What If You Flunk PMP Exam?

PMP certification exam has never been a simple one. You may be weary in body and mind of challenging 200 multiple choice questions in 4 hours. And have to make correct choice of 106 questions out of those 200 if you want to pass it. Still, there’re those who fail, which happens very often. Knowing the fact that a considerable percentage of the test takers dip out is kinda consolation though, it can be a bit or none of consoling story at all if it’s you who have failed. OK, if so, what will you do? (Note: this post is based on one article of PM PrepCast)

Let’s see, following the exam, you will be delivered a score report that not only shows you failed but also helps you indicate your proficiency levels regarding every performance areas, which possibly are Proficient (P), Moderately Proficient (MP), and Below Proficient (BP). Different performance areas comprise of different number of questions on your exam and you can see your level of proficiency in each area. This is critical information for your proper preparation next time. As you seize where you were weaker, you can narrow down the focus for your future study.

If you believe there was some mistake after reviewing your score, you can have your examination result checked. The PMP certification program is governed and monitored by PMI’s cretification program’s manager. All the challenges are administrated by thorough and exclusive rules of PMI Certification Governance Council’s (CGC) Certification Appeal Procedures. This appeal process is the sole method applied to review all the decisions taken by PMI’s Certification Program Department pertaining to application, eligibility, exam, test supervision and results and other application or examining related certification matters. Challenging your result means that you download the appeal procedure form from PMI website and file your appeal.

It is more preferred that you resit this exam. Now that you haven’t got through the exam at first try, you might now retake up to 2 more times during your PMP certification eligibility of one year just by submitting a full re-examination form and contributing to the associated re-exam fee (presently $275 in case of PMI membership). You’re highly recommended to re-register as shortly and spare yourself around 1 month of time to brush up all of necessary PMP exam study materials. That time, you have better to concentrate on 2 main areas:

First, centre on the performance areas in which you failed to gain a P score. As those are your weaker areas, those need be the ones you focus on.

Second, go for an exam simulator online. Though it will cost you certain extra money, now isn’t the right time to take a try and be cheapo, but the exact time to practise your test taking strategies and techniques. Like Olympics athlete doing reiterative practice of their sport, you should practise your PMP exam as often as possible. To do so, there’s nothing better than an exam simulator online.

In case you bombed the exam 3 times, you will have to wait one year from your last test’s date to reapply and try to retake the test. If your one-year eligibility comes to an end without your passing the exam, you will have to reapply for the certification. Re-exam applications could be submitted on paper or online.

And of course, you will never hope to fail this tough exam. Then try to plan right, work out PMBOK® Guide, effective workbooks and lots of sample questions to ace it on the first attempt!