The A2Z of The PMP Certification Exam 1.7

The A2Z of The PMP Certification Exam
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Disclaimer
The ideas and guidelines given in this eBook are for informational purposes only.
I have made every effort to give you my best advice, tricks, and techniques. Utilizing the
techniques or ideas mentioned in this eBook does not guarantee passing the PMP exam. Your
level of success depends on you, how you plan your strategy, and how you devote yourself to
exam preparation. I am not responsible for any damages caused by reading or applying the
guidelines or techniques given in this eBook.
This eBook has many links to recommended sites, resources, and books that I consider useful for
PMP exam preparation. Before purchasing or downloading any product or service verify the
suitability and integrity of the source. I take no responsibility about the performance,
effectiveness, applicability, content accuracy, current validity, or any other implied or explicit
purpose of any site, product, or book listed in this eBook.
Although I will try my best to keep this eBook updated and current, there is no guarantee that
the information and resources referred to within this eBook will remain valid or updated.
For the most accurate and updated information about the PMP exam, please browse
www.pmi.org and read the PMP handbook.
If there is any conflict between the information given in this eBook and the PMP handbook, you
should assume the PMP handbook to be correct.
This eBook is not intended as legal advice. The reader of this eBook assumes all responsibility for
the use of the presented materials and information.
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Copyright 2017 by
PM Study Circle
All rights reserved. The material available in this eBook is intended for personal use only. No part
of this eBook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the express
permission of the author.
http://PMStudyCircle.com
fahad@pmstudycircle.com
PMP, PMBOK Guide, PMI and REP are registered trademarks of Project Management Institute
(PMI), USA.
Version: 1.7
Affiliate Disclosure
This eBook contains affiliate links from which I may earn commission. This will not affect your
purchase price. If you are in doubt as to whether a particular link is an affiliate link, you should
assume it is an affiliate link.
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Contents.
Disclaimer......................................................................................................................................... i
Copyright 2017 by PM Study Circle .............................................................................................ii
Preface. ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction. ................................................................................................................................... 3
Initial Preparation. .......................................................................................................................... 5
Final Preparation. ............................................................................................................................ 8
Attempt the Exam. ........................................................................................................................ 15
What If You Failed the Exam? ....................................................................................................... 17
A Few FAQs. .................................................................................................................................. 21
Bonus Section:How To Earn 60 PDUs. .......................................................................................... 25
Other eBooks I Have Authored. .................................................................................................... 32
PM Sprout. .................................................................................................................................... 34
https://PMStudyCircle.com iii
Preface.
Back in 2011 when I was preparing for the PMP certification exam, I could not find a single
resource which could serve as a complete guide to preparing for the PMP exam.
I struggled a lot. Without a single resource, I spent significant time and energy gathering
information, some of which was entirely useless. Eventually I passed the PMP exam, and another
PMI certification exam as well.
Since I have passed the exam, and understand the process, I dont want others to go through the
same struggle. Therefore, I have developed this eBook for professionals aspiring to become a
PMP.
If you want to become a PMP, are preparing for the PMP, or already hold the PMP certification,
this eBook is for you. I will provide you with much of the information required in your
preparation. There is also a bonus section on how to maintain the PMP Certification.
This eBook is divided into seven chapters.
The first chapter is the introduction, a short brief on the PMP certification and its benefits.
The second chapter is about the initial preparation, how you should collect information about
the PMP exam.
The third chapter is dedicated to final exam preparation, how you should prepare for the PMP
certification exam.
In the fourth chapter I will walk you through the exam process and how you should attempt the
test.
In the fifth chapter, an explanation on your next steps if you failed the exam.
In the sixth chapter I will answer a few commonly asked questions.
Lastly I will explain how to maintain your PMP certification.
At the end I have provided you the list of eBooks, authored by me, for professionals preparing
for the PMP exam.
https://PMStudyCircle.com 1
In this eBook I have provided you with a wealth of information regarding the PMP exam. But if
you still have any questions in your mind, you can contact me any time.
Thanks and regards,
M Fahad Usmani, PMP, PMI-RMP
https://pmstudycircle.com
www.pmsprout.com
fahad@pmstudycircle.com
Introduction.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is awarded by the Project Management
Institute (PMI) USA. It is the world's most sought after certification in the field of project
management.
The PMP Certification offers you many benefits, including:
Learning New Techniques

To pass the PMP exam you will have to go through many stages, such as attending a training
program, reading the PMBOK Guide, studying reference books, and then finally attend a test.
This procedure makes sure that you are aware of the latest tools and techniques being used
worldwide by project management professionals.
Streamlined Knowledge
You have attended a training program, gone through the PMBOK Guide, and have passed the
PMP exam. This proves that your knowledge is aligned with the best project management
practice.
More Interview Calls

The job market is very competitive and many candidates fight for a single vacancy. In this case,
having the PMP certification helps you gain a competitive edge. If youre a PMP, you will be
separated from the rest who dont possess it. You will more likely receive the interview call.
Respect and Credibility

This certification establishes your credibility as a high-level professional because you have
demonstrated the required level of education, experience and competency to lead and direct the
project within standard, established, guidelines.
Globally Recognized Skills

The PMP certification is a globally recognized certificate, and many top organizations recommend
it. Once you pass this certification, your skills will not be questioned and clients will trust in your
abilities.
Every professional who is involved in project management has a desire to earn this certification,
but the process is not easy. There are many steps and process required to pass the PMP exam.
This eBook will guide you through every step, highlighting the procedures that will help you pass
the PMP certification exam.
This guide will also detail how you can earn 60 PDUs and complete the CCR (Continuing
Certification Requirements) Cycle. After completing the CCR Cycle your PMP credentials will be
renewed for three additional years.
Okay, lets get started.
Initial Preparation.
In order to apply for the PMP certification exam, you must fulfill these three requirements:
1. Education
You must hold a four-year bachelors degree or a diploma (or an equivalent) in any discipline.
2. Experience
You must have a minimum number of hours of project management experience. If youre a
degree holder, you should have at least 4,500 hours (three years). If youre a diploma holder, you
should have at least 7,500 hours (five years) of experience in leading and directing projects.
3. Training
You are also required to attend a 35-hour training program for formal project management
education.
These requirements must be satisfied before applying for the PMP certification exam.
Collect Information
Next, you will have to collect all of the information available for your PMP exam preparation. Visit
www.pmi.org, download the PMP handbook and study it thoroughly.
Go to https://PMStudyCircle.com and browse the PMP FAQs. Here you will find many frequently
asked questions that will help you out significantly.
(If you do not find the answer to your particular query, post it in the comments section or send
me an email. I will reply to your query.)
Collect Study Materials

Once youre equipped with all information, start collecting the study materials.
Your study materials should consist of reference books, slides, notes, videos, podcasts, exam
preparation software, question banks, simulated tests, and so on.
I suggest you purchase two good PMP exam preparation books. Links to some well-regarded
books are:
Head First PMP by J. Greene and A Stellman
PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy
PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim Heldman
Pre-Study
It is highly recommended that you sign up for a PMI membership. There are numerous benefits,
resources and communities made available by the membership, including:
Discount on the PMP certification exam fee. This discount outweighs the membership
cost you paid to PMI.
A digital copy of the latest version of the PMBOK Guide, free of cost.
Other PMI standards and frameworks available for download.
Discounts for many online courses and books available at the PMI store.
Several free magazines published by PMI on monthly and quarterly; for example, PM
Network, PMI Today, and Project Management Journal.
Access to online books for free. This will help you prepare for the PMP exam.
Free access to Career Central & Headquarters. Here you can submit your resume and
search for jobs. It also provides you with guidelines to help you develop your career.
Opportunities to network with local chapters and experts to help build your professional
network.
I hope these benefits are enough to motivate you to get your PMI membership.
What Now?
Once you have collected all your information, study materials, and, hopefully, joined PMI, I advise
you to start your pre-study immediately. (Im calling it pre-study with the assumption that you
have not studied for the PMP exam before and you do not have your 35 training hours.)
Once you studied the subject, you will get a much better idea about the various project
management concepts and PMP methodologies.
Start with any good PMP exam reference book and complete it. Then, read the PMBOK Guide. I
dont recommend starting with the PMBOK Guide because it tends to be a dry read and starting
with it may cause you to lose interest.
A common mistake when starting preparation for the PMP exam is to collect some information
and then immediately enroll in a training program without reading any reference material or the
PMBOK Guide. I made this error myself. I strongly suggest you study the material first, then enroll.
Not reading the material first will lead to situations where new topics are being discussed and
you cannot contribute. In my case, many of my classmates were discussing those topics, and I
was sitting silently listening to them. It was an embarrassing situation for me, and I did not
contribute or learn to my full potential in these cases.
I wished that I had studied a reference book or the PMBOK Guide at least once.
Final Preparation.
Now, its time to commence the 35-hour formal project management training.
You will find different providers who provide different forms of formal training. However, two
types which have proven to be more popular than the rest because of familiarity, affordability
and accessibility
Classroom Training Providers
Online Training Providers
Classroom Training Providers

In this type of training model, you will attend class for a few days and upon completion of the
program you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Benefits of Classroom Training Programs:
The sessions are interactive.
Youll complete the course in a short time span.
You will get the chance to meet with cross-industry professionals.
Drawbacks of Classroom Training Programs:
It tends to be very costly.
These programs are usually held in large cities. If you dont live there, you may have to
travel.
The seats are limited.
The schedule is fixed, so you have to make time as per their schedule.
Online Training Providers

In this model you will train at the computer, watching prepared videos and often times entering
class-specific chat rooms. Recently online training programs have increased in popularity because
of their flexibility, affordability and ease of use.
Benefits of Online Training Programs:
They are much cheaper than classroom training programs.
You can join them at any time from any place in the world.
There are no seat limitations.
You can complete the course on your schedule.
Drawbacks of Online Training Programs:
The sessions are not interactive.
Responses to your questions may be late.
Since these programs provide you with a lot of time to complete them, procrastination
and low motivation to complete can be a problem.
Here are a couple well known and affordable online PMP formal training providers:
PM Prepcast
Master of Project Academy (Use coupon code PMP50OFF to get a 50% discount)
Its up to you which training program you choose. However, beware, get your training hours from
PMI approved REPs only.
There are many benefits to getting the contact hours from PMI approved REPs:
Their course content is in line with the PMBOK Guide. It is reviewed and approved by the
PMI.
In case of an audit, you will not be required to submit the course content because you
already attended a pre-approved course. It may save you a lot of headaches.
Apply for the Exam

After completing the training, I strongly recommend that you apply for the PMP exam quickly.
You have two options to apply for the PMP certification exam: paper format and online.
The information required in both formats is the same, but processing for the online method is
much quicker than the paper method. Therefore, I suggest you go with the online option.
The application form is categorized into three sections:
1. General information such as name, address, etc.
2. Your project management experience.
3. Details of your 35-hour formal training.
Fill in the form completely, and submit it to PMI.
You have the option to complete this form over the course of many sessions. You can fill in part
of the form and save it. Then, when you have time, you can go back to complete it.
* Please note: Once you start the process, you must complete it within 90 days.
PMI takes at least one week to review the application. Once your application is reviewed and
approved, they will send you an email with instructions on how to proceed further, including
payment.
PMI Audit
When you make the payment, there is a chance that you may be selected for an audit.
A PMI audit is a normal process used to ensure that applicants are providing the correct, accurate,
and legitimate information to the PMI. This should not concern you if you have followed these
steps and followed the rules. It is very rare an applicant fails an audit.
During the audit process, PMI asks you to provide them with some documentation; e.g.
photocopies of your education certificates, experience certificates, and details of the 35-hour
formal training program. PMI may contact your previous employers to see whether the
information provided to them is correct or not. So be sure to inform your employers about your
audit process.
Send all requested documents via mail as soon as possible, you have 90 days to complete it.
After receiving the documents PMI will inform you of your audit outcome in about a week. If PMI
is satisfied with your documents, they will send you an email containing a code. You can now go
to the Prometric site and schedule the exam with this code.
However, if they find some discrepancies in your documentation, they may ask you for
clarification.
Schedule the Exam

This is an important step! You must schedule your exam within three months following your
application approval.
Once you schedule your exam, the clock will start ticking and you will need to start your test
preparation. Scheduling your exam provides you with an incentive to focus, it is much easier to
prepare for an exam when you know the countdown has begun.
Also, once you have scheduled the exam, do not postpone it unless you have a strong reason to
do so. I have seen many aspirants postponing their exam because of a lack of preparation,
thinking that next time they will be well prepared. Often, they either end up losing their eligibility
period or attempt the exam without proper preparation. Please dont do this; schedule the exam
and stick with it.
Exam Preparation
You should plan your strategy according to your own needs and stick with it. You know your
strengths and weaknesses best, and following someone elses plan may simply make it a chore.
Some people say that early morning is best time to study, although I have never studied in the
morning. Honestly, I tried many times, but failed miserably. I find it very difficult to wake up early
in the morning, so I used to study in the afternoon as well as at night.
Follow your own style. If youre comfortable with early morning studies, go with that. If you are
more alert at night, then study then. The most important thing is to study when you are most
capable of remembering the material.
Now we come to creating your study plan. Im not going to dictate to you the exact procedure.
But Ill try to guide you so that no page is left unturned, and you will be able to study more
efficiently.
Strategic Study Plan

Pick any good PMP exam reference book (I suggest you go with Head First PMP), and read it from
cover to cover. Once you read it, go through the PMBOK Guide. Try to understand the concepts
and logic behind each process. Pay attention to process flow. Visualize the relation among the
Input, Tools & Techniques and Output (ITTOs) and the process flow.
Refer to the manuals, notes, and the slides that you have collected or you have been given by
your training provider.
Repeat this process as many times as necessary until you understand is well. Try to read the
PMBOK Guide at least three times. It will give you a better understanding about the process flow
and ITTOs.
Solve the questions given at the end of each chapter of your reference books. Make sure you get
it right.
Now youre ready for the next stage.
Try to purchase a good PMP exam simulator from any well-known source. Some good resources
include:
PM Exam Simulator by OSP International
Whizlabs PMP Exam Simulator
These packages contain practice questions. Work through them and pat attention to your weak
areas, then work on improving them. Then do the simulated tests and see where you score.
Change your focus to account for any issues, if required.
I have written three eBooks to help you pass the PMP exam. These eBooks are:
1. PMP Question Bank
2. PMP Formula Guide
3. EVM for the PMP Exam
PMP Question Bank

This PMP Question Bank has 400 PMP exam sample questions which cover all project
management process groups based on the fifth edition of the PMBOK Guide. No question is
duplicated, so you get a new concept with each question.
This Question Bank helps you understand the PMBOK Guide, provides you with a glimpse of the
real exam, and helps you recognize areas you need work on.
Click here for more details
PMP Formula Guide

In this eBook I explain, in detail, the mathematical formulas mentioned in the fifth edition of the
PMBOK Guide.
This will help you understand, and solve, math questions in the exam. If you struggle with
mathematics, this is the resource for you.
This guide also includes enough sample questions to help you apply, and understand, the various
equations.
EVM for the PMP Exam

If you are interested in digging deeper into earned value management and need more practice
questions, this guide is for you.
I have seen many PMP aspirants seeking sample questions and study materials. I have put
together suggestions and materials to provide for this and help you pass the PMP exam. If this is
not enough, contact me and I will see if I can pull together a few more. However, attempting too
many questions and mock tests could be a potential waste of your time, and can demoralize you
if the questions are poorly designed. Try to solve questions available from authentic and reliable
sources only.
Attempt the Exam.

Try to reach the Prometric center half an hour before the scheduled test time. This will give you
enough time to complete the formalities. If you dont know the location of the exam center, visit
it ahead of time and find the correct location. You should also take into account road traffic and
unforeseen circumstances on public transport.
It will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the formalities, and then you will be allowed to enter
the test room.
The Exam
The Prometric staff will walk you to the desk and open the test window for you. You will have to
click the start button to start the exam.
Once you click the start button, you will be taken to a familiarization session. This session shows
you various display options and how to use them - e.g. how to select an answer, how to use a
calculator, etc.
The time allotted for this session is 15 minutes, though you may complete it sooner and start the
exam.
I suggest that you do not end this session early. Go through the familiarization session quickly,
but use remaining time to write down important and critical formulas or concepts that you find
difficult to remember. You can use the paper provided by the Prometric staff. Utilize the full 15
minutes.
Please note that PMI has banned making your own braindump during the familiarization
session. You cannot do it now. You will not be provided paper and pen to do so, however once
the familiarization session ends, you can do so.
I suggest you take a few minutes, and write-down important concepts after the session ends.
After you complete the familiarization session, your test will begin.
You have to complete 200 questions in four hours (1.2 minutes per question). I assure you that if
youre well prepared, four hours are sufficient to answer 200 questions.
Many who have passed their PMP exam took, on average, two and half to three hours to
complete the test. They used the remaining time to review answers.
During the test, you are allowed to take breaks, but the clock does not stop. Take only a short
break. During my exam I took two breaks to refresh myself.
Take your time, complete the exam, and submit the answers. After you submit your answers, you
will be taken to a survey. After completing the survey, your result will be displayed.
Please note that in the PMP exam there is no deduction for a wrong answer. It is in your best
interest to attempt all questions, even if you are not able to find a solution. For those questions
reduce it to the most likely answers and guess. Through this process of elimination, you can
ensure that your guess is as accurate as possible. The point is, never leave any question
unanswered.
If you pass the test, you should receive, within seven business days, a congratulatory email from
the PMI. Afterwards you can see your name in the PMI online certification registry. You will
receive your certificate within eight weeks of passing the exam.
Before going further, let us summarize all the important steps once again:
1. Check your eligibility.
2. Collect all information regarding the PMP certification exam.
3. Collect study materials (e.g. books, notes, manuals and slides, etc.)
4. Get your PMI membership.
5. Start reading PMP exam reference books.
6. Go through the PMBOK Guide.
7. Attend a 35 contact hours training program for formal project management education.
8. Apply for the PMP exam and schedule it.
9. Start preparing rigorously.
10. Take the exam and pass it.
What If You Failed

the Exam?
Dont worry if you fail your first attempt. You still have two more chances to pass the exam. I
have seen a survey which noted success rate for passing the PMP exam the second time increases
drastically. Test takers have already been through the procedure and know what to expect.
The PMP exam is not as difficult as many people believe, and most who failed the exam blame
their poor preparation. I believe that if you follow the guidelines given in this eBook and prepare
accordingly, passing the PMP exam should not be difficult.
Many become desperate after failing the test and think they will never be able to pass it. Don't
worry; you can pass the exam in your next attempt if you follow the proper path.
In the PMP exam you are going to see six types of questions:
1. ITTO based questions
2. Definition based questions
3. Situation based question
4. Formula based questions
5. Interpretational questions
6. Questions on Professional and Social Responsibility
Out of these, ITTO based, situation based, and formula based questions are frequently the most
difficult to solve.
If you are having problems with ITTO based questions, you should read the PMBOK Guide
thoroughly and understand its processes. Never ever try to memorize the ITTO; it is very difficult
to do so and trying will only cause frustration. Instead, understand the ITTO process.
For situation based question, you will have to assume that you are working in an ideal world and
things will go as discussed in the PMBOK Guide. To answer correctly, you have to think the way
PMI thinks.
Many people avoid the formula based questions because they find them very difficult to solve.
This is not the right approach and you should avoid doing this. Mathematical questions are easy
to solve if you understand the concepts. Understand the formulas and practice questions, and it
will help you get a good score on the exam.
(If you are facing problems in solving formula based questions, you can refer my PMP Formula
Guide.)
How to Prepare for Your Next Attempt

It is difficult to digest failure and identify faults, but this is what must be done to move on with
the exam.
Some that have failed say that the exam was tough and they could not complete it, while others
say that the exam was okay and they failed by a thin margin. There are very a few aspirants who
accept that they went to the exam without proper preparation.
Recently a student posted a comment on my blog saying that his preparation was good. He felt
he had a good command over his preparation and was getting high scores in all the mock tests.
Moreover, he felt he performed so well in the exam that he was sure that he would pass, he
failed. He was unable to understand how he failed the exam.
Remember a failure is a failure. It is rare that PMI makes a mistake because the whole process is
controlled by computer algorithms that do not require any human intervention.
So once you fail the exam, don't panic; you have your chance to pass the exam next time. Take
ownership of your failure and prepare better, figure out what your weakness was and correct it.
Now I am going to give you a general idea about how to prepare for the exam if you failed the
exam in your first or second attempt.
Step-I: Perform a Self-Audit

If you failed the exam, the first step is for you to perform a self-audit. Review the exam report
and determine which process group you scored poorly.
Note the process group where you performed poorly and identify all processes under this group.
Take help from Page: 61 PMBOK Guide 5th Edition.
Step-II: Fill the Knowledge Gaps

Once you have identified your weak spot, work hard to fill these gaps. Focus on areas where you
performed poorly in the exam.
At this juncture, I would suggest you buy another good PMP exam reference book. If you started
your study with one book buy a second book, and if you started with two books the first time buy
a third book.
A new book will give you new insight on the subject. Also, reread the PMBOK, repeatedly, if
needed.
Step-III: Schedule the Exam

The next step is to schedule the exam. As I have said earlier, once you schedule the exam, your
studying should increase.
This is an important step and you should not take more than two months to schedule the exam.
Since you have already studied the material the first time, two months should be enough time to
prepare.
Step-IV: Attempt Mock Tests

Now you have to start trying mock tests. Start attempting mock tests at least one week before
the exam date.
Try to do mock tests which you havent tried yet. If you cant find any, you can try doing mock
tests you havent done in a while.
Step-V: Take the Test

This is the final step and here I have nothing more to add.
Try to reach the Prometric center 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time, complete the
formalities and finish the exam.
I wish you good luck on your second attempt for the PMP exam.
A Few FAQs.
In this chapter I am going to provide you with some frequently asked questions. I suggest you
visit PMIs official FAQ page for the latest information and read the PMP handbook.
You can also visit my own FAQ page to read many more FAQs.
Is it necessary to have a PMI membership to

apply for the PMP exam?
No, it is not required. You dont have to be a PMI member in order to apply for the PMP exam.
Though it is highly recommended because the fee for the PMP examination is 555 USD for a non-
member and 405 USD for a PMI member. The difference in the fee between non-members and
members is 150 USD, and the cost of a PMI membership is 129 USD.
It is obvious that if you become a member of PMI, you will save 21 USD. Youll also get a lot of
benefits, including a free e-copy of the latest version of the PMBOK Guide.
Therefore, it is in your best interest to sign up for a PMI membership before applying for the PMP
exam.
What is the passing score for the PMP exam?

Until November 2005, the passing score for the PMP exam was 61%. After November 30th 2005
PMI has stopped publishing the passing percentage for the exam.
For this reason, nobody currently knows what the passing percentage is.
What percentage of candidates is selected

for an audit?
The audit process is completely random and PMI never discloses what percentage of applicants
are selected for an audit. My advice is to prepare for audit before applying for the PMP exam.
What will happen if I fail a PMP audit?

If you fail the audit, you will get your money back and PMI will deduct a 100 USD processing fee.
There is also a chance for further action, which will be decided by PMI on a case-by-case basis.
Im selected for an audit. What will happen

if I decide not to proceed with it?
If youre selected for an audit and you decide not to go ahead with it, your audit will be
considered as a failed audit. In this case your money will be returned to you with a deduction of
the processing fee.
After this failed audit, you can re-submit your application form again after one years time.
How I can avoid an audit?

If you are asking me how you can avoid a PMP exam application audit by PMI, my answer is, you
cannot, because this is a completely random process. As per PMI:
All applications are subject to an audit, although only a percentage of

applications are selected for audit. The selection of an application for audit is
random.
I got my PMP training a few years back. Is

it expired or not?
Your 35 hours of formal training will never expire. You can use these training hours for eligibility
for the PMP certification exam at any time. However, you must earn these training hours before
the submission of your application form to the PMI.
When will I be able to see my certification

information on the online PMI certification
registry after passing the PMP exam?
Wait at least one week. After one week you will receive a congratulatory email from PMI and
then you will be able to see your name on the online PMI certification registry.
What is the PMP exam refund policy of PMI?

The PMIs PMP exam refund policy:
If you have applied for the PMP certification exam, your application is approved,
the exam fee is deposited, and then you decide not to go ahead with the PMP exam
certification process in this case you can get your money back.
To get a refund, you have to submit a written request at least one month before the exam
eligibility expiration date to PMI Customer Care.
Your money will be returned to you minus the processing fee of 100 USD if you have not yet
scheduled or taken the exam.
You are also entitled to a refund if you failed the PMP exam application audit. PMI will retain a
processing fee of 100 USD, and the rest will be returned to you.
Please note in the following cases you will not get a refund, and your entire fee will be forfeited:
If your one-year eligibility period has expired and you have not scheduled the exam.
If you scheduled the exam and did not attend it, and could not provide a proper reason
to cancel/reschedule the exam.
If you failed the PMP exam.
Can I reschedule or cancel my PMP exam

appointment?
You can reschedule or cancel your PMP certification exam appointment, but this service is no
longer free. As of the 1st of April, 2012, PMI has implemented a new policy to reschedule or
cancel the exam appointment. It says that if you cancel or reschedule your exam within 30 days
of an appointment, you have to pay a 70 USD cancellation or rescheduling fee.
According to the PMI,
Effective April 1, 2012:
You can reschedule or cancel your exam at any time, as long as you do so more than two full
calendar days before your scheduled exam appointment. However, a 70 USD fee will be charged
to you if you reschedule or cancel your exam within 30 days of the scheduled appointment. If you
wait until you are within two days of your exam appointment, you wont be able to reschedule
or cancel your exam and you will forfeit the entire exam fee.
Therefore, before making an appointment for the exam, make sure to double-check that you
wont need to change or cancel it. Otherwise you will have to pay a 70 USD fee to PMI.
Bonus Section:How To
Earn 60 PDUs.
The beauty of the PMP certification is that it motivates you learn new skills. It also encourages
you to become involved with various project management activities.
PMI encourages this practice by incorporating a CCR cycle clause. Under the CCR cycle you have
to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) within three years, and report them to PMI. If
you do so, your credential will be renewed for another three years. Otherwise, you may have to
take the PMP exam again to retain this credential.
There are many categories under which you can earn these PDUs - e.g. by participating in
webinars and PMIs local chapter meetings, self-directed learning, continuing education, and
giving back to the community, etc.
Earning PDUs
Although there are various ways and hundreds of resources to earn the PDUs, Im going to give
you a few free and paid resources that will help you to achieve your target.
Free 60 PDUs
Here are resources where you can earn all your 60 PDUs for free.
Category A, B and C Group PDUs

In this group you must earn at least 35 PDUS.
Out of these 35 PDUS, 8 PDUs should be in Technical Project Management Skills, 8 PDUs in
Leadership Skills, and 8 PDUs in Strategic Business Management Skills.
Please note that you cannot earn more than 30 PDUs in category C, which is for self-directed
learning.
Corped Group
This site has many recorded webinars available along with a few scheduled webinars.
You can either participate in a webinar or view the recorded version. Once you are done, you can
claim your category A PDU for this activity.
Visit the Corped Group website
IAG Consulting
From this site, you can earn 12 PDUs. I contacted IAG Consulting to find out the correct category
for these webinars. They said it is category 2 (old classification); however, I believe that in the
current format they belong to category B.
Visit the IAG Consulting website
CADENCE
Here you can find about 18 PDUs.
Visit the CEDENCE website
ESI International
Here you can find about 30 PDUs.
Visit the ESI International website
Project Management Institute

PMI provides you with various opportunities to earn category A PDUs. The easiest way to earn
the PDU is to participate in the webinars organized by various PMI Communities of Practice.
These PDUs are auto reported. This means that once you compete watching the webinar, it will
be automatically reported to the PMI and you will get the credit.
I recommend you join these communities and start earning PDUs.
Visit the PMI website
Self-Directed Learning
Here you can earn 30 PDUs. Buy or rent any project management related book and read it. Write
down the date and time of starting and completion, and keep the notes and records.
After reading the book, you can claim the PDU. One hour of activity is equal to one PDU.
If youre not a good reader then there is another option for you. You can also listen to podcasts
and claim the PDU for the time spent on it.
You can listen to a few podcasts from here:
Free Project Management Podcast
Instruction on how to report to PMI is: How to report PM Podcast to PMI
Category F: Working in Project Management

If youre working as a professional in project management, you can claim 8 PDUs per CCR cycle.
The above links are more than enough for you to earn 60 PDU free of charge. On the Internet you
may find many more PDU opportunities, but the purpose of this page is to give you sixty
professional development units. Remember, you are only required to report 60 PDUs per CCR
cycle to PMI.
Paid 60 PDUs
Paid courses offer many benefits over the free programs. For example, you can get a lot of PDUs
in one shot and can learn additional skills such as Six Sigma, MS-Project, etc.
You also dont have to worry about the PMI Talent Triangle. These courses are already PMI
approved and tell you in advance how many PDUs you can earn in each side of the triangle.
Therefore, if you are ready to pay for it, earning the 60 PDUs will be a piece of cake.
Please note that all these courses are PMI Category A PDUs and fulfill the latest Talent Triangle
requirements of PMI implemented from December 1st 2015.
PDU Courses from PMSimplify

PM Simplify offers many courses to help you earn Category A PDUs, and these PDUs also satisfy
the PMI Talent Triangle requirements.
These courses with discount coupon codes are given below.
Business Analysis Fundamentals

For 200 USD you will get 25 PDUs.
This course teaches you the fundamentals of Business Analysis. The course content is aligned
with the BABOK Guide third edition.
Course access will be for 365 days.
Click here to buy
(Use coupon code PMSC to get a discount of 20 USD.)
Six Sigma Overview

For 100 USD you will get 15 PDUs.
This course introduces you to Six Sigma, its elements, and the barriers in implementing Six Sigma,
etc.
Click here to buy
Principles of Leadership
For 75 USD youll get 10 PDUs.
This course will brief you about the traits of leadership, leadership models, team building
activities, communication, mentoring, etc.
Click here to buy
(Use coupon code PMSC to get a discount of 7.5 USD.)
Nonverbal Communication
For 75 USD youll get 10 PDUs.
Here you will learn about communication models, types, methods, and the significance of
nonverbal communication, etc.
Course access is for 365 days.
Click here to buy
(Use coupon code PMSC to get a discount of 7.5 USD.)
PM Fundamentals
For 150 USD you will get 35 PDUs. If you are a PMI-RMP, you can also claim 20 PDUs to fulfill the
PMI-RMP CCR requirements.
In this course you will learn the basic fundamentals of project management. The course content
is aligned with the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide, and it revises your knowledge of all project
management processes.
Course access will be for 365 days.
Click here to buy
You should take this course if you have passed the PMP exam based on the 4th Edition of the
PMBOK Guide and want to upgrade yourself on the 5th Edition.
Bundle Courses from PMSimplify

PM Simplify also offers bundle courses where two or more courses are combined as a single
package and given at a discounted price.
The following are the few bundle courses from the PMSimplify.
60 PDU Bundle
The price of this bundle is 300 USD and it consists of two courses: PM Fundamentals and Business
Analysis Fundamentals.
Click here to buy
(Save 30 USD with discount coupon code PMSC.)
55 PDU Bundle
This bundle is available for 270 USD and it includes three courses: PM Fundamentals, Leadership
Principles, and Nonverbal Communication.
Click here to buy
50 PDU Bundle
The price of this bundle course is 240 USD, and it consists of two courses: PM Fundamentals and
Six Sigma Overview.
Click here to buy
45 PDU Bundle
This course is available for 210 USD and it includes two courses: PM Fundamentals and Non
Verbal Communication.
Click here to buy
40 PDU Bundle
The price of this bundle course is 180 USD, and it consists of two courses: Business Analysis
Fundamentals and Six Sigma Overview.
Click here to buy
Other eBooks I Have

Authored.
PMP Question Bank

In this eBook you will find 400 PMP exam sample questions based on the fifth edition of the
PMBOK Guide, and aligned with the exam format after January 11th, 2016
All questions are unique, have detailed answers and are supported with references to the PMBOK
Guide, whenever applicable.
You can use this question bank before your exam to check your readyness. It gives you an
opportunity to test yourself twice.
PMP Formula Guide

PMP Formula Guide is for professionals who are having difficulty solving mathematical questions
for the PMP exam.
This guide explains all mathematical formulas mentioned in the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide
with simple examples so you can understand the formulas and apply the concepts in the exam.
All formula-based questions are explained in every possible detail, and practice questions are
given to test your understanding.
Once you finish reading this guide, you will be well prepared for any mathematical questions in
the PMP exam.
EVM for the PMP Certification Exam

If you want more in-depth knowledge on Earned Value Management, this eBook is for you.
Based on the fifth edition of the PMBOK Guide, this eBook has more than 75 examples and
questions with detailed solutions, which help you understand the formulas, analyze the logical
interpretations, and elevate your confidence in solving earned value management questions.
PMI-RMP Question Bank

This PMI-RMP Question Bank is for professionals preparing for the PMI-RMP certification exam.
This eBook has 170 PMI-RMP sample exam questions covering all exam areas, and is based on
the 5th edition of the PMBOK Guide.
In this eBook I give detailed explanations of all questions and provide cross-references to the
PMBOK Guide, whenever applicable.
Although the exam syllabus is short, in the real exam you are going to see many similar questions
covering the same topic. In this eBook I have tried to avoid similar questions, every question will
be a new opportunity for you learn a new concept.
Click here for more detail
PM Sprout.
I have developed a platform to help you prepare for the PMP exam.
The courses available on this site are very affordable. I request you visit this site, explore courses
and let me know your thoughts.
Visit: PM Sprout
Thank you for reading this eBook.

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Copyright 2017 by PM Study Circle .............................................................................................ii

Initial Preparation. .......................................................................................................................... 5

Final Preparation. ............................................................................................................................ 8

Attempt the Exam. ........................................................................................................................ 15

What If You Failed the Exam? ....................................................................................................... 17

A Few FAQs. .................................................................................................................................. 21

Bonus Section:How To Earn 60 PDUs. .......................................................................................... 25

Other eBooks I Have Authored. .................................................................................................... 32

This eBook is divided into seven chapters.

In the sixth chapter I will answer a few commonly asked questions.

Lastly I will explain how to maintain your PMP certification.

Thanks and regards,

M Fahad Usmani, PMP, PMI-RMP

The PMP Certification offers you many benefits, including:

Learning New Techniques

More Interview Calls

Respect and Credibility

Globally Recognized Skills

Okay, lets get started.

Collect Study Materials

Head First PMP by J. Greene and A Stellman

PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy

PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim Heldman

Other PMI standards and frameworks available for download.

Classroom Training Providers

Online Training Providers

Classroom Training Providers

Benefits of Classroom Training Programs:

The sessions are interactive.

Youll complete the course in a short time span.

You will get the chance to meet with cross-industry professionals.

Drawbacks of Classroom Training Programs:

It tends to be very costly.

The seats are limited.

Online Training Providers

Benefits of Online Training Programs:

They are much cheaper than classroom training programs.

There are no seat limitations.

You can complete the course on your schedule.

Drawbacks of Online Training Programs:

The sessions are not interactive.

Responses to your questions may be late.

Apply for the Exam

The application form is categorized into three sections:

1. General information such as name, address, etc.

2. Your project management experience.

3. Details of your 35-hour formal training.

Fill in the form completely, and submit it to PMI.

Schedule the Exam

Strategic Study Plan

Now youre ready for the next stage.

PM Exam Simulator by OSP International

Whizlabs PMP Exam Simulator

1. PMP Question Bank

2. PMP Formula Guide

3. EVM for the PMP Exam

PMP Question Bank

Click here for more details

PMP Formula Guide

Click here for more details

EVM for the PMP Exam

Click here for more details