You can only take the PMP certification exam three times within a one year period.  That means that it is very important that you pass the exam and get your certification on the first try.  However, studies have shown that less than fifty percent (50%) of those taking the PMP certification test pass it on their first try.

The low passage rate is the result of a combination of factors but the most common ones are the fact that most first timers fail to properly prepare for the exam, they don’t put in enough time to study for it, they apply what they have learned through life long experience and answer questions based on those experiences instead of what the test materials says, and they fail to read the questions and answers carefully before they pick an answer.

The test makers of the PMP use questions with words like, “all”, “most”, “none”. “some”, “not”, “least” or “except” to confuse you.  So if you do not read the questions carefully, you can pick an answer too quickly and get it incorrectly.

As earlier eluded to, you need to read the PMBOK and study it because the test questions are based off of what is written in the PMBOK.