Before the PMP exam starts, you will see a short awareness session. The duration is 15 minutes, and it shows the user interface and explains how to navigate: how to select answers, how to mark a question for review, how to submit answers, etc.
Fifteen minutes is more than enough time for this session, and many PMP aspirants completed it early and used the remaining time to note down important formulas or concepts.
The PMI has ended this practice immediately.
Now, you cannot take any notes during the 15 minutes of the awareness session.
If you have completed the session, end it, start the exam, and then you can make your notes.
I used to recommend that PMP aspirants complete this awareness session quickly and use the remaining time to note down important formulas and concepts or draw a memory map.
Now, the situation is different, and you must wait until the exam starts.
Below is the statement from Mr. Greg Schaffer, who was the manager of the REP program at the PMI.
He posted the following update in October 2016 in a LinkedIn group created for PMI REPs:
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a few questions regarding the practice of “brain dumps” while taking a PMI exam. Here is PMI’s policy on this matter and what will be enforced at Prometric testing centers:
- Testing candidates can utilize scratch paper/note boards once the exam starts.
- Doing a “brain dump” during the 15-minute tutorial period or prior is not allowed.
- All scratch paper/note boards will be collected at the end of the testing session.
Please consider this policy if you advise your students about this practice.
Nowadays, Pearson VUE conducts the PMP test and follows the same policy.
I have spoken with a few PMP exam takers, who told me they were not allowed to make notes during the awareness session. They were told so before entering the exam room.
Sometimes, they did not provide the scratch paper to aspirants during the awareness session. Aspirants had to ask for it once the exam started.
How Will This Affect You?
The PMP exam lasts 230 minutes, and if you are well prepared, you can complete the test within 3 hours.
You will have enough time, so instead of having time left over, you can use some before making your notes. You need 5 minutes to prepare the brain dump; therefore, think strategically and make brain dumps immediately after you start the exam.
I have received many emails from PMP aspirants regarding the brain dump. They thought that it was banned.
This is not true. You cannot prepare your brain dump during the awareness session, but you can do it once the exam starts and your clock starts ticking.
Conclusion
Banning brain dumps during the awareness session has more psychological impact than anything else. It will not affect you much; it takes only a few minutes to prepare it, and you can do it once the exam starts. Time is not an issue if you’re well-prepared. Do not worry; complete the awareness session, start the exam, note important points on scratch paper, and then answer questions.
Did you prepare a brain dump for your exam, and how was it useful? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
Hello, just curious to know where this no-brain dump policy is. I researched prometric website and cannot find it. Thank you.
Hi Fahad,
I’m due to take my PMP exam in coming November, can you give me advice what source of PMP subject should i use to study in two months prior to my exam.! i would prefer exam simulations.
many thanks
Please refer to the following blog post:
https://pmstudycircle.com/2015/08/how-to-become-a-pmp/
Hi, Actually I am very confuse on Brain Dumps during PMP exam. Where can i get my solution for brain dumps please guide me.
Solution for your braindump?
I did not understand your question.
Dear Fahad
my email is [email protected]
do you offer traning course.how can iI get in touch with your web.
SURAYAKNT PATEL
I do not offer any training courses but you can find a few training courses here at:
https://pmstudycircle.com/35-contact-hours/
Fahad
Thanks a lot
You are welcome Samir.
Hi Fahad,
Many thanks for your help..
I had cleared my PMP Exam on 23 Mar…there fore I just wanted to say – THANKS to you …Your blogs helped my a lot to clear my doubts….I am really thank full to you.
Now, my next target is to study Risk Mgmt. I will start its preparation from May on wards.. Can you please suggest how I can start study for this exam, books I can refer, you tube videos or any things…
Regards
Samir
Read my lesson learned on how I prepared and passed the PMI-RMP exam.
https://pmstudycircle.com/2012/04/i-passed-my-pmi-rmp-risk-management-professional-exam-lesson-learned/
Thanks a lot…. Take care
You are welcome Samir.
Hi Fahad,
I am little confuse on Brain Dumps…what information do I note which helps me.
>47 process from 5 process group and KA.
>Cost Formulas
>Procurement Formulas
>Schedule formula ( Six sigma,PDM etc )
I have gone through Rita as well,they want to follow their chart for preparation
ITTO> I practice 47 process and then mark output of each process.
So, kindly guide the correct things I should concentrate on and complete in 5-7 minute which help accurate answers..
Many thanks in advance……..
Regards
Samir
Whatever important concepts you think you cannot remember because of stress, you should note down. Some people note down formulas, some people short concepts like if SPI is less than one the what happens, etc.
What is the reason for this change? It seems unfair that past exam takers had that extra 10 to 15 minutes to write this information down, and it also has a calming affect for many, but new takers are banned from the traditional brain dump. I find it very unfair. The test is stressful, long and for some it may take only 3 hours. I finished, but I had no time to review. I failed! I studied several months and about 400 hours. I think for the most part, I was shocked that we could not do the brain dump and it completely through me off my game! I couldn’t think for the first part of the test due to this unexpected turn of events.
I am not aware of the reason of this change. Anyway, you should not worry too much about it. This is just five or ten minutes. Prepare well, I am sure you will not face any problem in the exam.