The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam is widely considered one of the toughest and most demanding professional certification exams out there. As the gold standard in project management credentials globally, earning the PMP designation is no walk in the park.

So exactly why is achieving PMP certification so challenging? Let’s analyze the key factors.  

Breadth of Content Covered

The PMP exam thoroughly tests your knowledge across the entire spectrum of project management with an expansive content coverage. There are roughly 500 questions covering over 50 project management processes spanning:

  • Project Integration Management
  • Project Scope Management  
  • Project Schedule Management
  • Project Cost Management
  • Project Quality Management
  • Project Resource Management
  • Project Communications Management
  • Project Risk Management
  • Project Procurement Management  
  • Project Stakeholder Management

Not only do you need to understand these detailed processes comprehensively, but also the various inputs, tools & techniques, and outputs of each one. The huge scope of content makes structuring your preparation strategically crucial. Attempting to master it all is incredibly daunting.  

Analytical and Application-Based Questions

The questions go far beyond just testing your recall. A majority of the questions provide situational scenarios and project dilemmas, asking you to analyze and determine the most fitting response. 

For example, you’ll be given a project scenario with some issues arising and alternative actions proposed by team members. You must evaluate the choices, weigh the risks and implications, consider the tradeoffs, and decide the best course of action.

This requires strong critical thinking skills. You have to leverage not just what you know, but more importantly, how well you can apply judgment to the given contexts. This expansive analysis under pressure makes the exam extremely tough for many.

 

Rapid Pace  of Exam   

Adding to the challenge is the rapid pace you need to maintain to complete the exam in time. For 200 questions, you only get 3 hours and 50 minutes total – that’s just 1.15 minutes per question on average. This time constraint pressures you to think analytically yet quickly in order to progress steadily through the long sequence of questions. Slow test takers will invariably struggle to finish in time.

Moderate Pass Rates

The actual pass rates also support the exam difficulty. Based on PMI’s yearly exam performance reports, the average global pass rate ranges from 60-65%. Compared to many other professional certifications, this pass rate on the lower end cementing the PMP exam’s reputation as a highly difficult test.

Those without formal PM training or sufficient hands-on project experience often fail their first few attempts, while those with preparation passing on their 1st or 2nd attempts typically. This discrepancy further reveals the importance of thorough preparation.  

Time Required for Preparation  

Speaking of preparation, how long does it take to prepare for the PMP exam? For experienced project managers, a minimum of 3 months intense prep is typically recommended. However, for those newer to the PM field, preparation duration easily extends to 6 to 12 full months.

Remember, attaining the 35 contact hours of formal project management education is a mandatory eligibility requirement. When factoring in time for this PM coursework, overall prep duration can be substantial. But investing ample time to prepare systematically is vital to eventually achieve exam success.

The Bottom Line  

While passing the PMP exam is absolutely attainable for most professionals willing to put in the effort, the path is filled with challenges. The expansive content scope, situational analysis questions, rapid pace, moderate pass rates and long preparation duration all contribute to the PMP’s reputation as one of the toughest professional certification exams today.

With diligent preparation, however, the PMP credential remains within reach. Devising a strategic study plan, leveraging high-quality education resources, gaining PM experience, and allowing adequate prep time all set you up for that coveted PMP after your name.

SDL provides PMI® Authorized PMP® Exam Prep Course in Mississauga. Contact today to know more.