps to understand the process of certification. It will help you determine how far in advance you need to apply.

Is it possible to apply for the PMP exam without being a PMI member? 

Yes, absolutely. You don't need to be a PMI member to apply for PMP certification. But, only a fool would do so (sorry for the harsh language). PMI membership costs $129, but you get a $150 discount on the exam. For more details, read 10 Benefits of PMI Membership.

So, why would you want to apply for PMP certification without joining PMI?

How much time does PMI take to process PMP Exam Application? 

The application processing timeline is mentioned in the table below:


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How are PMP Exams Administered? 

Computer-based testing (CBT) is the standard method of administration for all PMI examinations.

However, paper-based testing (PBT) is available in the following situations only:

  1. Candidates who live at least 186.5 miles/300 km from a Prometric CBT site.

  2. Employers (Corporate Sponsors) who wish to administer a PMI examination to their employees. In this case, there is no restriction on distance; however only employees of the corporation may test at these events.



Image Source: Flickr / Extra Ketchup

How often are PMP exams conducted? 

PMP Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) are conducted everyday, all over the world. As I mentioned above, the exam is administered by Prometric. You need to book the exam slot with the Prometric test center near your location. When you get to take the exam depends upon the availability of test slot.

Paper-Based Tests (PBTs) are conducted on pre-scheduled dates. The event sheet can be found on Prometric website as mentioned in the previous module above.

How do I pay the fee for the PMP Exam? 

You can pay the exam fee on PMI's Online Certification System.

Note: You pay the exam fee to PMI, not Prometric.

Image Source: Flickr / flypig

What is the Audit Process for PMP Exam Application? 

As mentioned above, the one-year exam eligibility clock stops when your application is selected for an audit. PMI will inform you about the audit, "after" you pay for the exam. They will also send you detailed instructions on how to comply with the audit.

During the audit, you will be asked to submit documents such as:

  1. Copies of your diploma/degree certificates

  2. Signatures from your manager(s)/supervisor(s) on projects that you mentioned in the experience verification section of your original application.

  3. Your 35 Contact Hours certificate from the PMI Registered Education Provider (REP).

You need to send the requested documents through regular postal mail or courier service. Faxed or emailed documents are not accepted during audit.

The audit time primarily depends on how fast the applicant mails back the requested information to PMI. Once PMI receives your documents, they usually takes about 5 business days to complete the audit.

If you clear the audit, PMI will give you a go ahead for scheduling the exam and your eligibility clock will start ticking.

How can I avoid PMP Application Audit? 

You cannot. There's nothing you can do to avoid your application from getting audited. A small percentage (about 10%) of applications are selected randomly for audit.

However, you can take some steps to prepare yourself to face the audit and ensure that the audit goes through smoothly, in case your application gets audited.

To read more, click here.

What if I fail to meet the Audit Requirements for the PMP Exam? 

If you fail to meet the audit requirements, PMI will refund your exam fee, minus $100 administration fee for the audit. Now you know why they ask you to pay first :)

However, PMI has clearly mentioned in the PMP Handbook that they reserve the right to audit any candidate any time i.e. even after they achieve the PMP credentials. If you fail to meet the audit requirements after you achieve your PMP certification, you will not be eligible for any refund.

Note: I'm still trying to find out how and when, if at all, a candidate is eligible to re-apply for PMP certification once he/she fails the audit requirements.

How do I schedule my PMP Exam? 

You can schedule the PMP Exam directly on Prometric website. You can also call them and schedule your exam.

PMI does not guarantee exam slot availability with Prometric and strongly recommends that candidates book the exam slot:

  • at least six weeks in advance of your preferred test date and

  • at least three months before the expiration of your eligibility period

How many times can I reschedule my PMP exam with Prometric? 

From my experience you can reschedule the exam as many times as you want, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before your current appointment. I rescheduled my exam at least 4 times before I finally went for it.

You can reschedule the exam online or by calling the test center directly. But note that many test centers do not provide direct (phone or otherwise) rescheduling facility. For such centers, you can reschedule the exam online.

Check out the Prometric's FAQs page for more details.

Note: It is best to call Prometric and confirm the terms & conditions of rescheduling the exam in order to avoid any issues.


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Is there a fee to reschedule the PMP Exam? 

No. As long as you meet the criteria listed above, there's no fee to reschedule the exam, no matter how many times you reschedule it..

What if I do not take the PMP Exam within the 1-year eligibility period? 

Well, you would have to re-apply and go through the entire application process again. Moreover, if you have paid the exam fee and don't take the exam within 1 year, your exam fee would be forfeited.

Where do I take the PMP Exam? 

All computer-based tests (CBT) are administered by Prometric. You can select the most convenient testing center and schedule the exam on the Prometric website.

Note: The exam cannot be taken online (internet-based). You need to physically go to the selected Prometric testing center to take the exam. I'm mentioning this explicitly because lot of candidates think that they can take the exam online (internet-based).

Where can I find the list of Paper-Based Test (PBT) Centers for PMP Exam? 

You can get a list of Paper-Based Test Centers on the Prometric site. Here's the current list.

If the above link doesn't work, head to Prometric website and look for Locate a paper-based test event.

Can the PMP Exam be taken in a language other than English? 

No and Yes. All PMI examinations are administered in English. However, language aids for the questions and answers of the PMP and CAPM examinations are available to assist you if English is your second language.

Language aids are available in the following 12 languages:

Arabic
Brazilian Portuguese
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
French
German
Hebrew
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Russian
Spanish

As I understand, language aids are online instructions in one of the 12 languages listed above.

What do I need to bring to the test center for taking the PMP Exam? 

You are advised to bring the following items to the test center for taking the PMP Exam:


  • Two forms of identification (see the next section for valid forms of identifications)

  • A copy of the exam confirmation email from Prometric (though not absolutely required, it's better to carry a copy along)

  • Water

  • Light Snacks

  • A sweater or a jacket (just in case it's cold inside the test center)

  • A calculator (though most probably you won't be allowed to use your calculator)

  • Simple Ear-plugs (test center usually provides their own ear-plugs)

  • Yourself :)

What type of identification must I bring to the test center for the PMP Exam? 

The exam confirmation email that you will receive from Prometric will contain the exact identification policy which is applicable to you. You must follow the requirements listed in that email. If you have any questions or concerns, call your test center before the exam and clarify with them.

In general, the identification policy is like this:

Candidates must present one form of un-expired, government-issued identification that contains the candidate's name, photograph and signature. The following forms of identification are acceptable only if they meet these requirements: Passport, driver's license, national identity card, military ID, other forms of un-expired, government-issued, identification that has both signature and photo. If any of the above forms of identification contain the candidate's name or photograph, but not his/her signature, the candidate can use another form of un-expired identification what provides a signature to supplement the photo-bearing, government-issued ID. Examples are: Employee ID, Bank card, Credit card

For more details, check out Prometric Exam-takers' FAQs.

What (stationery) does the test center provide for the PMP Exam? 

The test center usually provides:


  • A few blank papers

  • A few sharpened pencils

  • A simple calculator (nowadays calculator application is built in to the exam software)

When will I know the result of my PMP Exam? 

For Computer-Based Test, you will know the result after several 'loooong' seconds upon completion of the exam. You are allowed to pray to your God during this time.

In short, you'll get the result on your screen, immediately after you complete the exam.

Prometric test center will give you an "official" sealed copy (computer print-out) of your marksheet before you leave the test center.

For Paper-Based Test, it will take a few weeks before you get the result.

What does the PMP Exam Score Report contain? 

The PMP Exam Score Report contains:

  • Test result - Pass or Fail.

  • Domain-wise performance information:

    • Proficient

    • Moderately Proficient

    • Below Proficient

Note: The Score Report does not show your actual score or even percentage scored.

Is there any way to find the percentage score on the PMP Exam? 

No. PMP Exam score report only indicates the domain-wise proficiency level. There's no way to find the actual score.

What is the percentage equivalent of each Proficiency Level on the PMP Exam? 

If PMI were to disclose percentage values for each proficiency level, then why would they move away from the old system (of publishing the score in percentages) to the new system (of publishing proficiency levels)?

So, the short answer - PMI does NOT disclose the percentage score for each proficiency level (Proficient, Moderately Proficient, Below Proficient).

Does proficiency level (or score) matter on the PMP Exam? 

First of all, PMI doesn't provide a score for PMP Exams. You only get a domain-wise "Proficiency Level" on the PMP Exam score report.

When it comes to PMP exam, a pass is a pass. It doesn't really matter how comfortably you pass or how narrowly you scrape through. The proficiency level is provided to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

What does a PMP Certificate look like? 

Pretty anxious huh? Here you go:


Does the PMP Certificate show the score? 

No, the PMP Certificate does not indicate the score or proficiency level as you can see (or cannot see) in the image above.

How long does PMI take to mail the PMP Certificate to successful candidates? 

You get the certificate in about 2-3 weeks after passing the exam. The time varies depending upon your coordinates on the globe.

How many PMPs are there in the World? 

If you have questions like "How many PMPs are there in the World?", or "What is PMI membership strength?" or "How many people pass PMP exam each month?", please refer to the PMI Fact File.

How can I verify a person's PMP credential? 

PMI publishes an online registry of all certified PMPs. You can verify a person' PMP credentials if you know his/her last name.

You can view the registry here: PMI Online Registry

How long does it take for my name to appear in PMI Online Registry after passing the PMP Exam? 

It takes about 7 to 10 business days for PMI to receive the exam result from Prometric. Overall, it may take upto 4 to 6 weeks for your name to appear in PMI Online Registry.

However, in my experience, the registry gets updated within 2 weeks.

What if I fail the PMP Exam? 

Hell won't break loose if you fail your PMI exam.

PMP Exam is not an easy by any means. Many candidates fail the exam on their first try. According to a guesstimate, about 30-40% people fail the exam on the first try. So, you don't need to get disheartened. Rather use the experience as a springboard for your next big leap and pass the exam.

You can take the exam upto 3 times within one year from your application approval date. If you fail the examination three times within the one-year eligibility period, you must wait one year from the date of the last examination you took to reapply for the credential.

You need to pay a reexamination fee for each retake.

The reexamination fees also varies depending upon whether you are a PMI member.

Reexamination Fees for PMI Members

  • Computer-based exam: USD 275

  • Paper-based exam: USD 150

Reexamination Fees for Non PMI Members

  • Computer-based exam: USD 375

  • Paper-based exam: USD 300




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If I fail the PMP Exam, how soon can I retake it? 

PMI does not mandate any "cooling off" period to retake the exam. You can retake the exam anytime provided:

  1. You apply for re-examination and pay the reexamination fee. Normally, it will take about 3-4 business days for your previous exam result to be registered in PMI's systems. So, you'll have to wait until your previous result is recorded in their systems before applying for re-examination.

  2. You book the exam slot again with Prometric.

  3. The new exam date is within the one-year eligibility window.

How do I apply for PMP re-examination? 

You can apply for PMP re-examination through PMI's Online Certification System.

If you prefer to apply offline (through postal mail or fax), you can print the following form (refer to pg. 11) and send the hard copy to PMI Global Operations Center (address available in PMP Handbook):

PMP Application Form

What if I fail the PMP Exam now and retake on or after June 30, 2009? 

If a candidate fails the PMP Exam now (i.e. before June 29, 2009) and schedules the reexamination on or after June 30, 2009, he/she would have to take the "new" PMP Exam, which would be based on PMBOK Fourth Edition.

So, it would be a double whammy. Not only would the person need to write the exam again, but would also have to prepare again based on a new course material.

However, note that the Contact Hours, which were earned to qualify for the previous attempt, would still be valid for the "new" PMP Exam.

For some strategies on dealing with this situation, check this page.

If I fail in the PMP Exam, can I apply for re-evaluation? 

Yes, you can apply for re-evaluation. You may submit a written request to the PMI Certification Department for review of their decision. Requests can be sent my postal mail to PMI, or by e-mail to certappeals@pmi.org.

Does the PMP Exam score report indicate previous failed attempts? 

Neither the PMP Exam score report nor the PMP Certificate have any reference to any previous failed attempt.

Will anyone know if I fail the PMP Exam? 

Yes, you will know, and anyone you tell, will know.

But rest assured, PMI does NOT disclose your test history to anyone other than you. They do publish a list of certified PMPs on PMI Online Registry.

They do NOT publish a list of unsuccessful candidates.

What is the value of PMP Certification? 

I'm glad you asked this question. I have a collection of useful links and discussions that discuss this topic at length. Follow the link below to get the list:

Value of PMP Certification

Where can I find more information about the PMP Exam? 

The single-most important resource about the PMP Exam is the PMP Handbook.

You can also refer to the official FAQs from PMI here: PMI's FAQs

If you still have unanswered questions, you can post them as comments at the bottom of this page. I'll try my best to get the answer and even include the question and answer in my list of FAQs.

How do I contact PMI if I have any questions? 

You can contact PMI through email at this address: customercare@pmi.org


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  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Aug 31, 2009 @ 6:56 am
    Hello Shane,

    I think I overlooked your question. My apologies for the delay in response.

    There are plenty of articles and white papers on the difference between PMBOK 3 & 4. I have a few links on the following page:

    http://deepfriedbrain.blogspot.com/2008/03/daily-nuggets-archive.html

    Search for word "PMBOK" on that page and you'll find the resources you are looking for.

    Regards.

    [in reply to Shane]
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Aug 31, 2009 @ 6:39 am
    Hi Bolufolke,

    I'm sorry to hear that. It's a bit unfortunate that you missed out on the exam in that manner. As far as I know, "no show" is equivalent to failing the exam. So, in the worst case, you should have to pay $275 again to retake the exam.

    If I may ask, what was the reason for your being late? If it was an emergency, I suggest that you write to customercare@pmi.org and see if they can make an exception for you and let you write the exam again without repaying the exam fee. There's no harm in trying this option.

    I'm also curious to know, how late were you. If it was 30 mins (or so) late, you could still call Prometric and tell them that you would be starting the exam late.

    As I said, in the worst case, you would have to pay the re-examination fee of $275.

    All the best.

    [in reply to bolufolke]
  • Reply
    bolufolke bolufolke Aug 31, 2009 @ 6:29 am
    hello,
    i was scheduled for an exam but could not make it to the venue on time. it was too late to reschedule because of the 48hour time requirement. what does it take to schedule another appointment: do i have to pay the entire 405 dollars, or do i pay the 275 for reexamination?

    thank you.
  • Reply
    Shane Shane Aug 7, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
    What are the differences from the PMBOK 3rd edition to the PMBOK 4th edition? I'm trying to figure out what areas I need to go over again.
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jul 26, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
    Hello Chan,

    The 36-month experience doesn't have to be continuous. You can go as far as past 8 years on the experience requirement. So, out of past 8 years, you need to have 36 months of experience in Project Management and meet the other eligibility requirements.

    Regards.
  • Reply
    Chan Chan Jul 26, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
    Question regarding PMP eligibility requirements:

    Should the 36 months eligibility requirements be in succession the last 36 months or can it have gaps in between? Let's say, i were on a sabbatical for 12 months inbetween my project management tenure at two different organizations.
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jul 7, 2009 @ 7:12 am
    Hello SV,

    1. You can apply for PMP and then engage a PMI rep into discussion. It doesn't cost anything to apply.
    2. I can help you get 35 Contact Hours and really good quality PM training in less than $100. So, don't worry about this aspect at all. I can also guide you step by step. First, sort out your doubts on the eligibility with PMI.
    3. PMP is definitely much more recognized than CAPM. Latter is more of an entry level PM Certification. PMP should be your first choice.
    4. I would start with what I know best. You mentioned Oracle (PLSQL, DBA, appl DBA). So, bring yourself up to speed on this area. You can even try for Oracle certifications. Having technology certifications would certainly give you an edge.

    I suggest you email me using the form at the following URL if you want to discuss further:

    http://www.emailmeform.com/contact_webmaster_fid-286144.html

    This place is not well suited for long discussions.

    All the best.
  • Reply
    SV SV Jul 6, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
    Hello again.. there wasn't enough space...
    CAPM sounds like a fair alternative. My goal right now is to tie my 8 years of IT experience to 3 years of Restaurant ownership experience. To me PMP sounded like the right option. However, I don't have the money / time to spend on the application and 35 credit hours (costs $2,XXX) without a definite yes (that I have enough experience).
    I need to go get a job. However, I want to make my resume strong and make myself look like i am serious and determined to take on and keep a job. I am not married to the idea of getting PMP certification. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get my foot in the door looking good.
    I looked into Java programming and .NET. I might consider CAPM (though I don't find many jobs asking for it). I am willing to spend time learning these softwares. My previous experience was in Oracle (PLSQL, DBA, appl DBA)
    If you were me, what (other) options do you think you would look at?
    Thanks again for your time.
  • Reply
    SV SV Jul 6, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
    Hi there! Thanks for your reply. I did write to the PMI customer service and got a standard reply that they cannot answer my questions unless I submit an application. I will write back to them and see if they can give me a satisfactory reply.
    About my rest. experience, it was a franchise. With their help I singularly setup, ran the place, hired and fired people, did the inventory, ordering etc and sold my business too. However, I didn't report to anyone - since I was my own boss. I could give PMI the Master franchise tel# and they should be able to attest my claims.
    My freelancing work was for a very short time - I could provide my friend(owner)'s info without a problem.
    As for my work in It (feels like it was in my previous life) I did some projects where atleast some of the categories could qualify. However, I need to hunt down my boss's info. I don't even remember my titles or anything for that matter.
    I am not even sure if I should be pursuing this line anymore.
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jul 6, 2009 @ 11:49 am
    Hello again SV, there wasn't enough space to type my entire message in one box.

    I want to add that you can also look at the CAPM Certification, also from PMI. It doesn't require any PM experience, as long as you get 23 hours or PM training.

    But before you go that route, follow-up with PMI and clarify your doubts. Put your questions in detail and be patient. They take 3 business days to respond and rarely answer the questions directly in the first email. But if you follow-up, you'll get the info that you want.

    I also suggest that you join LinkedIn (if you are not already a member) and join some forums related to Project Management and post your queries there as well. LinkedIn members come from varied backgrounds and you might find someone in the same boat as you.

    Finally, I would say, don't give up.

    Good luck.

    [in reply to sv]
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jul 6, 2009 @ 11:39 am
    Hello SV, you need 3 yrs(4500 hrs) of "professional" PM experience. Now I understand that you have owned and managed a small business. While "operating" the business is not a project, several parts of it may be projects, like setting up the restaurant, or renovating it, etc. PMI requires you to have experience in all 5 different process groups - Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing. Do you think you followed the processes throughout the lifecycle of the project? I'm sure you would have faced many of the same challenges as in formal PM., but do you have documentation to prove this experience? Also, PMI requires you to provide references of people whom you "reported to" in your projects. In your case, who would your references be? Same things apply for your freelancing work.

    I suggest you write directly to customercare@pmi.org and clarify your doubts. They will provide the most authentic info. If you have further q's,post them here and I'll try to ans.
  • Reply
    sv sv Jul 5, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
    Hi there, I am desperate for some advice and hope you can help me. I would like to know if I qualify to take the the pmp certification exam.

    My experience:
    I have a Masters Degree in Civil Engg from Univ. of Missouri (1993-1995)
    I worked in the IT industry for 8years (programmer to systems analyst) (1995-2003)
    I singularly owned and operated a quick service restaurant (2003-2006)

    I've been a stay-at-home mom for 3 years now. I did some freelancing work for a friend by acquiring web-project details from here and sending them to India (where the projects were done).

    I want to get back into the IT work force and since academics are my strong suit, I want to try the PMP certification. The experience I had owning and operating my restaurant gave me enough project management experience. However, I believe a certification will let the interviewer know that I am serious about getting back to a job and into IT.

    So what do you think?? Is my thinking process flawed?

    Thanks for your time
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jun 30, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
    Hello Vikas,

    Regarding your question on getting the details of members from the local PMI chapter, I doubt they will provide you such information. It's their duty to protect the privacy of their members. So, unless other members (and PMP aspirants like you) have registered their interest with them specifically, you can't get expect to get member details directly.

    Your options are:

    1. Attend their chapter meetings, PMP Prep boot camps and events and get to know such people through networking.
    2. If the chapter has a website, you could post your interest on their website (if they allow it).
    3. Post your interest (to form a study group) in local (Hyderabad) forums or other PMP certification related forums.

    Good luck.
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Jun 30, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
    Hello Vikas,

    You highlighted a good point. I'll say 2 things:

    1. You have to be extra careful during the exam, when clicking those buttons. Remember, it's 'the PMP Exam' that you have been preparing for for the past several months. It's not a casual web browsing session.

    2. The safer option is to start the survey and not click any button until you complete your brain dump (or whatever else you want to do). Leave 2-3 mins at the end to quickly run through the tutorial. In the worst case, it will get timed out and the exam will begin automatically.

    Hope this helps.
  • Reply
    Vikas Jain Vikas Jain Jun 30, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
    In one of the forum, one guy shared his experience of the exam. He did the following mistake.

    "I just made one mistake at start of exam thought of sharing with you
    so that it does not repeat with others. We are first given 15 mnts to
    go through the Computer based exam procedures which would take less
    than 2 mnts and during rest of 13 mnts time the general advice is to
    brain dump all the process groups and formulas on the scratch paper
    given for quick reference later. I intended to do the same but as I
    went clicking on >NEXT> button I overshot and the exam started off :(
    . So be careful to stop short of clicking on the Last NEXT button
    during the instruction phase if you want to utilize the 10-13 mnts. "

    My Question -- How to identify that last >NEXT> button that you don't want to
    click yet?

    P.S. I asked this question from the guy who shared experience but did not get any response, so asking here.

    Thanks in advance
    Vikas
  • Reply
    Vikas Jain Vikas Jain Jun 30, 2009 @ 5:18 pm
    Can i get the details of the PMP aspirants from the local PMI chapter. In my case i am in Hyderabad, India, so can i get the details of PMP aspirants from the local PMI chapter (PMIPCC).
    Basically, i wish to have the details to make a study group, who can meet regularly and prepare together.

    Thanks
    Vikas
  • Reply
    Vikas Jain Vikas Jain Jun 30, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
    Hi Harwinder,

    I have a query related with 3rd chapter of PMBOK 4th edition.

    Here the process of 'Acquire Project Team' is mentioned as part of Executing Process Group.

    Since usually the resource or the project team is required during the Planning, Should n't it (the process of 'Acquire Project Team' ) be part of the Planning Process group ?

    Thanks
    Vikas
  • Reply
    Brain_Washer Brain_Washer Apr 29, 2009 @ 7:18 am
    Hello Akther,

    Thanks for your comments. You need to become PMI member "before" paying the exam fee so that you can avail the $150 ($405 for members; $555 for non-members) discount for PMI members on the exam fee. PMI membership is $129 ($10 application fee $119 annual membership fee). So, even after paying the membership fee, you'll save $21. Hope this answers your question.

    All the best.
  • Reply
    akther akther Apr 29, 2009 @ 7:08 am
    First of all thanks for giving worthfull information.
    Still i have one thing in mind,after getting the approval from PMI and saying that pay the credential fee for scheduling the exam.
    Here when to become the member, after paying the exam fee or before.?

    Thanks in advance
    akther
    akther_owais@yahoo.com
  • Reply
    tdove tdove Apr 6, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
    Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
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by Brain_Washer

I'm an IT Project Manager and a certified PMP.





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