Why is the PMP® Exam so difficult to pass?
Because if everyone passed the exam it would seriously undermine the value of the certification. Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification does not prove qualification any more than having a surgeon be Board Certified proves they are good at their job and have a good bedside manner. All certification proves is that a test has been passed and the holder of the certification has at least a foundational level of knowledge.
The following are some of the reasons why the PMP® exam is so difficult to pass:
- A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) is just one of the sources used to create the exam. Memorizing everything in it will not ensure passage of the exam. However, the PMBOK® Guide is the most important of the 12 books for preparation purposes.
- Passing the PMP® exam requires memorization, real world experience, and a clear understanding of the PMI® perspective.
- A large percentage of the exam questions ask what would you do in a given situation. If you do not have real world project management experience it will be very difficult to understand the context.
- The exam requires you to answer questions from PMI®’s perspective and not the perspective of your current or past job. This fact creates a very delicate balancing act. To answer the exam questions you must know the standard. Memorization is not enough, but it’s a good place to start.
This is why it is so important to have a good study plan. It is equally important to have the right tools to help you learn the required information. Having a coach can also be beneficial especially if you are struggling with the amount of information you will need to know in order to pass the exam. Exam simulators are valuable because they help you get used to taking tests in a timed environment. Many people have a hard time taking tests due to the anxiety associated with being timed.