Is the PMP The Right Certification for You?
There are many different project management certifications available on the market. From the IAPM Certified Project Manager to the CompTIA Project+, it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best fit. Capella University summarized seven of the highest-paying project management certifications currently available and considered the PMP the most prestigious, as well as the most likely to be sought out by employers.
The PMP is by far one of the most recognized and sought-after project management certifications. This distinction is rooted in its challenging and rigorous curriculum. Applying, studying, and passing this exam is an undertaking that may not fit into everyone’s career path. It’s highly recommended for individuals considering the certification to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis before committing to this path.
If you feel your career is calling you to the project management field, or you want to enhance your leadership skills, the PMP is an incredible investment in yourself that will keep you competitive in an expanding global market. If you are willing to put in the work to move your career forward, this certification may be right for you.
Determine Your Eligibility To Sit For The Exam
Sitting for the PMP exam requires certain criteria set in place by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in order to be eligible for the exam. As it is considered such a prestigious certification, an understanding of common project management practices and principles outlined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide, 8th Edition is a baseline requirement.
There are two different eligibility pathways to meet the prerequisites for applying:
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent)
- 7,500 hours leading and directing projects
- 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification
OR
- Four-year degree
- 4,500 hours leading and directing projects
- 35 hours of project management education or CAPM certification
Understand The Application Process
Once you have confirmed you meet the eligibility requirements for the exam, the next step is to submit a formal application through PMI. Once an application is submitted, it usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to receive an official response.
In the application, it is important to outline your previous experience in a chronological, detailed manner. The items in the application are designed to demonstrate to PMI that you have ample experience in project management.
The on-the-job experience requirements request details around the projects, programs, and portfolios you have worked on and must include qualifying hours, dates of employment, role, organization details, references, and experience summaries.
The educational component of the application requires the names of courses completed, names of institution(s) attended, respective dates, and details on qualifying hours.
An estimated 10% of applicants are audited to ensure accuracy and truthfulness. This typically means that references are called to verify your credentials and experience. While you wait to hear back on whether you’re approved, there’s no need to switch into serious study mode until you have an official confirmation.
Once You’re Approved to Take The PMP Exam, Start Studying Strategically
Received approval to take the PMP? Congratulations! That’s no small feat. It’s now time to begin studying to make the most of your newfound career goal. First and foremost, eat, sleep, and drink the PMBOK® Guide, 8th Edition and the Agile Practice Guide.
Consider looking into high-intensity boot camps that will prepare you to take the PMP. This type of training, however, will usually focus more on strategic testing tactics versus teaching the actual material. Depending on your study habits, these may or may not work for you, but it is definitely worth taking the time to research.
Create a “Brain Dump” sheet
As the PMP is a closed-book exam and means test-takers cannot use any reference material beyond what they memorize, a brain dump is a strategy specifically recommended for the PMP. Brain dumps are abbreviations of components and concepts that you have committed to memory, then spilled out onto sheets of paper prior to the exam for reference. They contain just enough key concepts, theories, formulas, and content to jog your memory on the technical stuff so you can focus on answering questions.
Consider becoming a Project Management Institute Member
The cost to sit for the PMP exam is $425 with PMI membership or $675 without membership. While membership is optional, being a member provides the benefits of joining a local chapter that can greatly assist with study material and connect you to group study sessions to help prepare you for passing the PMP exam on the first attempt.
Practice Full-Length PMP Exams
Taking simulation exams will be essential in passing the PMP exam. Google provides an endless number of practice exam options; however, many websites will guide you to resources that use different terminology than PMI and can cause confusion during real testing.
One of the better sites for PMP practice questions and full-length mock exams is Pocket Prep. They work directly from the latest exam blueprints provided by PMI, and their apps are more affordable than most others. The mobile nature of the app also helps when you have limited time to study, getting in 10 minutes on the bus or a few minutes while you’re standing around waiting in line.
The PMP exam requires focus and an intense motivation to pass, but the positive impacts to your career in the project management field will yield many benefits. In many cases, this especially includes higher compensation.
