How Long Do You Have To Study For The PMP Exam?

Project Management Professionals (PMPs) are highly sought-after specialists in many businesses. The Project Management Institute (PMI) requires the PMP® certification to be earned through a challenging exam; preparation is essential. How long should I prepare for the PMP exam? It is a question you've asked yourself if you're trying to advance in your job.

Today, passing the PMP test is considered one of the most challenging tasks. If you're wondering How Long it takes to Study for the PMP Exam, the estimated time to prepare for it is between two and six months. To learn more, continue reading!  

How Much Time Should Be Spent Studying For The PMP Exam

For the PMP exam, there is no predetermined study time. Different people require different amounts of time to study for the PMP exam. Roughly 80% of questions on the PMP exam are situational. To meet the exam requirements, you will need to meet them by improving your knowledge and comprehension of the topics. 

One needs to devote 100–150 hours of self-study before applying for the PMP if they have sufficient experience and have completed formal PMP training, which could take two to three months. Only a small number of those who took the project management certificate course were cleared in three weeks, while others needed months. 

Check:How hard is the PMP exam and How to Crack it?

Factors Affecting The Time To Study for the PMP Exam

You must first evaluate your study materials to estimate how much time you will need to prepare for your PMP exam. The "Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK) is typically cited for PMP exams. These factors would determine how long it would take to study for the PMP exam:

1. Quantity Of Study Material :

Thirteen chapters in the PMBOK guide address the PMI knowledge domain. The training materials supplied by your institution are usually the easiest to understand, so if you're taking a course or training, start by studying them. You may go on to the actual guide if you fully grasp the subject covered in the readings. The total amount of content will be crucial in determining how long to study for the PMP exam.

Stay focused on one chapter or topic at a time; most of the training content typically follows the PMBOK guide pattern. Try to complete the chapter's example questions after you've done reading it through in this manner. It will serve as your self-evaluation.

2. Time Required:

The typical time required to study the switch between training materials and the PMBOK guide is nine to ten hours, depending on the chapter size. Generally speaking, it will take you 120 hours to complete all 13 chapters. Spend time answering total sample-length questions once you've finished all the chapters to help you prepare for the test.

Working through example PMP exam questions for 25 to 30 hours can boost your confidence and enable you to perform on the test to the best of your abilities. You must also complete a 35-hour training course to be eligible for the PMP exam. Usually, this training session lasts between two and three months. In addition to the actual training, the self-study phase is around 145–150 hours.

3. Other considerations:

It's not the case for everyone, but an approximate estimate of courses and study methods leads us to believe that the PMP exam preparation time is 150 hours. You may finish it sooner than anticipated or need more time than expected, depending on how well you can retain and comprehend the information in your PMP study material. When you study for the tests, remember to allow yourself an excess of 10 to 60 hours.

It will take you 50 days to prepare for the PMP exam, assuming you can study for three hours daily. In the same way, you might require 70 days to check if it lasts up to 210 hours. Based on the depth of your learning, choose your study timetable.

How Do You Prepare Yourself For The PMP Exam? Balance Everything Perfectly

When preparing for the PMP Exam, there are other things to consider. The PMBOK handbook, for example, is a good reference for the PMP test, which you can utilize to your advantage. The guide can schedule the topics and determine how much time to spend on each. Here are some PMP exam tips and tricks that will help you in preparation:

• Be Aware Of The Exam Requirements

Ensure you meet the requirements before studying for the PMP exam. As per PMI, you must possess either a four-year degree and a minimum of three years of project management experience or a high school certificate and a minimum of five years of project management experience. In addition, you must have finished 35 hours of project management instruction or training. You can review the information on the PMI website and submit an online application. If accepted, you have a year to arrange and take the test.

• Make A Plan For Your Studies

Creating a study plan that suits your schedule, learning style, and objectives is essential to preparing for the PMP exam. This plan should have a timeline with due dates and milestones, a catalog of resources and study materials, a way to monitor performance and progress, a technique for reviewing and solidifying knowledge, and a backup plan in case of unforeseen circumstances or difficulties. It will ensure you have enough time to study for the test.

• Proper Management Of Time 

It can be challenging to balance working and taking on other obligations with finding adequate time to study for the PMP exam. Time management is critical to maximizing every learning opportunity. A few strategies to help you maximize your time include creating a regular study schedule, using a planner or calendar to prioritize tasks, reducing or eliminating interruptions and distractions, segmenting study sessions into manageable chunks, utilizing a variety of learning formats and techniques to vary your learning, and making use of your commute, breaks, and downtime for review or practice.

• Seek Assistance And Direction

Studying for the PMP exam can be challenging, but you don't have to do it alone. You can look to sources of people for help and direction: your manager or employer, who might be able to provide you with resources or incentives; your peers or colleagues, who might be able to share their knowledge or advice; your family or friends, who might be able to inspire you or offer support; your mentor or coach, who might be able to provide you with challenges or advice; and your study group or community, which might be able to assist you or work with you.

PMP Exam Success- Essential Resources For Preparation

You can use various outside resources for the PMP exam study plan. These are optional PMP Exam Study resources that function differently for each individual. As a result, most things might not have the same effect on you as they do on other people. In the same way, while some of these resources may not have benefited others much, they may prove to be helpful to you. It is up to you to choose what would be most beneficial for you to learn. The following collection of resources will assist you in getting ready for the PMP exam. 

1. PMP Podcasts

Podcasts are visual and audio recordings of pertinent conversations between a host and a guest. The remote learning choices offered by PMI are a few instances of PMP podcasts. These work brilliantly for folks who learn information better by hearing it, and they can be accessible from anywhere as they are digitally saved. 

2. Question Banks Of PMP 

Question banks are collections of recently updated examples and frequently asked exam questions. These serve as excellent assessment tools for candidates. Oliver Lehman question banks can be a handy tool for exam preparation. Oliver Lehman's 100 Questions and Oliver Lehman's 180 Questions are the two books available.

3. PMP Study Guides, Flashcards

Simple study techniques called flashcards are based on the traditional use of cards with the title of a subject on one side and meaningful and pertinent details on the other. As a revision tool, these can assist candidates in quickly refreshing their memories. These days, flashcards can be created online or in physical copy, which makes them more practical.

4. PMP Formulas 

PMP formulas are included in PMP guides, which you can utilize to review subjects that typically evade you swiftly, getting you ready to remember them during the PMP exam practice tests.

Make Your PMP Exam Journey More Strong

Ready to start studying for the PMP exam? Through its PMP® certification training course, Simpliaxis provides excellent training resources. Though experts often commit three to six months, the appropriate study period varies from person to person. To ensure you are well-prepared for the PMP® certification process, evaluate your existing knowledge, make a structured plan, and use this training.

Final Thoughts 

Depending on your capability, PMP preparations can take 3 to 6 months. However, proper planning can be done in as little as one to two months. Yet having the right tools is essential for getting ready. Therefore, the best PMP exam preparation course is the one you should choose.

Following the PMP audit's approval of your application, you have a year to set up your exam. You must put your all into your preparation for the PMP exam because PMI does not provide a minimum passing score. Set a goal to answer 80% of the exam questions accurately.