Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

FAQ

1. Which edition of the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) should I

purchase and/or study - PMBOK 2000 or PMBOK©Guide Third Edition?

Although the Third Edition was recently published, the content of the PMP exam will be based
on v.2000 until September 30, 2005. The decision on which guide to study will depend on
when you plan to take the PMP exam.

2. In light of the changes to the PMBOK content, what dates do I need to know?

 August 29, 2005 - Last day to apply for eligibility to take the test based on the
PMBOK©Guide 2000
 September 24, 2005 - Last day to take the test based on the PMBOK©Guide 2000
 September 25th – 29th 2005: NO PMP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN DURING THIS TIME
 September 30, 2005 - The first day the exam will be given based on the
PMBOK©Guide Third Edition
 Note: If you fail the exam before September 25, 2005 you have one year from the date
you took the exam to re-take it based on the PMBOK©Guide 2000 – for additional
information on changes to the exam structure please see page four of this FAQ.

3. What do I need to do to prepare for a PMP training class?

 Review/familiarize yourself with the content and structure of the PMBOK, particularly
Chapters 4 – 12 (PM Knowledge Areas).
 Review Figure 3-9 (Page 38) of the PMBOK – this table provides a framework for the
knowledge in PMBOK and is critical to your understanding of the exam content.
 Understand the concept of the Inputs – Tools & Techniques & Outputs, which relate to the
Process Groups (a subset of the nine Knowledge Area’s covered in Chapters 4 – 12 of
the PMBOK).
 Review the material prep material provided by your training provider as appropriate.

4. What happens if I don’t pass the PMP exam the first time?
 You are entitled to re-take the exam (which will contain different content) – remember,
there is a DB with ~2000 questions to ensure that you will not receive the same questions
if you take the exam multiple times.
 Some training programs offer 100% money - back guarantee for the PMP Exam prep
class - if you do not pass the exam on the first try, they typically will set up a personalized
study program for you and even pay the re-exam fee and may refund the registration fee
if you don’t pass the exam.
 You may also entitled to take the prep course again at no cost, as well as be entitled to
participate in conference calls with your trainer.

5. How can I obtain a copy of the PMBOK 2000?

There are several options – you can borrow a copy from one of your peers who has passed
the exam or purchase one via a number of sources e.g., Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders
Books etc. Following is a link to Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail//1880410230/qid=1112638403/sr=8-
3/ref=pd_csp_3/104-8457539-0331155?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

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FAQ

6. How do I apply for/receive approval from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to sit
for the exam?
Follow the guidelines in the attached link:
http://pmi.org/prod/groups/public/documents/info/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf.

7. Can I send my application and payment to PMI on-line?

Yes – you can submit your application either on-line https://certificationapp.pmi.org/
Alternatively, you can submit your application in written form to PMI at the address below; no
facsimile copies will be accepted:

PMP Credential Application

C/o PMI Global Operations Center
Four Campus Boulevard
Newton Square, PA., 19073-3299

8. What if I’ve already registered but my application has expired? Do I have to submit an
updated application?
You can copy and fax pages 12 & 14 of the PMP Certification Handbook located at:
http://www.pmi.org/prod/groups/public/documents/info/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf to PMI at
(610) 356-4647 for re-approval.

9. What form of payment does PMI accept?

You can submit payment via check (payable to PMP Credential Application, bank transfer
(drawn on a US bank) or credit card.

10. Once I’ve submitted my project management experience credentials and relevant
educational detail, how long will it take for me to receive confirmation from PMI?
According to PMI, the time required for them to audit/approve your application is 10 – 14
business days.

11. What is the latest date I can submit my application and expect to receive confirmation
from PMI?
You should allow four – six weeks, but it could take more or less time depending on the
accuracy of your application and total volume of applications being processed at the time you
submitted your application.

12. Who is Thomson – Prometric, where are they located and why do I care?
Thomson – Prometric (TP) http://2test.com is the third party that PMI (among other
organizations that offer credential exams) uses to conduct the PMI exam; there are only two
TP locations in the Puget Sound – one in Mountlake Terrace (north of Seattle) and the other
in Puyallup (south of Seattle).

THOMSON PROMETRIC TEST CENTER

SEATTLE/MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, WA 98043 Map
Phone: 425-697-3798 Site Code: 0015
22002 64TH AVE WEST SUITE B

THOMSON PROMETRIC TEST CENTER

SEATTLE/PUYALLUP, WA 98373 Map
Phone: 253-848-0771 Site Code: 0211
12020 MERIDIAN AVE SUITE D

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13. How do I schedule my exam?

After you obtain your letter of authorization from PMI, you can schedule/reschedule/obtain
directions to the test site etc. via the following site:
http://www.prometric.com/ContactUs/TestTakers/

Alternatively, you can call TP at 800-967-1100 (enter option 6, 6,1 on your telephone keypad)
(5Am – 7PM Pacific) but be prepared to wait for a considerable length of time – this 800 no.
schedules/reschedules/provides directions to test centers for a multitude of professional
credential exams and that’s it.

14. What do I need to have when I go to the exam site?

Two forms of ID (one of which must be “government issued”), two pencils and a calculator
(which can only be a basic model i.e., one w/o any functions) otherwise you won’t be allowed
to take it into the exam; you will be given a locker/key and required to deposit all personal
items e.g., food, keys, purses etc.

15. Once I’ve scheduled the exam, can I postpone the date and/or reschedule?
Yes, by contacting the TP location you scheduled the exam with up to 48 hours prior to the
exam date.

16. How long can I delay the exam?

Once you receive approval from PMI to sit for the exam, your letter of authorization is valid for
one year from the date of issue - beyond one year, you need to re-submit your credentials to
PMI for approval and re-schedule & pay $405 to take the exam; some PMP prep programs
e.g., Cheetah, will pay for the re-exam fee if you took their prep course.

17. Do I have to be a member of PMI before I can take the PMP exam?
No, but you will find it beneficial for several reasons – one is slightly lower exam application
cost ($405 for PMI members vs. $555 for non-members).

18. How much does it cost to join PMI?

$129 for initial individual membership ($119 annual dues + $10 application fee).

19. If I only save $21 on the exam fee by joining PMI, what is the benefit?
Access to the resources which PMI publishes monthly and unlimited access to content on
their website available only to members e.g., white papers on specialized topics in project
management, educational opportunities – see http://www.pmi.org for more information.

20. How many questions are there on the exam?

There are 200 multiple choice questions on the exam with four possible answers per question
– see page four of this FAQ for information on changes to the PMP exam scheduled to take
effect in September 2005.

21. Can I take a break during the exam?

Yes, the exam proctor will require you to sign out when you leave the exam room.

22. Does the test clock stop when I take a break?

No, the four hour clock continues to countdown.

23. How do I know whether I passed?

Your score will be calculated immediately at the end of four hours or as soon as you decide to
submit your answers, whichever comes first.

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The following changes announced by PMI will take effect on September 30, 2005:

24. Changes in the Grade Required to Pass the PMP Exam

Until September 24, 2005, the passing score is 137 which is 68.5% of 200 questions; as of
September 30th, the passing score will increase to 81.7% (143 correct out of 175 questions) 1
which is an increase of 13.2%.

25. PMP Exam Eligibility Changes

For all applications submitted after August 30, 2005, applicants will not only be required to
substantiate that they performed certain tasks, but lead and directed those specific tasks.

26. Verification of Project Contact Information

Applicants will be required to provide contact information for each project submitted; this may
extend the amount of time required to process your application.

27. Pre-Test Questions

The PMP exam will be modified to include 25 questions which will be placed randomly
throughout the 200 question exam; these questions will not be scored, but instead used to
gather performance statistics and considered for inclusion in future versions of the exam; you
will be scored on performance against only 175 questions; the minimum passing score is 143
(81.7%).

28. Score Reports

At the conclusion of the exam, you will receive a report which indicates pass/fail status and a
breakdown of the percentage of questions answered correctly.

29. Re-Testing
Applicants can take the exam up to three times during the one year eligibility period e.g., one
year from the date you receive your eligibility letter from PMI; applicants that fail to pass the
test after the third attempt must wait one year from the date of the third attempt to take the
exam again.

30. Changes to the PMP Exam Content

On Friday September 30, 2005 at 14.00 GMT, the PMP exam will be updated to include the
content listed in Table 1.0 below.

1
See question no. 27 for more detail on changes to the exam scoring.

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FAQ

The Revised PMP Credential Examination will Test Knowledge in the Following
Six Domains %
Initiating the Project 11.59
Conduct Project Selection Methods
Define Scope
Document Project Risks, Assumptions, and Constraints
Tasks
Identify and Perform Stakeholder Analysis
Develop Project Charter
Obtain Project Charter Approval
Planning the Project 22.7
Define and Record Requirements, Constraints and Assumptions
Identify Project Team and Define Roles and Responsibilities
Create the WBS
Tasks
Develop Change Management Plan
Identify Risks and Define Risk Strategies
Obtain Plan Approval
Conduct Kick-off Meeting
Executing the Project 27.5
Execute Tasks Defined in Project Plan
Ensure Common Understanding and Set Expectations
Implement the Procurement of Project Resources
Manage Resource Allocation
Tasks
Implement Quality Management Plan
Implement Approved Changes
Implement Approved Actions and Workarounds
Improve Team Performance
Monitoring and Controlling the Project 21.03
Measure Project Performance
Verify and Manage Changes to the Project
Tasks
Ensure Project Deliverables Conform to Quality Standards
Monitor all Risks
Closing the Project 8.57
Obtain Final Acceptance for the Project
Obtain Financial, Legal, and Administrative Closure
Release Project Resources
Tasks Identify, Document and Communicate Lessons Learned
Create and Distribute Final Project Report
Archive and Retain Project Records
Measure Customer Satisfaction
Professional and Social Responsibility 8.61
Ensure Individual Integrity
Contribute to the Project Management Knowledge Base
Tasks
Enhance Personal Professional Competence
Promote Interaction Among Stakeholders
TOTAL 100.00

Table 1.0
PMP Exam Structure
September 30, 2005

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