5 Tips for Passing the PMP Exam the First Time

Are you contemplating a career in project management? If yes, then you need to clear the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. This exam is absolutely vital for anyone pursuing a career in this field. Not only will it certify that you are a proficient individual, but will also open up a range of top career opportunities in the field of project management for you.

Interestingly, a report indicates that companies with over 35% PMP managers have a considerably better project performance and outcome. So, it’s not surprising to see organizations giving more preference to individuals to who are PMP certified. Clearing the PMP exam is not as easy as you may imagine it to be. It requires sheer dedication and hard work. Given below are five effective tips that help you clear the exam in the first attempt:

1. Practice Tests

This is probably the best tip for clearing the PMP exam (or any exam for that matter). Taking practice tests not only helps you judge your knowledge level in a given subject, but also helps improve your speed. When giving a practice test, ensure that questions included in it are situational, instead of recall-oriented. Furthermore, answer a diversity of questions, especially ones that are likely to be asked in the exam. Next, check the pace at which you are answering the questions. Generally, a single answer should take no more than 50 seconds to complete. So, time yourself when attempting a practice test.

2. Study the PMBOK Well

More often than not, individuals tend to memorize the material of the PMBOK, without adequately comprehending it, which is probably why they don’t fare well in the exam. Instead of memorizing the PMBOK, individuals should focus more on executing every PMBOK process in actual projects. So, if you have thoughts of memorizing the PMBOK, better dispel them if you really want to do well in the exam.

3. Get Additional Study Guides

It is always good to get study guides in addition to your main study course (the one followed in class). This is particularly because it provides practical exercises you can try to understand how these concepts are implemented and also review questions that check if you have really comprehended the questions that are likely to be asked.

4. Take a Class

Attending a PMP class will help you tremendously in preparing for the exam. First of all, you will have access to qualified instructors. You can speak to them personally regarding any query or ambiguity you have. Secondly, you will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates and also get to know about their preparation plan.

5. Plan Your Preparation

Having a proper plan is of paramount importance. Without one, you’ll never be able to prepare well for the PMP exam. So first and foremost, you need to make a study schedule and then stick to it. For example, you can set a start and end date for your preparation, determine the time needed to study specific materials, etc. This way, you can ensure that your preparation is on track.

These are five simple tips that can help you pass the PMP exam the first time.

Author: Jay Fisher

I'm a product guy focused on building great consumer experiences. Gathering quick feedback and building internal consensus by iteratively improving on minimally viable products. My background is in consumer products and finance, I greatly enjoy tackling the challenges involved in financial services and technical product management I love making new professional acquaintances. Reach out (public@jayfisher.info) if you want to talk technology, business, product management, or agile. View all posts by Jay Fisher