How do you prepare for the PMP exam and maintain your certification?

1 Understand the exam requirements

Before you apply for the PMP exam, you need to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. You need to have a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) and at least 7,500 hours of project management experience, or a four-year degree and at least 4,500 hours of project management experience. You also need to complete 35 hours of project management education or training. You can find more details on the PMP Handbook on the PMI website.

2 Plan your study schedule

Once you are eligible to take the exam, you need to plan your study schedule. The PMP exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions that cover five domains: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. You have 230 minutes to complete the exam. You need to study the PMBOK Guide, which is the official guide to the project management body of knowledge, as well as other sources of best practices, tools, and techniques. You should also take practice tests and mock exams to familiarize yourself with the exam format and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

3 Apply for the exam and schedule it

After you have studied enough, you need to apply for the exam and schedule it. You can apply online on the PMI website and pay the exam fee, which is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. You will receive an email confirmation and an eligibility number that you can use to schedule your exam. You can choose to take the exam online or at a test center, depending on your preference and availability. You should schedule your exam at least two weeks in advance and choose a date and time that suits your schedule and energy level.

4 Review and revise before the exam

As the exam date approaches, you should review and revise your study materials and practice tests. You should focus on the areas that you are less confident about and reinforce your understanding of the key concepts, processes, and formulas. You should also review the exam policies and procedures, such as what to bring, what not to bring, how to check in, and how to report any issues. You should also relax and get enough sleep before the exam.

5 Take the exam and celebrate

On the exam day, you should arrive early and follow the instructions given by the proctor or the test center staff. You should read each question carefully and eliminate the wrong answers. You should also manage your time wisely and avoid spending too much time on one question. You can mark the questions that you are unsure about and come back to them later. You should also review your answers before submitting them. After you finish the exam, you will receive your score report and your certification status. If you pass, you should celebrate your achievement and update your resume and profile. If you fail, you should not give up and learn from your mistakes.

6 Maintain your certification

To maintain your PMP certification, you need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs are units of measure that reflect your learning and professional activities. You can earn PDUs by taking courses, attending webinars, reading books, writing articles, volunteering, or working as a project manager. You can find more information on how to earn and report PDUs on the PMI website. You should also keep track of your PDUs and renew your certification before it expires.