PMP Exam Prep Cheat Sheet: Complete Guide to Pass PMI PMP on First Attempt

Preparing for the PMI Project Management Professional (PMP®) exam can feel overwhelming due to the vast syllabus, evolving exam pattern, and scenario-based questions. To simplify your preparation, this PMP Exam Prep Cheat Sheet serves as a quick, structured, and exam-focused reference covering everything you need to know—exam structure, process groups, knowledge areas, People–Process–Business Environment domains, key formulas, and critical concepts.

Whether you are just starting your PMP journey or revising before the exam, this guide will help you build confidence and clarity.

PMP Exam Structure (Latest)

The PMP exam is designed to test real-world project management skills rather than rote memorization.

Key Exam Details:

• Total Questions: 180

  • 175 scored questions

  • 5 unscored pretest questions

• Exam Duration: 230 minutes (3 hours 50 minutes)

• Question Types:

  • Multiple Choice

  • Multiple Response

  • Matching

  • Hotspot

  • Drag and Drop

• Breaks: Two optional 10-minute breaks

• Mode: Online proctored or test center

👉 Focus on situational and scenario-based questions, as they dominate the exam.

Five PMP Process Groups

Understanding the five process groups helps you visualize how projects flow from start to finish.

1. Initiating – Define and authorize the project

2. Planning – Establish scope, schedule, cost, and objectives

3. Executing – Complete the project work and manage teams

4. Monitoring & Controlling – Track performance and manage changes

5. Closing – Finalize deliverables and formally close the project

💡 PMP questions often test what the project manager should do next based on these phases.

PMP Knowledge Areas (PMBOK® Guide)

The PMP exam still heavily relies on knowledge areas, especially for process-based questions.

1. Integration Management – Coordinate all processes

2. Scope Management – Define and control project boundaries

3. Schedule Management – Manage timelines and activities

4. Cost Management – Budgeting and cost control

5. Quality Management – Ensure requirements are met

6. Resource Management – Manage team and physical resources

7. Communications Management – Information distribution

8. Risk Management – Identify and manage uncertainties

9. Procurement Management – External vendor management

10. Stakeholder Management – Engagement and expectations

PMP Exam Domains (Weightage)

The PMP exam is divided into three domains:

People – 42%

Focuses on leadership and team management:

• Team building and motivation

• Conflict management

• Servant leadership

• Stakeholder engagement

• Emotional intelligence

Process – 50%

Covers technical project management:

• Planning and execution

• Risk and quality management

• Change control

• Schedule and cost management

Business Environment – 8%

Addresses organizational strategy:

• Benefits realization

• Compliance and governance

• External business factors

📌 Tip: People domain questions are highly situational—think like a servant leader.

Key PMP Formulas You Must Know

Earned Value Management (EVM) formulas are still tested:

• EV (Earned Value) = % Complete × BAC

• PV (Planned Value) = Planned % × BAC

• SV (Schedule Variance) = EV − PV

• CV (Cost Variance) = EV − AC

• SPI (Schedule Performance Index) = EV / PV

• CPI (Cost Performance Index) = EV / AC

• EAC (Estimate at Completion) = BAC / CPI

• ETC (Estimate to Complete) = EAC − AC

• VAC (Variance at Completion) = BAC − EAC

• TCPI = (BAC − EV) / (BAC − AC)

💡 Understand interpretation, not just memorization.

Quick Reference: Important PMP Concepts

These concepts frequently appear in PMP questions:

• Critical Path Method (CPM)

• Float / Slack

• Three-Point Estimating

• PERT (Program Evaluation Review Technique)

• Monte Carlo Simulation

• Fast Tracking vs Crashing

• Quality Management (Plan-Do-Check-Act)

• Stakeholder Analysis

• Communication Channels: n(n−1)/2

• Risk Register

• Change Control Process

• WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)

PMP Exam Preparation Tips

• Focus on mindset-based learning, not memorization

• Practice scenario-based mock tests

• Understand Agile and Hybrid approaches

• Revise formulas and concepts regularly

• Attempt full-length mock exams under timed conditions

Why Choose Learnerskart for PMP Preparation?

Learnerskart offers exam-focused PMP training, expert mentorship, and structured learning to help professionals clear the PMP exam with confidence.

✔ Industry-expert trainers
✔ Real exam-oriented questions
✔ Application support & exam guidance
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Start Your PMP Journey with Confidence

If you are serious about passing the PMP exam on your first attempt, structured guidance and the right strategy make all the difference.

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