A Guide To Passing The PMP Exam On Your First Try

Who doesn’t want to ace the PMP test on the first try? It’s an ambition for most aspiring project managers. Yet, according to the statistics, two of the five applicants fail on their first try. Does this mean that the exam will be difficult to pass? Despite many men and women answering “yes,” the situation isn’t as dismal as it’s made out to be. When you examine the reasons behind the failed attempts of multiple people, you will see a few recurring themes.

For example, most of them state that they did not write enough tests or ran out of time. To pass the PMP exam the first time, you must learn from your errors and avoid repeating them on the exam. Let’s look at some crucial steps that will determine whether or not you pass the exam.

Top 8 Ideas for decoding the PMP test on your first try:

1. Understand the PMBOK Guide

PMI has published A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). The most critical step in passing the PMP Certification test is familiarity with the whole PMBOK® guidebook. PMI Guides give you the intellectual clarity necessary for passing the examination. 

The handbook is long and tedious to read, which is a plus. As a result, most men and women prefer alternative market variants that do not appear repulsive. Yet, disregarding this instruction comes at a high cost. If you see many people complaining about not passing the exam after several attempts, they will likely skip the PMBOK guide.

If you need help understanding the Project Management Course, PMBOK and Rita Mulcahy’s Book can help lay the groundwork for your practice. Moreover, make sure to update the publication at least two times before looking for the test. 

2. Implement a program or plan

A research strategy serves as a road map for your preparation. You must identify your goals and plan how to get there before you begin your study. Let’s be honest. For many of us, the scrutiny may be overwhelming. Getting lost in the preliminary work without paying attention to your destination is pretty simple without an apparent road map.

While you are developing your approach, there are a few important considerations you should make. That particular moment is the most important one. How many months do you have left to complete your prep work? How many hours a day will you spend studying for this test? Next, research the equipment you’ll need to consult with. Give yourselves deadlines to complete the assignments in the curriculum. Make time for your practice assessments as well.

While having a plan does not guarantee you will pass the test, it would help if you persevered. Thus, plan and stick to your research to stand out from the crowd and succeed on your first test.

3. Choose a separate study guide.

The PMBOK guide must be studied, yet more is needed to pass the PMP test. The primary explanation is that PMBOK needs to be exam-oriented. The theory or specifics underlying those processes are provided in the handbook. But, it will need to explain how these processes are related to one another or how to use them in real life. Most test questions are scenario-based, as seen from the PMP queries. Reading the PMBOK guide will help you learn the basics of project management but may only sometimes help you pass the test.

4. Respond to a large number of practice questions

The majority of PMP test questions are scenario-based. You need more than simply reading the notion to guarantee you can use it in the plans. Here are the practice questions.

Furthermore, when you answer various questions, you’ll see that they may be classified into distinct categories. Some questions are simple and informative, while others are extensive. There are several formula-based questions. There are several more that are scenario-based. In addition, you will be asked ITTO questions regarding project management methodologies and tools.

How might answering practice questions assist? This allows you to identify distinct types of questions as you browse them and the abilities you wish to develop to address them. On test day, you must be able to recall the method for answering a question as soon as you read it.

In the market, there are a variety of resources for training questions. Before you choose one, make sure you conduct your study on the level of the ingredient as well as the reputation of the origin.

5. Create Practice Exams

An extension of the primary method is to build the entire simulated test and resolve to practice problems. You will undoubtedly fail if you approach the PMP test just as a knowledge-based assessment. Indeed, there will be an extensive syllabus, and the questions will be difficult. Remember to underestimate the endurance required to sit for 4 hours and answer 200 questions of varied difficulty levels equally efficiently.

As a result, you must construct the mock exams to enter the emotional zone required to perform efficiently in those four hours. Furthermore, practice exams allow you to track improvement and shape your test-taking strategy. Can I complete the assessment in four hours?

Do you currently need to take less time to answer the queries? Which kinds of questions are giving me trouble? Are my nerves getting the best of me? Is my efficacy coming as the evaluation progresses? Can I keep in mind the concepts I heard? Should I be overlooking any advice causing me to create stupid mistakes? These questions are significant. And the only way you can answer these would be to compose the simulated evaluations.

If you observe that you’re becoming over 80% consistently on your mocks, you can rest assured of passing the exam. Use mock evaluations as a feedback mechanism to tune your approach to shine on examination day.

6. Make the most of the 35 hours of project management training.

The PMP certification is expensive, so making the best out of the training experience is best. The PMP certification cost is around INR 22000 for members and INR 30,000 for non-members, and the PMP training cost remains variable as per the institute you choose. But for members and non-members alike, the PMI requires you to devote 35 contact hours to formal project management education before applying for the test. Most men and women regard it as a task that must be completed. Instead, view it as a learning opportunity that might lead to their passing the PMP test. These 35 hours must establish a solid basis for the concepts being examined. If you have any areas where you are weak, the contact hours help you explain them.

Ensure you select the practice offered by a Registered Education Provider (REPs). The PMI evaluates and approves these coaches.

7. Create a plan that works for one person.

As you read the success tales of people who passed the PMP exam on their first try, you will notice that most have another story to share. What is the best approach to preparing for the exam? There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all method that works for everyone.

No two people are precisely the same. What works for one person may only work for one person. For example, some people may benefit significantly from flashcards. Some prefer a more visual approach to learning. Others perform the best in a group examination. Hence, to comprehend this test, you must first recognize your talents, limitations, and research styles.

8. Join the PMI and network with other project managers.

There are several advantages to becoming a PMI member before taking the test. If you are a PMI member, the exam fee is less expensive. Second, PMI provides several opportunities to network with other project management experts. You can even upskill yourself further with the PMI membership and avail of advanced certifications like PgMP or disciplined agile certifications like the DASSM or Disciplined Agile Coach. 

Because the PMP exam is dynamic, staying current on the most recent advances in the speciality is critical. The most effective method would be to collaborate with other project managers. Also, learning in a group offers several advantages. If you are struggling with a specific topic, you can have someone from the group explain it.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the best way to approach the exam to pass it on the first try is to treat it as a ‘project’. As a first step, define your goals or objectives clearly. Secondly, prioritize the resources you want to use (study materials, institutions, mock papers, etc.). Break down the syllabus into tasks and lot timelines to complete them. Most of all, be confident about your abilities. If you put in consistent efforts, it is not difficult to clear the PMP exam on the first attempt.