Introduction

The PMP® exam contains 200 questions, of which 25 questions will not be included in the pass/fail determination. These “pretest” items, as PMI® calls them, will be randomly placed throughout the exam to gather statistical information on their performance to determine their use for future exams. The questions on the exam are distributed as follows by process group following the PMI PMP Examination Content Outline—July 2011

• 13% relate to Initiating the Project
• 24% relate to Planning the Project
• 30% relate to Executing the Project
• 25% relate to Monitoring and Controlling the Project
• 8% relate to Closing the Project

For the practice test in this book, we provide all 200 questions as if they were real questions, and the percentages above are applied to the 200 questions. There are no pretest questions in our practice exam.

There also are not a certain number of the scored 175 questions that you must answer correctly. PMI® explains in its PMP Credential Handbook—revised 12 September 2012, it generates a pass/fail score based on proficiency levels in the answers in each of the five process groups. This approach means that you will learn whether you were Proficient, Moderately Proficient or Below Proficient in each process group.

PMI® defines on page 30 of the Handbook these terms as follows:

• Proficient—performance is above average in the process group
• Moderately Proficient—performance is at the average level in the process group
• Below Proficient—performance is below average in the process group

These scores are established based on a psychometric analysis as PMI® uses subject matter experts throughout the world to establish a point in which it feels a candidate for the exam should be able to pass a question and establishes a level of difficulty for each question. We do not know the algorithm PMI® uses to establish the proficiency levels. Our practice exam, therefore, scores each question equally, which means you will learn the number of questions you answer correctly in each of the five process groups. Obviously, your goal is to be Proficient, and our goal is that this book can assist you in your quest to attain the Proficient level.

To use the study guide effectively, work on one section at a time. It does not matter which one you choose first. Start by reading the study hints. They provide useful background on the content of the PMP® exam and identify the emphasis placed on various topics. Familiarize yourself with the major topics listed. Then answer the 40 practice questions, recording your answers on the sheet provided. Finally, compare your answers with those in the answer key. The rationales provided should clarify any misconceptions you may have had, and the process group designations will give you an understanding of the types of questions you might see on the exam that relate to those process groups. For further study and clarification, you may want to consult the bibliographic reference.

After you have finished answering the questions that follow each section, it is time to take the completely rewritten and original, 200-question practice test. We recommend you take the online version first. Then, once you receive your scores, you can do some additional studying as needed and refer to the exam in the book. Note your answers on the sheet provided, compare your answers to the answer key, and use the Study Matrix in the Appendix to determine what areas you need to study further.

To make the most of this book, use it regularly. Take and retake the practice test on line or in the book. Photocopy the answer sheet in order to have a clean one each time you retake the test. Our suggestion is to score at least 80% of the questions in our practice test correctly before you take the PMP® exam.

You may want to convene a study group to compare your answers with those of your colleagues. This method of study is a powerful one. You will learn more from your colleagues than you ever thought possible! Make sure you have a solid understanding of the exam topics that are provided in each section. Consult our extensive bibliography, or other sources you have found useful, for further independent study. And, most important, create a study plan and stick to it. Your chances of success are raised dramatically when you dedicate yourself to your goal.