5 Popular Myths about PMP Exam Passing Score

Thanks Harwinder for the good article.
I have a query, does one need to score at least average in each of the area. I mean, if suppose one score very good in all the process group suppose score very less or say zero in the questions related with (say) professional responsibility, then the person would not get pass?
Any comments..

Hi Harwinder and colleagues,
To make a long story short, I have been conducting classes in project management for over 20 years now. As part of our experiential learning program, we conduct 3 benchmark exams over a 90 day period. (Our courses are graduate level)

Using the 20 years of data collected from the scores on my Benchmark Exams, and the actual scores received by the participants on their PMP over that same period of time, I am able to accurately (+/- 3 points) convert the qualitative scores to quantitative scores, and based on this correlation, I do not have any reason to conclude that PMI has changed the 106/175 or 60.6% passing grade.

I believe the reason PMI made this change was because potential employers were asking applicants what their SCORE was on the PMP exam and using that just like grade point averages from the University.

To prevent employers from doing this, PMI switched BACK to a simple "pass/fail" system. (FWIW, circa 1985 - 1995, that is how PMI scored the exams originally- pass/fail)

Bottom line here- IMPO, PMI has not done the practice of project management any favors in doing this. Keep in mind that the REAL value of the PMP can only be maintained if those who hold it consistently deliver projects on time, within budget, in substantial conformance to the specifications and substantially fulfilling the need for which it was undertaken in the first place.

In the 20 or so years I have been doing this kind of training, I have yet to see any credible research supporting the fact that holding a PMP resulted in better project management or that NOT holding one resulted in poorer project management.

Sorry folks, but you need to be realistic in exactly what the PMP stands for and represents.

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
http://www.getpmcertified.com

Thanks Harwinder for another interesting article..

As per the L-Ls of the folks who cleared the exam, it is reflected that if one is scoring 75/80% or more in the Mock exams like Rita, pmstudy etc, then one can consider him/herself good to go !

Any comments on this ?

Actually after reading this article one may get a bit scared that one can never know inspite of scoring good in the practice exams that he/she is prepared for the exam..

Your views appreciated !

Hi DFB,
I think I can offer some solid data that might refute at least some of the myths you think you have busted.

In our 90 day long, graduate level, blended learning courses, we conduct three benchmark exams. These benchmark exams are administered to all of our students. Which means I have 15+ years of results from our benchmark exams.

More importantly, for those years PMI published the actual scores on these students received on their PMP exam.

Which means that I have literally thousands of data points which correlate the scores on my benchmark exams to the scores received on the PMP Exam.

And based on that database, I am able to predict the score on the PMP Exam +/-3 points based on the results of the Benchmark Exam results.

So, what does that mean? It means because my benchmark exams have not changed significantly, I am able to use them to predict what the score on the PMP Exam is or was, regardless of whether PMI publishes the numbers or not....

What can I tell you?

1) It appears to me that PMI has kept the same passing point of ABOUT 61%, +/- 3 points. (Passing grade range of 58% to 64%.

2) Our 15 year, running average, first attempt pass rate for English as Second Language has been 86%. Since the change over, our pass rate has not changed, and our training materials has only been updated to reflect the relatively minor changes in processes and vocabulary, meaning that PMI has not made the exam more or less difficult. It is substantially the same as what it was before the change.

3) PMI has a long established history of "dumbing down" the PMP. When I took mine back in '88 or '89, it consisted of 320 questions, over 7 hours, with 5 (not 4) possible answers; and you had to pass each knowledge area individually with a score of 70%; then they dumbed it down to 200 questions over 4 hours with only 4 possible answers and a passing score overall (total, not per knowledge area or process grouping) of 70%. Then they dumbed it down still further, to only 175 questions that count, and requiring only 106 (60.6%) to pass. And now they did away with the numerical grade and replaced it with a qualitative score instead.... I hate to be a skeptic, but.....

Unless PMI has changed, they were using the Modified Angoff method to score the exams, meaning that not all questions are of equal value. Some are harder, some are easier the the weighting given to the easy questions is less, while the harder questions is more. This is appropriate. My complaints and my concerns lie with the fact that the questions continue to be inconsistent with recommended practices in writing test questions. (while we do not seek out specific questions, it is unrealistic and naieve that PMI can expect people not to remember certain questions and discuss them after the exam....) http://www.testing.wisc.edu/Handbook%20on%20Test%20Construction.pdf

So while much of your Myth Busting analysis is accurate, you to are perpetuating some of the myths that PMI might want us to believe, despite the fact that my numbers prove otherwise.

FWIW, on another forum, I have offered to make my data available to a few bonafide researchers to analyze it further.

Bottom line- PMI is not known for "truth in advertising" (despite credible research to the contrary, PMI still insists that project management is a profession) so just because PMI says something, does not mean it can be taken as proof. As with anything else, the people who have the most at stake are those who hold your PMP, and having watched the PMP being "dumbed down" for many years, I remain skeptical that PMI has suddenly made it more challenging....

My best advice in closing? CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
http://www.getpmcertified.com

Hi,
Yes, Harwinder you're right it is no more no game. I did very good on rit's fast track getting 90% and at PMSTUDY.Com 75% but when I took exam on Dec 15, I got all domains "Moderatly Proficient".
I am happy that I passed, but I guessed I get Proficient.
ZEE

when is your part 2 up for release?

Really interesting information,which destructed all wrong foundation in my mind.
That wrong myths direct me to fault ,and therefore I assessed exam more easier that it really is.So my first exam in September 15th failed,even though I had been assured that will pass.
by the way I got 4 moderate and 2 below in ethics and monitoring & control.
And now,I am a little bit confused ,how is my actual level.
Just I figured out that need more study and NOTHING else.

Hi DFB and Colleagues,
I have been getting so many requests for the Excel spreadsheet that converts the qualitative score PMI provides you with (whether you pass or not) into a numeric or quantitative score, I have uploaded it to our new web 2.0 site, http://www.build-project-management-competency.com/

Go to the download page and look for the "Weighted Exam Calculation Template" and download it.

Also while you are there, you may want to download the recent preliminary research I published which compares the various credentials offered by other professional organizations.

I think for many of you, it will be an eye opener when you see where the PMP falls vis a vis other less well known but highly regarded credentials.

Enjoy, and my only request is, if you pass these files along, PLEASE give appropriate credit as to the source... I put most of my research on the internet under Creative Commons license and at least I would like to get credit for the work I am doing.

Thanks!!

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
http://www.build-project-management-competency.com

Thanks for the myth-busters.

Hint: Aim for a score of 100% on 3independent sample exams and you will have nothing to worry about on the real exam.

Folks, don't forget you can download a free excel spreadsheet model that will convert your qualitative PMP exam score to a QUANTITATIVE (numeric) grade.

It is accurate to +-3 points, and to date, I have not heard of any false positives (people who showed they passed using my model but failed the PMP) or false negatives (people who passed the exam who showed they failed using my model) being reported.

http://www.build-project-management-competency.com/download-page/

Enjoy!!

Dr. PDG, Tembagapura, West Papua, Indonesia

does anyone know what percentage of PEOPLE pass it on their first try?

fyi: I meant to say I took the PM Fastrack exam 6- 8 times in my comments earlier.

thanks

We have a 15 year long, running average first attempt pass rate of 86% for our English as Second Language (ESL) professionals and 99%+ for native/near native speakers of English.

However, understand that our courses are not 5 day long "cram" courses, but are a full 90 day long, graduate level blended learning (combined face to face and distance learning mode)

We have not, do not, will not "teach to the exam". We believe in teaching "best practices" of project management, and much of what we teach goes well beyond the PMBOK Guide.

BR,
Dr. PDG, GAPPS Workshop, Bali, Indonesia
http://www.build-project-management-competency.com

I comment you that, although I thought that I was going to pass the test until the last second during it, I failed on my first try.

My score was the following one:

Initiation: Below Prof.
Planning: Moderately Prof.
Executing: Moderately Prof.
Controlling: Below Prof.
Closing: Below Prof.
Prof. Resp.: Moderately Prof.

I am thinking to take the exam again in one or two months.

What do you recommend me?

I am how failed on his first try...

I am a PM Jr. I have one year experience.

I read the following one:

PMBOK Guide), Fourth Edition (PMI)PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide, Fifth Edition (Kim Heldman)

What do you think about the book "Head First PMP"?

I am currently studying for the PMP. In reading this and many other sites, I am finding the ~61% score to be the benchmark. Regardless of it being 61% or 64% or even 70%, it seems a little low, no? Maybe it is harder than I am giving it credit for, but it is a low sounding percentage.

I have been doing technical team lead work on IT projects, and just took the PMP exam because it opens more doors with prospective clients. I read the PMBOK, bought an online course, studied for a week, and passed with 4 P and 2 MP. From my point of view, the designation is not such a big deal and the exam is not that hard. Anyone who has the requisite education and experience to sit the exam should be able to pass with flying colors because the material is just a bit of new terminology and formalized knowledge on top of what you should already know and practise. The thousands of dollars charged by some companies for PMP preparation courses are a big scam IMO.

I just passed my exam with all MP scores. I studied for 4 days, one time PMBOK, one time Rita and tested myself on simulator and scored 79.9% on full 4 hrs 200 qs test. Thought I cam ready and finally cleared it, though I would have liked some P's.

As far as exam was concerned it was ok, only I was surprised by too many questions about Quality & Risk tools & techniques, which unfortunately I could not memorize and since I m also not familiar with these tools, I just guessed the answers for these questions incorrectly.

i have taken the exam twice now with 3MP's and 3BP's and its really disheartening and the striking clause in it was that the exam i took the first time was exactly the same as the second one. i am confused as to if to write again within this month or wait till next month. moreover i prepared using rita's 6th edition book and pmpbok

Dr. PDG --
Go for AACE or INCOSE? I think I'll have a rest first.

Dr. PDG,

Interesting posts, and I agree with your assessment/attitude 100%. I passed my PMP yesterday - and came out of the exam feeling more angry than anything else.

I'm a native-English speaker living in Malaysia. I found the exam to be:
a) dumbed down;
b) a test of the English language as much as a test of PMBOK;
c) a violation of PMI's own code of ethics in that it:
- is not transparent (scoring scheme/scam?)
- is not culturally sensitive (again, many questions are certainly targeted against non-native speakers)
- does not contribute to building knowledge (if I don't know what I got wrong, how can I learn?)
- is not fair (luck should not be a factor - but it is!);
d) poorly written. I would love to have the opportunity to debate some of the questions based on nuances in the language used. I seriously question how seriously they've formed their questions (pun intended). Is it supposed to be a test of knowledge or a test of tricks?

All said, I will need some time to reflect whether the process was worth the cost. I would do a cost/benefit analysis, but PMI didn't teach me how to do it, just what it is.

Regards,
Disgruntled PMP

Folks,
You may wonder why I post on this blog, seeing I tend to be so negative about PMI and the PMP?

First, Harwinder has impressed me with the quality of the work he has produced here. I see a LOT of garbage published, some of which is downright WRONG. So his blog is one of the very best.

Secondly, project management is my life's work. I am not an "accidental" project manager. It was what I wanted to be when I grew up 40+ years ago and it is STILL what I want to be when I grow old(er).

So when I tell you the PMP is nothing more than an entry level credential and that IF you consider yourself to be a "professional practitioner" you need to look to INCOSE or AACE, I am not doing this to make money (I have enough of that). The reason I am doing it is because of my committment to project management and the great pleasure I get out of passing along what I have learned over the years to people like you.

Put it this way- what I teach you is exactly the same as what I teach to my kids and grandkids.

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta, Indonesia
http://www.build-project-management.com

Harwinder, thank you for your welcome and also thank you for this informative and interesting blog.

I wish I had come across this site sooner but unfortunately I did not find it until after I had sat for the PMP exam. I was trying to figure out the percentage equivalents of the proficiency scores when I came across this discussion and Dr. PDGs spreadsheet. While I realize that any such model cannot be completely accurate, it gave me exactly what I was looking for. My scores were "Proficient" for Planning, Executing, and Monitoring and "Moderately Proficient" for the other three areas. Using the spreadsheet, it came to 76%, which was pretty much confirmed my WAG of 75 – 80%.

Prior to finding this tool, I was intending to try and calculate the score using the same approach – i.e., by multiplying the number of questions in each category by a percentage equivalent for P and MP, but I did not know what percentage values to use. The spreadsheet provided the basis. I'm not sure what the psychology is behind the need to quantify the results but there definitely is the need. I had also used another tool using 85%, 50%, and 25% values for each question based on your confidence in the answer and arrived at estimates between 75% and 78%.

On another topic also addressed by several people in this thread, I agree that the PMP exam doesn't test project management skills but just knowledge of PMBOK language. But what really gets me is that it's not even a test of your understanding of PMBOK concepts – it's just a memory test. For most questions, you cannot arrive at the answers using reasoning or experience. You just have to remember the PMBOK definition of the specific term and whether it's a process or an input, output, or tool/technique associated with a process. For example, most people are familiar with "ground rules" but why is it a tool for Develop Project Team but not for Manage Project Team? And why are organizational process assets considered inputs, not tools?

I didn't find the test quite as difficult as I expected, mainly because the questions were not as wordy as the practice tests I had taken. The formula-based questions were especially easy as long as you knew the formulas, which I did. I don't think any of them even required calculation. However, there were a number of questions that asked about inputs to a process and although I had memorized a lot of the T/Ts and outputs, I ran out of time before I got to inputs (which were the hardest for me to remember). Another question that gave me trouble was one that asked what was considered a successful project. I was stuck between "Project is delivered on schedule and within budget" and "Customer approves the project deliverables." I really couldn't choose between the two because I would have thought both would need to be true to be successful. What's the "correct" answer?

Harwinder, thank you for your welcome and also thank you for this informative and interesting blog.

I wish I had come across this site sooner but unfortunately I did not find it until after I had sat for the PMP exam. I was trying to figure out the percentage equivalents of the proficiency scores when I came across this discussion and Dr. PDGs spreadsheet. While I realize that any such model cannot be completely accurate, it gave me exactly what I was looking for. My scores were "Proficient" for Planning, Executing, and Monitoring and "Moderately Proficient" for the other three areas. Using the spreadsheet, it came to 76%, which was pretty much confirmed my WAG of 75 – 80%.

Prior to finding this tool, I was intending to try and calculate the score using the same approach – i.e., by multiplying the number of questions in each category by a percentage equivalent for P and MP, but I did not know what percentage values to use. The spreadsheet provided the basis. I'm not sure what the psychology is behind the need to quantify the results but there definitely is the need. I had also used another tool using 85%, 50%, and 25% values for each question based on your confidence in the answer and arrived at estimates between 75% and 78%.

On another topic also addressed by several people in this thread, I agree that the PMP exam doesn't test project management skills but just knowledge of PMBOK language. But what really gets me is that it's not even a test of your understanding of PMBOK concepts – it's just a memory test. For most questions, you cannot arrive at the answers using reasoning or experience. You just have to remember the PMBOK definition of the specific term and whether it's a process or an input, output, or tool/technique associated with a process. For example, most people are familiar with "ground rules" but why is it a tool for Develop Project Team but not for Manage Project Team? And why are organizational process assets considered inputs, not tools?

I didn't find the test quite as difficult as I expected, mainly because the questions were not as wordy as the practice tests I had taken. The formula-based questions were especially easy as long as you knew the formulas, which I did. I don't think any of them even required calculation. However, there were a number of questions that asked about inputs to a process and although I had memorized a lot of the T/Ts and outputs, I ran out of time before I got to inputs (which were the hardest for me to remember).

I have studied for 4 months using Rita's book and I went to take the exam last friday (July 22th, 2011). My score in simulations were around 70%. When I was answering questions in exam I had a feeling that everything was going extremelly right because I was controlling time, answering and understanding where I was in the process... I had a trully feeling that when I finish the exam I will be pass without problems but, unfortunately, I failed and what dissapointed I am now... I really could not understand what was wrong and need to take another exam. Thank you for your articles, it let me understand why I have failed;;;

I took the test 16 of september.
A total of 5 areas. I scored Moderatly Proficient in 3 and Proficient in 2. I failed and don't have a clue what went wrong. All questions where made in Rita's book with an average of 78% before.

Does anybody know what it takes to pass?

Hmm, interesting analysis Dr.PDG and Harwinder. http://www.pmzilla.com/date-pmp-22sep11
Please check the comments in that link. Looks like no one knows what is going with PMI or what their grading scale is. Ha! I have mine scheduled on the 17th. I am not sure if I even want to take this exam any more at least at this point of time.
Oh well, lets see!!

Hi Harwinder,

As per the new exam, I got 1 Proficient and 4 moderately proficient and still managed to pass it.

Thanks for all the articles on your blog. They were really helpful to understand the concepts.

-Amit Paliwal, PMP

Hello,

I would like to provide another data point.

I failed with the following:

Initiating - Below Proficient
Planning - Moderately Proficient
Executing - Moderately Proficient
Monitoring and Controlling - Proficient
Closing - Moderately Proficient

I am having trouble understanding this result as Initiating is the second lowest weight domain with 13% in the latest distribution.

There is definitely something new to the scoring system...

Hello! I'm Riccardo from Italy.
I add other results.
I failed with: 4ModProf+1Prof in Monitoring&controlling.
According to the previous system,I woluld have failed?
In general the results says that I'm not under the average....
What do you think about?

I have just received a letter from the PMI. My previous fail is now a pass (4 PM, 1 P). Apparently there has been an error in the scoring and they have rechecked all the exam results under the new process.
Hope that everyone else with similar scores has received the same mail.
Thank you Harwinder for your support!

Yepp I recieved the mail today - Passed! Over all I'm happy. I have to cancel my test 31 of okt. Refund I hope... I've studied day and night since friday and my wife cancelled her travel to Scottland this week to take care of the kids. We both realize that I wouldn't become normal until I pass the test. Now she will have to work doubble next week. But I'll do anything to support her. I hope you will recieve the same mail!

Hi guys!
So do I, I receive the e-mail from PMI. I PASSED
"We apologize for the concern and trouble this incorrect exam report may have caused you. An error in exam processing occurred because exams were originally scored by an erroneous scoring process so that some candidates' pass/fail result was calculated incorrectly".
It's very strange, but it was nonsense to fail with noone BP.
And it was nonsense that my collegue had the same result as me and he passed.
Maybe PMI calculated the score twice and they made confusion when they decided to maintain the same general percentage of successful exams as before change?
Anyway...thank you for all Harwinder!

PMP failed utterly in their own project management? Irony of life :). Looks like they have to revisit their quality control and also update their lessons learned ..:).

Congrats to all those who went on this roller coaster ride.

And Harwinder - I am taking the exam on Oct 17th ;). And please tell me that I WILL PASS. Say it with me - "Joy will pass". Looks like things you say do come true..:).

Hi guys,
I just received "The E-mail" too and I PASSED!!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this blog and special thanks to Harwinder. You guys have been a great support group for me through this difficult process.

Congrats to all passed and best of luck to all waiting for news or preparing for the exam.
Quattro

Harwinder,
Thank you so much for your blog, tools and insights this has been very useful for my exam prep and understanding the scoring process. Keep up the good work and inspiring those who are working towards getting certified. I sat for my exam on 10/7/2011. I did not expect immediate results at the prometric center however when I saw the Congratulations message on the screen I was suprised to see it and relived at the same time. I have not received my email confirmation from PMI.
The exam questions were very long. In my preparation I did numerous 4 hour practice tests and always completed these tests within 2-3 hours. The exam was long with very wordy questions and wordy answers. I finished my first pass on all 200 questions with 3hours 45 minutes on the clock. I had 15 minutes to review all marked which was not enough time. I unchecked all very fast to make sure I would end in the allotted time. I did not have time to review marked questions properly to validate my selected answers.
My results

Initiate P
Planning P
Executing MP
M/Controlling BP
Close MP

Thanks again.

Continuous process improvement is part of PMBOK Quality. Even the REPs are expected to show continuous improvement by taking feedback from students.

Should not PMI practice what it preaches??

Based on past exam experience and feedback, should the PMI not improved the exam instead of repeating the problems!

Thanks Harwinder! I will need all the luck there is.

I started my prep for PMP on Sep 13th because of security reasons as mentioned in Maslow's theory :).

And I have to finish off the test ASAP. Oh well, I will know in a week's time!

I do not know if I am taking too much risk by taking the PMP in such a short period of time esp with the new format and all the changes. Just a month of preparation...

Any case, thanks for all your insights and your blog. You are doing an amazing work, kudos to you!

I will come back and update you about my result after 17th.

Best,
Joy

A good post from a PMP exam taker,

Here goes:
I Took The New Pmp Exam. It Was Reasonably Tough

http://forums.oreilly.com/topic/51571-i-took-the-new-pmp-exam-it-was-reasonably-tough/

Hey there,

just passed my PMP exam on Monday with P, P, MP, MP, MP. I expected more tough questions but had numerous quite easy definition questions to answer instead.

I'm so happy!

Greets from Germany and good luck to all exam candidates!

Hi,
I failed with result as follows.
any advise how harder I need to try - I was confident that I d pass,

MP,MP,MP,BP,BP

Hi All,

I just did my PMP exam and I passed on my first attempt. It took me 3.5 hours to complete the exam.


Here is another data point

Initiation: P
Planning: P
Executing: P
Monitoring and Controlling: MP
Closing: P

Preparation: PMBOK (read twice) and Rita PMP Exam Prep (Read twice)

Good luck to all who are preparing for the exam!

GC

I'm confused. First the early blog says that they don't issue immediate results anymore, that if you take the exam in Aug. you won't get your results until Oct., now this person says they got their results very quickly (March 2012). What's the current truth/policy?

Just took and passed the exam today (1st attempt). Same results as the previous poster (4 P's and 1 MP in M&C).

Read PMBOK about a year ago. More recently, I used Rita's book (one pass through)/flash cards/sample tests.

Got off to a bad start and was sure I was going to fail. I think I marked 12 of the first 20 for review. It just so happened that the most difficult questions (for me) were right up front. I ended up using the entire four hours.

I would have like to have seen what I missed so that I could learn from my mistakes.

-Eric

I took the exam yesterday and failed miserably with Below Proficient in all the areas. I feel I was too tense and same time I was not good enough.
I read only PMP book by Andy Crowe and I think that was mistake which I did.
Most of the questions were on Risk, Quality and CPM.
Please advise what approach should I take. I need to submit my application again as eligibility is at the verge of expiring.

thanks

no known passing score, no idea what the pass/fail rate is, no firm information on how scoring works. It's sadistic. It increasingly seems like a scam.

Hello. I passed tonight with 1 Proficient (I), 2 Moderate (P and M&C) and 2 Below (E and C).

I have been searching the web (and appreciated you myth bust) to make sure that it was not a false positive due to the 2 Below Proficient (as I found some articles about false Fails from last year).

I passed the exam with Moderate Proficiency (P and I and E) and Below Proficiency (M&C and Closing)

Hello,

Can you verify that the pasiing score for 2013 is still about 62% percent and nothing has changed dramatically?

Regards
Kostas

I took the exam on Apr 24, 2012 and failed with the following:

Initiating the Project - Moderately Proficient
Planning the Project - Below Proficient
Executing the Project - Below Proficient
Monitoring and Controlling the - Project Moderately Proficient
Closing the Project - Moderately Proficient

I don't how bad I did on the two Below to fail.
Taking the exam again this Saturday - Feb 16th, 2013.

For those interested in the relative ranking of all the major global project management credentials, I have just published an update.

http://pmworldjournal.net/article/project-management-credentials-compared-an-update/

This is an independent and unbiased study, benchmarking the credentialing process ("earned hours") of all the major project management credentials against the US Professional Engineer (PE) license and Malcolm Gladwell's "10,000 hour" rule.

Enjoy!!!

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta, Indonesia
http://www.build-project-management-competency.com

Dr. PDG,

You are the epitome of a cranky, old school, pessimist, academic and you fully believe that you are STILL (if you ever indeed were) at the very cutting edge of your field/career, despite your advanced age & declining perspective or paradigm on the business world.....as per your consistently negative posts on this board.

I'm finally seeing & contribing to this blog in early 2013, as I've just been in the PMP world for a couple of years now and I'm glad I found it this discussion.

My comments are geared towards the YOUNG, N.American PM's and aspiring PMP's,(whom I believe you are wrongfully and purposefully, misguiding for your own agenda), in regards to the decreased value you place on the PMP as a respected, recognized, value-added, business credential.

Your repetivitive propaganda only hurts people's careers/aspirations/lives/livelyhoods which are temporarily strangled by the current OCR-word search resume tools, held firmly in the hands of the robotic HR recruiters & recruitng engines of our corporate culture; that will ONLY CONSIDER YOU for a decent project/program manager job, unless you have that magic "PMP" by your name, at the very minimum.

Does having a PMP by your name make you a genius or a project management YODA......probably not. But it won't hurt either. Organizations are placing monetary & human capital VALUE on: Educated, experienced, well rounded, business professionals who can collaborate with or lead others, to work well in a functional/matrix/departmentalized/government environment; while keeping their focus at all times and producing consistent outputs.......PMP's!!!!!!!! The PMI, PMBOK GUIDE, PMI-PMBOK based Master's programs & the values/lessons learned in the PMP accreditation itself...SURE DON'T HURT EITHER, fella!!

I'm a fan of PMI & the PMP credential; Because I KNOW it adds career value and opens doors that would be closed to professionals if they DIDN'T have the PMP; Not because of any other reason that that. Plus, the PMP enourages Ethics & Social/Professional Responsibiity, while encouraging process & performance development for the good of the individual and the hiring organization.

Now.......what on earth is wrong with that????

I suppose you'll have a snappy come back for me in a few years Dr. PDG, but until then: LEAVE the PMI-PMP "BASHNG" off the airwaves, at least for a little while. I promise, It'll make ya' feel better :)

-PMP Guy

Iam trying for PMP exam many times , I read the books serveral time within 4 yrs , I took the preparation course on June-2009 and I know it as I know my name!!!, what it suprised me I failed Three times , Even Iam honor student , Mechanical Engineer with MBA from reptutable University , I saw kid and teenagers from my local countries they passed the exam and I asked them about the tools and techinques and they told me we are parctising only simulations exam on the net with high prices, and we went for exam to pass , I shocked by answer , on april , I spend 100 Days reading the book and I paid 60 USD to PMPerfect which is more diffcult to PMP exam , I used to get 78%-82% on all mocks , I completed exactly 1400 Question, (400 from rita seventh Edition study guide and 1000 questions from perfect PMP, I marked the question which around 37 Questions on the exam which iam not sure about , I have felt I passing the exam on the question number 155, I fialed 4 MP ,except one BP on excuation , I read the book for almost 4 years from the beggining, it was in 13-April-2013 , Then I change the pomteric to different country , which close to our country and U got the second trail test aftet 3 weeks , it was on 9-May-2013 , I marked all the questions I have doubt on them ,they were 50 , !50 Question sure as my name , and the questions are same the prevoius Exam (same ) so I finished the exam before 30 minutes of the exam ending time then I went for review and I did two best answer on 50 ,I think I got 30 on them the reason behind I lost the eagrness to pass and I lose confidence on PMI, I tries to appealed the first exam to PMI and no proper answer and I challenged them , but it seemed to me they are commercial and They are creating popoganda , I will not turst PMI any more. Since all the measures I did , I will try something else like CCE with AACEI, I like Economics and schedules development, Math as general , since I was A sudent in Maths and Claculations of EVM, NPV,FPV, which more repected than funny PMP, since my co-workers with PMP certified they do'nt know the basic of handling Projects like I do ,Please send me your queries to my email : nadeem_aldeem@hotmail.com.
Thank you Dr PDG for your informations since I did analysis and seemed to me I got more than 70% on the exam , and I could not clear it , it is really funny PMI.

Hi, I passeed today! Mod.Preficient. Rita was all I studied! I was suprised in the exam with the ammount of EAC/ETC/BAC/TCPI/SV/CV questions!

I bought the Rita Exam Prep (1500 odd questions prep), which were great but not enough to satisfy some of the CV and SV questions (where CV had to be worked out by SV and vice versa).

But overall good prep from practise questions were my ingredient to success

Good luck ppz

Hi everyone,
I passed yesterday with 5 Ps. My 2 cents - understand each concept and relate to any big project. No need to memorise. PMI hat is important to think like them. Maths - easy, think around 30 Qs on EVA itself. All said and done, i was scoring only 70-75% in all the mock exams and was surprised with 5 Ps. Read only Rita and PMBOK, referred to Kim only for Probability distribution. Checked on net for motivational theories which were not there in rita and a few other topics for better understanding (tornado diagram, sensitivity analysis, monte carlo etc).

If anyone needs further guidance my email : srini_veeravalli@rediffmail.com

Ready to help out. And also, this was my first attempt and i studied for around 12 weeks (every day 2 hrs, and last two weeks , full time)

VP Srinivas

In June 2013, I became PMP certified with "Proficient" grade across all the five process groups. I just studied PMBOK guide and Rita's book twice. Prepared for 1.5 months. I just had about 5 questions which I was not very sure of.

Hello, I passed the PMP test this week (Nov 2013). The first 20 or so questions were tough but the test got easier after that. I read Rita's book three times and most of the PMBOK once. I took many pre tests from http://exam.pm-exam-simulator.com/ . I scored BP in the "I", MP in the "Closing", and P for the rest.

I took the exam today and failed. My results were as follows: BP (I, M&C), MP (P,E,C). I have spent the past 1 ½ months studying on average 15 to 20 hrs per week. This consisted of reading the PMBOK (all of it), reading Rita's book (doing all of the tests at the end of each chapter), taking at least 12 to 15 exams on Rita's test simulator CD. Re-reviewing questions I got wrong and looking up the answers to instill the concept.
I have been a successful practicing PM professional for 15 years working for companies such as IBM, Sprint and currently one of the worlds largest software development company (no, not Microsoft). I have a B.S. in Computer Science, an MBA and two other certifications. I am quite disappointed and plan to sit for the exam in the next 2 to 3 weeks as my application expires at the end of January.
I completely agree with Dr. PDG's feelings about the PMP certification process. It is an outright scam! The ONLY reason I am going to get those stupid initials is because it has become almost a necessity to remain competitive in the market place (at least in the U.S.). More and more job descriptions list "PMP preferred". This simply means that if they have PMP candidates to choose from with any resemblance of qualifications, they are likely to get the interview over you. I personally find that insulting that companies/ hiring managers have become so ignorant and bought into the whole propaganda of PMI that they would fall for something so stupid. Obviously I have been able to remain employed in my field, but it is getting more difficult and I have lost out on interviews simply for NOT having the PMP.
I will tell you that when I hire other PM's, I do not care less whether they have their PMP. Fortunately, I have control over this and am not mandated to hire individuals simply based on credentials that do not tell me whether someone is qualified to do the job. Companies/ hiring managers have become too lazy to take the time to properly interview. And, perhaps maybe its to ease the jobs of HR recruiting so they can simply search for buzz words to know if the resumes should be passed along. This world is continuing to be dumbed down in all aspects. And, while I can't speak to previous versions of the PMP test about being dumbed down. I will be those who say it has happened. That said, I do not believe that makes me any less of a PM simply because I can't regurgitate the terminology in the manner PMI wants such that I can obtain a passing score. I have always been a very analytical and logical thinker and perhaps I can over analyze, but I will ALWAYS make the most informed decision possible based on all information I can uncover. \ The idea of answering questions based on what is the "best" answer with 2 or 3 sentences is ludicrous. I could easily prove in many scenarios where the answer PMI says their answer is correct is simply NOT TRUE and would be detrimental to the business in choosing that course (at least based on the information they provide). \

Here is the official version of the research benchmarking the various project management credentials against the US Professional Engineer license and Gladwell's "10,000 hour" rule....

http://pmworldjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/pmwj18-jan2014-giammalvo-project-management-credentials-comared-2014update-FeaturedPaper.pdf

Enjoy and hope this will help people in making the decision which credential(s) are best for them, given their career path objectives and interests.

BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta, Indonesia

Dear Dr PDG!!
I have done Bachelor in Textiles and Master in Project management, we have studied all knowledge areas and quite familiar with terminologies.but my past experience is majority in operations not related with projects specific,not particularly. i am in coordination with project team but the experience on documents i gain is project experience. i get through different mock tests to check my abilities !! and i scored 60-65 % without studying
Now i am planing for PMP exam in coming 4-6 months period
My points
How much it matters to pass PMP when you don't have experience of projects in practical life properly?
English is not my native language, to how much it will effect my scores ? and how to cover this problem ?

Hi all,
I attempted PMP yesterday (27-Oct-2014) and failed. : (

Below Proficient for Initiation and Planning, and
Moderately Proficient for Executing, M&C and Closing.

I could use some help or advise from someone who had done it after July 2013 as I understand it is based on PMBOK 5th edition.
I was purely using using Rita PMP Exam Prep 7th edition (instead of 8th edition because someone gave me his 7th edition)

I can be contacted on pmpexam2014@yahoo.com.au
No spam/advertising or junk mail please, I really don't need them, I just failed an exam.

Thanks for your consideration.

Alan

Hi,
Today I attemp PMP and failed!!!!!!
Execution BP
Closing: BF
Why I failed the exam:
1- First 1-10 question make me nurves and its continue till 50..
2- Selected morning time 8AM and staretd 7.45AM
3- Not skipped all these 1-50 question for try later
4- Got panic in first hour because I was not doing well.
5- There were only 8-10 numeric question and 10-15 direct simple ITTO question
6- All wordy question…Last line what should manager do Next
7- Because of first hour(penic hour) I didn't get time to review first 1-50 question even I didn't mark for review
Learning's are welcomes….

I got 3BP and 2MP but still passed. But I the 2 MPs I got are for the 2 biggest knowledge areas - Executing and Monitoring/Control. So it is possible to pass even with 3BPs.

I passed my PMP exam back in May 2010 and my domain score was 3 moderately proficient and 3 below proficient :)

I failed the PMP exam today with 2BP (initiation and m&c) and 3MP (planning, executing and closing). I observed that nobody passed the exam without getting atleast a MP in M&C and Executing domains. I did very much enjoyed this article and what people said about people getting a pmp just because it will land them a better job, which is very true. I dont think that PMP makes a project manager better or worse and I think people should stop putting so much emphasis on it. I actually took this exam for the Fourth time today and Failed. I had been studying on and off for about 2 years. My piece of advise is to try your best and if you dont pass dont worry. One exam does'nt make you more or less better than others haha. After all many pmp's dont have a job here in the usa and are unemployed as well. Good luck to everyone.

I passed the exam on November 2016. I received below proficient(initiation), moderately proficient(planning), moderately proficient(execution), below proficient(controlling) ,proficient(closing). I read two books twice, and took a lot of prep questions. Also, my company paid for a prep course, but I believe is not necessary to pass the exam.

Here 2 additional data points... I passed March 2016 with P-Initiation + Closing and MP-in the rest of the areas. Studied for 30 days with PMBOK and Rita's Book. My spouse passed in 2012 with MP- 3 areas and BP- in 2 areas. The exam was easier than expected probably would have scored higher if I didn't go back and second guess myself. The PMP only tests that you understand the PMI framework. People must have experience running projects to be a successful PM. Personally, obtaining my PMP is just the start of continued learning. Thank you for continuing the conversation.

So i took the CAPM exam and i had 6 BP and 5 MP but most of my BP has higher percentage than the MP but failed. I took this exam over a year ago and this has really affected my confident level. Do anyone know what i did wrong, what i should focus on or whatever advice anyone could give would be helpful. Below is the result. Thanks guys.

MP in Project Management and Processes in Context - 15%
MP in Project Integration Management - 12%
MP in Project Scope Management - 11%
MP in Project Time Management - 12%
MP in Project Cost Management - 7%
BP in Project Quality Management - 6%
MP in Project Human Resource Management - 8%
BP in Project Communication Management - 6%
BP in Project Risk Management - 9%
BP in Project Procurement Management - 7%
BP in Project Stakeholder Management - 7%

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I studied for about two months but i realized more than half of the entire questions was based off ITTO which happen to be my weak area. Any advice what i can do to familiarize myself with it or memorize. Thanks again for the advice, i will look into your suggestions.

I had only 3 weeks to prepare because of my busy schedule and the fact that I have to prepare to other university admission tests such GMAT and Ielts. I was given the impression that you should study Rita and other PM books but I didn’t have time so I only studied the PMBOK and I did one PMstudy simulator before I start studying to focus on my weakness.
I passed the pmp test in July 2018 with AT in initiating and planning, Needs improvement in Executing and BT in both Mentoring/Controlling and Closing. The overall performance was Target.
the exam was mostly situational questions and a few indirect ITTOS related questions. I think that Project Planning questions have a higher scoring weight than the other domains. When I checked the exam analysis on my profile, I got high in most Planning tasks.