You can take the PMP at a Pearson VUE test centre or online from home through Pearson VUE's OnVUE system. The exam itself is the same: 180 questions, 240 minutes and two 10-minute breaks. What differs is the environment, and the rules at home are strict.
Quick comparison
| Online (OnVUE) | Test centre | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | None | You travel to the centre |
| Dates and times | Usually more slots | Depends on local centre |
| Environment | You control it, but must meet strict rules | Controlled for you |
| Technical risk | Your computer and internet | The centre's problem |
| Scratch space | On-screen whiteboard only | Erasable note board from the centre |
| Interruptions | Can void your attempt | Rare |
The online rules that catch people out
Check-in. Check-in opens 30 minutes before your appointment. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you cannot sit the exam and you lose the fee. Start check-in as soon as it opens; the ID and room checks take time.
ID. Bring a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. The name must match your booking exactly.
Your room. You take photos of your workspace, and the proctor may ask for a full 360-degree view. The room must be private, with the door closed and nobody coming in.
Your desk. Only your computer is allowed, plus a drink if permitted. No paper, books, notes, second screens (even switched off), or phones within reach.
Scratch work. There is no paper. You use an on-screen whiteboard. Practise using it, especially for calculations like EAC or float.
Your phone. It is used during check-in to photograph your ID and room. After that it must be out of arm's reach.
Breaks. Take the two scheduled breaks only. Leaving the camera view at any other time, reading questions aloud, or someone entering the room can end your exam and invalidate the attempt.
Run the system test
Run Pearson VUE's system test on the exact computer, room and internet connection you will use, a few days before and again on the day. Avoid:
- company laptops, which often block the software,
- VPNs and corporate networks,
- public or shared Wi-Fi.
A wired connection is the safest option.
Which should you choose?
Choose the test centre if:
- your home is noisy or shared, or you cannot guarantee four uninterrupted hours,
- your internet is unreliable,
- you prefer working calculations by hand on a note board,
- you want the exam to feel separate from home.
Choose online if:
- you have a quiet, private room and a reliable connection,
- the nearest centre is far away or has no convenient dates,
- you are comfortable with the on-screen whiteboard.
From the author
Whichever you choose, rehearse the conditions. Sit at least one full-length mock in one sitting, at the same time of day as your exam, with breaks at the same points. If you are testing online, do it at the same desk with your phone out of reach.
Get ready
Read our exam day tips for timing and pacing, and use the free 30-question PMP quiz to practise answering at exam pace: 80 seconds per question.