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What is the PMP Exam Format?

Are you ready to take your project management career to the next level? The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a prestigious certification that showcases your expertise in project management. The PMP exam is a challenging test that assesses your understanding of best practices, tools, and techniques in the field. In this engaging guide, we’ll delve into the PMP exam format, question types, and testing options to help you feel confident and prepared for success.

 PMP Exam Format: Domains and Timing

 The PMP exam is a computer-based test featuring 180 multiple-choice questions that you’ll need to complete in 230 minutes (around 3 hours and 50 minutes). The questions are categorized into three domains:

  • People (42% of the exam)
  • Process (50% of the exam)
  • Business Environment (8% of the exam)

The exam is designed to evaluate your project management knowledge and skills, including technical project management, leadership, and strategic and business management expertise. It covers both predictive project management approaches and agile or hybrid approaches, with these methodologies integrated throughout the three domains.

 Scoring Model Insights

 PMI’s scoring model undergoes periodic reviews by experts to ensure a valid assessment of your knowledge and skills. It’s important to note that PMI does not have a declared percentage pass score for the PMP exam.

 Question Types You’ll Encounter

 The PMP exam consists of various question types, including:

  • Multiple-choice questions (80 to 90%)
  • Multiple responses
  • Matching
  • Hot area
  • Limited fill-in-the-blank
  • Breaks and Test Structure

During the computer-based test, you’ll be provided with two 10-minute breaks. You’ll receive a prompt to take a break after completing 60 questions, during which you can review your answers. However, once you return from the break, you won’t be able to refer back to these questions. The next break prompt will appear after another 60 questions.

 Testing Options: In-Person and Online

PMI exams are available at approved Pearson VUE Testing Centers worldwide. You can find locations on Pearson VUE’s website. If you prefer, you can also take the PMP exam from the comfort of your home or office while being monitored by an online proctor through Pearson VUE.

Conclusion

The PMP exam is a comprehensive test of your project management knowledge and skills. By familiarizing yourself with the exam format, question types, and testing options, you’ll be better prepared for this challenging and rewarding certification. To experience the PMP exam firsthand, take our free full-length test, featuring questions that represent the complexity you can expect on the actual exam.