Everything you need to know about how the PMP® exam is structured — questions, time, scoring, and exactly how the marks are distributed.
180 questions (170 scored, 10 unscored pretest) — multiple choice, multiple response, case/scenario sets, graphic-based, matching, point-and-click and pull-down items — in 240 minutes with two scheduled 10-minute breaks (new exam version effective July 9, 2026). Delivered via Pearson VUE (test centre or online proctored). Results are pass/fail with performance ratings per domain.
PMI publishes how the 180 questions are distributed (PMI Examination Content Outline (new exam version, effective July 9, 2026)). Weight your preparation to match — this is the single most useful planning fact:
| Domain | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Process | 41% | |
| People | 33% | |
| Business Environment | 26% |
Process is the heaviest at 41% — most candidates under-weight it.
6 free questions · explanation for every option · per-area readiness · no dumps.
Start free →Yes — a new exam version took effect on July 9, 2026: 180 questions in 240 minutes (with two 10-minute breaks) and updated domain weights of Process 41%, People 33%, Business Environment 26%.
PMI does not publish a numeric cut score — it's set psychometrically and can vary by exam form. Results come as performance ratings (Above Target to Needs Improvement) per domain.
180 questions (170 scored, 10 unscored pretest) — multiple choice, multiple response, case/scenario sets, graphic-based, matching, point-and-click and pull-down items — in 240 minutes with two scheduled 10-minute breaks (new exam version effective July 9, 2026).
PMI does not publish a numeric cut score — results are pass/fail with per-area performance indicators. Aim for a consistent 80–85% on realistic mocks before booking.
PMI does not publish official pass rates, so any exact percentage quoted online is unverified. The readiness signal that actually predicts passing: consistently holding 80–85% on realistic, full-length practice exams before you book.
Four routes, all requiring 35 hours of PM training (waived if you hold an active CAPM): secondary school + 60 months, associate's level / EQF 5 + 48 months, bachelor's degree or bachelor-equivalent (EQF 6) + 36 months, or a GAC-accredited degree + 24 months. Experience must be non-overlapping and accrued in the past 10 years (July 2026 ECO).
US pricing is $445 for PMI members and $675 for non-members (PMI raised fees on August 6, 2026; regional pricing varies). PMI membership is $129/year plus a one-time $10 application fee, so joining first is the cheaper route. You get up to three attempts inside the 1-year eligibility period; PMI charges a re-examination fee for the second and third — confirm the current amount at checkout.
For most candidates, commonly reported 35–120+ hours depending on PM background and prep course. What matters most is practising questions and analysing why each option is right or wrong — not just reading.
60 PDUs every 3 years under PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) program.
No — every question is original, written to test the concepts and reviewed before it ships, with an explanation linked to the source for every option. Dumps are stale, often wrong, and against PMI's policies.