The PMP exam has a reputation. A deserved one.
It’s long. It’s nuanced. It’s mentally exhausting. While the Project Management Institute (PMI) doesn’t publicly share official pass rates, it is estimated that roughly 60–70% of first-time test takers pass. These are estimates from prep providers and exam-taker reports, not an official PMI number.
The PMP is not a test you casually “sit for.” It demands more than memorization. It requires a shift in how you think, how you reason through scenarios, and how you apply judgment under pressure. Many capable, real-world project managers struggle not because they lack experience, skills, or intelligence, but because they underestimate how different the exam mindset is from the day-to-day project work they encounter in their own organizations.
The PMP exam is also a moderate investment. So you want to make sure you make the most of your time preparing, studying, and actually taking the exam. In this article, I’ll share some tips on preparing for and passing the PMP exam (and hopefully on your first try!)
About the Exam
The PMP exam is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and consists of 180 multiple-choice scenario-based questions. The content of the questions covers three primary areas of project management from the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, Seventh Edition:
- People
- Process
- Business environment
However, do not neglect the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide, Sixth Edition. There are some concepts that tend to make a surprise appearance on the exam.
13 PMP Exam Test-taking Tips
1. Don’t cram.
The PMP exam is NOT an exam you can cram for. Even people who are blessed with taking and passing a test on the first try, without so much as picking up a book, struggle with the PMP exam. Give yourself ample study time (the average is 6 to 9 months). As mentioned above, the PMP exam contains scenario-based multiple-choice questions. This means the questions are structured to force you to apply a specific method, technique, or development life cycle to select the correct answer. This forces you to have a deep understanding of PMI concepts and how to apply them. Multiple-choice questions like “What is the iron triangle?” do not appear on the exam.
Additionally, you aren’t doing yourself any favors by cramming. Cramming hinders the quality of your learning. It doesn’t allow sufficient time for your brain to convert information from your short-term memory into long-term memory or knowledge.
2. Develop a consistent study routine.
To avoid cramming and really commit to studying the content and preparing for the exam, develop a study routine that fits your life and schedule. Your study routine should consist of reading the PMBOK Guides and taking practice tests. It’s also recommended to take a PMP exam prep course and/or join a study group (more on this below).
All in all, figure out what you need as an individual to study. Then, do it consistently.
3. Take a PMP exam prep course.
PMP exam prep courses can be hit or miss. Some test-takers find these helpful; others feel they are a waste of time and money. The PMI offers a PMP exam prep course (PMI members can enroll at a discount). You can also find many PMP exam prep courses offered by local universities and community colleges. Some local PMI chapters also offer them. All in all, do your research on the programs and speak with other students who have taken them to get their feedback.
4. Join a study group (local or virtual).
Many local universities, community colleges, and PMI chapters offer PMP exam prep study groups. (We also offer one through our Project Management Mentoring and Coaching Collective program.)
5. The PMBOK Guides are your best friends.
If you aren’t familiar with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guides, then get your hands on copies of both the 6th and 7th Editions. The PMI just published PMBOK 8th Edition; however, if you plan to take the PMP exam before June 2026, then get ready to spend a lot of quality time reading the PMBOK Guides (6th and 7th editions). Read them backwards and forwards. Know them both like the back of your hand. Both contain relevant content applicable to the exam. If you plan to take the PMP exam after June 2026, then study from PMBOK 8.
6. Take practice tests.
There are plenty of PMP exam prep resources out there that offer practice tests. In addition to reading and studying the PMBOK material, take the time to go through some practice tests. This will allow you to learn how the exam questions are worded and structured. Here are some of my favorite practice test resources:
In addition, you can also ask ChatGPT or PMI Infinity to provide you with some sample PMP exam questions. (NOTE: Be cautious as AI can make mistakes. I personally have found PMI Infinity to be more accurate.)
7. Forget about how your company approaches projects.
I see my students fall into this trap very often. One of the biggest mistakes you can make while taking the PMP exam is answering questions based on what you do at your current job or how your company approaches projects. Get out of that mindset right now. While studying and taking the exam, you need to learn how to think as the PMI thinks, and forget how your company thinks and operates. That will not help you on the exam.
8. Learn how the PMI “thinks”.
This one is key. While preparing for the exam, here are some things to keep in mind:
The PMI assumes:
- You’re a servant leader who empowers the team.
- You focus on value, collaboration, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- You act ethically and proactively, not reactively
Therefore, the “best answer” is usually one that:
- Involves stakeholders or team collaboration,
- Prevents issues rather than fixing them,
- Follows the process, not personal instinct.
- Deals with issues proactively rather than resorting to escalation
Keep these in mind while answering questions.
9. Avoid “heroics”.
What do I mean by this? While answering questions, avoid answers that suggest solutions such as:
- “Do it yourself”
- “Work overtime”
- “Skip documentation to be faster”
The PMI expects good governance, not shortcuts.
10. Follow famous YouTubers
There are some great, reputable YouTubers out there who offer valuable insight and support for exam takers. Here are a few:
These are great for those who
11. Study at the right times.
Everyone learns differently and at different times during the day. Some of us are most focused, creative, and sharpest first thing in the morning, while others are at their sharpest in the middle of the night. There’s no right or wrong. Find the time of day when you are at your best and mark that as “study time” as often as possible. The more you align yourself with learning new information at a time when your brain is cognitively performing at its best, the more likely you will retain new information—and make that information stick.
12. Develop a question checklist.
In addition to reading, reviewing concepts, and taking practice tests, develop a running list of questions you have about any concepts, vocabulary terms, or applications that are unclear to you, or where you feel “weak”. Then, structure your study time around reviewing those concepts, or bring them to your study groups or your exam prep classes. This is taking a proactive approach to your study habits.
13. Take care of yourself.
Finally, the last tip is about your own personal health and hygiene. In the final weeks, days, and hours leading up to exam day, be sure to avoid making any substantial changes to your routine, diet, and sleep habits, if at all possible. This includes vacations and travel plans (again, if possible). This will ensure your mind and body are well-rested and focused.
Earning Your PMP is a Journey
You likely have a goal for passing the PMP exam. It could be to gain a competitive edge, stand out from your peers, earn a higher salary or promotion (or both), or maybe achieve a personal goal. Regardless of the reason for earning your PMP, one thing is true: passing the exam changes you and the trajectory of your career.
When I reflect on my performance as a project manager over the years, the process of earning my PMP (reading, studying, taking exam prep courses, and practice tests) changed me and made me a better PM. (And, no, I didn’t pass on my first try!) Not only did I become more knowledgeable about the various concepts and how best to apply them in various business scenarios, but I also became more confident. That confidence gave me the power to take on new, more complex projects, which only added to my experience and further boosted my confidence.
Although everyone wants to pass the PMP exam on the first try, know that if you don’t, you are still becoming a better PM behind the scenes. In addition to concepts, the PMP exam also teaches you to develop discipline and critical thinking. It also teaches you to slow down, analyze a situation, and choose the best answer, not the fastest. Those skills don’t disappear after exam day. They show up in how you manage risk, communicate with stakeholders, and advocate for realistic schedules and ethical decision-making.
I did not pass the exam on my first try. I naturally do not test well. And even though I studied for 6-9 months and took an exam prep course, it wasn’t enough time. Not only am I naturally a poor test-taker, but I also didn’t plan to study well. I didn’t study at the right times. I also learned that while 6-9 months might be enough study time for some people, it wasn’t enough for me. So, the second time I committed to studying for at least 12 months. And during those 12 months, I would read, review, take practice questions, and score myself. Over and over again. And whenever I “failed” a certain area, I would go back and repeat the same process until I saw an improvement. It sounds tedious, and it was, but it worked! Now, 10 years later, I have earned my PMP, I am a much more confident and successful project manager, I enjoy being a project manager more, and I’m teaching PMP exam prep to others. If someone had told the girl who was driving home after failing the PMP exam, tears streaming down her face, that this is where she’d be 10 years later, I’m sure she would have laughed.
If I can do it, YOU can do it, too!
If there’s any advice you take away from this blog, don’t give up! You’re closer than you think.
Join a PMP Study Group
If you’re preparing for the PMP right now, or even just thinking about it, know this: You don’t have to do it alone, and struggling does not mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning. You can become the kind of project manager PMI is looking for. And you don’t have to white-knuckle the journey to get there.
If you’re looking for a like-minded community where you can learn, study, and grow with structure, accountability, and mindset coaching, and without judgment, then consider joining the Project Management Mentoring and Coaching Collective.
And, remember, you are always worth the investment.