Do I need to memorize lots of terms for PMP?

The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam is a test of your project management skills, not just your knowledge of project management terms and definitions. The exam is designed to assess your ability to apply project management concepts in real-life situations.

Contrary to popular belief, memorization of a large number of terms is not necessary to pass the PMP exam. The Project Management Institute (PMI), which administers the exam, does not focus on testing your understanding of specific terms or their minute details.

It is important to have an understanding of project management terminologies, but memorizing definitions is not necessary. You should know what a scope management plan is and how it affects the project, but you do not have to memorize the definition as defined in a book.

Most of the questions on the PMP exam are situation-based, and only 10% to 20% of the questions may focus on knowledge. In recent years, the need for memorization has decreased as PMI has shifted its focus from testing knowledge of project management processes to testing understanding of the context in which project management is applied.

While it is important to have a general understanding of project management terminologies, memorizing definitions and lists of tools is not necessary for the PMP exam. PMI is interested in testing your ability to apply project management concepts in real-life situations.