What to Do if You’re Getting Low Scores on Study Hall (PMP)

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If your Study Hall practice exam scores are lower than you expected, you are not alone. This is a very common experience for PMP Students, but the good news is that it does not predict failure on the real exam – here is the most common PMP passing score.

Why Study Hall Is Tricky

Study Hall practice exams are notoriously difficult. Many PMP students do well on other practice platforms and then are thrown off by the difficulty level on Study Hall. This does not mean you are unprepared.

The Most Common Passing PMP Score

Thousands of students have passed the PMP exam with scores of approximately 68% on average on Study Hall. Some score higher and some score lower, but the real key is to study any questions you get wrong to find out exactly why the answer is what it is. If and when you’re getting 68% or more, you are on the right track.

The Key Strategy

Do not just move past wrong answers. Review every question you get wrong for its concept or idea in the PMBOK Guide. Understand why the correct answer is correct. Learn the concept behind it. This is when you’ll really start making progress.

The Compounding Effect

Each review session then makes you stronger. Each wrong answer also becomes a learning opportunity. If you approach Study Hall this way, treating it as a learning tool rather than a pass or fail test, you will improve consistently.

Stay focused on learning, not on the score. Review your wrong answers thoroughly and I know you will pass your PMP exam.

– David McLachlan

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Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
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Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Excel Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix, RACI, Stakeholder Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

The One Thing You Need to Pass the PMP (Cheat Sheet)

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If you are studying for your PMP this year, one document will guide your entire preparation. It is the PMP Exam Content Outline and it is your cheat sheet for everything on the exam.

How to Find It

Search “PMP ECO” in Google. The official PMI version appears as the first or second result. It’s a PDF file, so you can download it immediately. The ECO breaks the exam into three domains, and here is what you need to study.

People (33%)

The People section is leadership and management – how to motivate your team. How to manage conflicts. Finding and engaging stakeholders, and how to build and develop team capabilities, making sure everyone knows what their role on the project is.

Process (41%)

The Process section is Agile and Waterfall approaches. Managing scope, schedule and cost to get our project done. Creating our project management plan, planning and executing project work like Requirements, Quality, Risk, Procurements. Monitoring and controlling performance and ultimately ensuring the items are accepted by the customer so we can close our project or phase.

Business Environment (26%)

This section means delivering value to the organization. Managing changes to our Scope. Managing risks and managing issues, and aligning projects with strategic objectives. Make sure you know how to deliver value, keep it under control and safe from issues and changes.

How to Use It

Use the ECO as your roadmap. Every study resource you use should connect back to the ECO. Every practice question you answer tests something in the ECO. Every concept you learn should map to one of these three domains.

The ECO is your foundation. Study it thoroughly and you will pass your PMP exam.

– David McLachlan

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Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course (10 PDUs)
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Excel Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix, RACI, Stakeholder Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

The 8 Risks of A.I. in Project Management (PMP 2026)

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If you are taking your PMP exam after July 2026, artificial intelligence questions will likely appear. Understanding these ethical considerations is essential, and here are the key concerns you’ll need to know.

Bias in Data

AI models trained on only certain data sets will produce biased data, and will replicate and amplify that bias in their outputs. This has been shown recently in AI Hiring Decisions, where bias was shown against different groups of people that didn’t necessarily have anything to do with their skill or will to perform the work. Project managers must be aware that AI decisions may favor certain outcomes unfairly.

Privacy

Protecting customer data and sensitive project information is critical. AI systems that process this data must have adequate privacy safeguards in place. This often comes from paid models or enterprise models that allow a certain level of privacy, and stops the model being trained on your project’s information.

Transparency

AI decisions are often difficult to explain or understand. Project managers will often need to know why the system recommended a particular course of action before approving it, in case someone questions that decision later on.

Accountability

When something goes wrong, who is responsible? Accountability structures must be clear before deploying AI in project decision-making.

Copyright Concerns

AI tools trained on copyrighted material raise legal and ethical questions about ownership and attribution of generated outputs.

Reliability

AI can produce confident but incorrect answers, a phenomenon known as hallucination. Project managers must verify outputs before acting on them.

Sustainability

Generating AI outputs requires significant computational resources and energy consumption. The environmental impact should be considered.

These ethical considerations are worth knowing for the 2026 PMP exam and for managing AI responsibly in real projects.

– David McLachlan

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PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

What To Do When Your Project Team Aren’t Getting It Done

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When your project team is not delivering, the first step is to diagnose why. The skill and will matrix provides a simple framework.

Do They Have the Will?

Do team members actually want to do the work? If not, your role is to excite and motivate them. This might mean clarifying how their work contributes to project goals, recognizing effort publicly or adjusting task assignments to better align with individual strengths and interests.

Do They Have the Skill?

If motivation is not the issue, can they actually do the work, or do they know what they need to do clearly? If not, the solution is training and skill development. Pair them with experienced team members, provide access to learning resources or bring in external expertise to build capability.

The Ideal Team Member

The team members you want are those with both high skill and high will. They have the capability to do excellent work and the motivation to deliver it.

If a team member lacks both skill and will, you have a more serious conversation ahead. Whether you coach them up or reassign them depends on your project timeline (how much time you have, and how willing they are to change) and organizational options (like training, or reassigning).

Start by diagnosing which dimension is the real constraint. Then your path forward becomes clear.

– David McLachlan

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Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

Lock In For Your Last Week (Pass Your PMP)

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If you are taking your PMP exam soon, the final week is where you need to lock in and study the right things in the right way so you can pass. Here are the most effective strategies that you will need to know.

Practice Exams Are Your Priority

Take as many practice exams as possible in every spare moment. Review every question you get wrong using the PMBOK Guide or the Agile Practice Guide to understand the reasoning. Complete at least one full-length practice exam before your real exam so you are prepared for the marathon of sustained focus.

Eliminate Distractions

Delete social media apps from your phone. Cancel streaming services for the week. Remove games and anything else that will pull your attention away from studying. It’s time to lock in, and your brain needs to be fully committed.

Use Net Time Aggressively

Net time means No Extra Time. Study during moments you already have, like taking practice exams on the bus. Listening to agile or waterfall content while cooking, walking, exercising or working out. These accumulated moments add up significantly, and effectively give you hours back in the day that you might have let slip away otherwise.

Stay Consistent

Do not cram everything into one day. Study steadily throughout the week. Keep your focus sharp and your knowledge fresh.

You have put in the study this far – now it’s time to reinforce what you know and build your confidence. Stay locked in and I know you will pass your PMP exam.

– David McLachlan

You can see what people are saying about David McLachlan here: REVIEWS

Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

Four Estimating Methods you Must Know for your PMP Exam

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The PMP exam will test your understanding of estimation techniques. Here are the four estimating techniques you need to know, and when to use each one.

Analogous Estimating

Look at similar features or similar products from past projects to estimate the current item. It is like using an analogy. This method is most helpful at the beginning of your project when you do not have detailed information but you do have someone on the team who has worked on something similar before. It is fast but less accurate than other methods.

Parametric Estimating

Use a parameter like $30 per meter or 10 days to deliver to another country. This method works well when you have some information about what you are estimating and a bit more time to develop the estimate. It is more accurate than analogous estimating.

Bottom-Up Estimating

This is the most accurate but also the most time-consuming. Take all the work packages at the lowest levels of your work breakdown structure and estimate each one. Then aggregate all those estimates together to get the overall project cost or budget. Use this method when you have time and need the highest accuracy.

Three-Point Estimating

Take an average of three estimates: optimistic, most likely and pessimistic. Add them together and divide by three. This gives you a balanced estimate that accounts for uncertainty.

A similar method is PERT or beta estimating which uses the formula: (Optimistic + 4 × Most Likely + Pessimistic) ÷ 6. It weights the most likely estimate more heavily.

Know when to use each method and you will handle estimation questions confidently on your PMP exam. You can do it!

– David McLachlan

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Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

Artificial Intelligence As Explained in the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition

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The PMBOK Guide 8th edition defines artificial intelligence in layers, each building on the previous one, with Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Generative Pre-trained Transformers. Artificial Intelligence is being used widely in modern projects – from using it to gauge stakeholder sentiment and assign actions to people at the end of meetings, to helping us reschedule tasks with the least downtime or impact on our resources. Know this for your exam!

Artificial Intelligence

At the broadest level, AI refers to systems that can reason and learn independently without explicit programming for every scenario.

Machine Learning (Layer 1)

Machine learning trains mathematical models using historical data to predict outcomes. Common techniques include linear regression and K-nearest neighbors. The model learns patterns from labelled datasets.

Deep Learning (Layer 2)

Deep learning is an advanced machine learning method using multi-layered neural networks. Unlike machine learning, it can automatically learn features from large unstructured datasets such as images or text without manual labelling.

Deep learning requires more complex mathematics including linear algebra, tensors, matrices and multivariate calculus. Success depends on managing bias, weighting options appropriately and adjusting layer depth. It also demands significant computing power and large volumes of data.

Generative AI (Layer 3)

Generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) like ChatGPT combine all previous layers to generate new content, answers and ideas based on patterns learned from vast amounts of training data. It also uses NLP (Natural Language Processing) to create a natural user interface, where people can ask questions and get answers in a more conversational style.

Understanding these layers helps project managers recognize where AI can add value in their projects.

– David McLachlan

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Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

14 Day PMP Study Plan

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If you are sitting the PMP this year, a focused 14-day study plan can get you exam-ready quickly. The plan centers around four key activities done together over the two-week window.

Activity 1: Review the Exam Content Outline

Start with the ECO (Exam Content Outline) published by PMI. This defines exactly what will be tested on the exam across the three domains: People (33%), Process (41%) and Business Environment (26%).

Activity 2: Review the PMI Guides

Work through the PMBOK Guide 8th edition for the current exam format, the PMBOK Guide 7th edition for a broader overview and the Agile Practice Guide to round out your knowledge of adaptive approaches.

Activity 3: Use Targeted Resources

The PMP Fast Track provides specific tips and strategies for answering PMP questions under pressure. Use it daily to build your exam instincts.

Activity 4: Take Practice Exams

Aim for 20 to 30 practice questions daily, alternating between predictive and agile scenarios. Complete at least two full-length practice exams before your real exam to build stamina and identify weak areas.

Fourteen days of consistent effort across these four activities is all it takes. You can pass your PMP this year.

– David McLachlan

You can see what people are saying about David McLachlan here: REVIEWS

Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

3 Ways You’ll See A.I. on the New PMP Exam

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The PMBOK Guide 8th edition introduces Artificial Intelligence in project management across three categories. Here is what you need to know for the exam.

Automation:

…covers low complexity tasks where the logic is programmed directly. If a certain condition is met, a certain action follows. Think automated reporting, routine documentation or task reminders.

Assistance:

…is where AI tools help analyze and develop ideas. A tool might generate a risk register or a draft schedule, but a project manager still needs to review and refine the output.

Augmentation:

…enhances existing skills for more strategic work. This might look like optimizing a project schedule using historical data, forecasting risks based on patterns or using AI as a brainstorming partner to develop scope ideas or improve stakeholder engagement strategies.

These three categories are worth knowing for the exam and are increasingly relevant in real project environments.

– David McLachlan

You can see what people are saying about David McLachlan here: REVIEWS

Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
PMP Cram Course – FULL PMP Course Condensed to just 8 hours!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!

 

3 Myths About the New PMP Exam (2026)

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Several myths are circulating about the 2026 PMP exam changes. Here is what is actually true.

Myth 1: There are now 185 questions

The exam still has 180 questions. This has not changed.

Myth 2: The breaks are now shorter

You still get two 10-minute breaks. The break structure remains the same.

Myth 3: There is lots of new content to study

The Business Environment domain has grown from 8% to 26% of the exam, but this is not entirely new content. The increase includes topics like managing risks, managing issues and managing change that were previously part of the Process domain. The information has been rearranged rather than replaced.

If you are preparing for the PMP exam, the fundamentals you have been studying still apply. The exam has evolved but it has not been reinvented. Go for it!

– David McLachlan

You can see what people are saying about David McLachlan here: REVIEWS

Navigate to Free Project Management and Leadership Articles through the links on the right (or at the bottom if on Mobile) 

PMI PMP 35 PDUs CourseThe Ultimate PMP Project Management Prep Course (35 PDUs)
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP 28 PDUs)The Complete PMI-ACP Course: (28 PDUs) 
PgMP Program Management CourseLearn Program Management – the PgMP Prep Course
Full PMP Exams to Pass on the First TryFour Full PMP Practice Exams (180 Qs each) to pass your PMP on the First Try!
Scrum Master Course PSMScrum Master Course (PSM)
Product Owner Course PSPOProduct Owner Course (PSPO)
Business Analyst CourseBusiness Analyst Course

Also available are my Project Management Templates – they’re a great way to save 100s of hours when you’re first starting out:

50 Project Management Templates Gantt Chart Risk Matrix and more Excel50+ Project Management Templates in Excel and PowerPoint (Gantt Chart, Risk Matrix and more!)
Project Management Plan TemplatesPre-made Project Management Plan Templates: Save 100 HOURS!