How do Simulators Compare to PMP Real Exam Questions?
Student Success Story
The most surprising part to me was that the PM Exam Simulator questions were very close to the real exam questions - it really was GOOD PREPARATION.
Mary-Lynne Bratton, PMP
It is hard to say for several reasons:
First, every PMP candidate signs the PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement which states
"...Furthermore, I agree not to discuss, debrief or disclose, in any manner, the specific content of PMI examination questions and answers, to any individual.”
This means that we may not compare simulator questions and "real" exam questions at a detailed level. We have to state any comparison in general terms.
Second, PMI constantly revises the certification exam. New questions are added and old questions are phased out. This is because our profession is in constant change, with new concepts being introduced and old ones no longer being used. The exam is a reflection of this and any comparison is only valid for a short time.
And lastly, every exam is different. So if you ask ten exam takers about their exam, then five of them may tell you "I'm really happy that I studied Earned Value" and the other five will say "I wouldn't have needed to study Earned Value at all".
This is because questions for each exam are randomly selected from a large pool of available questions. And so the questions student A sees and then compares to a simulator are completely different than those from student B.
Therefore, trying to compare exam simulators to the real exam is quite difficult. But many students still do it to help you and guide you.
Read Lessons Learned to find Opinions on Exam Simulators
Many successful exam takers publish their lessons learned to give feedback on their experience. Often they also talk about the study materials they used, including what simulator they had signed up for and how it compared to the real exam. So take some time to find and read recent lessons learned to be informed.