The Project Management Professional® (PMP®) certification recognizes project managers who lead and direct projects and teams. The credentialing exam is developed and maintained by the Project Management Institute and is designed for applicants to demonstrate experience with the field of project management.
Click “Start Test” above to take a free PMP practice exam, and check out our premium-quality PMP test prep resources by clicking the links below!
Exam Requirements
To be eligible for the PMP exam, you must meet PMI’s requirements for both education and professional project management experience. Project management experience must have been earned in a professional setting within the past 10 years before you submit your application.
You must qualify through one of the four eligibility pathways:
You may qualify if you have completed secondary school, such as a:
- High school diploma
- GED or similar secondary-school equivalency
- Upper-secondary or school-leaving certificate
You must also have at least 60 months of non-overlapping professional experience leading projects within the past 10 years.
You may qualify if you have completed a recognized:
- Associate's-level program
- Higher-certificate program
- Advanced technical or vocational program
- Equivalent post-secondary qualification recognized at the appropriate national qualifications level
You must also have at least 48 months of non-overlapping professional experience leading projects within the past 10 years.
You may qualify if you have one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution
- An advanced professional or vocational qualification that is formally recognized as equivalent to a bachelor's-level qualification
You must also have at least 36 months (3 years) of non-overlapping professional experience leading projects within the past 10 years.
If you earned a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from a program accredited by PMI's Global Accreditation Center (GAC), you may qualify with at least 24 months of non-overlapping professional experience leading projects within the past 10 years.
Project Management Training Requirement
In addition to meeting one of the education and experience pathways above, you must complete 35 hours of project management training before applying for the PMP certification.
PMP Exam Outline
The PMP certification exam contains 180 questions, 10 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 4 hours. The unscored questions are used to validate questions for use on future versions of the exam.
The exam is split into three content domains.
I. People (33%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Developing a common vision
- Managing conflicts
- Leading a team
- Engaging stakeholders
- Aligning and managing stakeholder expectations
- Ensuring knowledge transfer
- Planning and managing communication
II. Process (41%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Developing an integrated project management plan and plan delivery
- Developing and managing project scope
- Ensuring value-based delivery
- Planning and managing resources
- Planning and managing procurement
- Planning and managing finance
- Planning and managing schedule
- Planning and optimizing the quality of products/deliverables
- Evaluating project status
- Managing project closure
III. Business Environment (26%)
The questions in this domain cover the following topics:
- Establishing project governance
- Managing project compliance
- Managing and controlling changes
- Removing impediments and managing issues
- Planning and managing risk
- Supporting organizational change
- Evaluating external business environment
Check Out Mometrix's PMP Study Guide
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons.
Top 3 Most Challenging PMP Questions
Now that you know more about the exam, try your hand at some targeted practice!
Over the last year, we’ve compiled the data from about 1,700 test-takers who tried their hand at the practice test at the top of this page. According to the data, around 75% of people answered these three questions incorrectly.
Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you’ve got the topic mastered.
Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!
1. A project team has prototyped a new retail product, but the prototype does not meet the specifications listed in the project requirements. What should be the next step for the project manager?
2. All of the following are outputs of the plan procurement process EXCEPT:
3. Where would you find a detailed list of deliverables for a project?
Registration
To register for the PMP certification exam, you must submit an application on the Project Management Institute (PMI) website. This application should include any proof of eligibility and the $675 examination fee. PMI members pay a discounted fee of $425.
Once your application is approved and your registration is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with information on scheduling your examination appointment.
PMP Online Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online PMP prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!
Here’s what you’ll find in the PMP course:
- 70+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- Over 700 PMP Practice Questions
- 500+ Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Mobile Access
Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the PMP online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the PMP exam.
Click below to check it out!
PMP vs. CAPM
The PMP and CAPM are both project management certification exams, but there are some notable differences between them. Wondering which exam is right for you?
Take a look at the details of each exam here:
| Exam Format | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Testing time: 4 hours Questions: 180 Breaks: Two 10-minute breaks Delivery: At a Pearson VUE testing center or securely online | Testing time: 3 hours Questions: 150 Delivery: At a Pearson VUE testing center or securely online |
| Exam Content | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Domains: 3
| Domains: 4
|
| Eligibility and Application | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
High school diploma/equivalent: 60 months leading projects Associate/technical qualification: 48 months leading projects Bachelor’s degree or higher: 36 months leading projects PMI GAC-accredited degree: 24 months leading projects All routes: 35 hours of project management training | Education: A high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent Project management education: At least 23 hours completed before the exam Application: Document your academic education and qualifying project management education |
| Cost and Retakes | |
|---|---|
| PMP | CAPM |
Exam fee: $675 Retakes: Up to 3 exam attempts within one year | Exam fee: $300 Retakes: Up to 3 exam attempts within one year |
Test Day
You should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes earlier than the scheduled exam time. This will give you enough time to complete the check-in process. When you arrive, you will be asked to sign in and present your photo ID to the proctor. You will be photographed and asked to sign a roster and other rule forms.
Personal items are not allowed in the testing room, so they should be left at home or placed in a secure locker outside the testing area.
Just before the exam starts, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system and will be asked to sign an NDA.
How the Test is Scored
The scores for the PMP certification exam are calculated using a criterion-based scoring system. This means that a panel of subject-matter experts has evaluated the questions and determined a passing score.
You will receive a preliminary score report before you leave the testing center, and an official confirmation of your scores should be available within 10 business days.
Retaking the Exam
If you do not pass the exam, you may retake it up to two times within one year.
Check Out Mometrix's PMP Flashcards
Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
FAQs
Q
What is PMP certification?
A
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is used to recognize the knowledge and skills of project managers with significant experience and expertise.
Q
How many questions are on the PMP certification exam?
A
There are 180 questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the PMP certification exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 4 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the PMP certification exam?
A
The exact passing score for this exam is unknown.
Q
How much does the PMP certification cost?
A
The examination fee is $425 for PMI members and $675 for non-members.
PMP, Project Management Professional, and PMBOK are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this page.
