Exam Content Outline
The PMP exam is based on a document called the Exam Content Outline (ECO) from the Project Management Institute. Think of the ECO as the official blueprint for the exam as it defines what you can be tested on. Visit the PMI website for the official ECO.
Things to know about the PMP ECO:
The ECO is not a textbook. You do not need to study or memorize the ECO.
The ECO outlines the types of work a project manager does and how those responsibilities may show up on the exam.
The ECO organizes project management into three main areas, called Domains:
People Domain: how you work with and lead people
Process Domain: how you manage the project work itself
Business Environment Domain: how your project connects to the broader organization
Within each of these Domains are the kinds of responsibilities (Tasks) you are expected to handle as a project manager, along with examples of how those responsibilities might appear in real-world situations.
Every question on the PMP exam is based on this outline and is designed to assess whether you can apply project management concepts in realistic scenarios and make decisions the way the Project Management Institute expects a project manager to think and act.
A downloadable version of the ECO is available for your use. You may find it helpful to download a copy and use it as a reference point to identify areas where you feel more confident and less confident. This can help you focus your study time more effectively by spending more time on topics that require deeper review.