PMP Certification Exam

PMP Certification Overview
Free PMP study resources

The PMP exam is comprised of 200 multiple-choice questions, of which 25 are pre-test questions (questions which do not count toward a candidate’s final score) however these questions are interspersed throughout the examination proper. The candidate has 4 hours to complete the exam (there is a short tutorial before the exam and a survey after the exam, both of which are entirely optional). The exam covers six areas of performance (domains):

• Project initiation
• Project plan
• Project execution
• Project monitoring and control
• Closing the project
• Professional and social responsibility

These areas of performance are broken down into nine areas of knowledge:

• Project Integration Management
• Scope Management
• Time Management
• Cost Management
• Quality Management
• Human Resource Management
• Communications Management
• Risk Management
• Procurement Management

The passing grade is no longer published by PMI, instead they state that a passing result is determined by psychometric analysis.

The results are returned in two sections. The first section has a pass/fail result based on the number of questions answered correctly. The second section provides a proficiency level (proficient, moderately proficient, and below proficient) for each of the domains.

The PMP certification exam can be taken at any Thompson Prometric testing center and applicants are allowed to take the test up to three times within one year from the date of application. If the applicant does not pass the test within that year, the applicant must wait another year to reapply for certification.

The PMP credential is valid for a period of three years from the date the candidate successfully passes the exam. The PMI requires that all PMP holders take part in a ‘Continuing Certification Requirements’ program in order to keep their credential valid. This requires candidates to earn at least 60 PDU’s, or Professional Development Units over the three year life of the PMP. One PDU is earned for each hour the candidate participates in a ‘planned, structured professional development activity’. This can include everyday job activities, e-learning, attending conferences, reading related material, project management courses and so on. Refer to the official documentation in the PMI certification handbook which you can download here