8 Useful Tips for PMP Exam Preparation

Globally, the demand for Project Management Professionals is increasing day by day. If you’re looking to secure your future in Project Management, you’re at the right place. As per Glassdoor, the average PMP salary of £45 762 per annum, makes Project Management a rewarding career. As a Project Manager, your responsibilities include planning and coordinating crucial projects for your firm and ensuring that the requirements of the project are delivered on time.  

If you want an upper hand over other candidates in the field of Project Management, you should consider getting certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP)®. The PMP exam is one of the most challenging tests, and the preparation demands a significant amount of time, effort, and devotion.  

If you’re just starting your career or want to get to a higher position in the field of Project Management, we have got you covered. This guide will help you understand how to study, what to study and everything else you will require throughout your PMP Exam preparation journey for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam.

Table of Contents

1) How to Start PMP Exam Preparation?

2) Top 8 Tips for PMP Exam Preparation 

3) What Type of Questions are Expected?

4) All About PMP Certification

5) PMP Exam Certification Cost

6) Conclusion

How to Start PMP Exam Preparation?

If you’re all the way here, you have understood the PMP certification exam’s requirements and we hope you have ensured your eligibility. Further, we will provide you with a few suggestions on how to start your PMP exam preparation.  

The number of PMP certification holders is increasing rapidly. This means there is a massive competition and you will have to master the entire PMP course with the appropriate amount of effort, devotion, and guidance. To assist in getting the PMP certification, we are providing a step-by-step strategy.

a) Examine

Before you begin your preparation, thoroughly understand the subject material you intend to cover. Examine all of the charts, graphs, and headers in the PMBOK Guide and your other exam preparation materials. Gain familiarity with the areas you desire to cover, as it will provide you with a better grasp of where to find them in the book. It will make both - the initial study and the last-minute revision - easier. Starting with this type of research will also make it easier for you to organise information in your thoughts systematically and logically.

b) Strategies

Discover your motivation and start with the topic that interests you the most to stay motivated throughout the day. Plan before commencing your day’s work. Plan your schedule and determine what you want to learn from the materials you have set to study. Study goals or recap questions from your PMP study materials first, so you can understand what you’re aiming for, where you’re going and what you need to complete before the end of the day.

c) Research

Before you begin your preparation, thoroughly understand the subject material you intend to cover. Start your everyday study by making a list of questions you should be able to answer by the end of the day. Starting with this type of research will also make it easier for you to organise information in your thoughts systematically and logically.

d) Break-down 

Break down your study plan for the day, based on cognitive psychology studies. According to this study, the first and ending parts of a study session are the most memorable. Take advantage of this methodology by breaking up your study periods into smaller parts. For instance, if your total study time is five hours, divide it into six 45-minute sessions with brief breaks in between. This will help you recap the things you studied before the break and help you grasp the next topics quickly.

Want to gain a certification that demonstrates your Project Management skills and experience? Sign up for PMP Certification Training!

Top 8 Tips for PMP Exam Preparation 

Here we will provide you with the most widely used top tips for PMP exam preparation: 
 

1) Prepare from the PMBOK® Guide 

Use PMBOK® Guide as your main weapon to get on the battlefield of the PMP exam, as the exam is mostly based on the PMBOK® Guide. Treat this Guide as your roadmap for PMP exam preparation. Plan to study one topic/ knowledge area from the PMBOK® followed by other materials. This will help you cover each and every topic thoroughly. You will also be avoiding studying repetitive topics, as other materials frequently repeat the information from a different angle. 

Set your daily and weekly target with the PMBOK® Guide. Divide the knowledge areas of the PMBOK® Guide and study one part every day. It is not enough to just remember everything. Make an effort to understand and relate topics and study them with attention and concentration. This is crucial since the PMP® exam questions will assess your ability to apply these concepts, principles, and ideas. Many questions are based on real-time problems. PMBOK® Guide provides you with enough knowledge to enable you to come up with the best answer. 

Give at least three readings to each topic and pause after completing a section of the PMBOK® Guide before revisiting it. This will help you with greater understanding and remembering concepts will be simple. To understand all the knowledge areas, processes, concepts, and industry best practices involved in being a PMP use the latest version (7th edition) of the PMBOK®. Additionally, ensure that you’re updated with changes that are made to the new version of the 6th edition of the PMBOK® Guide.  

2) Select the best PMP® Prep book 

A quality PMP® textbook is essential. Scott Berkun and Kim Heldman are two of the best writers for PMP® candidates. The PMP® certification exam is filled with challenging questions and answers that put your knowledge and aptitude to the test in tough real-life situations. Exam preparation may consume a large amount of your time and will necessitate a significant degree of dedication. 

One of the difficulties you will confront is dealing with the Inputs, Tools, Techniques, and Outputs (ITTOs) of each operation. Working on the fundamentals initially will allow you to recognise the links between the processes and better comprehend them. You do not need to remember the ITTOs, which will save you time while preparing for questions on these topics. A good study resource can assist you to know what to expect and will make your PMP test preparation easier. Make short notes from these books to add-on to the topics you have already studied in the PMBOK® Guide.
 

3) Consider PMP Exam prep workshops  

Many aspirants join the PMP test prep workshops to complete the 35 contact hours. This is the best option for someone who prefers a classroom environment and one-on-one engagement for preparation. It provides you with an opportunity to meet other aspiring project management professionals, in addition to networking through a PMI® membership. 

4) Utilise Online PMP Exam Simulators 

PMP® simulators are online mock tests for the PMP exam. You can assess your degree of preparedness as you will be given a series of questions in the same structure as the actual PMP® exam. With these, you will grow familiar with the timing and pressure of the exam as these mocks tend to simulate the test setting. 

5) Try Online PMP Exam Prep Workshops

Fear preparing on your own, then these PMP Exam Prep workshops are the best option. You can choose to opt for online PMP exam prep workshops as their cost is comparatively less. Select the option that suits your learning style and do a lot of comparison and testimonial reading before selecting the offline/online workshop.  

6) Remember to make flash cards

Make short notes from these books to add-on to the topics you have already studied in the PMBOK® Guide. You can take the help of paper or electronic flashcards for this. You can paste these on the book you’re studying, notes or anywhere near your study table. Downloadable flashcards may be printed or also used on a computer or smartphone.

7) Participate in Study Groups and Forum Discussions 

Study groups and discussion forums may be quite beneficial in preparing for your PMP® test. As an active member in study groups and discussion forums, you may assist others and get help with your doubts, discover other beneficial resources, and drastically shorten the time necessary to prepare for the exam. 

8) Create your own Learning Plan

Every individual learns at a different pace and is comfortable with specific methods of learning. Taking your understanding of the topics so far into consideration, you can devise your own study plan. This way, you stay motivated to push forward but at a pace, you are comfortable in. Here are some points to remember for your learning plan:

a) The extent of your familiarity with the exam topics

b) The amount of time that you wish to contribute to studying

c) Your decided date and time to take the examination

d) Deciding on training techniques that are better suited for you: self-study or instructor-led

Start your preparation from here – sign up for the Introduction to Project Management course!

What Type of Questions are Expected?

Once you have thoroughly understood and covered the entire PMBOK guide along with your other study materials, our next step is to take up enough PMP practice tests. This will help you understand the type of questions that you will be asked. The questions are divided into multiple choices, scenario-based questions, formula-based and other questions in the form of fill-in-the-blanks that will test your knowledge about a particular topic. A Few other questions are interpretational in their style as they intend to test your capability to analyse a real-time situation and find solutions. You can also expect a few technical questions. 

Check whether you are ready?

While the PMI has never declared the minimum marks for qualifying, it is believed that scoring 62% will help you pass the exam. Most of the toppers follow the 85 percent rule. We suggest you aim to answer atleast 85% of questions correctly in the practice test to ensure that you qualify for the exam with no hassle. This not only helps you to understand where you are in your preparation and to check whether you’re ready for the PMP exam or not, but also helps in evaluating how hard is the PMP Exam.

All About PMP Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a Project Management certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMI has released the most recent version – the 7^th edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide. The PMP certification gives project managers the PMP tools they need to keep up with the latest developments in business and Project Management. 

The PMP certification is a globally recognised credential, that will set you apart from your peers as a Project Management professional. The PMP certification will educate you on the process of Project Management, industry best practices, and widely used methods like Waterfall and Agile Project Management methodologies.  

The PMP certification requires work experience, training, and the successful completion of the PMP exam. Once you have passed the PMP exam successfully, you will be considered a Project Management Professional (PMP). Acquiring this title will help you excel in your career. 

a) Prerequisites for PMP Exam Prep 

PMI requires you to fill out the PMP certification application which is available in both online and PDF format on the pmi.org website. It takes typically 5 to 10 days for PMI to review your application, post which you will be contacted for payment. Once PMI has sent the credential fee invoice, your submission is eligible for the audit procedure. PMI selects applications at random. If your application is accepted for an PMP audit, you will be notified by email. 

PMI demands a few documents to be submitted; those are: 

1) Copies of your secondary/four-year degree qualification 

2) A copy of the 35 Hours of Contact (Project Management Training) Certificate 

3) For experience verification, signed copies of the project manager or supervisor 

If you complete the application audit, PMI will send you an email with your PMI eligibility ID and exam schedule information. You will then have one year to plan the exam.  

But wait! Before you plan, ensure that you meet the below eligibility criteria to take up the PMP certification.  

b) PMP Exam Eligibility

1) You will need to have a four-year degree qualification certificate,  

2) along with a minimum of 36 months of Project Management work experience.  

3) 35 hours of Project Management training (“Contact Hours”) or a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification 

OR 

1) You will be required to have a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate degree, etc.)  

2) supplemented with a minimum of 60 months of Project Management work experience that you gained within the last five years. 

3) 35 contact hours or CAPM certification

You’re not required to complete contact hours to get the PMP title if you already hold the CAPM certificate. Contact hours can be completed online or in person from a Registered Education Provider (REP). However, online PMP certification training courses are often less expensive.
 

PMP Exam Certification Cost 

The PMP certification exam cost varies depending upon whether you’re a first-timer or a repeater. Typically, the cost ranges from £256 to £4267.

PMP Certification Fee Structure 
 

Fees for Re-examination 

a) £205 for PMI members 

b) £280 for non-PMI members 

If you fail the test the first time, you can repeat it later. This provides you more time to study and you can take the PMP exam three times a year.  

The validation of the PMP certification is for 3 years. You can renew your PMP certificate by completing 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs). PDUs are hours spent on professional development activities over the three years of your certification. If you are a PMI member, you must pay £52 and non-members must pay £128 to renew their PMP certificate. 

Secure your future in Project Management! Check out our Project Management courses!   

Conclusion

In this blog, we explained the things that you must keep in mind while making your PMP exam preparations. Obtaining a PMP certificate will help you with great opportunities in project management around the world. According to PayScale, the average yearly compensation for a PMP-certified professional is £55,000. Obtain the certification that demonstrates your management skills and experience in Project Management.

Also, check out our blog to prepare the top PMP interview questions to ace your interview!