10 Tips for Passing the PMP® Exam…the Second Time

If you are reading this, it may mean you did not pass your PMP® exam. You are not alone. It is a difficult exam, and I have never heard anyone say it was easy. While you may feel discouraged, I encourage you to consider using the study time you have already invested to take another go at it. Many PMPs earned their credential after more than one attempt. Hopefully you will consider trying again. If you choose to retake the exam, here are some suggestions:

Focus on the processes in the Process Group that your exam results indicated you were Below Proficient.
Take lots of practice tests such as those in our PMP Online Study Exam.
Take “speed tests.”/certification/project-management-training/pmp/pmp-online-study-exam.php
Answer questions according to how the PMBOK organizes project management.
Be solid in your knowledge of the processes, their inputs, tools/techniques, and outputs.
Follow test-taking best practices.
Develop an approach to answering the questions, such as the 7-step approach presented in our PMP Prep Class.
Consider the benefits of a study group as part of your preparation.
See our web site for additional PMP preparation resources that can help you prepare and pass.
Retake your exam soon.

Andrea Brockmeier, PMP, CSM, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, BRMP

Andrea Brockmeier, PMP, CSM, PMI-PBA, BRMP is the Director of Project Management for Watermark Learning. Andrea is an experienced trainer, facilitator, speaker, and project manager, with over 25 years of business experience. Andrea oversees certification and skills development curriculum in project management, business analysis, and leadership. She has been a speaker at IIBA® and PMI® conferences and is an active volunteer. She enjoys practicing what she teaches and has a steady stream of projects that she manages. Andrea is highly committed to partnering with her clients through projects, consulting, and training, and seeks to make every engagement enjoyable as well as valuable.

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View Comments

Aamir says:

April 13, 2014 at 2:17 pm

I am planning to apply my PMP exam in second time .I want some good tips and mock up exam website addresses.Please let me know.
- Richard Larson says:
  
  May 15, 2014 at 10:13 am
  
  @Aamir, sorry, we overlooked your comment until today. We offer a PMP Online Study Exam. It is a 3-in-1 tool, with warm-up questions, drills on each knowledge area, and an exam simulator. Take as many tests as you want during your subscription period. Check our web site at http://bit.ly/1nSq37B for details.
Saurabh Rai says:

June 12, 2018 at 11:42 pm

Nice