Appendix B:

Advice for the Project

Management Professional
(PMP) Exam and Related
Certifications

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 1

 Introduction to Project Management
Certification Programs
• Several organizations offer certification
programs in project management
– PMI offers the Project Management Professional
(PMP) certification and Certificates of Added
Qualification (CAQs)
– CompTIA offers the IT Project+ certification
– Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in Microsoft
Project
– International Project Management Association
(IPMA) four-level program
– Singapore Computer Society Certified IT Project
Manager
IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 2
 PMI Web Site Information on
PMP Certification*
• The Project Management Institute (PMI) is project management’s leading
global professional association, and as such, it administers a globally
accepted and recognized, rigorous, examination-based, professional
certification program of the highest caliber. The PMI Certification Program
maintains ISO 9001 certification in Quality Management Systems as
evidence of its commitment to professional excellence.
• If you enjoy the prestige that comes from being the best in your field, then
you will appreciate the professional advantages derived from becoming a
PMP. PMP certification is the profession’s most globally recognized and
respected certification credential. The PMP designation following your name
tells current and potential employers that you have a solid foundation of
project management knowledge that you can readily apply in the workplace.

*www.pmi.org, March 2003

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 3

 What Are the Requirements for Earning
and Maintaining PMP Certification?
• Four main requirements for earning PMP certification:
– Having experience working in the field of project management.
You need 4,500 hours with a baccalaureate degree and 7,500
without a degree
• Documenting at least 35 contact hours of project management education
– Agreeing to the PMP certificant and candidate agreement
release statement
– Completing the PMP Certification Exam Application and
paying a fee of $555 for non-PMI members and $405 for
members (as of summer 2003)
– Passing the PMP exam (answering at least 68.5% of the 200, 4-
choice multiple-choice questions correctly)

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 4

 Maintaining PMP Status

• Starting in January 1999, PMI started a new

professional development program for
maintaining the PMP certification
• You must earn at least 60 Professional Develop
Units within a three-year cycle and adhere to
PMI’s PMP code of Professional Conduct
• Consult PMI’s Web site for more details
(www.pmi.org)

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 5

 PMI CAQ Exams
• PMI’s Certificates of Added Qualification
(CAQ) Exams: PMI launched a CAQ exam for
the automotive industry in August 2000, and
they plan to launch one in Information Systems
Development in early 2002
• You must have the PMP before taking the CAQ
exam
• The CAQ tests your knowledge of a particular
industry, not of project management

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 6

 CompTIA’s IT Project+ Exam
• In April 2001, CompTIA started offering the IT
Project+ certification exam, and materials were
purchased from the Gartner Institute
• The multiple-choice exam is 2 hours long and costs
$207 for non-members, $155 for members (as of
summer 2003)
• You must score at least 63% on this 84-question exam
• There are no renewal requirements or prerequisites
• Detailed information is available from
www.comptia.org

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 7

 What Is the Structure and Content of
the PMP Certification Exam?
• The PMP exam is based on information from
the entire project management body of
knowledge
• The PMBOK® Guide provides an outline of
information covered
• Texts like Information Technology Project
Management will help you learn and understand
key topics

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 8

 Table B-1. Breakdown of Questions
on the PMP Process Groups
Process Group Percent of Questions on PMP Exam
Initiating 8.5
Planning 23.5
Executing 23.5
Controlling 23
Closing 7
Professional Responsibility 14.5

Note: PMI changes the PMI exam periodically. Consult their web
site for detailed information.

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 9

 Suggestions on Studying for the
PMP Exam
• Read through the PMBOK® Guide and know it
well
• Study the Project Process Group/Activity
Matrix by Knowledge Area and understand
what each activity involves (see p. 68)
• The basic PMP exam is not industry specific.
PMI’s CAQ exams are, but you must pass the
PMP before taking them
• The exam includes conceptual, application, and
evaluative questions. Be ready for each type
IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 10
 How Should You Prepare for the
PMP Exam?
• Know your own learning and testing style and use
whatever resources and study techniques work best
for you
• Many people form study groups to provide support
and peer pressure
• Focus on scope, time, and cost management
• You only need 68.5%, and all 200 questions are
multiple-choice with 4 choices. It is easy to over
study, but if you fail, you need to pay to retake the
exam

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 11

 Ten Tips for Taking the PMP Exam
• Take the tutorial on how to use the automated testing
software. Use the marking feature to get an idea of how
you are doing and to know which questions to review
• You have 4.5 hours for the exam, so you should have
plenty of time, but plan a strategy like answering short
questions first and going back to marked questions
• Some people believe it is better to change answers you
were unsure of the first time
• Do not try to read more into the questions than what is
stated
• Eliminate obviously wrong alternatives, then choose
among the remaining choices

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 12

 Ten Tips for Taking the PMP Exam
• Memorize calculations like earned value
• Before starting the test, write down important
things you memorized, like formulas, on the paper
provided
• Read all questions carefully, especially the ones
that present scenarios followed by several
questions
• Be wary of alternatives that include the words
always, never, only, must, and completely
• Take a short break after about 2 hours and eat a
snack

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 13

 Sample PMP Questions
• Answer the 20 sample questions on pages 559-563
of your text. If you score about 70% within 20
minutes, you’re probably ready to take the exam
• There are many other study tools available. See
the suggested readings on pp. 568-569. Be sure to
review the free sample questions from PMI
• There are sample online tests you can download
from sites like boson.com
• Search amazon.com for PMP to find other
references

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 14

 Sample IT Project+ Questions

• Answer the 10 sample questions on pages

564-566 of your text
• Note that these questions include
matching, sequencing, and selecting more
than one answer for some questions
• Go to www.comptia.org for more detailed
information on this and other CompTIA
exams

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 15

 Final Advice on PMP Certification
and Project Management in General
• Project management is a valuable skill,
especially in the IT field
• PMP and other certifications can help
advance your career
• Project management also helps you
manage and enjoy your personal life

IT Project Management, Third Edition Appendix B 16