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...
Today is my Exam day. I check in 30 minute before appointment time. I succesfully passed system checking and upload photo. I wait my proctor so long. My proctor didn't show up. I wait about 30 minutes and my proctor start my Exam. In the middle of Exam my proctor say my video feed was error and he told me to restart my laptop. I do what he say and open onvue again. My proctor continue my Exam and i have done 162 question before another proctor come and said my video feed was error. Iam confused because the first proctor didn't say anything after i restart my laptop and continue Exam . But second proctor come and say there was an error. He revoke my Exam that i have done 162 question. Give me ticket case . I try to communicate with him to trouble shoot my error like offering restarting my laptop or change my internet provider because it just a little bit i finish my exam. But he refuse and closed my Exam. By the way i have face the same issue 2 Times and i think i have no clue what i must doing
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1 reply by Agung Saputra
Nov 14, 2020 6:37 PM
Agung Saputra
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I have solve my issue. Try to use usb webcam. It will help. Thanks pmi and pearson vue
Saving Changes...
Tamara TankosicGlobal Business Development Manager| Global Airport ConciergeLondon, Eng, United Kingdom
Hey everyone! I have my exam in 10 days, so nervous! I have only been doing my online exams with using Word and my computer calculator, just so I'm used to it, but had a question on how you did the critical path using the online exam? Was it difficult to draw it out? I've been doing this with the Word smart draw feature and it still takes me 2x longer than when done on paper. Thanks!
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1 reply by Janna Meneghello
Nov 18, 2020 4:00 PM
Janna Meneghello
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Did you ever get the answer to your question? How did it go?
Today is my Exam day. I check in 30 minute before appointment time. I succesfully passed system checking and upload photo. I wait my proctor so long. My proctor didn't show up. I wait about 30 minutes and my proctor start my Exam. In the middle of Exam my proctor say my video feed was error and he told me to restart my laptop. I do what he say and open onvue again. My proctor continue my Exam and i have done 162 question before another proctor come and said my video feed was error. Iam confused because the first proctor didn't say anything after i restart my laptop and continue Exam . But second proctor come and say there was an error. He revoke my Exam that i have done 162 question. Give me ticket case . I try to communicate with him to trouble shoot my error like offering restarting my laptop or change my internet provider because it just a little bit i finish my exam. But he refuse and closed my Exam. By the way i have face the same issue 2 Times and i think i have no clue what i must doing
I have solve my issue. Try to use usb webcam. It will help. Thanks pmi and pearson vue Saving Changes...
Janna MeneghelloSenior Project Manager | TELUSCoquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
I just had my application approved and I'm debating on taking it in person the cons are wearing the mask but I'm very skeptical of having to use the white board and online calculator.
When you take the test in person, they allow you to have 1 piece of paper and a calculator, right?
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2 replies by Kiron Bondale and Tamara Tankosic
Nov 19, 2020 7:54 AM
Kiron Bondale
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Janna -
the calculator is built into the exam application itself so you wouldn't get a physical calculator.
Kiron
Nov 21, 2020 6:09 PM
Tamara Tankosic
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Hey Janna, no answers but I found an online whiteboard someone said is really similar to the one used on the exam so tried making a critical path on it. It was like using Paint. It's ok just got to get handy with making it quickly (probably gonna look like a mess). My test is in two days so will provide feedback once I've finished it!
Saving Changes...
Janna MeneghelloSenior Project Manager | TELUSCoquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nov 14, 2020 2:17 PM
Replying to Tamara Tankosic
...
Hey everyone! I have my exam in 10 days, so nervous! I have only been doing my online exams with using Word and my computer calculator, just so I'm used to it, but had a question on how you did the critical path using the online exam? Was it difficult to draw it out? I've been doing this with the Word smart draw feature and it still takes me 2x longer than when done on paper. Thanks!
Did you ever get the answer to your question? How did it go? Saving Changes...
I just had my application approved and I'm debating on taking it in person the cons are wearing the mask but I'm very skeptical of having to use the white board and online calculator.
When you take the test in person, they allow you to have 1 piece of paper and a calculator, right?
Janna -
the calculator is built into the exam application itself so you wouldn't get a physical calculator.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Tamara TankosicGlobal Business Development Manager| Global Airport ConciergeLondon, Eng, United Kingdom
Nov 18, 2020 3:55 PM
Replying to Janna Meneghello
...
I just had my application approved and I'm debating on taking it in person the cons are wearing the mask but I'm very skeptical of having to use the white board and online calculator.
When you take the test in person, they allow you to have 1 piece of paper and a calculator, right?
Hey Janna, no answers but I found an online whiteboard someone said is really similar to the one used on the exam so tried making a critical path on it. It was like using Paint. It's ok just got to get handy with making it quickly (probably gonna look like a mess). My test is in two days so will provide feedback once I've finished it!
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1 reply by Tanvir Mirza
Nov 23, 2020 8:27 PM
Tanvir Mirza
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Hi Tamara! Looking forward to getting your exam experience. Good Luck.
I pass the PMP Exam online in October, to be honest, I face lots of problems, for example, I was asked two times during the exam to show me pics and video of the room, after making two times videos I was two times to make pictures of the room, and some other problems I have which as related internet, but still it is good and I like it.
as it was my first time giving an online exam I was really worried to not face any problem and PMI will doubt and they will lock the exam but it was good that not face any difficulty in tell end, but when I see the message congratulation so I lost all the problems. Saving Changes...
Tanvir MirzaSenior Project Manager| Service New BrunswickFredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Nov 21, 2020 6:09 PM
Replying to Tamara Tankosic
...
Hey Janna, no answers but I found an online whiteboard someone said is really similar to the one used on the exam so tried making a critical path on it. It was like using Paint. It's ok just got to get handy with making it quickly (probably gonna look like a mess). My test is in two days so will provide feedback once I've finished it!
Hi Tamara! Looking forward to getting your exam experience. Good Luck. Saving Changes...
Tamara TankosicGlobal Business Development Manager| Global Airport ConciergeLondon, Eng, United Kingdom
Hey everyone, here's my exam feedback from yesterday!
First of all, I passed! First time taking the PMP as well as my first professional certification so I'm super excited!
Regarding the test, I have several points and experiences to share:
ONLINE TEST PLATFORM
• You will receive an email a couple of days prior with instructions on how to login and how to do a test to make sure your computer works well.
• The check-in starts half an hour before your test and I must say is quite tedious, it took me over 20 minutes to login which I found ridiculous. Firstly everything has to be cleared from your desk and surrounding area (I have two working desks next to each other, one for myself and one for my boyfriend so cleared up both the night before), then you have to unplug the monitors if you have any (take out all cables from the back and show them). Also if you have a watch they might ask you to take it off (I have a Garmin).
• Put your phone away. If the proctors need to contact you they will do so via chat that pops up in front of your questions. I did not have any water/snacks but you can always ask and see if it is allowed
• The calculator sucks, just putting it out there. Can only be used with a mouse, has almost no functions (think the basic Microsoft one) and is just clunky to use. Good that I didn’t have many calculation questions plus most I did on the whiteboard
• The whiteboard is ok, you can resize it so for example you can see it, the calculator and the questions at the same time. It has some drawing functions and a text function. I managed to do the critical path on it but it looked ugly!
• You can mark questions for further review, use highlight (in different colours) and strikethrough.
o I found strikethrough particularly useful as I crossed out answers I knew not to be true
o After your 90 questions (part 1) / 110 questions (part 2) there is a review page so you can go back to marked or unanswered questions
• The timer is in my opinion not very intuitive, or maybe I was just too focused on the exam. I think it should be split into the two parts or at least show time in hours and minutes not just minutes (so it says for example 234:50) as I can’t keep calculating how much time I have left. However the time itself is fine, I had plenty extra to triple check questions (not all just marked ones, but I mark any I’m not a 100% sure about)
• After 90 questions there is a 10 minute break. The timer is paused during this and you can end the break early. I would suggest taking it and stretching your legs out, go to bathroom, have some water etc. Also the good thing is that time wise you don’t have to split your time exactly in two, I left more time for the second part as I knew it has 20 more questions, so once I was happy with part one (after around let’s say 1,5 but less than 2hrs, I don’t know exactly) I went to part two.
• At the end of the test you get a message saying you passed or failed (says something like Congratulations for joining the PMP, it’s a bit unclear when you’re in testing mode as it looks almost like a question). I expected it to have the full results, but you get those via email in 1-2 working days. It might take longer to see it on the PMI website
THE EXAM QUESTIONS
• Most of the questions were situational and can be boiled down to the below:
o Issue happens/PMr joins a new project/PMr needs to do something (e.g. create a budget), what should:
? The project manager do next
? Have the project manager done before
? The project manager do (general idea)
? The project manager use (tool/process)
• Not a lot of calculations at all, maybe three or four? I was surprised by how little they asked for and the calculations themselves were ones you could basically do by hand:
o EMV where you get a probability/impact table to calculate the overall EMV
o EAC based on BAC and CPI (so you have to calculate CPI first then plug it in)
o Critical path and float on one activity (but the float is not actually a calculation as the activity was on the critical path)
• Questions were tougher than what I expected per se, as a lot of people said that the Oliver Lehman questions or PMI ones are a bit tougher than the test, while I’d say they are just about the same level of complexity.
• Some questions were easy and based on your general understanding of concepts (e.g. analogous vs bottom up estimating)
• Tools and Techniques were mentioned a lot which I found slightly surprising, lots of questions about different analysis, communication methods, conflict resolution, risk responses, data gathering
• I can see why some fail due to closing questions, they were quite tricky, I’d say make sure you really read on those in the Integration and Procurement Management sections
• Ethics was barely mentioned
• Whenever in doubt follow the plan/organizational procedures (assuming I got those right)
• Change management is like 10% of questions, make sure you are super familiar with it
• Got some agile questions, not too many, mostly to do with iteration burndown charts, product backlogs
• Had several questions on the different contract types for procurement. You have to really understand them as in one I was debating so much for example whether to choose the CPAF or CPIF (as in my eyes they are almost the same but apparently not)
• When studying/testing I’ve tried to logically connect the different processes and I think this helps a lot with exam questions. Rita explains it very well in her book, all of these knowledge areas are connected and many processes happen simultaneously or influence others. You don’t have to know the ITTOs by heart, just understand how things interact so you can answer questions easily!
Final advice – don’t be too afraid, the test is similar to practice tests and is testing your understanding of concepts and processes. Read every question super carefully and avoid stupid mistakes like ALL/ALWAYS/NEVER as well as negative questions (e.g. what process should the project manager NOT use). You have plenty of time to actually think about the questions but don’t spend too long dwelling on ones that have two similar answers, mark them and go back with a fresh approach.
Good luck to all of you trying to cram this in before the exam change!
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1 reply by Bhuvana V
Dec 04, 2020 3:10 PM
Bhuvana V
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Hi Tamara,
Thanks for sharing the PMP exam details which helped me in my PMP preparation.
I passed my PMP in first attempt and your these inputs helped in that journey, especially the timer part starting at 240:00. Never imagined anything like that. I had to calculate the remaining time based on those minutes and felt this could have been simpler as hr:mn:ss especially because PMP is for 4 hours.
I would like to add one more option that was available - comments / notes section (though I didn't use it)
