PMP Exam Day: Scheduling the Exam and Preparing for the Big Day

 

Once you begin to contemplate actually taking the Project Management Professional (PMP)© exam, there are several things you will need to consider besides just studying and preparing for the exam. You need to schedule the exam and secure your place at the testing center, and you’ll need to make sure you’re in the proper frame of mind to take the exam once the exam day arrives. Here are some tips for scheduling your exam and for ensuring you’re ready for the test.

Scheduling Your PMP Exam

Sooner or later, you have to set a date, draw a line in the sand, jump in feet first, and commit yourself to the Big Day. For many would-be PMP candidates, perhaps the hardest part is simply committing to an actual exam date, so pick a date and move forward!  Remember, though, that you can’t schedule your exam until you’ve submitted your PMP application and the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) has received and approved your credential fee. Make sure you keep the eligibility number you receive from PMI in your confirmation email—you’ll need it to register!

Prometric is PMI’s scheduling administration partner; it is through Prometric, rather than PMI, that you will actually arrange your exam. There are two ways to schedule your exam:

• Online. Go to the Prometric web site (www.prometric.com/pmi). You will be prompted to complete the following steps:

o    Select your state/province and country
o    Select “Schedule an Appointment”
o    Read and agree to the Policies and Data Privacy notice
o    Enter your Eligibility ID (from your confirmation email from PMI)
o    Select a test site in your area
o    Choose your examination date and time

• By telephone. An Interactive Voice Response System allows you to schedule, confirm, or change your exam. In North America, call 1-800-268-2802 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST and follow the prompts. Note that when you schedule over the phone, you will still need to print your confirmation information from the Prometric web site.

Special accommodations are also available; should you require such, you should contact Prometric directly. Remember to save all correspondence you receive from Prometric.

For more specific information about scheduling your PMP exam, refer to pages 22-23 of the PMP Credential Handbook.

Once your credential fee has been received and approved, you have a one-year period during which you are eligible to take the exam. Make sure you schedule your exam at least three months before your eligibility period expires… just in case! You can take the PMP exam up to three times over the course of the year should you not pass the exam. The re-take option is there, but try to be optimistic and pass that exam on the first try!


Preparing Yourself for Exam Day

In addition to studying for the actual exam, there are several things you’ll need to do to make sure you’re ready for the big day. It’s easy to get caught up in the “studying” and “prepping” and to forget that you actually have to take a test!

One month before the exam, schedule two vacation days from work—the day before the exam and the day of the actual exam. Your focus needs to be on taking the exam; you don’t need any distractions from your job.

One week prior to the exam, take a road trip to the actual testing site. Schedule your trip at approximately the same time you’ll need to drive to the actual exam. Go into the testing center and find the actual testing site. Ask the staff to explain the PMP© exam testing procedures to you, as well as verify what documents and identification you’ll need to bring. Also confirm what you can or cannot bring into the exam, and, if possible, ask the staff if you can peek inside the testing room. Having a mental picture of the testing room prior to the exam may help relieve some test anxiety.

On the day before your exam, take your final four-hour sample exam and review your test taking strategy. Lay out any items you’ll be taking to the exam and go to bed early. You’ll need a good night’s sleep!

Finally, the big day is here. Dress in layers so that you’re ready for anything in the testing center and can adapt as needed if the temperature changes. Make sure you eat a light, nourishing breakfast, and plan to arrive at the testing center at least half an hour early. Don’t forget to bring the following:

• The PMI® exam eligibility letter / email
• Your test appointment confirmation
• Two forms of ID (at least one must be a government issued photo ID)
• Sweater or light jacket
• Snacks and water

Take 30 minutes to review your notes, and then jump in! Definitely take the five-minute guided tour to learn about the exam interface. Spending time on the guided tour will help you relax and become familiar with the exam interface, and the tour does not count toward your exam time. Once you begin your exam, the clock starts and the four hours begin counting down. Remember that the clock keeps ticking even when you take a break; even so, be sure and give yourself a 5-10 minute break about half way through.

Studying and preparing for the PMP exam requires a lot of time, effort, and focus; however, taking the actual exam should not be forgotten. You’ve spent months—maybe even years—preparing for this day. Make sure you have a plan on how you’ll approach the exam itself.  When the timer goes off at the end of those last four hours…that’s when you can throw your cap in the air and finally breathe a sigh of relief.