How is the PMP Exam Scored? Above Target, Target & Pass Rates

PMI does not publish a numeric pass score. Instead, the PMP exam returns one of four ratings per domain - Above Target, Target, Below Target, or Needs Improvement. The overall pass/fail decision is based on the combination across the three domains. In my coaching work, I have seen candidates who understand the scoring framework calibrate their preparation correctly; the ones who do not often misjudge their readiness based on raw mock scores alone.

In this guide I explain how to read your score report, what I have observed the ratings mean in practice, the estimated numeric pass threshold, and the patterns I find distinguish strong scoring from edge-case scoring. I also cover what to do if you fail, the retake mechanics, and the regional patterns I see in pass rates.

You receive one rating per domain on your score report. The overall pass/fail outcome is determined by PMI’s algorithm.

The four ratings are PMI’s way of communicating performance without specifying numeric scores. The ratings are intentionally categorical because PMI argues that exam difficulty varies slightly across forms and absolute numeric scores would be misleading.

For candidates planning prep, the ratings give directional guidance. “Target” represents the competence threshold; “Above Target” represents stronger than competent; “Below Target” represents not quite competent; “Needs Improvement” represents significant gaps.

The discipline that helps: aiming for “Above Target” rather than “Target” provides margin. Candidates who barely meet “Target” in mock exams may fall below “Target” under exam pressure. Candidates who reach “Above Target” in mocks have margin for stress effects.

Your performance in People and Process matters most. Strong performance in those two can compensate for moderate Business Environment performance.

The 42-50-8 weighting reflects PMI’s view of what matters in modern PM work. People and Process together are 92% of the exam. Business Environment is the smallest section but still tested.

For candidates strong on People and Process, scoring well in Business Environment matters less. The candidate who scores Above Target on People and Process can pass even with Below Target on Business Environment.

For candidates with weak People domain, the situation is harder. With 42% of the exam being People-domain questions, weak performance here significantly affects overall outcome. Strong People-domain preparation is essential.

The Process domain is the largest at 50%. Strong Process preparation is also essential. The combination of Process and People at 92% means these two domains effectively determine pass/fail.

PMI does not publish a strict rule. Patterns from candidates suggest:

• All three domains at Target or above generally yields a pass.
• Two domains at Target plus one at Above Target yields a clearer pass.
• One Below Target plus two Target sometimes passes, sometimes fails (depending on the algorithm and the strength of the other two).
• Two or more Below Target almost always fails.

The safest path is Target or above on all three.

The pattern that helps: candidates who reach Target across all three domains typically pass. Candidates who have one Below Target are in the variable zone where the algorithm makes the decision. The variable zone is risky; aim for clear passes.

For candidates whose mocks show one consistently weak domain, the focused preparation on that domain produces dramatic returns. Moving from Below Target to Target on one domain often determines pass/fail.

PMI does not publish a percentage. Practitioner consensus estimates the pass threshold at roughly 60-65% correct, though this varies by exam form. Practice mocks at 75%+ provide a comfortable margin.

The 75% target on mocks is aspirational. Candidates scoring 75% on mocks typically pass with margin; candidates scoring 65-70% on mocks pass narrowly; candidates below 65% are at significant risk.

The 75% target accounts for stress effects, exam form variation, and the gap between practice and real conditions. The candidate who scores exactly 65% in calm mock conditions may score below 60% under real exam stress.

For candidates whose mocks consistently score 70-75%, the position is reasonable but not comfortable. The discipline of pushing toward 80%+ produces more comfortable margin.

For candidates whose mocks score 60-70%, the position is risky. More preparation is usually warranted before sitting the exam.

If you fail, the score report shows your domain ratings. Use it to focus retake prep:

• Domain at Below Target = primary focus.
• Domains at Target = secondary review.
• Above Target = leave alone, reinforce only.

Most candidates who fail return within 30-60 days with a domain-focused plan and pass on the second attempt.

The score report’s value for failed candidates is significant. Without the rating breakdown, retake preparation would be guesswork. With it, the candidate can target the specific weakness.

The retake preparation typically focuses 70-80% of effort on the Below Target domain, 15-20% on maintaining the Target domains, and 5-10% on the Above Target domain. This targeted approach produces stronger second-attempt outcomes than uniform preparation.

For candidates whose score report shows Below Target across multiple domains, the retake preparation requires more time. The 30-60 day retake window may be too short; consider 60-90 days.

PMI does not publish global pass rates. Industry estimates suggest:

• First-attempt pass rate: roughly 65-75%.
• Three-attempt pass rate: above 90%.

Regional differences exist but are modest. The exam is the same globally; the difference is mostly preparation quality.

The pass rate variability reflects preparation quality more than candidate ability. Regions with mature PM training infrastructure tend to have higher pass rates; regions with less developed training have lower.

For individual candidates, region matters less than personal preparation. A well-prepared candidate from any region passes; a poorly prepared candidate from any region struggles.

The three-attempt pass rate above 90% reflects PMI’s policy that allows up to three attempts within a 12-month eligibility period. Most failures are recoverable; persistent candidates typically pass.

PMI uses a criterion-referenced scoring algorithm. Key features:

• Each question is scored as right or wrong.
• Each question contributes to one or more domain scores.
• Domain scores are computed based on question performance within domain.
• The algorithm determines pass/fail based on domain scores against criteria.

The algorithm is criterion-referenced rather than norm-referenced. This means candidates are scored against an absolute standard, not against other candidates. A candidate’s pass/fail does not depend on how others performed.

The exam form variation is handled through equating. Different exam forms have different specific questions but are calibrated to be equivalent in difficulty. The candidate’s score reflects performance against the calibrated standard.

For candidates concerned about exam form variation, the calibration process means form luck is minimal. The exam content varies but the difficulty equating produces fair outcomes across forms.

Of the 180 questions on the exam, 175 are scored. 5 are pretest questions used by PMI for future exams; they do not count toward pass/fail.
Candidates cannot identify which questions are pretest. Treat every question as scored to ensure full effort throughout.

The pretest mechanism allows PMI to test new questions before deploying them in scored positions. Questions that perform well in pretest move to scored positions in future exams; questions that perform poorly are revised or dropped.

For candidates, the pretest mechanism is invisible during the exam. The discipline is to treat every question with equal seriousness; you do not know which 5 do not count.

The pretest mechanism also explains some questions that feel unusual or harder than expected. Sometimes those are pretest questions being calibrated; do not let unusual questions affect confidence.

The 230-minute time limit affects scoring indirectly. Candidates who run out of time score worse than candidates who finish.

The time-score relationship:

• Finishing with 0-15 minutes to spare = healthy pace.
• Finishing with 15-30 minutes to spare = comfortable pace.
• Finishing with 30+ minutes to spare = unusually fast (verify accuracy).
• Running out of time = guesses on remaining questions reduce score.

The pacing target of 1 minute 15 seconds per question allows finishing with about 5-10 minutes to spare. This pacing is reliable for most candidates.

For candidates who consistently finish very fast in mocks, the question is whether the speed reflects mastery or rushing. Mastery produces high accuracy at fast pace; rushing produces low accuracy. Verify accuracy before assuming mastery.

For candidates who consistently finish slowly or run out of time, the issue is usually pacing discipline. Practice with strict timing in mocks builds the pacing muscle.

Sample passing score reports:

Example 1: Strong pass - People: Above Target - Process: Above Target - Business Environment: Target

Example 2: Solid pass - People: Target - Process: Above Target - Business Environment: Target

Example 3: Borderline pass - People: Target - Process: Target - Business Environment: Below Target

Sample failing score reports:

Example 4: One weak domain - People: Target - Process: Below Target - Business Environment: Target

Example 5: Multiple weak domains - People: Below Target - Process: Target - Business Environment: Below Target

The patterns illustrate the variable zone. Example 3 (borderline pass) and Example 4 (failing) differ only in which Target/Below Target combination occurred. The algorithm’s decision in such cases depends on factors PMI does not publish.

For candidates calibrating their preparation, the lesson is to aim for Target or above on all three domains rather than relying on strong performance in two compensating for weakness in a third.

You see your result on the screen within 1-2 minutes after submitting. Pass/fail is shown immediately; detailed score report follows.

PMI emails formal confirmation in 1-3 business days. The confirmation includes the certificate (for passers) or the score report breakdown (for both passers and failers).

For candidates who pass: - Certificate available for download. - LinkedIn update opportunity. - PDU strategy planning begins. - Recognition by PMI in member directory.

For candidates who fail: - Score report breakdown by domain. - Retake eligibility within the 12-month window. - Retake fee for second/third attempts. - Time to plan focused preparation.

The 1-3 business day window for the formal email can feel long. PMI’s processing systems are slow but reliable; the certificate or detailed report typically arrives within 24 hours but can take up to 3 business days.