Prepping for Project+ Took Most People Under 3 Months
by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 20, 2025
The CompTIA Project+ certification is largely about time management, so a good project manager might wonder how long it takes to prepare for the PK0-005 exam. To help you make a good estimate, we asked certified professionals on X, LinkedIn, and email how long their preparation took. Their experiences can give you a guide for planning your own study timeline.
Read on to find out how much time you may need to prepare for the Project+.
What is the Project+?
The Project+ is a vendor-agnostic project management certification from CompTIA that is designed for generalist PMs. It’s not about specific frameworks like PMI, Scrum, or Kanban and covers broadly applicable project management skills and knowledge. Project+ introduces many of those methodologies but emphasizes a broad, foundational approach. Project+ also provides foundational knowledge for managing projects across various industries, not just IT. It’s designed for early-career professionals (not just project managers) who want to learn about project management principles but aren’t necessarily looking for the depth of certifications like CAPM. It’s ideal for IT professionals, business analysts, or team leads who are involved in managing or supporting projects.
The certification covers basic project management methodologies, resource management, and risk management. Employers value CompTIA Project+ certified professionals because they can manage projects efficiently, communicate effectively, and ensure successful project outcomes, making it a versatile certification across different job roles.
Project+ has one exam, the PK0-005, which is 90 minutes long, consists of 90 questions, and costs $384 to attempt. There aren't any prerequisite exams or certifications to earn before you attempt the Project+.
How Long Does it Take to Study for the Project+?
With good time management and study materials, the Project+ can take less than 6 weeks to prepare for, but plenty of people in our survey needed more than 5 months to prepare for it.
40% of respondents to our survey said they needed less than 6 weeks to study for the Project+.
This suggests that for those with some project management experience, the exam is pretty accessible. However, it’s not without its challenges. Around 23% of people needed up to 3 months, showing that while some may get through it quickly, others need more time to get comfortable with the material.
What’s most interesting is that 18% of respondents took more than 5 months to prepare for Project+, which underscores the importance of staying focused on your study habits and using high-quality materials.
While many can complete their Project+ prep in less than 6 weeks, it’s important to be mindful of your own learning pace and not underestimate the test—especially if you’re newer to the subject matter.
What's on the Project+ Test?
The Project+ test is PK0-005, a 90-minute exam with 65 questions that cover project management concepts, life cycle phases, tools and documentation, and IT governance basics. Preparing for the test with an online CompTIA course can help anyone, even experienced data center administrators. The test has 4 sections:
Project Management Concepts
Project Life Cycle Phases
Tools and Documentation
Basics of IT and Governance
The Project+ exam covers the skills needed to manage IT projects from start to finish, with a focus on planning, execution, communication, and closing processes. First of all, you need to understand the core characteristics of projects, such as their unique purpose, defined start and end, and how they fit into broader programs or portfolios. Knowledge of popular project management methodologies, like Agile, Waterfall, and Scrum will be helpful, and you should know how to choose the right approach based on factors like flexibility, team composition, and project needs.
The exam emphasizes the practical aspects of IT and IT project management, such as:
Handling security and compliance
Vendor selection
Procurement
Familiarity with basic IT infrastructure
Data privacy concerns
Environmental considerations (ESG)
Additionally, you need to know how to use various project management tools, from tracking issues and budgets to collaborating with team members, ensuring efficient operations and streamlined project workflows across the life cycle.
Our Project+ online training gives you a focused, accelerated study plan. Practicing with mock exams and quizzes helps reinforce your knowledge, so you’re exam-ready faster than on your own.
How to Study for the Project+ in Under 3 Months
According to our data and other estimates, CompTIA Project+ usually takes 1-3 months to study for, but with the right approach, you can make the process feel much smoother and faster.
Use Online Training Resources
Finding well-organized Project+ resources on your own can be a challenge, so CBT Nuggets provides a complete course focused on the Project+ exam objectives. From project planning to team communication, the course covers the essentials in a logical flow, helping you stay focused on relevant topics without wasting time on unrelated content. It’s a great way to streamline your prep and ensure every minute counts.
Learn Through Real-World Scenarios
Real-world application is essential in project management, and the Project+ course from CBT Nuggets incorporates realistic scenarios to bring concepts to life. Rather than just studying theories, you’ll explore practical data and examples of what you’ll face on the job.
Test Yourself Using Practice Exams
Project+ practice exams from CBT Nuggets help you understand the exam’s structure and test your readiness. By pinpointing the areas that need review, practice exams let you prioritize your study time. Knowing what to expect and which areas to focus on will cut down on study time, helping you pass Project+ with ease and confidence.
Aiming to boost your project management skills? The Project+ certification might just be the best way to do it. While many people take months to study for it, CBT Nuggets’ Project+ course helps you reach your goal faster.
With structured lessons, practice labs, and focused exams, you’ll learn essential project management skills without wasting time. If a new title or role is on your radar, let CBT Nuggets guide you to success in record time.