Feedback from those who have taken the online PMP exam

My PMP exam was scheduled today but I was unable to appear due to technical glitch. Just before the exam I did system check and it was successful then I proceeded for the exam, logged in and got the access key for exam but couldn't begin the exam as the network speed test failed every time and at the same time when I was running the system test with dummy access key it was showing successful. I ran system test yesterday and at the time of scheduling the exam as well every time it was successful. I took all the screenshots as well today. My internet speed was showing around 1.4- 3.8 mbps speed. I immediately wrote email to PMI customer care with all the screenshots. At the same time did chat with Pearsonvue customer care and my chat was transferred from one person to another and I was continued writing my concern again and again then the 3rd person logged my case and given a reference number by stating that I need to wait for 5 days and they'll revert back by email. It's not a good experience. Due to Covid situation the exam centers are also closed. I hope PMI and pearsonvue should resolve my issue and allow me to reschedule my exam without charging any additional fee.

Thanks for sharing this Kiron, very useful feedback.

Thanks for sharing this Kiron, very useful feedback.

I faced exactly the same issue, all system requirements everything was fine. I have been given a case number after getting errors on exam date August 3, still there is no resolution. I have been on call today since morning and pearson vue getting the status for the case. They then transferred the call to PMI and still no resolution. Really frustrating.

Hello,
Thursday I took in-person PMP exam at Pearson Vue and failed. I going to pay for the retake exam and scheduled for a month from now.

At the last exam attempt, I didn't feel comfortable using the sound cancelling headset Pearson Vue provided. It started to hurt after about 1 1/2 hours into the exam, plus I was wearing a mask which I kept opening at the bottom for fresh air.
I finished exam with 2 minutes to spare even though I had to call in the proctor twice with questions about reviewing my flagged questions.
That being said, I didn't have any issue with the online calculator for the in-person exam.

Question 1: Is the ONLINE exam calculator function key's position on the computer screen different than the IN-PERSON calculator function key's position on the screen?
I read the post above where the online exam taker could not find the calculator function key and only used I guess the white board, very time consuming.
I had no issue with the in-person calculator. The key is at the top on the horizontal tool bar.

During my in-person exam:
- My approach for the first half: I didn't flag any questions, that way I didn't have to watch the timer or worry about going back to review questions.
- Second half: Any math questions I flagged. I went back to them toward the end.
A couple of times, I took a mini break to calculate how much time I had left for each question, knowing I had to do flagged questions too. This kept me with a pace I needed. I had about 17 minutes at the end to go back to 5 math questions I had flagged.
Unfortunately, I didn't choose the right answers often enough!

Question 2: I noticed the online individual simulators have 1500 or so questions for about $139 or so. Why so many questions!!! I'd rather have two or three different authors.
I believe using one 3rd party vendor simulator author is a disadvantage because none of these 3rd party PMP vendor authors write the exam questions for PMI's PMP exam. All the 3rd party vendor authors are a disadvantage because of different word pattern usage and word substitution compared to PMI authors.
So do you or other of your colleagues have a couple of suggestions for decent 3rd party vendor authors that are more inline with the word pattern approach that the PMI authors use to present the PMP exam questions?
Thank you for your time. This is my first post on this site! The PMI rep mentioned below directed me to this forum.

While talking to the PMI rep after I failed the exam, he said starting in January, all 3rd party vendors who teach PMP online courses will be reacquired to only use PMI provide material which will eliminate this word pattern or word replacement issue, I'm convince. But for me this will not serve now as a benefit.
So do you have recommendations of TWO 3rd party vendors that are more inline with how PMI authors present PMP exam questions?
I don't think it is an advantage to only use one 3rd party vendor author either because of the described issue, unless he is a PMP Super Hero! :))

Donna

Sorry to hear that you didn't pass but don't feel discouraged. I personally find PM PrepCast and RMC Solutions simulation exams to be the best if you want my opinion.

Good Luck with your second attempt, hopefully it will be a pass.

RK