11 Hacks to Help You Pass Your PMP Exam on your First Try

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Want to Ace Your PMP Exam the First Time: Here are 11 Hacks to Help You Do It

The PMP certification has always been incredibly sought after and highly thought of. It continues to gain relevance and prestige in more professional sectors. It seems that project managers, employers, and organizational leaders are all increasingly showing interest in obtaining a PMP certification. However, it’s not easy to find someone to prepare you for the PMP Exam, which can be daunting and incredibly challenging. 

Statistics show that 80% of the candidates fail the exam in their first attempt. This wasn’t me and it surely doesn’t have to be you! With adequate preparation, you can pass the test on your first attempt. Let’s face it: very few people have the time, money, or dedication to repeat exams. Continue reading to learn more: 

• Why PMP exams are challenging
• Why many candidates fail 
• Share proven hacks that have helped candidates surpass the PMP pass rate

Need to learn the step-by-step process of becoming a PMP-certified project manager? Read more here…

Why the PMP Exam is Hard to Pass

The Project Management Institute (PMI) uses a unique exam system. The exam is mostly challenging because each question is graded differently, and there are no specified questions that must be answered. This means candidates must answer all 180 questions within the specified time, usually 230 minutes.

Why the PMP exam failure rate is high

The PMP exam has a pretty low pass rate (60% or 70%), so it’s no secret that few candidates pass it. Here’s why:

Poor Time Management 

One of the reasons a person can fail the PMP exam is poor time management. Juggling study, work, family, or whatever surprises life throws at us can be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your career development, if that’s what you really want. 

It would be beneficial if you allocated enough time to read and understand all of the course material, which is incredibly broad. A good rule of thumb is to dedicate 3-5 months to study for a PMP exam. But if you’re a fast learner and invest in training, you could probably do it in less than that.

Poor Strategy

Most candidates underestimate the time they need to study, and when they do, they don’t prepare properly for the exam. They rely on PMBOK guides, revision materials, and consulting blogs and don’t plan a real study schedule. Don’t make this mistake! It would help to make a plan, set target milestones, and stick to them. For example, passing with at least 80% on a number of practices exams per week so that you’re confident walking into real thing.

Going to the Exam Room Late

You want to arrive for the exam on time, or earlier, to make the most out of the time allowed. You have to keep in mind that the test has 180 questions, which you must complete in 230 minutes. This means you have a little more than a minute to read a question, understand, and answer it.

Tips to Help You Pass the PMP Exam

Now that you know the reasons that cause many candidates to fail the PMP exam, here are some good tips to help you pass the test:

Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before even being graced with a seat at the PMP exam table, you want to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria set by PMI. Generally, PMI requires candidates to: 

• Possess a four-year degree certification 
• Have three years of project management experience (with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects) 
• 35 hours of project management education
• If you don’t have a university degree, you can apply for the exam if you have five years of experience in project management.
• You must prove 7,500 hours have been in leading and directing projects 
• And have at least 35 hours of project management education

Understand the Exam Content Outline

Get comfortable with the PMP Exam Content Outline provided by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It gives you every detail about the tasks and knowledge areas covered in the exam. This will act as your roadmap for your study plan.

Use Official PMI Resources

You always want to leverage PMI’s official resources, including the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, along with other materials provided by PMI. 

PMP exams are based on the PMBOK Guide, so you need to know the PMBOK course content well ahead of the exam. You could commit to studying one area of the guide every week, starting with the guide and moving on to the course content. 

Then, break down the knowledge areas into easy-to-digest sections, for example, by studying one process every day to help you understand each thoroughly. The premise is to really and truly understand the concepts, not just memorize them. Memorizing will not be enough to pass the exam.

That’s because PMP exams require candidates to apply the principles, ideas, and concepts that they learned while studying. In fact, most questions have situational descriptions requiring candidates to apply a specific principle to get the answer correct.

Create a Study Plan

PMP study material is broad, which is why it is important to develop a study plan that outlines what you need to cover every week leading up to the exam. Study in a way that best suits your brain. For some, it helps to break down the knowledge area and dedicate a specific amount of time to each. 

You want to incorporate PMP exam flashcards to your study resources to break down content into small concept chunks. It becomes easy to determine what you can understand and topics you can review more.

Downloadable PMP flashcards can be really handy since they can be printed or flipped through on a smartphone or computer.

Practice with Mock Exams

Take advantage of practice PMP exams to try to simulate the real testing environment. This helps you become familiar with the format of the exam, identify areas where you should study more, and improve your time management skills. PMI provides an official PMP practice exam, and there are other reputable sources for practice questions.

Join Study Groups

Participate in PMP study groups or online forums where you can discuss the concepts with other aspiring applicants. This can give you additional insights, clarify any doubts, and provide you with a tribe that understands the challenge. You may also discover useful resources to reduce the time you need to prepare for the exam.

Look for a Resourceful PMP Prep Book

The PMP prep book that you choose can ultimately make a big difference between passing and failing an exam. Be sure to look for PMP Prep books written by credible authors like Andy Crowe and Rita Mulcahy. This kind of preparation material helps you know what to expect in a PMP exam. 

For example, a lot of candidates find it hard to deal with the ITTOs (inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs) of each process. A good prep book will help you understand the basics to understand the connections between the processes.

Join Prep Workshops

If you prefer face-to-face guidance, join a PMP exam prep workshop or boot camp. You get to revise questions, interact with other soon-to-be project management professionals, and fulfill the 35-contact-hour requirement, which is a must when applying for PMP exam.

Memorize Key Formulas and Concepts

Yes, mathematical formulas. Some formulas and concepts are absolutely critical for the exam. Make sure to memorize key formulas related to cost, schedule, and quality management. You must also understand the underlying principles behind these formulas. Don’t forget this.

Stay Updated

We live in an ever-changing world. Concepts, processes, and terms are always evolving. Stay informed about any updates or changes to the PMP exam. PMI may update the exam content, and staying current with these changes is crucial so that you’re not using outdated materials.

Simulate Exam Conditions

As you get closer to the day of your exam, simulate the actual exam conditions as closely as possible during your practice sessions. Time yourself and minimize distractions. This will help you get into the testing mindset for exam day.

Conclusion 

The most important thing to remember is that effective PMP preparation is not just about memorizing the material; it’s about truly understanding the principles and applying them in a real-world context. Good luck with your PMP certification journey!