My Top 5 PMP Exam Tips
- Rachael Milne
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
I am so enjoying the flurry of messages coming through from my PMP® students telling me they've passed! 🎉
Many are aiming to sit the exam before the new PMP® exam launches on 9 July 2026, so it's been a busy few weeks. Whatever your exam date, remember that PMP isn't about memorising definitions, it's about thinking like a PM!
Here are five of my favourite exam tips:
✅ 1. Use the process of elimination
Don't look for the right answer first. Look for the wrong answers.
You'll often see options like:
❌ Do nothing.
❌ Wait and see.
❌ Escalate immediately.
❌ Do something unrelated to the problem.
That usually leaves the answer that says something like:
✔️ Analyse the situation.
✔️ Find the root cause.
✔️ Facilitate a discussion.
✔️ Take appropriate action with the team.
Once you start recognising these patterns, the exam becomes much less intimidating.
👑 2. The team is queen
If the problem involves the team, resist the temptation to:
❌ Escalate to the functional manager.
❌ Replace team members.
❌ Force overtime.
(Seriously... finding replacements halfway through a project isn't exactly realistic!)
Instead, think:
✔️ Support the team.
✔️ Understand the root cause.
✔️ Facilitate collaboration.
✔️ Help the team solve the problem together.
The PMP exam rewards servant leadership.
📝 3. Flag questions strategically
If you're unsure:
• Choose the BEST answer you can.
• Strike out the answers you know are wrong.
• Flag the question and move on.
As your confidence builds throughout the exam, you'll often realise the answer when you come back later.
One extra tip: once you've reviewed a flagged question and made your final decision, remove the flag. It makes your final review much less confusing.
🧘 4. Breathe
Before the exam starts... breathe.
During each break... drink water and breathe again.
A relaxed brain makes better decisions than a stressed one.
🍀 5. Trust your preparation
By exam day, you've already done the hard work. Trust your instincts, trust your training, and remember that your first instinct is often the right one.
Good luck to everyone sitting the PMP exam over the next few days. I'm looking forward to celebrating many more "I passed!" messages soon! 🚀
Good tips