Free PMP Practice Exam
Project Management Professional (PMP) practice exam covering People, Process, and Business Environment domains. Based on the PMI Examination Content Outline. No signup required.
Practice by PMP Domain
Target a specific area, or launch the full exam below
People
Leadership styles, team building, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and motivating project teams. ~42% of the PMP.
Process
Project planning, scope management, schedule, cost, risk, quality, procurement, communications management, and hybrid/agile execution frameworks. ~50% of the PMP.
Business Environment
Organizational strategy alignment, benefits realization, project governance, compliance, lessons learned, and managing change within organizational context. ~8% of the PMP.
Agile & Hybrid Methods
Scrum ceremonies, Kanban, sprint planning, retrospectives, velocity, burn-down charts, hybrid project delivery, and agile mindset applied across both domains.
Full PMP Practice Exam
All three ECO domains mixed to the official PMI weighting. 180 questions, 4 hours. Predictive and agile scenarios included throughout.
About the PMP Exam
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is the world's leading project management certification, administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is recognized across industries globally and demonstrates that a practitioner has the experience, education, and competency to lead and direct projects. Since 2021, the PMP exam reflects a hybrid approach — approximately half the questions cover predictive (waterfall) project management and half cover agile/hybrid methodologies.
The exam contains 180 questions across two 110-minute sessions (with a 10-minute break) for a total of 4 hours (240 minutes). Questions include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, matching, and hotspot formats. PMI uses a scaled scoring model and reports performance at three levels: Above Target, Target, and Below Target for each domain. The pass rate for first-time candidates is approximately 60–70%.
PMP Exam Domain Breakdown
| Domain | Weight | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| People | 42% | Team leadership, conflict management, stakeholder engagement, coaching, collaboration |
| Process | 50% | Project planning, risk management, schedule, cost, quality, procurement, change |
| Business Environment | 8% | Benefits realization, organizational strategy, compliance, project value delivery |
Sample PMP Exam Questions
1. A project manager is leading a software development project using Scrum. During sprint review, the product owner indicates that a completed user story does not meet their expectations, even though it met the acceptance criteria in the sprint backlog. What should the project manager do FIRST?
2. A project is 60% complete. The planned value (PV) is $500,000, the earned value (EV) is $420,000, and the actual cost (AC) is $480,000. The project's cost performance index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI) indicate:
3. A project manager working on a predictive project discovers that a key vendor will be unable to deliver a critical component on time, threatening the project schedule. Which risk response strategy is MOST appropriate?
Study Tips for the PMP Exam
The most important shift for PMP candidates is understanding that the exam tests situational judgment, not rote memorization. When reading a scenario question, ask: "What would an experienced, ethical, proactive project manager do?" PMI consistently favors proactive risk management, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration over escalation or command-and-control responses.
The hybrid agile/predictive split (roughly 50/50) means you need fluency in both the PMBOK Guide (7th edition, principles-based) and agile frameworks — particularly Scrum terminology (sprints, backlogs, retrospectives, definition of done) and agile values from the Agile Practice Guide. EVM (earned value management) calculations appear on almost every exam — master CPI, SPI, EAC, and ETC. PMI's Authorized Training Partners and the ECO (Exam Content Outline) on PMI's website are the definitive preparation guides.
For a structured prep plan, see our PMP exam study guide.
Frequently Asked Questions — PMP Exam
What are the eligibility requirements for the PMP exam?
To sit for the PMP, you need a 4-year degree plus 36 months of project leadership experience and 35 hours of project management education/training. With a high school diploma or associate's degree, you need 60 months of project leadership experience and 35 hours of education. The experience must involve leading and directing projects — not just participating.
What is the PMP pass rate?
PMI does not publish official pass rate data, but industry estimates put the first-attempt pass rate at 60–70% for candidates who complete a structured study program. Candidates who study directly from the PMBOK Guide alone tend to have lower pass rates because the exam now equally emphasizes agile/hybrid approaches.
How long is a PMP certification valid?
The PMP is valid for 3 years. To renew, you must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) across three categories: Education (technical, leadership, and strategic PM topics) and Giving Back (creating content, volunteering, working as a professional). PMI requires that at least 8 PDUs come from each of the technical, leadership, and strategic categories.
How has the PMP exam changed in recent years?
In January 2021, PMI introduced a new exam format that is approximately 50% predictive (waterfall/PMBOK) and 50% agile/hybrid. The 6th and 7th editions of the PMBOK Guide have also shifted from a process-based framework to a principles-based approach. The exam now includes multiple question formats beyond simple MCQs, including drag-and-drop, hotspot, and matching questions.
What is earned value management (EVM) and how is it tested?
EVM is a project performance measurement framework that integrates scope, schedule, and cost. Key metrics: PV (planned value), EV (earned value), AC (actual cost). Key indices: CPI = EV/AC (cost efficiency), SPI = EV/PV (schedule efficiency). Values above 1.0 are favorable. EAC (estimate at completion) = BAC/CPI. The PMP exam tests both the calculation and interpretation of EVM metrics in scenario-based questions.
What is the difference between the PMP and CAPM certifications?
The CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) is PMI's entry-level certification for those with less experience. It requires 23 hours of PM education but no professional experience. The PMP requires 36–60 months of project leadership experience and is the standard credential for experienced PMs. PMP holders earn significantly more on average than CAPM holders.
How much does the PMP exam cost?
The PMP exam fee is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. PMI membership costs $139/year and includes free access to the PMBOK Guide and significant discounts on other study materials. Most candidates find that membership pays for itself through the exam fee discount alone.