How I Prepare PMP Exam and Pass in Five month

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Background: I have not had formal project management training, but I have completed dozens of projects.  I aim to develop project management expertise; here is how I studied and passed the exam in three months.  (My start and end times are more than three months; the net study time is three months).

Tips:

  1. Continue small portions every day, even for 30 minutes;
  2. Take a break (one or two days) when you feel tired (or every two/three weeks);
  3. Master the mindset.

The Key:

  1. Mindset is essential: Mindset videos are here (watch it twice, one after month 1, one after month 2)
    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFi9gWOhZK4 (20 minutes)
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t87OdSsL3A (34 minutes)
  2. Repeat practice exams at least two times to understand the mindset and logic

The process:

Month 1

  1. Register on the PMI website, fill out the application, don’t submit yet
  2. Read the PMP exam contents outline: please note that after July 2026, the new contents outlines are here, you only need to know what your target/goal is
  3. Go to Udemy, select a course to study the 35 DPU prerequisites. I used https://www.udemy.com/course/ultimate-project-management-pmp-35-pdus/ it’s $19.00 when I purchased. Use about one month to finish the videos and mock exams here: OR you can buy this book, and it offers a 35 DPU online class for free ($39.00 check for updated book)

Month 2

  1. Submit the certificate to PMI and wait until it is reflected in your exam status as qualified for the exam. Read the book in one week; understand the big picture; there is no need to take too much time. Understand why the PMP is structured this way by watching this video (96 minutes) to understand the PMBO guide – the big picture view (search for updated videos if any)
  2. Buy the Study Hall for the $79 three-month version (three weeks)
    1. Do not use their knowledge study or flashcards
    2. Go directly to the practice exam by topics, work it out 1st time
    3. Go to mock exams, finish 21 exams for the 1st time

Month 3

  1. Schedule your exam
  2. Do practice and mock exams 2nd time in Study all (your score should be 65% overall ranking)
  3. To enhance the exam passing rate, buy this mock exam $14.00. Do it twice (pass the min score requirements)
  4. Take exams

I think the real benefits of getting a PMP are:

  1. Provide a framework for how to manage a task or anything. It not only helps your work but also anything in your other endeavors in life.
  2. Improve problem-solving skills
  3. Understand the stakeholders and work better with others
  4. Each person may have a different understanding after learning. For me, plan all the way from A to Z: Process, Action, People, tie up loose ends, and learn.

In terms of the exam itself, it’s not that hard, and it’s not that easy, but if you put enough time and effort into doing mock exams and understand the logic of the knowledge framework, you should be able to do it.  It’s more like a common logic applied in different scenarios.  It takes only three to six months and one test to obtain the certification. Study materials are now much cheaper; they used to cost thousands of dollars; now they are about $100 –$150. The exam itself is still expensive $500, but it’s worth it. For the other benefits of getting a PMP, click here