PMP Certification Boot Camp Training
PMP Certification sets you on the path to career success. Our 4 Day PMP Boot Camp Training ensures you’re fully prepared to pass the PMP Exam. Our expert instructors will equip you with the knowledge needed to pass the Project Management Professional exam and fulfill PMI’s education hours requirement, all within one comprehensive course.
What is PMP Certification?
The Project Management Institute (PMI) sets the global standard for project management best practices, processes, methodologies, and professional ethics through its certification programs. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification stands out as the most widely recognized.
This globally recognized credential not only distinguishes certified Project Managers but also verifies their ability to manage projects more efficiently across a diverse range of industries, such as healthcare, construction, information technology, and business. With over 2.9 million certified professionals globally as of 2024, this credential is highly regarded and applicable to project managers across various sectors.
The benefits of earning PMP certification are substantial and measurable: PMP certified project managers earn an average of 25% higher salaries, enjoy greater job security, and access significantly expanded career opportunities across industries. Roughly 90% of Fortune 500 companies actively seek PMP certified project managers for leadership roles. Project management job growth is projected at 33% through 2027, significantly faster than many other occupations. In today’s project-driven economy, no credential carries more weight than the PMP certification.
Exam Pass Guarantee
Interactive Courses
Expert Guidance
Why PMP Certification is Essential for Your Career
In an increasingly competitive job market, PMP certification isn’t just an advantage, it’s becoming a career necessity. Here’s why investing in PMP Certification will transform your professional trajectory:
Career Acceleration & Job Security
PMP certification acts as a career catalyst, opening doors to jobs and opportunites that remain closed to non-certified professionals:
- Priority consideration for leadership roles and high-visibility projects
- Faster promotion timelines: certified professionals advance 40% quicker on average
- Recession proof skillset: project management roles remain in demand even during economic downturns
- Global mobility: your certification is recognized and valued in 185+ countries
Industry Recognition & Credibility
PMP certification provides instant professional credibility:
- Most Fortune 500 companies specifically seek PMP-certified managers for strategic initiatives
- Validated expertise in managing multi-million dollar projects and cross-functional teams
- Professional network access to 2.9 million certified professionals worldwide
- Continuing education requirements ensure your skills stay current with industry best practices
Immediate Financial Impact
A recent PMI Salary Survey reveals that PMP certified project managers enjoy a commanding financial advantage:
- 33% higher median salaries than non-certified counterparts across 21 countries surveyed
- 66% of certified professionals reported increased total compensation within 12 months of certification
- Salary ranges typically jump from $75,000 to $95,000+ post-certification, with senior PMP holders earning $120,000-$150,000+
Long-Term Career Investment
By earning PMP certification, you demonstrate proven competence in managing people, processes, and business priorities in professional project environments. This isn’t just a certificate—it’s your passport to executive leadership and a guarantee that your career will never plateau. It is estimated that global demand for project talent could grow by 64% from 2025 to 2035, driven by capital investment and industry transformation.
The bottom line: PMP certification delivers measurable ROI from day one and increases in value throughout your career.
PMP Certification Requirements: Complete Guide
Before you can earn the world’s most respected project management credential, you must first prove you’re ready for it. PMI’s rigorous eligibility requirements ensure that only experienced professionals can attempt the PMP exam and that’s exactly what makes this certification so valuable.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification requirements are a tiered validation structure that ensures you have the necessary education and work experience. In ordr to become PMP Certified you must qualify for the requirements in addition to studying for and passing the PMP exam. Meeting these requirements is the first step to success in preparing to become a Project Management Professional.
In this article, we will review the PMP certification requirements in detail. After reading this guide, you should know if you are qualified to sit for the PMP certification exam or not. Candidates must complete the verification section of the application to apply to take the PMP Exam. The full eligibility requirements are listed within the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Handbook. This free guide is available from PMI’s website.
PMP Requirements Quick Reference
Before you apply, make sure you meet one of the following sets of PMP certification requirements:
Set A Requirements
- High school or secondary school diploma
- Minimum 60 months/5 years experience leading and managing projects within the past eight years
- 35 hours of project management education/training
Set B Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher (or global equivalent)
- 36 months/3 years experience leading and managing projects within the past eight years
- 35 hours of project management education/training
Set C Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher (or global equivalent) from a GAC accredited program
- 24 months/2 years experience leading and managing projects within the past eight years
- 35 hours of project management education/training
PMP Certification Eligibility Breakdown in Detail
Prior to attending our course, you may complete our PMP Readiness and Overview course to get more information about the information required to pass the PMP exam, the PMP examination process, application and the steps for maintaining your certification. This option satisfies the required 35 contact hours of project management training and allows our students to complete their application and receive eligibility approval before attending our PMP Certification Training course.
For a more information about the eligibility documentation, please review the PMP certification requirements within the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Handbook. This free guide is available from the Project Management Institute’s website. Within it, you’ll find a detailed description of the PMP certification, an explanation of who is eligible to apply, and the process to apply. It covers everything you would ever need to about the exam from an administrative point of view.
Academic Credentials
You’ll need to provide specific details about your educational background:
- Institution name and graduation year
- Major field of study
- Any accredited degree counts—your major doesn’t have to be project management related
Project Management Experience
Project management is a serious profession that requires communication with multiple stakeholders throughout the life of the project. While delivering the scope of work, project managers must carefully handle communications, team morale and attitudes and manage the various expectations of different stakeholders. Having substantial experience in project management is one of the PMP certification requirements.
- Typically, the experience is in leading or directing projects, or project deliverables. The months of experience time frame requirement in non-overlapping months.
- Working as a full-time project manager with two projects at the same time for two months = 2 months of experience, not 4.
- Key Timeline: All project management experience must be within the last 8 years and documented in non-overlapping months.
- Working as a full-time project manager with two projects at the same time (app.~160 hrs) for two months = 320 hours or experience.
What “Leading and Directing Projects” Actually Means
It means that you have performed the role of a project manager and managed a complete project, or that you have managed part of a project. Essentially, it means that you should have done some of the tasks that are listed in PMP Exam Content Outline. This isn’t just any work experience.
PMI requires substantive project leadership where you:
- Managed complete projects or significant project components
- Led cross-functional teams and coordinated multiple stakeholders
- Applied project management processes across all project phases
- Made decisions that impacted project outcomes and deliverables
Experience Calculation Examples:
- Scenario 1: Full-time PM managing 2 simultaneous projects for 6 months = 6 months experience (not 12)
- Scenario 2: Same scenario = 960 hours of experience (6 months × 160 hours)
⚠️ Common Misconception: You don’t need the job title “Project Manager”PMI cares about what you did, not what you were called.
Formal Project Management Education
Project management requires advanced knowledge and understanding of project management tools, techniques and processes. According to the PMP Credential Handbook, the PMP exam “objectively assesses and measures experience, education and professional knowledge—the foundation of competent practice as a project manager.”
You will need to show 35 contact hours of project management education. The 35 hours of Project Management education requirement can be fulfilled by attending one our PMP Training classes.
What Counts as Contact Hours:
- Classroom instruction: 1 hour = 1 contact hour (minus breaks)
- If you attend an 9 hour long session with breaks in-between, then you can claim 9 hours as contact hours.
- Online training workshops and certification courses
- College-level project management courses
- Professional development seminars
✅ Good News: Contact hours never expire and can be accumulated over time from multiple sources.
🚀 Fast Track Option: Our PMP Boot Camp Training satisfies all 35 hours in one comprehensive program.
Common PMP Eligibility Questions
What if my job title isn't "Project Manager", am I still eligible?
I haven't managed all parts of a project, can I still qualify?
It does not matter if you have managed a complete project or parts of a project. As long as you have the required hours of project management experience, you can apply to sit for the exam. job title in your organization doesn’t matter. As long as you have the minimum (4500/7500 hours) project management experience, you meet the PMP Certification requirements needed to apply.
What if I do not meet the PMP Requirements??
If you do not meet the PMP Certification requirements you can work on obtaining the additional education and work experience needed, or you might consider starting your career in project management with a Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM) certification.
Option 1: Build Your Experience Focus on taking leadership roles in projects at your current job while documenting your PM activities.
Option 2: Start with CAPM Certification PMI’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is perfect for emerging project managers:
- Lower requirements: Just 1,500 hours experience OR 23 contact hours education
- Valuable credential that employers respect
- Stepping stone to PMP—you’ll already have 21 of the required 35 contact hours
How many hours of study time are required to meet the PMI eligibility requirements
An example of a realistic, successful study plan in addition to attending a course:
- Begin to Read the PMBOK® Guide
- Read the Pre-Class Advance Reading Guide we provide when you register
- Consider joining a study group for support
- Attend all days of an instructor led learning class
- Use our exam simulator to take practice exams until your comfortable and scoring well.
- If you consistently score above 80% on our practice exams, or when your instructor gives you the Green Light, you are ready to take the exam!
Application Process for PMP Certification
Candidates must complete an online application with the Project Management Institute (PMI). The application asks you to detail several years of your work history and education. Use concise descriptions to describe the project management tasks the candidate led or directed for each project. We recommend that you gather all the relevant information related to your PMP application before you begin. Once started, you have 90 days to complete it. It has an auto-save function so you can come back to it if you take a break from working on it.
Before submitting the application, you will need to read and agree to PMI Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct as well as the Certification/Renewal Agreement. PMI will review your application and respond within 3 to 5 business days. If your application is approved you will receive an invitation to pay for and schedule the exam.
How Much does the PMP exam cost?
The first thing we recommend is that you register to become a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI)
- It typically costs $139 to become a member, but it saves you money on exam fees.
- The standard non-member price to take the exam is $555. The PMI member’s price for the exam is $405.
Side By Side Cost Breakdown:
| Item | PMI Member | Non Member |
| PMI Membership Fee: | $139 | $0 |
| PMP Application Fee: | $405 | $555 |
| Total Cost: | $544 | $555 |
| Exam Retake Fee: | $275 | $375 |
Scheduling your Exam with PearsonVUE.
- You have one year to take the exam after your application has been approved.
- You may take the exam up to three (3) times during the eligibility period.
- Scheduling the Exam
- Once you have been approved by PMI and paid to the PMP certification exam fee, you can schedule your exam with PearsonVUE. You will have one year from the time your application is approved to take the exam. You may take the exam up to 3 times during this eligibility period. You can find a complete list of testing locations on the PearsonVUE PMI page.
How long does it take to process the PMP application?
PMP applications complete on PMI.org are typically processed within five business days. Individual applications submitted by mail take approximately 10 business days. Corporate applications submitted by mail take 20 business days. Once the application and fee have been processed, PMI will electronically send the Examination Scheduling Instructions, confirming that the applicant is eligible to take the exam.
What is a PMP Application Audit?
PMI routinely conducts random audits on a certain percentage of the PMP exam applications to ensure they meet the PMP Certification requirements. PMI does not publish what percentage gets audited, the general consensus is around 10-15% off applicants get selected at random for audit. PMI will notify if your pmp application is selected for an audit, as soon as you submit your application. You will also receive an email from PMI with links to complete the audit. PMI’s officially says that it takes 5-7 days to approve the application. However, it can be approved within only a couple of days if the necessary documents are submitted quickly.
Pass your PMP Certification Exam Confidently
We are with you every step of the way.
Beginning the journey to earn your PMP certification credential is a significant milestone in your career. Although it can be a time-consuming and challenging endeavor, this globally recognized certification from PMI is undeniably worth the effort. As a sought-after credential held by over a million professionals worldwide, the PMP certification is essential for every project manager interested in advancing their career.
PMP Certification Training Course
Expert-Led Training Designed for Exam Success
A classroom environment, with a group of your peers increases your aptitude and can help build and maintain your motivation to finish your goal. Candidates who want to become certified, in a streamlined, managed approach, while maintaining a work-life balance benefit greatly from a structured training class. This comprehensive course covers every subject that you need to know to pass the exam, as outlined by Project Management Institue, as well as in depth test taking strategies. You will spend time learning about the core concepts of the project management framework and advanced methods of cost, schedule and risk management. During the course, you will take realistic mock exams to help prepare you. Having that experience means less stress during the real exam. You’ll learn the critical project management concepts, principles and techniques needed to pass the PMP exam on your first attempt.
The PMP Boot Camp Edge: Why Success Rates Soar
Our instructor-led PMP Boot Camp delivers the fastest, most reliable pathway to certification success for busy professionals who demand results. While self-study methods achieve roughly 61% pass rates, our intensive format consistently delivers 90%+ success rates. Here’s why the difference is so dramatic.
The Big Picture + Critical Details Mastery
Our PMP training class covers the most critical concepts and shows how they intertwine across the entire project management framework. We don’t just teach isolated concepts, we give you the big picture of how each piece connects to the project, how risk management impacts scheduling, and how stakeholder communication drives project success. But we also drill down into the core details and terminology you must master to excel on exam day.
Unlike simply reading the PMBOK Guide, our expert instructors translate complex PMI language into practical, memorable concepts. You’ll understand not just what the correct answers are, but why they’re correct within PMI’s methodology.
Real-Time Expert Guidance That Changes Everything
The real game-changer is having expert instruction available in real-time. When you can discuss your readiness with trainers who have seen many students in exactly the same situation, you get personalized guidance that’s impossible to get anywhere else.
Our instructors don’t just teach from slides—they’ve guided thousands of professionals through this exact journey. They can instantly identify your knowledge gaps, clarify confusing concepts, and help you connect your real-world experience to exam requirements. When you’re stuck on earned value management or confused about agile vs. predictive approaches, you get immediate, expert clarification instead of spending hours researching on your own.
Proven Learning Science + Memorization Mastery
We blend proven learning concepts with simple memorization techniques to ensure you can keep the vast amount of information we cover organized and memorable. Our approach is based on cognitive science research showing that intensive, focused learning dramatically improves retention compared to spread-out study sessions.
Our methodology includes:
- Spaced repetition within the intensive format to reinforce key concepts
- Visual learning frameworks that help you organize the project management concepts
- Memory techniques for formulas and complex calculations
- Pattern recognition to quickly identify question types and apply the right PMI mindset
- Exam Simulator that mirrors the actual exam questions
The Accountability and Immersion Advantage
Four intensive days of focused learning eliminates the procrastination and distraction that derail most certification attempts. You’re completely immersed in PMP concepts without phone calls, emails, or work emergencies pulling your attention away. The concentrated format means you build momentum rather than losing knowledge between scattered study sessions.
Your financial investment and blocked calendar time create powerful accountability. Unlike self-study where it’s easy to postpone or abandon your goals, our boot camp structure ensures you complete your preparation and take the exam while material is fresh in your mind.
Peer Learning and Confidence Building
Learning alongside other professionals creates valuable peer accountability and lets you gauge your readiness against others in similar situations. You’ll hear different perspectives on challenging concepts, learn from questions you wouldn’t have thought to ask, and build confidence through group discussions and practice exercises.
Many students tell us the in class interaction is unexpectedly valuable, not just for learning, but for building the confidence needed to tackle this challenging exam.
PMP Course Materials
Our PMP Course material is well-organized and mapped to include other data sources referenced in the pmp exam.
PMP Certification Course Syllabus
Our curriculum is based on the current version of the PMP Certification Exam Content Outline and uses a problem-based and collaborative approach to learning. We emphasize more equality and connection between the instructor and learner. We blend these approaches with simple memorization techniques in order to keep the vast amount of information organized and memorable. The entire design of the PMP Boot Camp course is focused on ensuring your readiness to pass the PMP Certification Exam.
The PMP Certification exam has 180 multiple choice questions. The questions are randomly presented from a possible pool of over 10,000. In order to be successful, you will need to do more than simply memorize terms. The questions focus on the learning domains identified in Bloom’s Taxonomy and test your ability to remember, analyze, apply critical thinking and understand how different components relate to one another.
Remembering involves recognizing or remembering facts, terms, basic concepts, or answers.
Comprehending involves demonstrating an understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating the main ideas.
Applying involves using acquired knowledge—solving problems in new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques, and rules.
Analyzing involves examining and breaking information into component parts, determining how the parts relate to one another, identifying motives or causes, making inferences, and finding evidence to support generalizations.
Upon successful completion of the PMP Boot Camp course, participants will be able to:
- Recall key inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for each Project Management Body of Knowledge process
- Recall key project management formulas (earned value technique, forecasting, procurement, and communications lines)
- Create and interpret a schedule network diagram
- Articulate the fundamental principles of the PMBOK knowledge areas
- Navigate scenario based questions, and given a list of alternatives, determine the appropriate input, tool, and technique, or output that applicable in the situation
- Determine and apply the appropriate project management formula in situational based scenarios.
- Choose the best answer based on an understanding of the PMBOK knowledge areas and code of conduct.
Here is more information relating to what you will learn in the PMP Boot Camp Class:
Module 1 – Starting with the End in Mind
Project Management Roles & Environments
PMI Terminology and Structure
Professional Responsibility
PMP Exam strategies & tips and tricks
Module 2 – Creating and Managing High Performing Teams
Creating and Leading High Performing Teams
Define Team Ground Rules
Build Shared Understanding, Manage Conflict
Negotiate Project Agreements
Empower Team Members and Stakeholders
Ensure Team Members and Stakeholders Are Trained
Engage and Support Virtual Teams
Support Team Performance and Apply Emotional Intelligence
Address and Remove Impediments, Obstacles, and Blockers
Collaborate and Mentor Stakeholders
Module 3 – Planning and Managing the Project Work
Determine Appropriate Project Methodology/Methods and Practices
Plan and Manage Scope, Budget, Resources and Schedule
Plan and Manage Quality of Products/Deliverables
Integrate Project Planning Activities
Plan and Manage Procurement
Establish Project Governance Structure
Assess and Manage Risks
Execute Project to Deliver Business Value
Manage Communications
Engage Stakeholders
Create Project Artifacts
Manage Project Changes and Issues
Ensure Knowledge Transfer to Project Continuity
Module 4 – Managing the Business
Manage Compliance Requirements
Evaluate and Deliver Project Benefits and Value
Evaluate and Address Internal and External Business Environment Change
Support Organizational Change
Employ Continuous Process Improvement
Module 5 – Final Exam
Review of Questions & Answers
Stoplight Assessment
Each class includes hands-on course exercises including:
Practice exercises targeted at the range of learning styles
Network Diagram Exercises
Earned Value Exercises
Chapter Specific Practice Tests
90-day Access to a PMP Certification Exam Simulator
What You’ll learn
- Identify and overcome knowledge gaps
- PMI application support
- Increase comfort and ability with PMP Exam questions
- Learn useful tips and tricks to increase comprehension
- Learn and apply critical test-taking strategies
- Apply real-world project management concepts
- Complete exam readiness
What’s Included
- Comprehensive Pre-Class Study Guide
- Satisfies the required 35 contact hours
- Online PMP exam simulator
- 1000+ Practice Questions
- In-Class Exercises
- 100% Exam Pass Guarantee
- Lunch and Snacks Provided During Class
The Boot Camp Difference: What Makes PMP Success Inevitable
- Connect Real World Experience
- Retain More Information
- Stay Focused
- Have Dedicated Support
- Achieve Your Goal
Your years of practical experience are the most valuable thing you bring to your role. Without them, you wouldn’t be qualified to sit for the PMP exam in the first place. Distilling what you know from doing into the foundations and principles on the exam, however, can challenge even the most experienced project managers. Your PMP Certification Training Instructor will help you connect your experience to the exam materials, putting what you’ve learned on the job into context so you can apply it on the exam.
Our 4-day PMP Boot Camp gives you more than mere exposure to the fundamentals and concepts on the test. It provides a focused educational experience with a rigorous schedule. Throughout the PMP Certification training course, you’ll talk through the concepts and situations with your instructor and peers so you can ground your learning and recall it when you need it.
Many enthusiastic applicants have been struck down by the jargon-heavy style of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Interacting with a certified expert instructor who can translate the language into practical terms helps to ensure you grasp the content and lets you test your understanding. Studying with a group of your peers in a classroom environment can also help build and maintain your motivation for the exam. It’s easy to get distracted and lose focus when you’re alone at your desk with a book. Studying with others who share your goals can help keep you accountable and sustain or stimulate determination.
Your certified trainer is an expert project manager with in depth understanding of the training materials but also in exam readiness. Every student who enrolls in and completes our PMP Bootcamp receives one-on-one guidance from their trainer and an individualized learning plan based on their current proficiency and progress towards their education requirements.
It doesn’t matter what you’re preparing for; one thing is always true: it’s easier to plan it than to do it. When you spend your days making crucial decisions, your well-laid plans often fall victim to diminished self-discipline by nightfall. Sure, you know you should be studying, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to summon the motivation to do it night after night. An accelerated in-person PMP Certification Bootcamp takes the temptation to postpone test prep off of the table and, instead, gives you space to immerse yourself in the materials. Our courses are designed to remove the distractions of your everyday life so you can fully focus your time and attention on the coursework and be exam-ready in less time than if you’d studied on your own
When choosing a provider for your PMP certification training, please consider, not all PMP training courses are the same. The quality of instruction in certification training courses can vary significantly. Many courses do not fully prepare you for the exam, instead offering you a roadmap of what you need to learn on your own. When investing in your career you should never sacrifice quality for cost. If you review the key decision factors, we believe you will find we provide the best value. Our PMP Boot Camp is an accelerated, guaranteed path to achieving your PMP certification.
Here are a few more key reasons to join our class:
Experience
Our team of seasoned instructors is among the largest in the country with notable Project Management experience. They are experienced trainers who employ proven adult learning practices and straightforward internalization techniques to build engagement, motivation, and increase recall.
Thought Leadership
Proven Results
Our PMP Exam Prep Boot Camp gets you ready faster, better and with more long term education along the way. We have successfully trained thousands of students. Time and time again our students pass the exam the first time they take it!
Rated 4.85/5 based on 1465 reviews
Firm Course Dates
When you register for one of our PMP Boocamp classes, you can feel confident that it will run as scheduled. We work hard to deliver on our promise to you.
100% Money Back Pass Guarantee
We know your certification is an important milestone in your career. We understand the value you place in spending your time and money wisely. That’s why we back up all of our courses with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you’ve looked at other training providers, you know that a money-back guarantee is common for courses like this. All guarantees are not created equal, though. We don’t want to hide small print behind big promises: we want you to know, precisely, what our guarantee does and doesn’t cover so you can make an informed decision and focus on your learning free from worry or distraction.
See What Our PMP Boot Camp Students Have to Say
The instructor did a great job breaking down the material and making it easy to understand. The PMP Boot Camp was packed with useful information, but it was presented in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming. The course has made me feel confident and well-prepared for the exam.
My instructor did an excellent job delivering the PMP training course. He kept the class engaged and focused on what really matters for the exam. His personal insights and real-world examples helped clarify complex topics and made the sessions more relatable and practical.
How Hard is the PMP Exam?
The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam can be challenging for working professionals who are seeking to earn the PMP certification for career development. The exam covers a wide range of knowledge and skills related to project management, including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The questions on the exam are scenario-based and require a thorough understanding of the PMP framework as well as practical experience with managing projects.
Many PMP exam takers report that the exam is difficult, with a passing rate of around 60% on the first attempt. However, the level of difficulty can vary depending on a person’s prior project management experience and their preparation for the exam. Some working professionals who have been actively managing projects find the exam to be manageable, while others may find it extremely challenging.
It is important to understand that the PMP exam is NOT a test of memorization, but rather a test of your ability to apply project management knowledge and techniques to real-world scenarios. In order to be well-prepared for the exam, it is recommended that you study the PMP framework and guidelines, as well as gain practical experience with managing projects.
What is tested on the PMP exam?
The Project Management Institute, the world’s leading authority on project management, created the PMP to recognize project managers who have proven they have experience and expertise. In order to pass the PMP exam, a candidate must score above a proficient level in these project management process groups.
To obtain PMP certification, a project manager must meet certain requirements and then pass a 180-question exam.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam content outline has three domains:
- People – emphasizing the skills and activities associated with effectively leading a project team.
- Process – reinforcing the technical aspects of managing a project.
- Business Environment – highlighting the connection between projects and organization strategy.
These sections each contain a variety of tasks and enablers, which are the more specific elements within the broad domains. They provide a deeper understanding of what a project manager should be able to do in each domain.
Details of these domains are outlined below:
People (42%)
- Leading a Team
– Defining team ground rules
– Building a team
– Nurturing a team
– Managing conflict - Supporting Team Performance
– Empowering team members and stakeholders
– Ensuring team members/stakeholders are adequately trained
– Building a team and managing a team
– Addressing and removing impediments, obstacles, and blockers for the team - Empowering Team Members and Stakeholders
– Promoting team performance through the application of emotional intelligence
– Supporting diversity and inclusivity
Process (50%)
- Planning Project Work
– Developing the project charter
– Developing project management plans
– Defining project scope
– Creating the project schedule - Executing Project Work
– Managing project changes
– Implementing project management plans
– Managing project knowledge
– Managing project risks - Keeping the Team on Track
– Leading a team
– Managing conflicts within the team
– Supporting team performance - Keeping the Business in Mind
– Managing compliance requirements
– Evaluating business benefits and value
– Supporting organizational change
Business Environment (8%)
- Understanding EVM (Earned Value Management)
- Planning and managing project/program changes
- Project governance
- Identifying project benefits and analyzing stakeholder impacts
- Understanding project compliance (including laws, regulations, and standards)
The Project Management Institute (PMI) makes no secret of the difficulty involved in passing the PMP Certification exam. It’s a challenging test, and even experienced project managers with impressive track records sometimes walk away without a passing score. It’s not due to a lack of effort or commitment—many invest significant time into preparation. But the truth is, no matter how much you study, if you’re not focusing on the right material, your chances of passing diminish.
Research shows that about half of the people who begin preparing for the PMP exam never actually take it. You might assume that those who do register are exceptionally prepared, and therefore the pass rate would be high. Unfortunately, many PMP exam takers report that the exam is extremely difficult, with a passing rate of around 60% on the first attempt, leaving many accomplished professionals wondering where they went wrong. However, the level of difficulty can vary depending on a person’s prior project management experience and their preparation for the exam.
Why do so many capable project managers fail to pass an exam that assesses skills they use every day? The reason lies in the difference between mastering your job through real-world experience and excelling in a structured, knowledge-based exam. Just as a skilled professional might excel at applying concepts on the job but struggle with a theoretical test, many PMP candidates find the exam format requires more than just practical know-how. Understanding PMI’s framework, terminology, and methodology is essential for success.
PMP Certification Course Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a PMI Member?
The answer is no, PMI membership is not mandatory. There are a few benefits to becoming a member. PMI members receive a significant discount on their PMP exam application fee. This discount is greater than what it costs to become a PMI member. PMI members receive a free digital copy of the PMBOK Guide. It is easier to maintain your certifications by using free resources, materials and tools available to you, as a PMI member.
Additionally, many local PMI chapters offer discounts for workshops, chapter meetings, and events to PMI members.
How long do I have to pass the PMP examination after approved?
Eligibility is good for one year from the day that the application was approved. The exam may be taken three times within the pmp eligibility period should applicants not pass on the first attempt. In some cases if you have a need to extend your eligibility, PMI will grant a 2-3 month extension.
How do I schedule a time to sit for the PMP Certification exam?
Once you are eligible to take the PMP Certification exam, the PMP Exam scheduling instructions from PMI will walk you through how you to contact PearsonVUE, to select a date and location for taking the exam. The PMP exam is a computer-based exam and may be scheduled by applicants at any time available at any of the testing sites or online.
Scheduling the PMP Exam
Once you have been approved by PMI and paid the PMP certification exam fee, you can schedule your exam with PearsonVUE. You will have one year from the time your application is approved to take the exam. You may take the exam up to 3 times during this eligibility period. You can find a complete list of testing locations on the PearsonVUE PMI page.
Sitting for the PMP Exam
The PMP Certification exam is taken at a PearsonVUE test center or Online and is 180 questions with a 230 min (3 hr 50 min) time limit. The questions are broken down into 3 domains; People 42%, Process 50%, Business Environment 8%
Questions will be a combination of multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot and limited fill-in-the-blank. You will receive your results immediately.
How much does it cost for the PMP Certification exam fees?
The PMP Certification exam costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. The annual fee for PMI membership is $139, so you reduce your cost if you become a member and then schedule your exam.
Is there a cost to cancel my test date after scheduling the exam?
You may reschedule or cancel your exam if done at least two full days prior to your exam date. However, canceling or rescheduling the exam within 30 days of a scheduled exam date will incur a rescheduling fee of $70. Be sure to confirm the cancellation/rescheduling guidelines with PearsonVUE when scheduling the exam.
How is the PMP Certification exam administered?
The PMP Certification exam is a psycho-metrically based, computer exam of 180 questions. The exam is offered by an independent testing company, PearsonVUE, and each exam question has one correct answer. You have just under four hours (230 minutes) to complete the exam. Many test-takers finish the exam with little time to spare. Each question has a level of difficulty assigned to it by PMI. The “mix” of difficult and easy questions determines how many questions you need to answer correctly. At the end of your exam you will receive your results immediately.
The scores are the following: Overall: Pass/ Fail
By Section:
- Needs Improvement
- Below Target
- Above Target
In addition to the overall pass/fail status, important diagnostic information on your performance is provided for each domain. This information provides specific guidance for both passing and failing candidates.
It is possible to receive a below proficient score in one area and still pass. However, you will need to offset that below proficient score with higher scores in other areas.
What study materials are provided in the PMP course?
-
- We provide complete PMP course materials to our students. In addition to comprehensive study materials, references, and study aids, our students receive a 90-day subscription to our online learning platform, which includes an exam simulation with over 1,000 practice questions.
- Students are encouraged to purchase the current edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge®, available at the PMI Bookstore or other retailers. PMI Members have access to a free e-copy of the PMBOK® Guide online that may be downloaded.
- All the questions on the examination have been written and extensively reviewed by qualified PMP credential holders and tracked to at least two academic references. These questions are mapped against the PMP Examination Content Outline to ensure that an appropriate number of questions are in place for a valid examination.
- Sample exam questions and suggested reading are also available on the PMI website.
How can I get the 35 hours Required to sit for PMP Certification?
Our comprehensive PMP certification courses are designed to ensure you pass the exam and meet the training requirements. We ensure the course is complete and covers all necessary topics, eliminating the need for additional training hours. Our PMP certification training course will not only contribute to your training needs but also streamline the process, ensuring you meet the PMP Certification criteria seamlessly.
What is the passing score for the PMP Certification exam?
The pass rate and statistics are not published. The Project Management Institute does not disclose that information. In the PMP certification handbook, PMI states that the number of questions you have to get right is determined by psychometric analysis and has been created with input from project management experts from around the world. In other words, you won’t know your passing score, which might differ from time to time.
PMI introduced the Above Target, Target, Below Target, and Needs Improvement ratings, which are still in use on examination reports today. You might hear people refer to these as AT, T, BT, and NI. We should aim to be Target or Above Target on all practice exams.
What is the average salary of a PMP Certified Project Manager?
Project Managers who achieve PMP Certification generally earn considerably more than non-certified project managers. Our indepth article on the PMP Certification Salary Impact shows the average salary of a PMP certified project manager in the United States is around $130,000 per year, with variations depending on industry, location, and experience level.
How often do I need to renew my PMP certification?
The PMP certification is valid for three years, so you will need to renew your certification every three years. To renew your PMP certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in the three years since you passed the PMP exam. You must also submit a renewal application and fee. You can earn PDUs in a variety of ways, such as attending conferences, completing courses, teaching, writing articles, and volunteering.
Do I need to renew my PMI membership to stay certified?
You do not have to be a PMI member to remain PMP certified, nor do you need to be a PMI member to get your certification. Many project managers join PMI as they are prepare for the PMP exam because they receive a substantial discount on the exam fees. The discount is greater than the yearly PMI membership, so it makes a lot of sense to join.
How long is the PMP Certification Valid For?
PMP Certification is valid for three years. To maintain it, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) within this period. The Project Management Institute has outlined how those PDUs are broken down.
- Minimum of 35 Education PDUs
- Maximum of 25 Giving Back PDUs
As a PMP certificate holder, you must earn a minimum of 8 PDUs in each skill area of the PMI Talent Triangle – Ways of Working, Power Skills, and Business Acumen.
Maintaining your certification is crucial in this fast-paced industry. Continuous learning ensures you stay competitive and relevant. The requirement to earn PDUs aligns with the PMI‘s Talent Triangle®, which focuses on a balanced skill set necessary for effective project management.
For a deeper dive into the renewal process, explore comprehensive pmp requirement guide that details how to earn and report your PDUs, ensuring you meet all necessary criteria within the three-year cycle. By understanding these guidelines, you can effectively plan your professional development activities to keep your certification active and your skills sharp.