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Project Management Professional (PMP)® Exam using A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)

The Criteria On How To Select the Best PMP® Exam Simulator

The Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is a must-have for many project managers. It demonstrates your ability as a project manager to your current and prospective employers, and can help you take the next step up the corporate ladder. That said, it is not an easy road, and preparing for the exam can be a time-consuming and stressful business.

As adults, we don’t take exams that often. Part of the nerves and stress relating to the PMP® exam comes from not knowing what to expect. You can prepare for the exam by studying the various prep books and taking courses, but that should be only part of your preparation. You can also practice what the exam will be like by working through PMP exam simulator in a realistic, online environment. A PMP® exam simulator provides this. Sitting sample tests with an exam simulator will help you face the real exam confidently.

You can also practice what the exam will be like by working through sample questions in a realistic, online environment. A PMP exam simulator provides this. Sitting sample tests with an exam simulator will help you face the real exam confidently.

7 Criteria To Consider When Selecting An Exam Simulator

Here are the 7 criteria to consider when selecting a PMP exam simulator to best suit your needs:

1. Select a trusted and experienced education provider

One of the most important criteria is making sure you choose an exam simulator from a trusted and experienced education provider. Check how long the provider has been on the market and how many students used its simulator to prepare for the exam. For example, the PrepCast PM Exam Simulator has been on the market since 2008 and successfully helped nearly 60,000 students prepare for their exam. We pride ourselves on our pioneering education approach and best practices in simulator design, and our students love their results.

2. Compare the price of PMP® simulators to your budget

Studying for the PMP® exam can be expensive when you include training materials, books and the exam fees. You will probably have a budget for your PMP® journey, so compare the prices of PMP® exam simulators and select one that provides the highest level of quality for a price you can afford.

3. Ensure that the simulator is based on the most recent PMP® Examination Content Outline

Don’t waste time using an exam simulator that isn’t based on the most recent PMP® Examination Content Outline and the reference materials recommended by the Project Management Institue (PMI)®. It sounds simple, but be sure to check that the PMP® simulator you are looking at is actually based on the latest versions. If it isn’t, you could waste a lot of time on questions (and answers) that will not accurately reflect what the exam will be like.

4. Establish the content of the PMP® exam simulator

Select a PMP® simulator that has lots of pmp exam questions. Lots. After all, you’ll be studying for 8-12 weeks, so you could be using the simulator often. It makes the exam prep too easy if the simulator presents you with the same questions over again, so opt for a tool that offers you a great variety to test your abilities fully.

While you are looking into the questions, find out who wrote them. Choose a simulator where the questions have been written by a group of PMP credential holders. This ensures that you will be seeing questions from a variety of people (just like the questions developed by the PMI®), which have been peer-reviewed to ensure quality. You can also check out if it has a trial version to try free pmp exam questions to make sure you're getting the most out of your payment.

5. Check if it has a full exam mode to help you practice the PMP® exam

The exam simulator you choose should have a full exam mode. This means that you can take a practice exam in advance of the real thing. It should be very realistic, with the option to mark questions for review, as that is what you will be able to do during the actual exam. Ideally, you will want to choose a simulator that enables you to take the tests as many times as you like.

You’ll also want to check that the questions are presented in the same proportion as in the real exam, which is based on the PMP® Examination Content Outline. For example, each exam Domain is covered by a particular number of questions. Your choice of PMP® simulator should do the same to make the practice exams as realistic as possible.

6. Check if it offers a learning mode to support your studies during your PMP® exam preparation

Learning mode in an exam simulator is a good option to support your day-to-day studies during your PMP® exam preparation. You can use the learning mode to review various areas of the syllabus. For instance, you might want to focus on questions coming from a specific Project Management Knowledge Area or just from a specific Domain. You should also be able to take a quick timed exam with a small number of random questions over your lunch break.

In learning mode, a good simulator offers hints for questions if you are struggling, and will even show you the answer so you know what you need to review. The simulator must also explain the logic behind the questions, and point you in the right direction if you make a mistake.

7. Establish the level of technical support that the PMP® Simulator offers

Exam simulators can be web-based or available to download and install on your computer. Either way, find out what sort of technical support the company offers. Ideally, look for a company that provides help when things go wrong through a forum, FAQ on their website, or a ‘contact us’ page. In the worst case, you might want to return the product completely, so find out if they offer a full refund if you are not satisfied.

Work Through These And Be Fully Prepared

Work through these 7 criteria for every PMP® exam simulator that you are considering, and you will find a product that meets your needs. Having chosen an exam simulator, you can use it to fully prepare for the exam, and you will enter the exam room knowing what to expect. Good luck!

Watch The Video Overview Of The Features of PMP® Exam Simulator:

Summary

Work through these 7 criteria for every PMP exam simulator that you are considering, and you will find a product that meets your needs. Having chosen a PMP exam simulator, you can use it to fully prepare for the exam, and you will enter the exam room knowing what to expect.

Good luck!

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