If you've seen a "PMP passing score" quoted online, it didn't come from PMI. PMI does not publish a passing percentage for the PMP exam. The pass mark is set psychometrically for each exam form, and results are reported as performance ratings rather than a score you can compare with a fixed line.
How the PMP is scored
The exam has 180 questions in 230 minutes, with two scheduled breaks. A small number are unscored pretest questions that PMI uses to evaluate new items; you can't tell which. PMI sets the passing standard using subject-matter experts who judge how a minimally qualified project manager would perform on each question, so the bar reflects difficulty, not a round number.
What the result report shows
You receive an overall pass or fail, plus a rating for each of the three domains:
- Above Target: performance exceeds the minimum standard.
- Target: performance meets the minimum standard.
- Below Target: performance is slightly below it.
- Needs Improvement: performance is well below it.
The domains are People (33%), Process (41%) and Business Environment (26%). Your overall result is what decides the pass; the domain ratings tell you where you were strong or weak.
Where the "61%" and "70%" numbers come from
Older versions of the exam had a published pass mark, and estimates have circulated ever since. None apply to the current exam. Use practice targets instead: candidates who score consistently in the 70–80% range on realistic, full-length practice exams are generally in good shape.
Retakes
Your eligibility period lets you take the exam up to three times within one year of your application approval, with a re-examination fee for each retake. Check PMI's current handbook for the exact rules and fees.
Preparing for a pass you can't see
- Practise full 180-question exams in one sitting, with the breaks, to build stamina.
- Review every wrong answer for the reasoning; PMP questions are situational, and the logic transfers.
- Cover predictive, agile and hybrid approaches; around half the exam reflects agile or hybrid ways of working.
Free practice: PMP diagnostic and 15 PMP questions with answers. Related: is the PMP exam hard? and PMP vs PSM I.
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for PMP?
PMI doesn't publish one. The pass mark is set psychometrically for each exam form, and results are reported as pass/fail with Above Target, Target, Below Target or Needs Improvement ratings per domain.
Is the PMP passing score 61%?
No. That figure relates to an older version of the exam. There is no published percentage for the current PMP exam.
What score should I aim for on PMP practice exams?
Consistent results in the 70–80% range on realistic, full-length practice exams are a commonly used readiness target.
How many times can I take the PMP exam?
Up to three times within your one-year eligibility period, with a re-examination fee for each retake. Check PMI's handbook for current details.