Cliann SmithManagement| Waste ManagementWestlake, FL, United States
Hey PMI Community! I failed my first attempt at the PMP exam. I reset all my practice exams/ questions in study hall, started watching David McLachlan's YouTube videos and jumped right back in to studying so I don't lose momentum. In doing so, now while I'm taking the practices over again I'm doing worse than before and trying my best not to get discouraged. Not sure where to go from here. All suggestions are welcomed. Congrats to all those who have passed this year!!
I also didn’t pass the PMP exam on my first try. In fact, I studied for about eight months, all on my own, and I failed. After that, I teamed up with a friend, and for three months we studied intensively at least one hour, often around two hours a day. In the meantime, it’s important to find quality questions. I can recommend two people from Turkey for that, and I’ll share their links with you. They told me you need to solve about 1,500 questions in total. I found around 1,200 good-quality questions, worked through them, and when I took the exam again, it was like all the codes had been cracked. I passed easily on my second attempt. The same will happen for you don’t give up. There’s a person named Savaş Şakar; You can reach him via Linkedin. You can talk to him and buy questions from him. He has good questions, and I passed using his materials. He also has a book; I’m not sure if there’s an English version, but you can ask him and can benefit from his resources. This was my experience, and I hope it helps. Good luck in advance. Udemy https://share.google/LSQBW0RZkCPKfKCPG
Have you used your detailed exam analysis report (available from your MyPMI dashboard) to narrow down the specific areas in which you should focus your efforts? Aside from that, my only other advice is to try as many good quality practice questions as possible.
Also, if you ran out of time during the exam, taking lots of good quality full length practice exams is a good way to improve your time management.
Good luck!
Kiron
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1 reply by Cliann Smith
Nov 26, 2025 9:58 AM
Cliann Smith
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Hi Kiron, Yes I did. I reviewed the break down of the tasks I missed and started studying those specific questions. I'm very grateful I didn't have an issue with timing. I actually finished the exam with a few minutes left over. I'll continue practicing the full exam questions for the quality like you suggested. Very much appreciated.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Cliann, at this point, I suggest trying different simulation exam questions. PM PrepCast simulator is a good resource for practice exams and they provide rationale for all the answers which will help you better understand the right and wrongs. Good Luck! Saving Changes...
You can also refer to Mr. Ricardo Vargas on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/rvvargas). Specially to deep dive into PMBok and Process Group.
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1 reply by Cliann Smith
Nov 26, 2025 9:58 AM
Cliann Smith
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Thanks for the link Nguyen! :)
Saving Changes...
Cliann SmithManagement| Waste ManagementWestlake, FL, United States
Nov 25, 2025 10:48 AM
Replying to FUNDA KOROGLU SIVRI
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I also didn’t pass the PMP exam on my first try. In fact, I studied for about eight months, all on my own, and I failed. After that, I teamed up with a friend, and for three months we studied intensively at least one hour, often around two hours a day. In the meantime, it’s important to find quality questions. I can recommend two people from Turkey for that, and I’ll share their links with you. They told me you need to solve about 1,500 questions in total. I found around 1,200 good-quality questions, worked through them, and when I took the exam again, it was like all the codes had been cracked. I passed easily on my second attempt. The same will happen for you don’t give up. There’s a person named Savaş Şakar; You can reach him via Linkedin. You can talk to him and buy questions from him. He has good questions, and I passed using his materials. He also has a book; I’m not sure if there’s an English version, but you can ask him and can benefit from his resources. This was my experience, and I hope it helps. Good luck in advance. Udemy https://share.google/LSQBW0RZkCPKfKCPG
Appreciate the share Funda. Thank you! :) Saving Changes...
Cliann SmithManagement| Waste ManagementWestlake, FL, United States
Nov 25, 2025 1:26 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Sorry to hear that Cliann -
Have you used your detailed exam analysis report (available from your MyPMI dashboard) to narrow down the specific areas in which you should focus your efforts? Aside from that, my only other advice is to try as many good quality practice questions as possible.
Also, if you ran out of time during the exam, taking lots of good quality full length practice exams is a good way to improve your time management.
Good luck!
Kiron
Hi Kiron, Yes I did. I reviewed the break down of the tasks I missed and started studying those specific questions. I'm very grateful I didn't have an issue with timing. I actually finished the exam with a few minutes left over. I'll continue practicing the full exam questions for the quality like you suggested. Very much appreciated. Saving Changes...
Cliann SmithManagement| Waste ManagementWestlake, FL, United States
Nov 26, 2025 1:20 AM
Replying to An NguyenThanh
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You can also refer to Mr. Ricardo Vargas on his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/rvvargas). Specially to deep dive into PMBok and Process Group.
Thanks for the link Nguyen! :) Saving Changes...
Cliann SmithManagement| Waste ManagementWestlake, FL, United States
Rami Kaibni and Kiron Bondale, Since PMI doesn't give you a percentage grade for the exam, either of you familiar with what passing percentages looks like on the full and mini practice exams in study hall? Trying to better understand my exam breakdown and practice exams breakdown.
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Dec 01, 2025 6:38 PM
Kiron Bondale
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Cliann -
Unfortunately when I wrote the exam back in 2000 there were no online study aids, only physical paper-based practice exam books. However, the general advice I provide to candidates is to feel confident in your preparation you should be scoring in the high 80s or even the low 90s on good quality practice exams before you sit for the real thing.
Rami Kaibni and Kiron Bondale, Since PMI doesn't give you a percentage grade for the exam, either of you familiar with what passing percentages looks like on the full and mini practice exams in study hall? Trying to better understand my exam breakdown and practice exams breakdown.
Cliann -
Unfortunately when I wrote the exam back in 2000 there were no online study aids, only physical paper-based practice exam books. However, the general advice I provide to candidates is to feel confident in your preparation you should be scoring in the high 80s or even the low 90s on good quality practice exams before you sit for the real thing.
I would agree with Kiron's "Conservative" approach in estimating the passing percentage on the PMP exam. When I practiced in 2017, I aimed for at least 80% on my practice tests and reviewed those I got wrong. If you notice the same questions repeatedly wrong, there is likely a knowledge gap that you need to address. Best of luck, Cliann! Saving Changes...