PMP is a big ocean of knowledge where we can know many things. Many of the facts that we know about PMP are actually big MYTHS at times. Let us discuss the common MYTHS about PMP and the actual FACTS related to them.
MYTH 1:
PMP Certification is for people who have got a Technical background.
Fact:
PMP Certification is not only for people from the Technical background but from any Industry. Whoever qualifies the requirements mentioned for the PMI Handbook is eligible to apply for the PMP Exam.
MYTH 2:
Candidate should get at least moderately proficient in all the domains in order to pass the PMP Certification Exam.
Fact:
If a candidate scores “Below Proficient” in one domain, then also he/she can pass the PMP certification exam. People who have secured “Below Proficient” in more than one domain also have passed the PMP Certification Exam.
MYTH 3:
PMP certification Exam Passing Percentage is 61%.
Fact:
The passing percentage was 61% previously but not now. The exact passing percentage of PMP Exam is not specified in any of the official PMP document or PMI Handbook. One can confirm or ask for the marking scheme of the PMP Exam to the PMI Customer Care.
MYTH 4:
One should have experience in all the 5 Process Groups that are mentioned in the PMBoK5.
Fact:
The candidate should have minimum 5 years or 60 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which 7,500 hours to be spent in leading and directing the project if the candidate is a High School Diploma associate’s degree or global equivalent and if the candidate is having a Four Year’s Bachelor’s Degree or Global Equivalent then he/she should have minimum 3 years or 36 months of unique non-overlapping professional project management experience during which at least 4,500 hours should be spent in leading and directing the project.
MYTH 5:
PMP Certification is not for the Under Graduates.
Fact:
PMP Certification Exam is both for Graduates as well as Under Graduates provided the Under Graduates should have all the criteria fulfilled that are mentioned in the PMI handbook for applying for PMP Certification.
MYTH 6:
One needs to memorize the formulas for PMP Exam.
Fact:
There is no need to memorize the formulas for the PMP Exam. The more you memorize the more you get confused. You should try to understand the concepts related with the formulas so that you can easily attempt the tricky questions that come in the PMP Exam.
MYTH 7:
PMP Certification exam is very tough to clear.
Fact:
PMP Exam not only consists of tricky questions but also easy and straightforward ones. The tricky questions test your knowledge about the formulas that are related to PMP.
Author: Lisa Findlay