How Much Time Do You Need For PMP® Exam Preparation?

The PMP® exam is a certification test conducted by the Project Management Institute. It’s a lengthy test for aspiring project managers to get certified and get a foothold in their career in project management. Not to mention how the certificate will make you an attractive candidate for companies looking for diligent project managers in their workforce. 

A PMP® certification will show potential employers that you are good at: 

1. Handling people and leading a team effectively throughout the course of a project.
2. Capable of making calculated strategies to determine the best route for any project.
3. Able to highlight the overall success of a project and make sure that it aligns with the company’s goals for the future. 

PMP® Exam Preparation: Breaking Down The Time Required 

Although the total time required might vary across different students, it boils down to their knowledge of the field and how diligent they are with their studies. For some, it might take a year of preparation, and for others, it might take only a few months. Of course, there are a lot of other factors at play here, but the basic preparation framework is more or less the same. 

The first question you must ask yourself is, how many consistent hours can you put in each day? Second, how big is your knowledge gap regarding the exam and the concepts that it focuses on? With that being said, take a look at this basic roadmap for PMP® Exam Preparation that can help you make the most of the time you have.

●  The Initial Stage 

This stage involves collecting all the necessary information related to the certification programme and making sure that you are eligible for the same. Try to get your hands on some good study resources or training programmes. Make sure to sign up for the 35 contact hours programme for training. It is recommended not to spend more than one week on this phase.

●  Taking Advantage of The 35 Hours Training Programme

Use this time to build a strong foundation of all the basic concepts and build up any weak areas. Make sure to revise all the concepts. All of this might not take more than 4 days, but it’s better to take a week for this. Aspiring project managers can do practice exams and develop a feasible roadmap for study. 

●  The Preparation Stage 

It might be worth noting that at least 80 per cent of the PMP® exam questions are situational, and candidates must have a good idea about the topics and concepts related to the exam if they want to crack it. For candidates who have attended the training programme, a minimum of 100-150 hours of self-study is recommended. This translates to a few months of study. Reference books, guides, mock tests, filling the knowledge gaps and revising the old concepts will be the norm for this time. Above all, prepare a realistic schedule and stick to a few hours daily, and you’ll be good to go! 

Conclusion 

Please don’t underestimate the importance of investing in PMP® exam preparation, and by reading this guide, we hope you have a basic idea of the timeline regarding your study plans. If you want to learn more about PMP® exam preparation, with mock tests and discussions from experts, head on over to our website, Education Nest. You’ll have many free resources on PMP® exams that you can access for free!