PMP Exam Passing Score is very important to understand for PMP Exam takers. This article emphasizes on the same aspect. Please go on to read more about it.

What is the PMP Exam Passing Score?

Many aspirants going for the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam often ask this question in my batches and often ask my sales team also during enrollments.

PMI (Project Management Institute) itself has not disclosed any passing score for the PMP exam. PMI had stopped to disclose what is the PMP passing score after 2007 for all PMI Credential exam takers. The overall pass is still based on a score which PMI has in their backdrop.

PMP exam takers get to see an overall pass/fail in the exam results. Along with grading of their performance in 5 PMP Process Group areas, such as Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, Closing and 1 Special area Professional & Social Responsibility.

Grading in these 6 areas results in PMP Exam Passing Score and is depcited as:

  • Proficient – means performance is beyond the average level of knowledge
  • Moderately Proficient – means performance is at the average level of knowledge
  • Below Proficient – means performance is below the average level of knowledge

Is it required that I score all Proficient in all areas to pass exam?

Not required. The way you are graded in either of those areas, does not impact your pass/fail. The pass/fail depends on the overall passing score alone.

PMI in the PMP Handbook has this mentioned on: “how the PMP credential is awarded”:

“The passing score for all PMI exams is determined by sound psychometric analysis. PMI uses subject matter experts from across the globe to help establish a point at which each candidate should pass the exam(s) and the exam point of difficulty. Data that show how candidates actually performed are cross referenced with the subject matter experts to ensure that the point of difficulty on each exam is healthy.”

What strategy must I adopt to beat PMP Exam Passing Score and marks ambiguity and achieve PMP in first attempt?

At GlobalSkillup.com, being Project Management SME’s; we observe our workshop participants ace PMP exams in their first attempt in 2 to 3 weeks after the training completion.

Actions we recommend to upcoming PMP participants & PMP exam takers:

  1. Establish a pre-study plan before joining the training itself, so that you are prepared well enough to challenge the trainer.
  2. Participate with full focus on training (in person participation recommended compared to on-line sessions) emphasizing on understanding the PMP exam perspective with relevant required Project management knowledge. PMBOK is often considered to be the best for such knowledge.
  3. Upon completion of the training, perform a detailed revision study to feel confident of all topics.
  4. Take the high quality mock exams such as the one’s given by GlobalSkillup.com. How many? Typically 5 very high quality mock exams are good if one starts scoring 85% or more. Few participants go up to 10 mock exams to gain their confidence levels.
  5. Identify any gaps in your conceptual understanding based on the Mock exam feedback. Engage with your Trainer to sort out any difference in understanding. Retake mock exams to score definitely 85% or more.
  6. Book your actual PMP Exam.

For any further questions/opinions, please feel free to drop a note or engage with us.