Creating an Effective PMP Study Plan: A Complete Guide

Master your Project Management Professional (PMP) exam preparation with a personalized study plan. This plan, tailored to your unique learning style and schedule, along with essential resources and expert tips, will ensure your path to certification is clear and achievable.

The depth of your relevant work experience impacts your eligibility to take the project management exam. Still, it does not mean you are ready to earn Project Management Institute (PMI®)’s premier certification, Project Management Professional (PMP®). Project Management Academy instructors consistently see a higher PMP exam pass rate for students who create a customized PMP study plan regardless of project management work experience.

PMP® Certification Exam Overview

PMI administers the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam as part of its global standards for the project management profession.The PMP exam “utilizes knowledge and task-driven guidelines to assess the practitioner’s competence and determine the levels of salience, criticality, and frequency of each of the knowledge, tasks, and skills required to perform to the industry-wide standard in the role of a project manager.”

As of 2021, the PMP certification exam has three content domains:  

• PEOPLE – emphasizing the soft skills you need to effectively lead a project team in today’s changing environment
• PROCESS – reinforcing the technical aspects of successfully managing projects
• BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT – highlighting the connection between projects and organizational strategy

PMI constructed the PMP certification exam to have:

• 180 questions in multiple-choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot, and limited fill-in-the-blank.
• 230 minutes allotted to complete, with two 10-minute breaks for computer-based tests and no scheduled breaks for paper-based exams.

The PMP certification exam has knowledge check items (like definitions and tools) and knowledge application items (like the best choice for a specific situation). In the PMI Examination Content Outline, PMI shares:

“About half of the examination will represent predictive project management approaches, and the other half will represent agile or hybrid approaches. Predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches will be found throughout the three domain areas listed above and are not isolated to any particular domain or task.”

Use PMI-approved training providers and materials to ensure your PMP exam prep is aligned with the most current version of the PMP certification experience and content.

PMP Certification Study Plan Steps

Typically, it takes at least six weeks to prepare for the PMP exam, balancing studying content and using a PMP exam simulator to complete practice exam sessions.

Follow these PMP exam prep steps:

1. Review the PMP certification requirements from PMI (passing the exam is only one part!)
2. Select a PMP Exam prep course from a PMI Authorized Trainer
3. Review the PMI PMP® examination content outline
4. Create (and stick to it!) a PMP study plan that includes completing the exam application, reviewing materials, and taking practice exams.

Most importantly, implement that plan so that your project management development efforts are successful! A Study Guide can give you the framework, but you must invest your time in achieving your PMP certification.

PMP Study Materials and Prep Course

Your PMP exam prep and study plan should include PMI-authorized publications and vetted resources. The Project Management Academy provides free PMP exam prep resources at the Project Management Resource Center. Use this sample list to enhance your exam prep:

• Inputs, Tools, Techniques, and Outputs (ITTOs) Quick Reference Guide
• PMI Agile Practice Guide
• PMI Certifications FAQ page.
• PMI Certifications Handbook
• PMI Lexicon of Terms (PMP glossary)
• PMI PMBOK 7^th edition
• PMI PMP Exam reference list
• PMI PMP examination content outline (ECO)
• Project Management Academy Exam Boot Camp
• Project Management Academy sample PMP exam questions
• Project Management Academy terminology puzzles
• Project Management news and articles

The PMP Exam covers predictive (Waterfall) and adaptive (Agile, Scrum, Kaban) project management methodologies. Even if you are a seasoned project manager, you will benefit from studying the latest tools and techniques – for your job and exam prep.

Practice Exam sessions are a PMP Exam Prep resource

Take a practice exam within 72 hours of completing a PMP boot camp to experience the exam’s timed, 180 question format. Students should consistently achieve a 75% or higher passing score before sitting for the PMP exam. With each exam simulator session, the student should:

Exam experience can help you reduce anxiety over what to expect on exam day and tailor your studying efforts to areas of need.

PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide

The PMBOK® Guide is a publication intended to document the knowledge and skills most useful to project managers carrying out their roles successfully across industries and in companies of different sizes. PMI’s PMBOK® Guide Sixth and the Seventh editions are exam content sources as noted in PMI’s PMP Examination Content Outline (“PMP ECO”).

How To Select a PMP exam prep course

As a Premier partner of PMI’s Authorized Training Partner (ATP) Program, Project Management Academy teaches the PMI Authorized Exam Prep course materials with exclusive lessons to ensure PMA students deeply understand the content and are prepared to pass the PMP exam.

Create Your PMP Study Schedule

PMP exam prep is not when to cram the day before the exam and hope for the best. Select your PMP exam date so you have time to complete a PMP Exam Boot Camp and complete more than one PMP practice exam.

How much time do I need to prep for the PMP certification exam?

Most people take about six weeks to study and prep. For the weeks leading up to your scheduled PMP exam date:

• Dedicate time outside of work hours to studying and using an exam simulator.
• Incorporate formal PMP vocabulary into daily work to reinforce it for your prep.
• Complete the PMP prep course with the PMI ATP provider.
• Complete practice exams to consistently achieve a score of 75% or higher.

Sit for the PMP certification exam when your training and practice are still fresh in your mind.

PMP Study Techniques and Strategies

Years of work experience are a benefit but not a guarantee of passing the PMP exam or fulfilling the 35 hours of education requirement. A routine study schedule that reinforces the knowledge gained in a PMP exam course will prepare you for passing the PMP exam. 

• Have a physical space where you can focus.
• Incorporate an exam simulator in the prep schedule.
• Use PMI-authorized training materials.
• Create mind maps and summaries of key concepts.
• Take notes in classes.
• Complete PMP Boot Camp or other exam prep course from an ATP.
• Use vocabulary flashcards.
• Use timed quizzes.
• Join a project management study group.
• Participate in online forums and discussion boards.

Can joining a PMP study group enhance PMP exam readiness?

Be active in a PMP exam study group or forum to enhance your PMP exam readiness. Working with peers will help you reinforce the PMP terminology, principles, and methodologies while giving you a safe space to share exam concerns, discuss any confusing content topics, and hear from those who may have more experience in Project management methodologies you have yet to use.

Join PMAccelerate for exclusive access to training, discounts, jobs, tools, and professional development opportunities to boost their skills, job impact, and career prospects.

Why is it important to track progress?

Adjusting your study plan based on practice exam performance helps you maximize your study time and keep your efforts focused on the content areas you need the most. Additionally, as you track your progress, celebrate your wins! Motivation to keep prepping is core to your success.

PMP certification exam day prep

It is vital that you follow ALL of the check-in procedures on your PMP certification exam date, whether onsite at the testing center or online with the proctor. Be ready before your scheduled PMP certification exam.

Onsite test center prep

• Have information about how to access the test center.
• Know how long it takes to drive to the testing center.
• Know where to park.
• Know what you can and cannot take into the testing center.

Online test prep:

• Have secure testing space online with a proctor.
• Have information about online testing access.
• Have strong and reliable internet access.
• Meet all technical requirements for testing.
• Be prepared to coordinate with the proctor.

No matter how you take the PMP exam, be sure you get a good night’s sleep before exam day!

Conclusion

As a PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP), Project Management Academy teaches with PMI Authorized Exam Prep course materials to ensure students deeply understand the most current exam content. Your PMP exam prep should include these steps:

1. Create a PMP Exam Study Plan using PMI-authorized publications and PMP exam prep course materials.
2. Select a PMP Exam prep course from a PMI Authorized Trainer ~2 to 4 weeks before you are scheduled to take the PMP exam.
3. Follow your study plan with time for reviewing materials, using exam simulator tools, and taking practice questions.

Complete practice xxam as they are can boosting your confidence and ensuring you’re prepared for the exam.

• Know what to expect on the day before taking the PMP exam.

Commit to your professional development and use your project management skills to create a PMP Study Plan that is actionable, measurable, and possible.

---