One of my colleagues taught a PMP Prep course in early April, and one of the candidates in her class took and passed the online exam.
Here is the un-edited feedback from that individual:
"First of all, I learned that if you have an in-person exam scheduled, you will not see the online option. In order to see it, you need to cancel your exam (Fees are waved for now), and then re-apply and you will see the option.
I will do a quick bullet list of things that are good to know:
• you require a working webcam and microphone
• you can not have your phone near you during the test
• the test is open 30 minutes before to allow you to do the check-in process, which I will detail below
o it performs a systems test to ensure your internet speed is sufficient, and that you have a working microphone and webcam.
o they make you take pictures of your face, your ID (drivers license, etc) and 4 pictures of your desk area (front, back, left, right)
o you sign disclaimers about not sharing details of the test,etc.
• there is a tutorial at the beginning that lets you get used to the provided calculator and whiteboard (YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED A PHYSICAL CALCULATOR OR SCRATCH PAD/PEN)
o the whiteboard has plenty of functionality, and allows you to use text, which would allow the “brain dump”
o here’s an overview of the feature https://home.pearsonvue.com/op/online-proc...eboard-overview o unfortunately the calculator must be operated with the mouse. It does not interact with your keyboard
• they make you download and install an application (OnVue) which, once the test begins takes over your full screen
• highlight/strike through options are available, but the application makes you highlight the text, and then choose strikeout or highlight (there are keyboard functions, but they are not very intuitive. I think highlight was Alt+J for example)
• There is a chat function at the top. If you click it, it calls a proctor (they won’t be immediate). I did this at the beginning just to see the feature, not realizing how it worked. They just wished me luck, and I proceeded??. This function would be used by the proctor in case of technical issues. If they could not reach you there, they would reach out via phone (this is your only exception to the phone rule)
• just a tidbit, because I was unsure – I had snacks beside me on my desk and ate them along the way, as well as water of course. They did not raise any concerns.
• The 10 minute break allowed me to use the restroom and stretch a bit. I only used around 4 minutes.
Aside from that, the interface is pretty intuitive. Everything I explained above is walked through in the tutorial.
For more information on it, here’s a link. In fact, this is where you need to go to take the test when it’s time!
https://home.pearsonvue.com/pmi/onvue"
It would be great if others who have taken the PMP exam online in the near term could share their experiences! Saving Changes...
Kara PippyBusiness Project Manager| Focus on the Family CanadaMississauga, Ontario, Canada
This is very helpful to know as I am planning to take the exam soon. Thank you for sharing. Saving Changes...
Howard JanProject Manager, Scientific Leader in CMC Drug Development| GenentechSan Diego, Ca, United States
For the online based proctoring exam, what you really should be concerned about are the technical issues. Any technical issue could make your exam revoked. I'd like to share my experiences and offer some advice. Hope they help. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know if I can be of any help.
I finally passed the online based exam today, after experiencing many technical issues between the incomplete exam and the finished one. I filled out the survey at the end of the exam about those issues and I hope they will make some improvements.
1. Make sure to take a photo for the "access code" during your check-in.
This code is the only way for you to get back in the exam if your computer crashes or freezes. With that said, stop/uninstall all unnecessary program in your computer, restart your computer, and kill the unnecessary processes in the background. Get your computer ready and restart it before the check-in.
2. You want to mitigate any risk about internet instability.
I'd connect your internet through a internet cable to your router instead of using WiFi connection, if possible. Make sure to restart (turn off for 15 seconds and turn back on) the cable modem and router right before the check-in, for the most internet stability.
3. You need a very stable webcam.
I found out that the built-in webcam in the laptop is a lot more stable during such a long time period in the exam. For some reason, a USB plugin webcam could become unstable with their proctoring program. When that happens, you lose the video stream and the proctor would likely revoke your test, if they cannot re-establish the video connection with you. Your best bet would be replace the webcam right away with a backup (implement the risk response plan) or re-plugin your webcam (a fallback plan) and hope the video connection is back. You might need the proctor to restart the proctoring program, if possible.
4. The proctor has confirmed that sometimes the program would kick you out for some reason.
When this happens, do not panic. They will let you in again immediately, and all progress is already saved. I think the program is not very compatible with many software and hardware issues. So you want to spend some time on your computer beforehand and keep it as simple and robust as possible.
5. The whiteboard offered is the same as the first google result of "online whiteboard practice". It's a pain to use so I'd practice on using it. Personally I would try to memorize all the stuff and avoid using it for "brain dump". Practice on drawing the network diagram in the most efficient way. For example, A4 B5 C2 represent 4 days activity for A and so on. If you space everything well, you can skip drawing the lines and arrows. The exam is not likely to give you a crazy diagram to draw.
6. The calculator can only be operated by mouse. Do not sweat trying to use the number keypad on your keyboard.
7. You get to mark any question you want. You get to click the buttons and see the list of all questions, only marked questions, and unanswered questions anytime during the exam. You can choose to review/do any questions anytime during the exam, except the 10 minutes break rule.
8. If you choose a second language when you schedule the exam. All questions and the correspondence screens (all the buttons on the screen, the agreements to click, prompts for next steps, and etc.) will be displayed with the second language you choose. However you get to click on a button and show the questions in English, when each question comes up.
9. When you do the check-in, the video window will show up. This is your last chance to use the restroom. Once you are back and the proctor started the check-in process, you are not allowed to leave. The proctor will review the photos of you, your ID and your room that were submitted by you. He/she will ask you (through audio) to use your webcam to show the room 360 degree. You will be asked to unplug your other computer monitors if any. During the exam, no one will be able to speak with you, but there is a "Chat" button for you to call the proctor and chat about any issue or concern.
10. After you answer the 89th or 90th question, you get to review the first 90 questions (for however long you want) before taking the 10 minutes break. They won't be available for your review after the break. You want to watch the clock and decide how much time you want to spend for this step. You get to choose to take a break or not. You can end the break sooner if you'd like to. If you are late to be back, the exam time will be deducted accordingly.
11. No food, gum, or drink is allowed, but you can drink water. If you have identified a risk of any potential urgent call, I suggest preparing a bucket just in case. You can use a massage chair if you would like to! You can even get out of your chair and kneel down for a change. Just make sure your face is in the camera at all times. :)
12. Out of the 200 questions, only 175 of them will be graded, as the other 25 are for their "experiments". While I did find a handful of challenging questions, I could not count up to 25 "weird" questions. There were a good mix of difficult, medium, and straightforward questions. I'd say 90% of the questions were situational. You have to know what process it is about and choose the right answer according to its ITTO, the best action, or the next action.
13. For each question, you just click on the answer you choose and it is already saved in the system. Once you click done with all 200 questions or the time is up, you are informed whether you pass the exam or not in the very next screen!
It's very interesting that I have found quite a few questions that look very familiar from some of the practice exams I did. Lots of practice exams are essential for beating this beast!
Good luck!
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3 replies by Howard Jan, Sergey Shoshin, and Suzanne John
Jun 01, 2020 9:23 AM
Suzanne John
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I had my exam last Friday during which the exam closed twice on its own & prompted me to relaunch. The second time however, there was a screen that said the proctor has closed the exam - thank you for taking the exam. I was barely 45 minutes into my exam!
I never got to complete my exam & did not receive any notification via chat or call from the proctor. Being a weekend, neither PMI nor Pearson Vue was available for any support. I have even received my "result" from PMI for an exam that I never got to complete due to issues from their third party.
I am curious to understand how you were able to have your issue resolved & how long did it take for a resolution?
I am currently just very disturbed by this lack of support from PMI & Pearson Vue.
Jun 25, 2020 4:39 PM
Howard Jan
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Sorry I don't check this board often. Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
I would suggest keep everything documented via chatting with the proctor and making sure every step is going well. In that way, when they investigate the issues, there would be some records favoring your defense. Then you get to retake the exam for free.
Jul 03, 2020 2:07 PM
Sergey Shoshin
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Hi all. Maybe these links would be helpful (haven't found them while reading the thread).
Hello,
For the questions, once you mark an answer ; is it considered "Final" , or can I review all questions at the end of the exam if I have time left.
Or is "marked for review" the only way to review questions
The exam is divided into two sections.
First section contains 90 Qs and second section contains 110 Qs.
Once you answer the first 90 Qs you can review all the 90 Qs or only the ones you have flagged(marked for review). After which you have to end the review. Please note, once you end the review you will not be able to return to the questions from the first section of the exam.
Once you end the review for the first section, you can take an optional break of 10 mins. Please note again, once your 10-minute break is over, you will not be able to return to the questions from the first section of the exam.
The break does not count to your exam time. You are allowed to leave the room.
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1 reply by Nidhi Bhargav
May 27, 2020 5:38 PM
Nidhi Bhargav
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thank you for the clarification.
Saving Changes...
Anonymous
May 21, 2020 9:51 AM
Replying to Shady Bassily
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The break starts automatic or u ask for the break ? also is the 10 min break optional or up to the student.....can the student resume the test after 5 min only ?
After you answer the first 90 Qs and complete your review, you will be asked whether you want to take a break. The break is optional. The break is for max. 10 mins., you can resume your test anytime within 10 mins.
The break does not count to your exam time. You are allowed to leave the room.
Please note, once your break is over, you will not be able to return to the questions from the first section(90 Qs) of the exam. Saving Changes...
I passed my online PMP exam today.
Here's my experience:
1. The check-in process was smooth. You download the onVue software - Perform system test - Take pictures of yourself, ID and the room/desk where you plan to take the exam.
2. Next you confirm that you are ready to begin the exam and wait until the proctor initiates the exam (your laptop is locked at this point & all actions recorded).
3. There is a 10-minute in-built break after 90 questions. You can wish to skip it but I choose to take it. It's important to note that you can't review the first 90 questions afterwards...so make sure to review them before starting the break.
4. I didn't use the whiteboard, so can't say if it is good or bad.
5. The only problem I faced was with the calculator (I couldn't find it on the screen toolbar). I contacted the proctor via chat but she wasn't sure either. So I managed without it since I only had 5-6 questions involving calculations.
Overall, I think it is a very good workable channel to take PMP exam as long as you can have a distraction free environment. Try not to move your hands often or touch your face or move away from the screen.
Thanks,
Mohit
Congratulations Mohit Saving Changes...
Pierre-Marie FABINCapital Contracts Projects Manager| ANDRITZ ASSELIN THIBEAUSotteville-Les-Rouen, Normandie, France
May 22, 2020 6:33 AM
Replying to anonymous
...
Hi Pierre,
You can call PMI on the number +1-610-356-4600 (Select Option #8).
Thank you very much Anonymous. I'll contact them today.
For information - WHAT A SHAME!!! - PearsonVue still not recontacted me. I did it 3 times, and they always promised me to respond in the next 2 working days. I'm really very frustrated from this not professional company...
In the meantime, I'm loosing my brain preparation / training.
Who can advise me what is the best mock up tests website that better reflects the hard questions of the PMP exam? for free or the cheapest if possible. I used to train on expensive platforms, and I'm not satisfy, they are idiot proof questions and not as hard as the real exam.
Thank you all for your advises and help.
Pierre
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3 replies by Howard Jan, Jared Padgett, and Phil Akinwale
May 27, 2020 10:58 AM
Phil Akinwale
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So sorry to hear that. How frustrating. I have a free 10 question test available on our site. https://tinyurl.com/mockpmp10q Password is pmpdondada (it is a blind test with no answers given so it can be taken until 10/10 is achieved).
Have you taken PMI's mock exam? That one has got to be the worst and most decadent (in a good way). Most people can barely pass it from what I gather. Straight from the horse's mouth.
Jun 02, 2020 5:16 PM
Jared Padgett
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I found the Head First PMP practice exam useful. It's not an online exam, but there are both print and ebook formats.
Jun 25, 2020 5:07 PM
Howard Jan
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I agree with PMI's own mock exam but it has only 200 questions. I scored barely above 70%, and that's when I realized that I needed more quality practice exams. I recommend PM PrepCast for the best questions, followed by RMC simulator. Do not go to PM MasterPrep because they are irresponsible and unethical. SimpliLearn's questions are outdated and also irresponsible. If you find any other sources with questions close to PMI's mock exam, go with them!
Saving Changes...
Phil AkinwaleProject Management & Leadership Speaker, Coach, Trainer & Author| PRAIZIONMesa, Az, United States
May 27, 2020 10:51 AM
Replying to Pierre-Marie FABIN
...
Thank you very much Anonymous. I'll contact them today.
For information - WHAT A SHAME!!! - PearsonVue still not recontacted me. I did it 3 times, and they always promised me to respond in the next 2 working days. I'm really very frustrated from this not professional company...
In the meantime, I'm loosing my brain preparation / training.
Who can advise me what is the best mock up tests website that better reflects the hard questions of the PMP exam? for free or the cheapest if possible. I used to train on expensive platforms, and I'm not satisfy, they are idiot proof questions and not as hard as the real exam.
Thank you all for your advises and help.
Pierre
So sorry to hear that. How frustrating. I have a free 10 question test available on our site. https://tinyurl.com/mockpmp10q Password is pmpdondada (it is a blind test with no answers given so it can be taken until 10/10 is achieved).
Have you taken PMI's mock exam? That one has got to be the worst and most decadent (in a good way). Most people can barely pass it from what I gather. Straight from the horse's mouth. Saving Changes...
First section contains 90 Qs and second section contains 110 Qs.
Once you answer the first 90 Qs you can review all the 90 Qs or only the ones you have flagged(marked for review). After which you have to end the review. Please note, once you end the review you will not be able to return to the questions from the first section of the exam.
Once you end the review for the first section, you can take an optional break of 10 mins. Please note again, once your 10-minute break is over, you will not be able to return to the questions from the first section of the exam.
The break does not count to your exam time. You are allowed to leave the room.
thank you for the clarification. Saving Changes...
Abdelhamid CHELGHOUMProject construction manager | Sonatrach groupBatna, Batna, Algeria
Hi All,
Thanks for sharing all those information's
Are we allowed to smoke?
Are questions similar to the ones in Rita simulator?
Thanks in advance
Hamid
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1 reply by Howard Jan
Jun 25, 2020 5:10 PM
Howard Jan
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RMC has 1600+ questions. Some are similar but there are many too easy to be in the real exam. The real exam is all about situational questions.
Saving Changes...
Nathan BestSite Supervisor and Safety Coordinator| York Habitat for HumanityPa, United States
Apr 27, 2020 7:58 PM
Replying to Mohit Joshi
...
I passed my online PMP exam today.
Here's my experience:
1. The check-in process was smooth. You download the onVue software - Perform system test - Take pictures of yourself, ID and the room/desk where you plan to take the exam.
2. Next you confirm that you are ready to begin the exam and wait until the proctor initiates the exam (your laptop is locked at this point & all actions recorded).
3. There is a 10-minute in-built break after 90 questions. You can wish to skip it but I choose to take it. It's important to note that you can't review the first 90 questions afterwards...so make sure to review them before starting the break.
4. I didn't use the whiteboard, so can't say if it is good or bad.
5. The only problem I faced was with the calculator (I couldn't find it on the screen toolbar). I contacted the proctor via chat but she wasn't sure either. So I managed without it since I only had 5-6 questions involving calculations.
Overall, I think it is a very good workable channel to take PMP exam as long as you can have a distraction free environment. Try not to move your hands often or touch your face or move away from the screen.
