Frequently Asked Questions on PMP
Q. Do you guarantee that I will pass the PMP?
A. Actually, no one can guarantee that, but what the trainer does guarantee is that he will cover the entire scope of the PMP course, answer all your queries, ensure that you have understood all the topics. Beyond that, whether you pass or not will depend on your extent of studies, how you use your experience for the answers, your speed of reading, your level of practice, especially for numerical questions, and last but not the least, time management. For more, check the last video on www.GetCoached.in/pmp
Q. What is the eligibility criteria for appearing for PMP?
A. The PMI Handbook (see links on getcoached.in/pmp) provides a detailed information on this. In brief, you need 4500 hours (~ 3 years) of project related experience if you have a degree, and 7500 hours (~ 5 years) of project experience if you have a diploma. This experience should be gained in the past 8 years. You need not be in a project management role during all these years.
Q. What is the option if I do not have these many hours?
A. You can appear for CAPM exam, which is based on the same courseware and the training is also the same. Your exam will be simpler than the PMP and also it will cost you lesser.
Q. What book(s) do I need to refer, for studying for the exam?
A. You need to read the PMBOK Guide, 5th Edition for the preparation of the exam, plus additional books that we will later recommend, if you are not able to get a good score in your mock exams. The book is available for free download, once you become a PMI member.
Q. What is the fee for the PMP exam?
A. For PMP, you need to pay 139$ for PMI one year membership, and later 405$ for the exam fee. In total that comes to 544$. This is slightly cheaper than directly paying for the exam without becoming a member. One of the main advantages of membership is that you get the PMBOK Guide free for download. If you are appearing for CAPM, the exam fee is $300 for non members and $ 225 for members.
Q. How long do I need to study to pass the exam in the first attempt?
A. Generally, people take 1 to 3 months to be ready. It depends on the available time, reading speed, grasping power, experience and mock exam scores. If you are able to devote 1.5 hours every week day and 3 hours every weekend, then you should be able to sail through in 1.5 months.
Q. When do I know that I am ready to give the exam?
A. If you are consistently scoring around 75% in the various mock exams, you can consider yourself to be ready for the PMP exam. However, please note that this is not a guarantee, but a good indicator. You never know what questions will come your way on the exam day.
Q. What if I do not pass the PMP exam in the first attempt?
A. You can give two more attempts in the 1 year time window since you submitted your form and paid the fees. It will cost you 275$ if you are a member, or 375$ if you are not a member.
Q. What kind of exam is the PMP?
A. You need to answer 200 objective questions in 4 hours. There is no negative marking, and there is 1 right answer from the give 4 options. This will be an online exam in India.The nearest center to Pune is at Saki Naka, Mumbai (map link on getcoached.in/pmp). You need to book your time slot on Prometric site, and hence plan a few weeks in advance for the exam. If you are doing a CAPM certification, you can give the exam in Pune at NIIT, Aurora Towers, M.G.Road.
Q. What is the passing score for the exam?
A. PMP does not declare any passing score for the exam. You get a proficiency level after completion of the exam, but not a score. However, it is said that generally you need to score 75% in mock exams to be reasonably confident to clear the PMP, though this is not a sure shot guarantee.
Q. What makes GetCoached.in PMP better than other institutes?
A. It begins from your first interaction - you directly speak with Ashish Paranjpe, the trainer for the PMP/CAPM course. The course content more comprehensive, yet the course material is not too heavy to read. The unique interactive excel sheets help you understand the 47 processes in a much better manner. Also, the trainer (rather coach) is available to support you later, as you go about doing your study. Last but not the least, all this is available for a competitive fee!
Q. Is it necessary for an institute to be an R.E.P. (Registered Education Provider)?
A. No, it is not necessary that the training should be from an R.E.P. PMI (Project Management Institute) permits you to undertake the 35 contact hours (popularly called as 35 PDUs) training (and certificate) from any organization, as long as the topics covered are aligned with the PMP syllabus. Please contact us on +91-9822603367 if you need more information about this.
Q. How long is the 35 Contact Hours Certificate valid?
A. There is no expiry date for the 35 contact hours certificate. You can take the training this year, and give the exam anytime in future.
Q. How long is the PMP Certification valid?
A. The certification is valid for 3 years from the day you pass the exam. You need to renew the certification by earning 60 PDUs. Visit pmi.org for more info.