Is the PMP Exam Difficult to Crack?
Are you looking for a high-paying job in the technology sector? If you are working in the IT industry, you must be aware of the cut-throat competition for every ambitious job role. On top of it, if you are targeting a management role, you need to demonstrate your skills so as to convince the hiring managers. Fortunately, there are some certifications related to project management that are recognized worldwide and help you step into this field successfully. One certification that stands out of the rest in this field is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification administered by the Project Management Institute or PMI.
When we talk about project management in the IT sector, we refer to the methodical approach to software development through five stages known as initiating, planning, execution, control, and project closure. A project manager is someone who is in charge of bringing a project to a successful completion right from the start to the final stage. His responsibilities include dividing the entire project work into small chunks assigned to the team members according to their skills. They also communicate with the stakeholders to update them regarding the progress of the project. As such, a PMP certification is the best way he can validate his eligibility for the role. People opt for PMP certification Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, and every other location where there is high demand for ski inlled project managers.
If you take a look at the PMI website, it mentions that PMP certification holders earn around 25% higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts. No wonder the certification has a presence in over 200 countries and over 1 million professionals have earned this certification to improve their project management career. With such global recognition, you may have a question in mind – Is the PMP certification exam quite difficult? Well, achieving this certification is not a cakewalk anyway, and you really need to be dedicated to achieve it.
But before diving into how you can crack the exam, let us know a bit more about the PMP certification and who should consider pursuing it.
PMP Certification – What is it?
If you are embarking on a career in project management, then a PMP certification will supercharge your skills and allow you to work smarter. It validates your project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working. Companies that see this credential on your resume believe that you have all the skills it takes to complete a project efficiently. The new PMP certification includes a predictive, agile, and hybrid approach so that you are prepared to work as a project manager in virtually every industry.
PMP certification holders are capable of driving business results and raise an organization’s impact around the world. The reason why companies trust this certification is that not everyone can apply for it. The procedure is thorough and involves a review of prior education and mandatory work experience followed by a written exam. Every certification holder has to adhere to a formal code of professional conduct and achieve the required Professional Development Units (PDUs) to maintain their certification. This rigorous process followed by PMI gives companies confidence in hiring the right candidate for their project manager position.
How Difficult is the PMP Certification Exam?
The PMP certification exam includes a total of 200 questions, out of which 175 are multiple-choice scored types and the remaining 25 are pretests (unscored) types. The exam duration is 4 hours and you need to answer 137 questions correctly to make sure you don’t fail in the PMP exam. You will receive the PMP certificate from PMI within 6 to 8 weeks of clearing the exam. Clearly, the exam process is tough and you need to work hard to add this credential to your resume.
However difficult the exam may be, there are some tips that help candidates in going through the exam with ease. First off, be clear with the exam syllabus and the weightings of questions asked from each domain. Be thorough with the nine knowledge areas covered in the exam – Integration, Time, Scope, Cost, Communication, Quality, Risk, Human Resources, and Procurement). Next, you can create a study plan and decide what all you can cover each day. Dedicate at least 4 hours each day and stick to the study plan.
When it comes to study materials, PMI offers a lot of resources to help you prepare for the PMP exam. Its PMBOK Guide (Project Management Book of Knowledge) is the global standard for project management and contains all the standard terminology and guidelines to crack the PMP exam. PMI releases the new edition of the PMBOK guide from time to time and it is recommended to refer to its latest version to be aware of the updates made.
Now if self-study is not an option you are considering, there are reputed PMP online courses to help in your preparation. You can search for PMI Registered Education Providers (ERPs) that offer formal study courses and enroll in any of them to prepare for the exam. You will not have to go through the hassle of looking for the appropriate study materials, sample questions, mock tests, and more. Everything will be provided to you and you will be able to cover all the concepts step-by-step.
So, when are you planning to get PMP certified?