I Failed The PMP Certification, What Should I Do?

1. It is okay to be disappointed but don’t be discouraged

I am sure you will not be happy after putting in a lot of work towards passing this examination but end up falling short. I want you to know that it is okay to be sad or disappointed. Allow yourself to feel the disappointment because it is part of life and part of your stories. The only thing you should not do, however, is giving up! There is a price for everything, so you should take the failure to mean you have not paid the needed price to pass the examination. You need to figure out what it is, be ready to pay it, and give it another shot.

2. Be positive but not overconfident

You must be an experienced project manager to be eligible to sit for the examination. Some aspirants think that based on their years of experience managing projects, they would be good with a minimal acquaintance with the study materials. They often get a rude awakening when they fail the examination. So, be positive in your belief that you can pass the exam but do not discount the importance of doing the hard work required to pass.

3. Figure out where you have gaps in your knowledge and focus on these areas

There is a reason you failed the examination. This is often due to a gap in your knowledge. You will get a breakdown of your performance after the test. Use the breakdown to pinpoint your areas of weakness and focus more on these areas while studying for the test. Finally, attempt as many practice questions as possible and do not take the test until you have consistently scored 70-80% in at least 3 quality tests.

4. Check out lessons learned from others who failed

People often post their test experiences in groups on LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit, and other online forums. You should research these forums to see what the experiences of people have been with the examination. This is in particular reference to people that have failed at least one attempt. You will be able to learn from what they did wrong and the adjustments they made to pass the examination. These lessons are invaluable assets so take advantage of them.

5. Consider adding more study materials

It is possible to have failed the test because you used substandard study material(s). It could be the fact that you had a quality study material but you did not pay adequate attention to understanding and retaining the key details in the materials. 

One strategy that I have found effective is using at least 2 different study materials and going through corresponding chapters in these materials simultaneously. Going through the chapters the first time serves as familiarization, the second time revision and any other time after that help reinforce your understanding more. The better you understand the materials, the higher your chances of success.

6. Get back to work immediately

Do not wait too long to start the process of studying to bridge your knowledge gaps and attempting to take the test again. Waiting too long has two disadvantages: 

• You forget some of what you have learned
• You may need to focus on other pressing life need so having your certification may get sidetracked

It is important to capitalize on the momentum you built and continue on that path until you successfully pass the test.

7. Prepare to perform Above Target in all domain

“Shoot for the moon and you will land among the stars if you do not make it”. Many people fail the rest because they wanted to do the bare minimum to just pass. This is a risky approach because it often leads to failure and you will not have the proper understanding of the PMBoK guide. The plan should be that you want to study to pass in flying colors and confidently use the skills and knowledge gained from taking tests in your day to day project management activities.

8. Get a mentor or speak to an expert

Getting a bit of hand-holding when we are fresh at something is always advantageous. If you think navigating this process by yourself seems like an insurmountable task, reach out to people that have made it happen and ask for their help. You can talk to me or other project management professionals. I will gladly help if I have some free spaces in my mentorship group.

9. Ask for special considerations if you need it

The four hours approved for the test may not be adequate for people who have special situations. Examples are people that have been diagnosed with learning difficulties or people with  little proficiency in the language in which they are taking the test. Reach out to PMI customer service and let them understand your situation. They may be willing to do something for you.

10. Do not take the exam until you feel ready

I recommend scheduling another test date as soon as possible after reviewing your performance on the last attempt and understanding what you did right, what you did wrong, and what you could have done better. This is so you can keep the momentum you built over time. You however should not sit for the exam until you think you are ready to sit and pass. You are ready to pass when you are very familiar with the materials and you consistently achieve a score of more than 70% within the standard 4-hour allowable time. 

You will incur no extra charges if you reschedule. You can reschedule your PMP certification exam appointment up to two days before the date. You will have to pay 70 USD to the PMI to change your exam date 30 days before your scheduled time. There is no cost to reschedule more than 30 days before the test. Rescheduling within two days of the exam will forfeit your full exam fee.

11. Second Failed attempt, what should I do?

If you fail the second attempt, you have 1 more attempt to pass within the 1 year period. If you fail the third attempt within the 1 year period, you will be required to wait for a year before you can submit another application. 

Because of this, you will need to really plan an effective approach to your third attempt, you may want to work with another person or groups of people seeking to earn the certification, coach/mentor that can help identify your areas of weakness and help you get over the bridge.

Reach out if you need a mentor and I will gladly help out if I have space in my group.

12. Third failed attempt, what should I do?

It is not the end of the world if you fail the third attempt, you can be an excellent project manager without being a PMP.

A third failure within a calendar year after you have been approved to take the test means you will be required to wait for a period of 1 year before you can apply for the certification again. It is not the end of the world. Use this waiting period to keep improving your skills so that you will be more ready next time you attempt it.