PMP Exam Preparation Tips

Step 1: Make Sure You’re Eligible

Before you even crack open a study guide, double-check that you meet the requirements.
Here’s the quick version:

• If you have a high school diploma (or secondary school equivalent):
• 60 months (5 years) experience leading and managing projects (within the past eight years)
• 35 hours of project management education/training
• If you have a bachelor’s degree (or global equivalent):
• 36 months (3 years) experience leading and managing projects (within the past eight years)
• 35 hours of project management education/training
• If you have a bachelor’s degree from a GAC-accredited program:
• Only 24 months (2 years) experience leading and managing projects needed
• 35 hours of project management education/training

If you tick all the boxes, brilliant — time to move to the fun part (well, depending on your definition of “fun”).

Step 2: Apply for the Exam

Next up: the application process.

It’s not hard, but it can feel a bit tedious, so give yourself enough time.

You’ll need to:

• Create an account on PMI’s website
• Document your project management experience (in detail — think: what projects, what roles, what responsibilities)
• Submit your 35 hours of project management education

Once you submit, PMI might take a few days to review everything. Sometimes they randomly audit applications, so make sure your details are spot on.

Once you’re approved, you’ll pay the exam fee — and you’re officially in the game!

Step 3: Understand the Exam Structure

You can’t study properly if you don’t know what you’re studying for.

Here’s what the PMP exam looks like in 2025:

• 180 questions
• 230 minutes (roughly four hours)
• Two scheduled breaks
• Question types: multiple choice, multiple responses, matching, hotspot (interactive), and limited fill-in-the-blank
• Content is split across three domains:
1. People (42%) – Managing and leading teams
2. Process (50%) – The technical side of managing projects
3. Business Environment (8%) – Connecting projects to organisational strategy

About half of the exam is focused on Agile and hybrid project management methods, so it’s not just old-school waterfall anymore.

Step 4: Get the Right Study Materials

Not all study materials are created equal. Some are dry. Some are confusing. Some are weirdly expensive. Choose wisely.

Here’s a simple list to start with:

• PMBOK® Guide (7th Edition) – The official PMI textbook. It’s dense, but important.
• PMP Exam Prep Books (like Rita Mulcahy’s guide — very popular and user-friendly)
• Online courses – Look for ones that are PMI-approved so they count toward your 35 hours if you still need them.
• Practice exams – Crucial. They help you get used to the question style and timing.
• Flashcards – Great for memorising key concepts, formulas, and terminology.

Tip: Don’t just read passively — engage with the material. Take notes, draw mind maps, talk through concepts with others if you can.

Step 5: Create a Realistic Study Plan

If you try to cram for PMP, you’ll end up stressed and exhausted — and probably unsuccessful.

Instead, create a realistic study plan.
Here’s a rough idea:

• Study 1–2 hours a day, 5–6 days a week
• Aim for 8–12 weeks total preparation time
• Break down your weeks by domains (People, Process, Business Environment)
• Leave the last 2–3 weeks for full practice exams and review

Life happens, so build in some flexibility too. If you fall behind for a few days, don’t panic — just adjust and keep going.

Step 6: Focus on Understanding, Not Memorising

The PMP exam tests how you think, not how many definitions you can regurgitate.

When you study:

• Focus on why a process or principle exists, not just what it is.
• Learn how Agile, waterfall, and hybrid methods work in real projects.
• Think about how you would apply the concepts in different scenarios.

Practising situational judgment is key because many questions are scenario-based (For example, “What’s the BEST thing to do next?”).

Step 7: Take Practice Exams (Lots of Them!)

Practice exams are your best friend.

Not just to test your knowledge — but to:

• Build your stamina for a four-hour test
• Get used to PMI’s tricky question wording
• Find your weak spots

Take at least four to six full-length practice exams before the real thing.

And don’t get discouraged if you bomb the first one. Use it as a learning tool.

Pro tip: Always review every question you got wrong and every guess you got right. Understanding why an answer was correct or incorrect is gold.

Step 8: Prepare for Exam Day

You’re almost there. In the week before your exam:

• Don’t try to learn new material. Focus on review.
• Sleep properly — seriously, your brain needs it.
• Double-check your ID requirements and testing location details.
• If you’re taking it online, make sure your equipment and room meet the rules (quiet space, no interruptions).

On the day itself:

• Eat a decent meal.
• Arrive early (or log in early if it’s online).
• Manage your time carefully during the test — don’t get stuck too long on any one question.

And remember: you can flag tricky questions and come back to them later.

Step 9: Stay Calm and Confident

Finally, mindset matters.

The PMP exam is tough, no doubt. But if you’ve put in the work — if you’ve studied, practiced, and prepared — you are ready.

Trust yourself. Pace yourself. Stay positive.

Plenty of people pass it every day — and you can too.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the PMP exam takes real effort — but it’s absolutely worth it if you want to take your project management career to the next level.

The key is simple:

Start early. Stay consistent. Practise hard. Believe in yourself.

Before you know it, you’ll have those three little letters — PMP — proudly next to your name. And trust me, they open a lot of doors.

Good luck — you’ve got this!

For one-on-one mentorship, how tos, and resources to help you ace the PMP, check out Nevolearn’s PMP course today.