PMP Exam Day Strategy: What To Do Minute-by-Minute (2025)

This is the highest ROI piece of PMP preparation: what you do on exam day matters more than what you studied last week.

1) Sleep and Food

No heavy carbs. No coffee overload. You want even energy not spikes.

2) Arrival

Arrive 30 minutes early. For online proctor → test your equipment the day before.

3) Section Strategy

PMP = 180 questions / 230 min

• Section 1: 60 questions
• Section 2: 60 questions
• Section 3: 60 questions

Goal = 80% pace (don’t chase perfection)

4) Time Budget

• 1st 60 questions → 72 minutes
• 10 minute break
• 2nd 60 questions → 72 minutes
• 10 minute break
• final 60 questions → 72 minutes

This gives you stable pace. Losing pace = panic = score drops.

5) Question Method

Always eliminate first, never jump to answer.

1. identify question type (Predictive / Agile / Hybrid)
2. eliminate 2 wrong answers immediately
3. choose best professional PM behavior

6) Mental State

PMP is a professional judgment test, not memorization.

• breath through nose
• shoulders down
• micro pause every 10 questions