How to Know if You Are Ready for the PMP Exam ? Hint: Free PMP Mock Exam Questions w/w Benchmark

Shane says:

Passed my exam on second round and finding your site was a key to that success. Thank you very much Edward for creating a list of practice exams and lessons learned section on your website. I always recommend people to check out your website when learning for the pmp exam.

Sheila says:

Hi Edward

So happy I can write it down – 9 months pregnant and I just got my PMP with 5 ATs – that wouldn’t be possible without your website which highly contributed to my success – a huge thank you for your work, you made it easier for a lot of us.

Below some of my tips/learning experience for those who still aim to attempt 2020 exam

1. Free mock tests
• When I completed my study-phase (in my case: PMBOK, Rita, my organization’s internal class + PMP exam prep from Joseph Philips on udemy) I started with free mock tests from the list above, treating this as a “real” exam experience to evaluate if I’m ready. Did it help? Yes and no My benchmark + some comments below

Lehmann 100Q – 78%
PMP Prep cast free 20Q x 3 tests – 75%
Simplilearn – 80%
Lehmann 175Q – 76%
Edwel 75Q – 87%

• Take into account that level/quality of free mock tests is HIGHLY varying, e.g. Lehman like everybody says is harder than real exam, but I think only because it includes a couple of concepts that I NEVER heard before neither found in any of “main stream” prep sources (e.g. calculate burn rate, Abilene paradox – really?) I understand the PMP content is more than just PMBOK but don’t get paranoic that any existing concept may appear, otherwise you will never feel prepared. On the contrary – simplilearn + Edwel are indeed EASIER than real exam, mostly because they ask theoretical, straight forward questions – still great to summarize your knowledge and test your memory, but for the big day you need to get familiar with practical, scenario based questions (that still reference theory). My feeling is that the best simulators for those, are unfortunately the ones to be purchased. Also that is why while scoring between 70-80% on those (rather than tough >80%), I would first check on which questions and why we got wrong – sometimes it comes from quality/structure of the test by itself rather than by real lack of preparation – this shouldn’t be a blocker to feel “ready” (somehow it was my case)

• I also tried some other “free tests” PMstudycircle, Izenbridge, PM training.com etc – always nice to check, but again, sometimes of low quality or way too “scholar” for the exam – take that into account

2. Paid mock tests / simulators
• I used PMP STS full version (the demo is also available under this link) https://sts.ch/en/products/certification/x-am-pmp-capm – luckily provided by my organization and really close to real exam questions (maybe except ITTOs questions). Helps to check either individually each knowledge areas or to do a full simulation – I do recommend
• Prep Cast – the free ones I did were the closest ones to the real exam. If I didn’t have STS simulator, I would have definitely purchased the full version of this one.

3. Exam experience
• It was tough but a bit easier than I expected. Why?
• First, exam is well structured. I mean by this that scenarios are in 99% clear and answers for them comprehensible and well structured. For around 60-70% of all questions I was sure of the only one best answer after 1st reading.
• Exam features that are absent in mock tests. Believe me or not but a simple highlight (I used for scenario) and strikeout (to eliminate answers) options helps a lot to stay focus and gain time. I was using them only on questions I marked for review to make the reading faster for the 2nd time. Before submitting, I reviewed ONLY marked questions, I didn’t have time to review everything. White board – cool for critical path questions, when you need drawing. I had only 1 or 2 of the kind. Calculator – math questions were REALLY basic, to be honest calculator wasn’t even needed. The formula guide Edward published was def. enough in my case, questions were more about understanding/interpreting formula result than simple math
• Content: in my lot of questions, 30-40% was about change management and communication. As this is the industry trend (together with agile) I feel that new exam may be also heading this direction

4. Taking exam online / accommodations
• Due to pandemic the only option was to pass online exam. I was really stressed that some technical issues may appear or someone will call me or the dog will burk or any other stupid thing that may result in my exam cancelled. I was definitely paranoic Check in process was smooth, during exam I was just asked to switch on the light on the online chat. I made sure my phone was off, my partner out of the flat with the dogs and my desk space clean. After all, it was a super comfy option as in the pass centre I would probably be more stressed than I was on my couch

• Accommodations – Due to personal issues, I was already 9 months pregnant while passing the exam and couldn’t find any info about possible accommodations for pregnant women. I heard in the centre there were some, but for online testing PMI states no accommodations are available, which I found surprising (2h without toilet neither glass of water is really hard while pregnant). Maybe someone has other experience or contacted PMI in this matter? Although I passed, I regret I didn’t. Anyway – pregnant ladies, you can do it too! (even with huge belly and pregnancy brain )

Fingers crossed for all aspirants, you will nail it!

Kenny says:

Hi Edward,

I passed the PMP exam yesterday.

Thank you for your information from the website, the mock exam provided a good environments for practise, and the PrepCast Exam Simulator is a useful tools for preparation and evaluation. Highly recommended

Kenny

Anonymous says:

You made some first rate factors there. I looked on the web for the difficulty and found most people will associate with along with your website.

Vinay Sharma says:

I used the exams listed for my final leg of preparation. Sincere thanks for listing these exams and also sharing your scores…you kimd of became my study partner. I scored 2 to 3 percent points behind you witj ocassional flip in the otherside.

Anyways I gave my PMP exam yesterday and cracked the exam with 5 ATs. Your page (especially this one) and others were constant reference and proved to be one of the key factors for my success.

Golfreto Toile says:

Hello Edward,

Have been an occasional visitor to your site. Thanks for the useful info. Appreciate it.

I have taken a few mock tests including the ones you have put up on your page here. My scores are somewhat similar to yours. A small variation of +/-2%. I just finished Oliver 200 PDF and got 161 right. However, I am still not confident about me taking the test. I feel my concepts are not developed yet and my scores are by fluke. I have been relying heavily on my ability to eliminate wrong answers and applying a bit of common sense.

Do you think I should be investing on paid mock exams? Or my practice is sufficient. Please advise.

Edward Mombo says:

Hello Edward
I am scheduled to write my PMP exam on 24 April and I am just trying to study on my own which makes it quite difficult. I do have a broad understanding of project management having been managing projects for 5 years. I am certified in Prince 2. How should I prepare for my exam and how can you help me?

Sharon says:

Thank you so much for your work, it was very helpful in preparing me for the PMP exam which I took on Monday, and passed with Above Target in all 5 Domain. I used your page everyday in my studies and also did the recommend mock exams …more than once, which were extremeky helpful. Thank you!

spoorthi shridhar says:

Hello Edward,

I’m happy to let you know that I cleared my PMP today with 4 above targets and one target!

Your notes helped me a lot! Although I had scored 5-10% lesser than you in all those mock tests!

Thanks a ton for helping people out

Piotr J. says:

Hi Edward!

I passed my PMP exam (6th edition) a few days ago on my first try. It took me 6 weeks to prepare. During this period, I visited your site several times, and I wanted to thank you for providing all these materials.

I appreciate the tremendous effort you put into creating this repository. It presents high content quality, and it’s cohesive. Thanks much!

——————
A couple of learnings from my learning&exam experience:

1/
It took me ~6 weeks to prepare for the exam + ~2 weeks of planning. I submitted my application in late November 2019. For the first two weeks, I was planning my learning schedule and collecting materials. Then I started the learning process.
It continually lasted from Dec. 14, 2019, to Jan. 31, 2020. I had 5 “days off” (Christmas, New Year Eve, wife’s birthday celebration:). I took an exam on Feb. 1st. 2020

2/
I am a project manager, it’s my job. The PMP issues were not new for me, however, it’s a common opinion that a practical experience not always helps during PMP certification. I strongly agree:)

I didn’t have a special 35hrs prep course. I earned my points in different professional pieces of training (mainly in 2013 and 2014). It was enough to sign up for the PMP exam.

3/
During my planning period, I collected five books:

– PMBOK 6th Edition
– The PMP® Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try by Andy Crowe
– PMP® Exam Prep Simplified: The Easy Guide by Andrew N Ramdayal
– Head First PMP® by Andrew Stellman
– PMP® Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy

Finally, I ended up reading with A. Crowe and A. Ramadayal. I read these two books at the same time – one chapter from one book + quick test, then the corresponding section in the other book + quick test. It was effective for me. As a support, I checked PMBOK Guide sporadically.

I didn’t like Head First. I am a visual learner; however, this handbook seemed to be too trivial and not useful for the PMP exam. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand PMBOK, but not necessarily pass the exam. I wouldn’t say I liked Rita’s handbook as well. There is nothing wrong with it, I was not too fond of her language.

4/
As a review, I used this (Edward-designer.com) website. It was handy and allowed me to recap the material on the last stage. Especially I appreciated sections: 47 Commonly Confused Terms with a detailed explanation, EVM explanation, the glossary and tips before the exam.

5/
During the week before my exam, I did four mockups:

– 200q by A. Crowe
– 200q by Ramdayal
– 200q by Oliver Lehmann
– 100q by Oliver Lehmann

I had an average result of ~72%.

I completed those tests simulating exam conditions. I had 4hr for each so that I was able to assess the average time need for one question (’60 sec. in my case). It helped me as well to plan brakes. I decided to have one brake after 110 questions.

After completing each test, I precisely analyzed results and review areas where I made the most mistakes. Then I was looking for supporting materials in sources like this website.
And it worked.

6/
To conclude, I can confirm what other project managers say – it’s a really tough exam. It requires plenty of time and a good strategy. It’s doable in 6-8 weeks:)