The PMP Exam: 25 Lessons Learned

“Travis where have you been— the blog, the website, the podcast?” It’s been a long road to the finish line…. after a long stint of studying and prep, I took— and aced!— my Project Management Professional exam. I passed with flying colors! So, this is where I have been. Beginning around the holiday season of 2021, I started three other certifications and didn’t have as much time to do what I love the most— create content for my site. But now, the bulk of my studying, my practice exam-ing, and the preparation for my certifications is behind me. I’ve returned!

This post is a lessons learned for all the future PMP exam takers. I want to provide some insight into my experience and provide the tips that helped me as I prepared.

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What year did you take your exam?
I took the exam in June of 2022— about two weeks ago, before creating this blog post.

What version of the Project Manager's Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) was your exam based on?
The current test is based on a mixture of the 6th and 7th editions. I spent most of my time and energy learning the 6th edition, especially since this was the main text that was used in my PMP prep course. Since I joined the Project Management Institute, I was given a digital copy of each book with my membership. If I’m honest though, the digital copy from Amazon on the Kindle is fantastic! I was able to highlight, word search, and create digital note cards. I really recommend a digital version of the book, also since it’s big and bulky. At the time of purchase my digital copy was about $35. But I also kept a paper copy of the book around too. I didn’t buy it though. Instead, I constantly checked it out from the library. Either way, whatever version… you will definitely want a copy of your own. Keep in mind that future versions of the exam will evolve, with emphasis on newer PMBOKs.

Project Management feels very technical and like there is a high learning curve, what can help it make more practical sense?
Yes the field of project management is technical. There are lots of terms, and concepts, and there are so many acronyms. There is a bit of an indoctrination period that every future PM has to endure in the beginning. There were countless moments were I asked, “what is this?!” Here is what I suggest— don’t try to make things make sense, project management is like a jigsaw puzzle and it takes trial and error for the pieces to begin fitting together. As you start to see the small pieces for what they are, they will reveal what the bigger picture is supposed to look like.

Where did you take your exam?
I had two options — at a testing center, or at home using my computer. I chose the testing center! While I did most of my prep and studying in my home, I felt like being in a new environment would help me focus and approach the test in a different sort of way. I was too comfortable at home. Also— I wanted zero distractions: a neighbor’s loud music, street noise, a sudden knock at my door, a squirrel that’s chewed through the internet line outside. I felt like anything could have happened at home. The testing center is a dedicated place to take the test: quiet, secure, the best environment for me when the stakes were high. I needed more predictability with less risk (spoken like a true project manager, eh?) Many people were there— I suppose for similar reasons. Testing centers are a popular choice, despite the world operating in a remote, work-from-home setting these days. The testing center was a bit intense, but I’m glad I went this route. I was given a dry erase board and noise cancelling headphones before starting. My phone, bag, and belongings all had to be locked away in a secure area.

What was your final ranking?
I scored above target in all three domains— people, process, and business environment. PMI is very clear in the Exam Content Outline what proportions the test will be. It’s a good habit to review this information on the PMI site as you start to study. PMI also shares some of the process behind how the test is created. The recent version of the test is created by PMPs, people who study the book just like you.

What is absolutely essential to know for the test?
Umm. Honestly, everything. I know that sounds daunting, but there is no simple answer. No two people are taking the exact same test and the questions will differ from exam to exam. But here is what I can impart, you must know the five process groups, the ten knowledge areas, and the forty nine processes cold! In the 6th edition of the PMBOK this is page 25. (There are a handful of pages that I have burned into my memory, this is one.) You have to know what leads to what— and why! I am a visual learner, so I made flashcards of this chart and in about a week I had the entire chart seared into my memory. I can recite it in my sleep, even now. It takes time but it’s not impossible. Find a way that works for you and I promise it won’t take you that long to memorize it. Find fun ways to learn.

What should I know about the application process, in order to be approved to take the exam?
The application is a world all unto itself. Since it will be PMPs who review your application, you need to “know your audience.” For example, it’s good to “talk” and “show” yourself in the way a PMP would. A bit of code switching is required to get your point across. Also, the application is very specific, meaning that you will need to show dates, project titles, and your role across the five process groups for each project. You are not allowed to show over lapping projects or ones that run at the same time. PMI is strict on this rule. What they want is to see the depth of your projects, not necessarily how many you’ve done. Quantity is not important. I included six, but your entire application could be only two or three projects. Besides there is a danger in including too many! If your application is audited, your project sponsors will have to sign off on your application (by hand, I hear.) So, it’s a good idea to include only projects where you know getting sign off is not difficult, in case you are audited; and, only include a minimum amount of projects, your strongest. Applications have an 8% chance of audit, apparently. I was not notified that my application was approved. This might be different for you. Instead, I just logged in about 48 hours after submitting and I saw that it was approved. I yelled in excitement! Caution— PMI makes it VERY clear that planning a wedding, building a garage in your backyard, or organizing the family vacation will not qualify. So, be thoughtful about what you include and exacting about how you detail it. Be prepared to back up anything you submit— with someone else’s authority and signature.

How long did you study for the test?
In total, about two years. But don’t freak out! The first year was so light— I didn’t even own the PMBOK. Instead I would watch YouTube for about 30 minutes a week. During the first 18 months— I may have studied something project management related once, every other week. It was very, very light. Then after completing my PMP training course— which is required by PMI— I ramped up my studying a lot. I figured that with the time the pandemic afforded me it was the perfect time to get more serious. The last 6 months leading up to my exam, I studied about 12 hours a week— mostly on the train to work, or in the mornings when I’d wake up. There was never really a time when I studied more than two hours a day after taking the prep course. Studying for me was not about “making” time, I had to find ways to “include” studying into my lifestyle. Life is too busy to devote long hours everyday to studying; that was impossible for me. I still had to cook, to wash clothes, to hang with friends… so I did small chunks over a longer period of time. This also helped me to not burn out, stay motivated… and actually have more curiosity about the subject matter.

When did you know that you were ready to sit for the exam?
This is another hard question to answer. We are all different. Here was my strategy: I said to myself, “there will be things that I know cold; there will be things that I sorta understand; and then, there will be concepts that are still somewhat confusing and I might not understand all of it— no matter how much I study it.” I felt prepared to take the exam when I found myself flipping through the glossary or the any page of the PMBOK and saying to myself, “this topic is not foreign— at the very least I understand it conceptually.” I could put any concept into my own words. There was nothing in the text that I did not understand— but I did not feel like I needed to know every topic so deeply. I opted for overall comprehension not deep accuracy on all topics.

What were the major tools you used to help you prepare?
YouTube and PMBOK— almost in that order too. I also used a Kaplan test simulator, and Technical Institutes of America’s (TIA) exam test simulator by Andrew Ramdayal— his practice test was a boss and significantly prepared me. In fact there were at least 5 questions from his exam that were directly mimicked on the actual test. ExamsPM, Andrew Ramdayal, Aileen Ellis, Ricardo Vargas, PM Master Prep, Cody Baldwin, Alvin the PM— all these content creators were essential as I tried to grasp the concepts in the PMBOK. No matter what, you will want to eventually tackle questions and attempt to learn why you don’t get the correct answer, a good test simulator is a must. I was hesitant to pay for one but I did. I dropped $40 for 1 simulator with TIA and there were video explanations of anything I got wrong. The simulator contained 6 tests. It helped me tremendously. Also, try to make your learning fun, not a chore. I created games for myself to play and even had friends sometimes play along. To help me learn things very fast, I would even create stories or acronyms about people I didn’t like in junior high. Haa haa. It worked.

What areas of the PMBOK were hard for you to grasp?
Not even gunna lie— Quality and Risk. OMG these were— and still are— very difficult areas for me to completely absorb. They are very technical knowledge areas. What helped me though, was YouTube and knowing that I learn best by seeing, then doing, then putting things into my own words. Some of the resources I list here really helped break down complex topics I was trying to understand. Also, I find that ITTOs are hard too; there are just way too many to commit to memory— about 700! But what I said to myself early on was, “do not worry about total memorization— that could take you years and is not useful anyway. Instead, Travis… look for patterns… look for the inputs, tools, techniques, or outputs that are different and break the patterns you find.” That worked for me. I also wrote down all the ITTOs and their overarching process over the course of 4 months, knowing that somewhere in my subconscious the groupings would just be logged. Sometimes reading something or writing something down without even knowing what it fully means really helps the mind in the long run.

Was there any Earned Value Management (EVM) on your exam?
It’s natural to have some anxiety about math that might be on the exam. Why? Because suddenly you are asked to use an entirely different area of your brain. But the great thing about project management is that math only appears in the basic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There were no EVM questions on my exam. There are some really great videos on YouTube that make EVM very, very easy, and very fun.

There is so much in the PMBOK, where do I start?
Page one. Yup— just open the book and start at the beginning. Keep in mind that while there is a lot to learn, several topics will come very easily and you will never need to look at them again; some things will be a little difficult; and some things will be difficult. The PMBOK also progresses in a very logical order, whether you understand it all or not. I would say that anyone jumping into project management, on day one, already has a general handle on all the knowledge areas; but, the Devil still lives in the details and the PMBOK is very detailed! Another tip— start with a good prep course and teacher/group who can help guide you. It’s easier to learn this kind of stuff with others in the beginning.

What helped you stay focused and keep positive?
Won’t lie— there were days were I was like, “Travis, guuurl… what have you gotten yourself into; can you keep this madness up?” But, I always knew two things: one, that I was doing the right thing and that the certification aligned with me, my strengths, my work history and my future goals. In other words, the journey never felt wrong or contrived. So that helped a lot. Also, very often I would simply watch people’s success stories on YouTube— how they prepared, how they studied, and how they talked about their process. I felt like, what they were describing was exactly what I was doing too. It was important to me to surround myself with people, stories, and energies that also were focused on success— not perfection, not worry, but people who saw themselves passing the finish line. It helps… a lot, like a lot a lot! That type of mindset is infectious and sustaining.

Did anything about the exam surprise you?
Nothing on the exam was too surprising, but I will say that most of the questions were not short and sweet. They were very detailed and situational and so were the answer choices. It was important to know what the questions were really asking. This is why a practice exam is so good. Oh, I’ll also say that my test didn’t ask a lot of basic questions either, meaning there were very few “freebies.” For example, questions like “what is a project?” weren’t on my test. Instead my version assumed that the basics of the PMBOK were mastered. There were some drag and drop questions that took a little extra focus, but in the end— no, nothing “surprised” me. I’ll add that if you can, become familiar with the Agile mindset. Since PMI released the 7th PMBOK, Agile has become a very expected subject matter in the test. There were terms like “scrum, product owner, agile ceremony, hybrid” all throughout my test. You will want to become knowledgeable about Agile and how it impacts project management. Sometimes there are keywords in a question that guide you towards only one available answer, but if you don’t know basic Agile, you might struggle a little.

How long did the test take you?
Currently, there are 180 questions and you are allowed 230 mins. You have to have a strategy. I used every second available to me. Near the end, I looked up at the timer and there were 32 minutes remaining, I had 28 questions left— so I was in a good place. You will hear people say things like, “I finished with 20…30…40 extra minutes.” Well good for them— this is not a test about how fast you finish. This is also not a test about how fast other people finish. There are no rewards or merit points for speed. You will finish whenever YOU finish— and the goal is to finish. Another goal is to keep a pace that makes sense for you and not spend too much time on any single question. Only you will know what this mix is… by practicing. Some questions you will answer right away. Some you will need to spend more time on. Personally, I decided not to return to questions by marking them for review later. Once I decided what I wanted my answer to be, that was going to be my answer and I moved on.

Did you take your two ten-minute breaks?
HELL YES. Even if you are blasting through at a great pace and feeling good, taking breaks can help refresh your mind and get your blood flowing. There is probably a small percentage of people who can sit and just blast through. But remember, this test is not about other people. It’s about you. I got up. I went to the bathroom. I did some light yoga. I looked out the window. I brought a moment of mindfulness and thankfulness to what I was doing and how freaking far I’d come. When I came back into the exam room— it was like each time I was renewed and starting with recharged energy and focus. I highly recommend taking any and every break made available to you. Think of it this way— who drives from New York to LA without taking a few breaks? The exam is a little like a road trip. Make time to rest a little.

What did you do 24 hours before the exam?
Watched Hulu. Went to the gym. Baked a cake with my neighbor. Petted a few dogs. Watered all my house plants. Look— 24 hours before the test is not a time to fret or panic. If you don’t know something the day before the test, you won’t magically know it the day-of. The week leading up to the test I reviewed lots of notes and simply re-read a few of the concepts that still puzzled me. I had decided long before 24 hours before my test that, realistically, there were still going to be things that no matter how hard I study, I just won’t completely grasp. Project management is hard! If you’ve learned 75% of the PMBOK you are doing great. If you’re a nervous test taker or have a lot of anxiety, acknowledged that. Look that “fear” in the face, give it a name— then breathe and say, out loud... “This test is not bigger than I am. I am a project manager.”

Would you have done anything differently to prepare?
I would have loved to be more active with a study group, simply to bounce ideas off other people along the way.

How many questions do you have to get right to pass?
Aye. I wish I knew. We all do. PMI doesn’t have a magical number that means pass. Exam takers are placed on a spectrum between “not enough proficiency” to “above target proficiency.” No “number” signifies a passing grade. So at the end of your test, you will not get a traditional number grade. My prep course teacher said that it was once rumored 62% was the golden passing percentage— but this was from a long time ago and the test has changed a lot since he took it. Besides that percentage doesn’t make a lot of sense nowadays because there are lots of questions where you’re asked to select more than one answer.

When did you get your results?
.012497852 seconds after I finalized my answers and pressed submit. Whatever the outcome, you are given your preliminary test results instantly, then a few days later the official results and breakdown comes from PMI. Your results are also automatically logged and archived in your PMI account. While I will never know, I am curious what I got incorrect. Oh well.

Should I take the PMP or CAPM exam?
You need to decide that. If you have a five-year work history or more and have been managing projects of any kind, no matter how big, you should take the PMP exam. If you are a younger professional and not really sure about your work history, or future; or you do not have enough project experience just yet— take CAPM. But here is what I will say, CAPM is not necessarily easier than PMP. While its positioned as the little brother to PMP, they are both challenging exams. One is not more simple or will require less thought and preparation than the other. Also, if you are going to devote your time to preparing for CAPM— what’s stopping you from PMP? If you have even a .05% inkling that you should take PMP— then there’s your sign, take the PMP exam. Also, isn’t the CAPM exam changing soon anyway?

The course, the book, the exam— they are all so expensive. How did you afford this?
Our Federal Government! I was told by a friend about a federal grant program available to all US citizens made possible through the Work Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). I did some research and was floored! While choosing this route did add considerable time to my overall process, I didn’t have to pay a single cent for my PMP course or certification. In fact, I was awarded $10K and obtained 3 other certifications, as well as training in project management software. I’m for-real glad I chose this route. I learned— and saved!— a lot. Each state has its own WIOA guidelines. So you will need to look it up. Also… ask your employer how they can pitch in. You might be surprised.

Would you do it all again?
Yes— I think so. I learned so much about myself along the way and I met so many different kinds of people, from all over. It was nice to simply get out into the world, push myself, and meet new goals. Life gets stale when we stop learning and our potential just squanders if it’s never applied. Whenever you have the chance to try, or to learn, or to experience something new… do it! “Doing” is the enemy of regret.

I don’t think I will ever feel ready to take this exam— what should I do?
Okay— doubt is a fair feeling. But pause… at what point in life do people ever feel completely ready for anything that is potentially a big milestone or a considerable commitment of time and energy? Brides and grooms have doubts. Tech companies have doubts before a new launch. Even we opera singers are backstage looking at our music score during a performance we’ve done 2,000 times before. Having anxiety, doubts, and questioning what the hell you’re doing can all be good signs that you might, in fact, actually be doing the right thing— especially if it’s helping you to grow. Why? Because these indicators are pushing you beyond what you already know— inviting you to evolve. That’s exactly what this PMP exam is— an invitation to evolve, not some big bad wolf, waiting to steal your lollypop in the forest on the way to grandma’s house. I never felt like I knew 100% of 100% of the topics 100% of the time before taking the exam. Only machines have the capacity to do things like that. We are human. You are human— and therefore there are times when you will understand and times when you will not. #ThatsLife. What you want to learn to hone is why you want to take the exam— answering this will help everything else fall into place. Try to stay in touch with what led you to your interest in project management in the first place, this will unveil a lot of the purpose you have surrounding the certification and the opportunity. And also— truuussst me, when you schedule your test and it’s finally in your calendar… you will start doing all the things you need to to “get ready.”

You can pass this exam— I promise! Believe in yourself. Bet on yourself. You have more magic than you think— after all, in a lot of ways you’re already a project manager. The only person you have to convince… is yourself. Go get ‘em!

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[Photo: originally color, @nguyendhn]