Direct answer: PMI-PBA passing score
The PMI-PBA exam does not have a published fixed passing score; PMI determines pass or fail using scaled scoring based on exam difficulty and overall performance.
What does passing score mean?
A passing score reflects meeting PMI’s minimum competence standard rather than achieving a specific percentage.
- No published cut score
- Scaled scoring model
- Domain-level performance review
- Pass or fail result only
How PMI evaluates exam results
PMI uses statistical analysis to ensure exam fairness across different test forms.
Scoring model
Exam forms are adjusted for difficulty using psychometric methods.
Domain weighting
Performance across domains contributes to overall result.
Result reporting
Candidates receive a pass or fail decision after exam completion.
Practice scores vs exam results
Practice test results help indicate readiness but are not equivalent to official scoring.
| Measure | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Practice exam score | Readiness indicator |
| Official exam result | Certification decision |
Common misconceptions about passing score
Clarifying frequent misunderstandings about PMI-PBA scoring.
- Assuming a fixed percentage guarantees a pass
- Focusing on raw scores instead of domain balance
- Ignoring weak domains despite high overall practice scores
Readiness signals and if/then rules
Use objective signals rather than a target percentage to judge readiness.
Summary and next steps
Focus preparation on domain coverage, scenario practice, and consistency rather than chasing a specific numeric score.