If you are planning to take the PMP exam, one of the first things that you will definitely want to know is the passing score – this way, you can prepare to even score higher than the required score. It is way better to score higher than to score lower than the required score.

The Project Management Professional (also known as PMP) exam consists of two hundred (200) multiple choice questions which are to be completed in four (4) hours.
Please be informed that you should try to attempt all the questions, even if you need to guess some of it – because there is no negative scoring.
Out of all 200 questions, only 175 questions are “testable”. This simply means that 25 questions are “pre-test” questions. These 25 questions are there in order to test the suitability of the PMP test for prospective exam candidates. Whether or not you get the 25 questions right, it really does not matter. Well, the not-so-pleasing part is that you will not know where these 25 questions are among the 200 questions. Translation: the 25 questions are peppered all over the place.
So the main thing is that you get the 175 relevant questions right.
You may be thinking “So, what is the ACTUAL passing score for the PMP exam?!”
Well, up until 2005, The Project Management Institute (PMI) used to publish the PMP exam passing score in the PMP Handbook. The passing score used to be 61 percent. But (yes, there is a “but”), PMI no longer publishes the passing score any more.
So in order to be on the safe side, you will need to make sure that you get at least 61 percent (or even more) of the 175 question correctly. 61 percent of 175 questions comes at 107 – yup, you will need to pass 107 questions correctly in order to pass the PMP exam. And because you will have no idea which questions are the 25 un-testable questions, you will need to get those questions right as well. So out of the 200 questions in the PMP test, you will need to get 132 questions absolutely right.
Although, a lot of the project managers who passed the PMP test think that the exam is pretty tough. Even though they scored pretty high marks in many PMP mock tests – scoring as high as 85 or 90 percent, but didn’t do well when they first sat for the PMP exam. Many project managers had to study harder, took more mock PMP exams and then sat for the Project Management Professional for the second time and scored a much higher percentage of marks.
This simply means that the PMP passing score could have been moved higher, and it is important not to bank on scoring only 61 percent in the exam. It is a lot safer to aim for at least 75 percent or even higher in the PMP test. You should ensure that you do as many mock PMP tests as you can lay your hands on – also ensure that these mock tests are considerably tough.

It is expected that anyone who plans to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam should find out which book is the best study material. The PMP certification is a credential for project managers that is recognized all over the world and is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

The PMP test consists of 200 questions, but 175 questions are actually scored while the other 25 question are unscored, candidates are expected to complete the exam within the 4 hour time frame. This is the part where you ask “So what is the best book to read in preparation for the PMP exam?” A good PMP prep book will provide you with all the necessary programme of study to successfully pass the exam at first attempt.

The truth is that you will need more than “one book” to prepare you for the PMP exam, as a matter of fact you will need “prep books!”

Here is a list of the BEST books to prepare you for the PMP test:

• Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK): PMI are the publishers of the “Project Management Body of Knowledge” is a book that is structured around the 9 knowledge areas:
- Scope
- Integration
- Cost
- Quality
- Communications
- Human resources
- Procurement
- Time
- Risk
According to PMI’s “Project Management Handbook”, Project Management Body of Knowledge is the reliable project management standard from which the PMP exam questions are gotten from. You will definitely need to get the PMBOK in addition to instead of other PMP prep books.

• PMP Mock Test Prep Questions, Answers and Explanation: There are so many books that will provide with mock PMP test questions, answers and detailed solutions to these questions. This way, you will know exactly what to expect when you are sitting for the PMP exam. Please ensure that the testing connected to the 9 knowledge areas of the “Project Management Body of Knowledge” with the full length test simulating the actual PMP exam. You should also ensure that the practise questions are reasonably tough so that you do not get a false sense of hope. You will find so many PMP test questions on the internet; some are absolutely free off charge while some can be purchased.

• “The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try“: This is a book by Andy Crowe which comes highly recommended by many people who have passed the project management professional exam at first attempt. This material is presented in the precise order as the Project Management Body of Knowledge. This book has been cited by experts in the project management field as a true representation of the PMP test material, but the experts recommend that this book should be read in combination with the PMBOK for thorough understanding. This book contains diagrams, flow charts and formula shortcuts that will help you pass the test at first attempt. Sample test questions are also included at the end of every chapter of this book, as well as a final PMP test at the end of this book.

Are you thinking of becoming PMP certified in order to make it to the top of your career, and you are wondering how much the PMP exam is going to cost you? Well, knowing the cost of the PMP exam is the first thing that should be on your “Earning a PMP Certification Project” to-do-list.

Please Note: Many people think that by reading the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) from cover to cover immediately qualifies them to be PMP certified. Well, sorry to burst your bubble; though the PMBOK offers incredible insight to the project management discipline, you need to understand that the PMBOK was not published to be a “How to” book – No! The Project Management Institute (PMI) published the PMBOK as “guide”. The PMBOK is simply a compilation of the top practices that can be used in a variety of industries.

The Project Management Institute offers eligible candidates who can show excellence in managing projects the opportunity to earn Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Please know that there are quite a few expenses associated with earning a PMP certification which you will need to consider carefully before you submit your application.

Here is list of what it is going to cost you to appear for PMP exam:

• Contact hours: Before applying for the PMP certification, PMP exam candidates MUST have 35 hours of project management associated coursework or contact hours. PMI is known to accept a wide variety of coursework that can qualify as contact hours and the courses can range from absolutely free to even thousands of dollars. A lot of people get these hours from classes provided by their place of work.
• PMP exam: Each candidate MUST pass a test offered by the Project Management Institute in order to be PMP certified. The cost of the PMP exam as of the year 2010 were as follows:
- CBT (Computer Based Testing) for PMI members is 405 dollars
- CBT (Computer Based Testing) for non PMI members is 555 dollars
- PBT (Paper Based Testing) for PMI members is 250 dollars
- PBT (Paper Based Testing) for non PMI members 400 dollars

Please Note: Note: Paper Based Testing will soon be phased out.

• Project Management Institute Membership: A PMI Member is not really required to get a PMP certification but it is strongly recommended that they do. PMI members get a discount on the PMP exam and loads of other benefits as well. In 2010, the yearly cost for a fresh PMI membership is as follows:
- Student – 30 dollars and 10 dollars for application fee
- Individual – 129 dollars
- Retirees – 60 dollars

Individuals who have successfully earned their PMP certification will need to maintain the documentation by simply earning PDUs (Professional Development Units). Every three years The Project Management Institute needs Project Management Professional certified experts to earn sixty (60) PDUs. The Professional Development Units are known to range in cost from FREE offering to thousands of dollars for each PDU.

Anyone who aims to be a professional person should know that earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is the fastest way to get to that level. Every person sure wants to have the opportunity to get access to the very best jobs in the labor market – this way, they can aim for a much brighter future. But having a good future also comes at a price, you will need to take the required steps in order to get to the top of the professional ladder and stay there permanently.

Project Management Training will offer you a brighter future with a PMP certification. Project Management can be received at The Project Management Institute (PMI) publishers of the well known “Project Management Body of Knowledge” (PMBOK). PMBOK is a comprehensive guide of procedures and knowledge areas that are typically accepted as the top practice in the project management discipline.

The Project Management Institute gives prospective professional the opportunity to earn a PMP certification – that is, as long as they are eligible enough to pass the rather rigorous Project Management Professional exam. You need to understand that nothing valuable is ever easy to accomplish, so it is vital that you get your willpower and discipline in top gear if you really want to ace the PMP test without hassles.

Before you can hope to even think of how you can cross the wide river in the accomplishment of your future career as a project management professional, you will need to properly arm yourself with the following:
• Knowledge
• Aptitude
• Attitude
• Techniques to effectively handless stress
• Full control of your emotions

Prospective exam candidates should not just go on with the PMP training courses; they will need to go through specific courses in order to get them successfully through the PMI exam. Self assessment and most exams are required if candidates have the intellectual and emotional capacity to take in all of the information taught during classes, and they will also need the ability to effectively handle stress when it eventually comes.

Project Management professional exam candidates are provided with Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) – this book is a helpful material that will assist candidates pass the PMP exam. The PMBOK contains everything that you will need to know about PMP:
• Scope
• Theory
• Application
The PMBOK contains loads of useful information about project management.

The Project Management Body of Knowledge is a collection of top practices that can be used across different industries. Simply see the PMBOK as a tool box, with a variety of tools that can be used in several situations.

Please understand that no matter how smart or highly skilled you are, it really does not mean that you can pass the PMP exam just like that. You will need to work hard, be dedicated and determined – these skills are totally necessary when you are undergoing the Project Management training. This way, you are that your future as a Project Management Professional is guaranteed.

Have you been wondering if PMP certification is good for project managers? Well, the answer to this question is a big fat YES!

There are many future employment opportunities for project mangers who have earned a Project Management Professional certification. This is why it is important that project mangers take advantage of the opportunities that a PMP certification offers. Now, the most important thing that any PMP exam candidate needs to do is to prepare very well for the PMP test. The exam requires one’s utmost dedication, concentration and discipline. Now, the real question that many PMP candidates will be dying to ask is “What makes a great PMP training?”

Before we answer that question, let’s look at the advantage of earning a PMP certification for a project manager.

The Project Management Professional certification is an internationally accepted certificate for project managers. With a PMP certification, this makes you employable in the eyes of employers within and outside the United States.

Earning a PMP certification simply means that a project manager really put in a lot of hard work, and dedication to understand the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and also has the necessary project management experience. What is PMBOK? The Project Management Body of Knowledge is a material provided to PMP exam candidates. The PMBOK is a very useful material that will help candidates understand the project management discipline and help them do well in the PMP exam. The PMBOK is published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and contains all there is to know about project management professional scope, theory, application and other very useful information.

Now, let’s go on to what makes a great project management training. As you start to prepare for your PMP exam, a great project management training aims to teach you the necessary skills needed to pass the PMP exam without hassles. The PMP certification exam targets 2 primary areas of your PMP training; and that is, the theoretical and practical aspect. The exam is aimed to assess not just your level of expertise but to also to assess your ability to employ your expertise in given circumstances. Thus, these are what the PMP training should aspire to help you develop.

Every project manager should be able to have all the right information and fact in order to easily handle every project successfully. Your PMP training should provide you with the opportunity to summarize that information in a clear and concise manner.

Project information may come in different forms i.e. graphs, diagrams, pictures etc. A good PMP preparation will teach you how to understand any type of information supplied to you, so that you can easily evaluate them. After interpreting the information, you will then decide how the information will be used in order to move the project forward.
Okay, let’s cut the long story short. Based on the level of challenges facing project management professional test candidates, a good PMP training will simply help you to brush-up on all the necessary skill and tools that you will need in order to be PMP certified, period.

Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam is the first step to take in earning a PMP certification. The PMP exam is the test that is taken in order to earn the PMP certificate and prove your expertise in the practice of standardized PM principles.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is offers eligible candidates the opportunity to earn the PMP certification. The main resource for the Project Management Professional is the PMBOK (Project Management Body of knowledge). The PMBOK is the bible of prospective PMPs; it is also a collection of articles, books and published top practices in the project management discipline.

Here is a step by step guide on how to prepare for the PMP exam:

• First apply for a PMI membership; you can do this by visiting the PMI website www.pmi.org. Though PMI members are not really required to take the PMP test, but it is strongly recommended that they do – members enjoy a substantial discount and other benefits as well.

• Get the latest PMBOK edition. Please be informed that the PMP test is actually based on Project Management Body of Knowledge. Exam candidates will need to digest not only the principles in this particular resource material, but also the underlying research and concepts. You can get the PMBOK at any major internet based bookshop or on the PMI website.

• You should enroll to sit for the test. Application procedure is necessary for taking the PMP test. You need to understand that the process that needs to be approved before sitting for the exam may actually take some time because you will need to ensure that you complete quite a number of tasks in order to fulfil the application request. For instance, the PMP exam application process will require you to list the number of projects that you have actually managed. It is also vital that you keep in mind that projects do not essentially have to be consist of the actions executed in a corporate environment. For instance, you may carryout a project of digging a community borehole and supplying the water to residents who live up hill and simply apply the principles of project management to this particular activity. For individuals who are lucky enough to occupy the positions of project manager in a corporate environment, they should take advantage of every opportunity to apply project management principles in their work activities and record the processes and results. It is important that you complete the application as quickly as you possibly can as soon as you have made up your mind to sit for the project management exam.

• As soon as you have been approved to sit for the PMP test, make sure lay your hands on PMP test questions and ensure that you are consistently scoring at least 75 to 90 percent.

• You can get a PMP to mentor you – a lot of PMPs are ready to assist you in whatever way they can.

• Make sure you devote some time to studying and stick to your study routine like glue!

Remember, the PMP exam will not be difficult to pass at first attempt as long as you study hard and know all there is to know about the exam.

Good luck!

Are you wondering if earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is worth the time, energy and money? Well, you are about to find out what earning a PMP certification can do for you in your project management career.

Project managers are known for planning, tracking and controlling the cost, time and scope of projects assigned to them. A lot of project managers want to earn the PMP certification in order to provide the evidence of their high level of education, expertise and experience in the project management discipline. The PMP certification is offered to eligible candidates by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This certification clearly identifies project managers who have reached the peak of formal education and experience and are really skilled in the project management field.

Here are just some of the ways that earning a PMP certification can do for your career:

• Earn Professional Recognition
Project managers who have taken the trouble to earn the PMP certification will be recognized for their skills as experts in the project management field from employers, clients and colleagues. Individuals who are holders of a PMP certification are known to have met the rigorous requirements which include formal education, recorded experience and working knowledge in the PM field in order to pass the PMP exam.

• Better Pay
According to the Project Management Institute, PMs who have earned the PMP certification are known to earn a higher salary. Project managers who have taken the extra step to earn their PMP certification also show a strong commitment to the project management career. In addition to this, the Project Management Professional certification will prepare you for and would most times lead you to a higher level of career responsibility, career advancement and other opportunities.

• Increased Marketability
No world-class company will want to higher a project manager without a PMP certification. These days, employers really do not want to know whether you can handle a project effectively, if you do not have a PMP certificate then its adieus amigos! Employers clearly recognize that individuals with current PMP certifications do not only need to meet the rigorous requirements in order to earn the certification, but they will also need to keep advancing on their skills and knowledge through regular education.

• Establishes Credibility
Employers who hire project managers who have earned PMP certification know that they can only expect a very high level of ethical behavior and of course, professionalism. Every PMI member and professional project managers who have earned a certification from the Project Management Institute are required to maintain PMI’s “Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct”. The PMI’s broad agreement contains the following chapters;
- Vision and Applicability
- Fairness
- Responsibility
- Respect
- Honesty
You can find the complete agreement in the PMP Handbook.

• Global Recognition
The PMP certification is recognized by top organizations in the world such as Microsoft, American Express etc. This simply means that you can relocate to another country and still hope to get a job at a world class organization.

Are you planning to be a PMP (Project Management Professional)? Okay, you know that you will need to pass the PMP exam in order to be PMP certified and all you need to know is how and where you can conveniently do your project management professional certification exam. Many of us plan to reach the top of our careers, but we cannot do that sitting around and twiddling our thumbs. Okay, that said, just keep reading.

• How to Be Eligible for PMP Certification Exam:

Yes, you cannot just all willy-nilly decide to take the PMP test – No Siree! You have to be eligible in order to take the exam. You will need to have AT LEAST a high school certificate in order to be eligible to be a prospective PMP test candidate or have its equivalent (GED).

If you are a bachelor’s degree holder, you will be required to document at least 3 years experience as a project management professional, this will also include AT LEAST 4,500 hrs of actually overseeing projects yourself. Do you only have a high school certificate or an associate’s degree? Then you will need to have at least 5 years experience and 7,500 hrs of supervising projects.

You will also require a minimum of 35 classroom hours (contact hours) of official PM education. This can include the classes taken at your place of work or as part of your bachelor’s degree classes.

• Where to take the PMP Certification Exam:

As soon as you have met all the necessary requirements, you can then register for the exam. The easiest and quickest way you can apply for the PMP exam is to do it online at the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) site. You will also be required to pay the associated fees, which you can do online with a valid credit card when you fill out the application form or through the mail using a check or money order.

You will receive notification regarding your application status within 5 business days. All things being equal, you will receive information on how you can schedule an appointment for the PMP test.

And FYI!
After the acceptance of your application, you will have 12 months to pass the exam. It is important that you take preparation course (Prep Courses) which will involve mock exams – this will give you a really good idea of what type of questions you should expect on the PMP exam. Many of the places where you can get formal PM education also offer exam prep courses as well.

You can even get the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) in order to understand the standard project management practices in the PM discipline. The PMBOK is not a “how to” become a project manager book. In a nut shell, the PMBOK is more like a tool-belt with various tools that can be used in different situations. The Project Management Body of Knowledge is simply describes an ideal project management environment that many project managers strive to sustain in the real world.

Are you seriously thinking of becoming PMP certified and you want to know where you can enroll for the PMP course? The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers qualified candidates the opportunity to earn the Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate through the PMP program.

A certified Project Management Professional has the required skills to successfully lead project teams and ensures that results are obtained within the limits of a particular time frame, resources and budget. The Project Management institute requires PMP certification applicants to take and pass the PMP test. Project management professionals are required to first obtain the necessary education and of course, the experience in the project management field. Interested candidates may then make use a PMI application in order to enroll for the PMP exam.

The Project Management Course
Thanks to the internet, you can register for a PMP course on the internet. A PMP course is internationally recognized as a very helpful tool for project mangers who are aiming for world class projects and business profits.

For most PMP exam candidates the hard part is reading through and completely understanding the course materials – some people actually say that this part is as difficult as learning to chew with your mouth wide open! But if you can get through the “Serious reading” aspect of earning a PMP certification, you will be able to successfully pass test questions, which are as a matter of fact mainly situational.

Please Note: The PMI offers candidates the opportunity to know all there is to know about the project management discipline by providing them with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The PMBOK is a book that offers useful information about the standard project management practices that can be applied in any industry.

Because you can apply for the PMP course on the internet, you can select from the list of courses, depending on your prior college units. The PMP courses are available 24 hours each day and you can easily access them from your internet connected computer or you can simply download the course without going through the hassles of hooking up your computer to the internet when you are reading to start reading. You get to obtain your course stripes after you get 35 contact hours. But the most important thing that you need to do is to browse through the PMP courses before you go into the course proper. There are a wide variety of courses you can choose from.

The most important reason to enroll for a PMP course is the chance it offers you to pass the PMP exam at a sitting. Most employers these days require PMP certified project managers to handle their top projects – it’s not personal, it’s business.

The PMP course sets appropriate guidelines and standards that prospective PMs can apply on the job.

The PMP course does not only increase your chances of passing the PMI exam, it also offers you the chance to participate in concentrated discussions and lectures that are actually useful to you as a future project management professional.

Are you wondering if there are any free e-books for PMP certification exam? And if they are, where can you get them?

Well, the answer to the first question is YES, there are free e-books to help you prepare for Project Management Professional certification exam. With the high cost of sitting for the PMP exam, it sure makes a lot of sense to get free PMP exam materials – think about it, why pay for it when you can get it free off charge?

Where can I find them?
Thanks to modern technology, you can find free e-books on the internet. There are many websites that offer downloadable PMP e-books at no cost to you whatsoever.

Before you go looking for free online books, you will need to know what types of books that will best prepare you for the PMP exam.

Project Management Professional exam candidates will need at least the following resource materials which they can download online absolutely F-R-E-E!:

• Project Management Body of Knowledge (popularly known as PMBOK) – The PMBOK is clearly the foundation of your PMP exam study, but you need to know that it cannot be your only study material. The PMBOK doesn’t cover the full test, and most people believe that this material is too difficult to understand. Well, regardless of how hard it is to digest the PMBOK, if others can do it, so can you! The truth is that, you may never be able to get the latest PMBOK edition for free unless you join the Project Management Institute. You can easily order the Project Management Body of Knowledge from PMI’s website www.pmi.org. You will be provided with a free copy when you become a member – future project management professionals are advised to do this.

• PMP exam study guide – You will definitely require a good study guide that will cover the entire knowledge areas and process categories. Please know that a really good PMP exam study guide will assist you in making perfect sense of the Project Management Body of Knowledge and help you to concentrate on the vital areas to study.

• PMP exam test questions – In order to know what you will expect on the PMP exam, you will need top quality test questions. You should ensure that all the PMP mock test questions cover every topic and the eleven knowledge areas in full detail. You will find FREE PMP exam question online. Some free e-books contain hundreds of PMP exam questions and answers.

It is important that you understand that even though you get free e-books for PMP exam, what matters is that you read these books and ensure that you pass the exam in your first attempt. The e-books might be free but the PMP exam is not!

Simply search for free e-books through top search engines such as Google, MSN, Yahoo etc and you will definitely find websites where you can download not just the PMBOK, but other useful study resources as well.

Wishing you the very best of luck.