Introduction
Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification can make you stand out against the competition in the field of project management. If you’ve wondered how to become PMP certified, know that you must first complete work experience, training courses and an exam.
In this article, we’ll explore how to become PMP certified and how PMP certification can help you level up your project management career.
What is PMP Certification?
Professional certifications confirm your job abilities and enable you to educate more about vital topics and industry- based practices helpful in everyday activities.
In the realm of project management, the PMP certification is the most generally recognized. The Project Management Institute (PMI), releases PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). When it comes to project management theories, the PMBOK is the cornerstone of learning.
PMP certification indicates a thorough understanding of the PMBOK concepts. This distinction might help you stand out from the crowd and obtain acknowledged qualifications in your profession.
The Benefits of PMP Certification
Increased Salary
In the United States, PMPs earn around 32% more than their non-certified project management colleagues.
Enhanced Industry Reputation
The PMBOK is published by the Project Management Institute, the world’s foremost organization for project management information. PMI accreditation holds a lot of weight in the project management sector.
Career Opportunities
When it comes to searching for better or new opportunities in project management, having the PMP certification can make you more valuable.
How to Become PMP Certified?
The PMP exam is one of the most difficult tests available. As a result, you must be highly strategic and diligent in your test preparation. The following procedures will assist you to become PMP Certified.
Check Your Eligibility
The first step is to determine whether you are eligible to take the exam. PMP certification has three requirements. They are as follows:
Project Management Experience
First and foremost, you must have relevant project management expertise. If you worked on many projects in the same month, only one of them will be considered. Furthermore, the experiences you have earned must have occurred in a professional setting.
If you hold a Bachelor’s degree, you must have three years of professional project management experience. If you simply have high school graduation, you will require 5 years of professional project management experience. As aforementioned, job experiences must not be overlapping.
Hours Served as a Project Leader on Projects
Unlike the last requirement, you can consider the total hours spent in a leadership potential on many projects, even if they overlap. This part assesses your capacity to oversee and lead a team to deliver projects while adhering to a schedule, cost, and scope restrictions.
With a Bachelor’s degree, you can accumulate a total of 4,500 hours of project leadership experience. If you hold a Diploma, you must possess a total of 7,500 hours of project leadership experience.
Formal Education Hours in Project Management
You must have 35 hours of formal project management training before enrolling for the PMP certification test. This is valid for both a bachelor’s and a high school diploma.
If you have attended a seminar or a training session, you can consider it to be formal project management education. Nevertheless, you must include the specific names and times of the classes, seminars, or workshops.
Fill Out the Application Form
After reviewing the prerequisites, simply fill out the PMP application form and send it to the PMI. It might take up to 2-3 weeks to complete the audit.
Get 35 Hours of Formal Education
If you have not yet completed this prerequisite, finish it smoothly. You can enroll in the online professional course in project management for a comprehensive project management training course.
Create a Dedicated Study Plan
You can finish your PMP certification preparation in 30 days. With an average of 2 hours of consistent study every day, this focused study plan will equip you for the examination. Continue reading the PMP certification study guide to acquire the certification within one month of preparation.
Register in a PMP Certification Course
The first step is to register for a PMP course. You can check out boot camps that last 4 to 5 days. Furthermore, online PMP learning classes are available.
The professional course in project management is ideal for job holders as they are engaged with their tasks on the job. The course duration can even be included toward the 35-hour formal education requirement.
Determine Your Knowledge Gaps and Abilities
After enrolling in the training program or online course, you will be able to test your decision-making gaps for the PMP exam. This involves determining the scope of your present knowledge. In this scenario, comprehensive PMP certification preparation would be really beneficial.
You should think about the domains in which you have the weakest expertise and the kinds of organizing skills that you lack. Furthermore, determine your organizational capabilities, academic understandings, and project implementation expertise.
Take PMP Mock Exams
For good preparation, a 1-month study plan will necessitate that you take mock examinations. As a result, you should take as many practice examinations as possible before taking the actual exam.
There are several PMP test simulators available that walk you through the exam setting and topics on the actual PMP exam.
Make Quick Decisions and Respond to Questions
Most of the PMP exam questions will put you in settings that will challenge your critical thinking and analytical skills. You will need to make fast, effective judgments.
As a result, you must plan to improve your capacity to strategize, determine, and execute. Along with your learning, make time to practice scenarios that will help you develop all of these skills.
A One-month Study Plan to Become PMP Certified
The following study plan is designed, keeping in mind that you have a maximum of 6 weeks before the exam. The plan includes 3 rounds.
Round One
The first phase of the study plan comprised a 1-month study schedule. For this objective, you should explore the PMP examination books and standard guide.
You should spend two days here learning well about Project Management Framework. The remaining 20 days can be spent studying the PMP exam’s ten areas of knowledge. Each knowledge area should be given at least two days.
These knowledge areas are Time Management, Quality Management, Cost Management, Risk Management, Integration Management, Scope Management, Procurement Management, Human Resource Management, and Communications Management.
Every day you should concentrate on the fundamentals and create a mind map by jotting down the main elements. You should take a mock test as soon as you complete studying each knowledge section. With this approach, you can anticipate the kind of questions that can be asked and apply your knowledge to them.
Second Round
You should do two things in this round. To begin, the PMBOK handbook will have 47 Project Management Processes. Every day, devote a substantial amount of time sketching these procedures on the paper.
Second, write down the Earned Value (EV) calculation formula on the paper every day. This will be useful for the actual test.
Examine the Project Planning Process from your writing and the Earned Value calculation formula. In addition, take entire 200-question mock tests, which are accessible in several PMP exam simulators.
Round Three
The final stage is entirely optional. If you have the time, you can study for another 10 to 15 days to go over what you’ve studied.
You can spend 10 days going over each knowledge area. Then, set aside a day to sit another full PMP mock test. Ultimately, you can concentrate on the weaker areas of knowledge just a few days before the final exam date.
Conclusion
Obtaining a PMP certification is not easy, but it is possible with a professional course in project management. Regardless of how hectic your life is, learning how to acquire PMP certification swiftly can help you keep on track and retain consistency. The study plan regimen includes studying, practice, mock tests, and a last-minute revision. If you follow these strategies properly, you will definitely become PMP certified. Indeed, PMP-certified professionals shine brilliantly in the business world.
FAQs
Q1: What is the PMP exam application procedure?
To begin, you must complete the online application form after carefully filling it out with your information. The PMI will then examine your application. If your application is accepted, PMI will provide you with a confirmation email in which you will be required to pay the exam fee. After you pay the fees you can book your exam or go through the auditing procedure if necessary.
Q2: What happens once you have passed the PMP exam?
If you pass the test, the PMI will send you a message congratulating and affirming that you will get your certificate in around four to six weeks at the address you provided to the PMI when you filled out the application form. After passing the test, you can use the title “PMP” instantaneously.
- Is PMP 2022 a good investment?
PMP certification is worth it because it can help you to earn 16% more than non-credentialed professionals. Furthermore, PMP can provide a return on investment of up to 300%.
