Last Updated on October 31, 2024 by andrewshih
Are you deciding among the Study Hall, TIA, and Prepcast PMP Exam Simulators?
If you plan to self-study and follow the Reddit PMP forum, Study Hall and TIA PMP exam simulators are most commonly recommended among PMP aspirants. We have gathered and analyzed feedback on the form from users who passed the PMP exam and those who failed the exam to put together this article.
In this article, we will compare and take a deep dive into Study Hall, TIA, and Prepcast, the three most popular PMP exam simulators, to help you determine which exam simulator is right for you.
Disclaimer: PMAspirant is affiliated with PM-Prepcast, Udemy, and Amazon Associate. Please review the full affiliate disclaimer.
Study Hall Exam Simulator
Study Hall (SH) is a comprehensive exam simulator developed by PMI, designed to closely mimic the PMP exam environment. It is widely regarded for its realistic question format and extensive question bank, which covers a range of difficulty levels.
Study Hall Exam Simulator Features and Pricing
PMI offers two exam simulator packages – Essential with fewer practice questions and PLUS with more questions. Plenty of users mention that the Essential version is enough, and PLUS version is unnecessary.
FEATURES | SH Essential | SH PLUS |
# Total Practice Questions | 775 | 1425 |
# Mock Exam (175-question each) | 2 | 5 |
# Mini Exam (15-question each) | 15 | 20 |
Extra Practice Questions | 200 | 250 |
Flashcards | 200 | 200 |
Learning Plan | ||
Lessons | ||
Videos | ||
Game & Activities | ||
Premium Webinar | ||
Access Period (Days) | 90 | 90 |
Price | $49 | $79 |
Suggested Exam Simulator Passing Score
The score needed on Study Hall (SH) to indicate the likelihood of passing the PMP exam depends on whether you include Expert-level questions in the score.
- Including Expert Questions: Aim for a score of 60-65% or higher as a good indicator of readiness.
- Excluding Expert Questions: Aim for a score of 70-75% or higher to feel confident about your preparation.
Study Hall Exam Simulator Strength
- Created by the Exam Creator: Study Hall is created by PMI and the PMP exam is administered by PMI. Naturally, SH exam simulator is the first choice for the PMP exam preparation.
- Realistic Exam Simulation: Many users found SH questions very similar to the actual exam, particularly in terms of format and complexity. This helps candidates get accustomed to the real exam environment.
- Mindset Training: SH emphasizes the importance of understanding the PMI mindset, which is crucial for selecting the best answer among multiple correct options.
- Comprehensive Question Bank: SH offers a wide range of questions across various difficulty levels. This extensive practice helps candidates identify and focus on their weak areas, ensuring thorough preparation.
Study Hall Exam Simulator Weaknesses
- Demoralizing Expert-Level Questions: While the inclusion of expert and difficult questions is beneficial for challenging candidates, it can also be demoralizing for some. These questions are often not reflective of the actual exam, may contradict the mindset, and can lead to second-guessing and time management issues. (Reference: NorthernEclipse, ShihTzubaru, emphasis_engineering, wnate14, Spiritual-Ad-7175)
- Overemphasis on Practice Questions: Some users have expressed concerns about focusing too much on SH questions without understanding the underlying concepts. Using SH as the only source of repetitive practice, the user may remember the answers and give a false sense of readiness. It’s essential to balance question practice with conceptual learning to perform well on the actual exam. (Reference: jmullucey, jabb0)
- Less Intuitive Answer Explanation: While SH offers thorough explanations, some candidates find the explanations less straightforward, more complex, and sometimes contradicting when compared to other resources, which may affect how well they internalize the PMI mindset. (Reference: Winter-Librarian-929, RubPMP, 3cheers2all, TheMacGreggor)
Recommendations for Using Study Hall
- Focus on Moderate and Difficult Questions: The actual PMP exam tends to focus more on moderate and difficult questions rather than the expert-level ones. Therefore, while practicing, prioritize understanding and performing well on these levels.
- Use Expert Questions for Depth: Use the expert-level questions to deepen your understanding and challenge your knowledge, but do not let them demoralize you if you find them particularly tough.
- Mix of Question Levels: Take practice exams with a mix of question levels to simulate the actual exam experience.
- Track Scores Separately: Track your scores separately for practice exams with and without expert questions to understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Mindset Focus: Regardless of the score, ensure you are grasping the PMI mindset and can apply it to situational questions, as this is crucial for passing the actual exam.
Additional Observation
While analyzing the Study Hall users who passed vs those who failed the PMP exam, many users who passed the PMP exam suggested they got mostly moderate to difficult questions while not many expert-level questions. Quite a few users who pass the exam suggest ignoring the expert-level questions. (Reference: bababooey60, 2inky, Fit_Security_5556)
Those who were unfortunate and failed the PMP exam despite getting good scores in Study Hall tend to suggest there are more expert-level questions on the exam, unfamiliar wording, or lengthier questions than the questions in Study Hall. (Reference: xpxcc, strawberryslacks, cauliflowercutlet, Blueberry0919810).
It can be confusing how to handle the expert-level questions in Study Hall.
Summary
Study Hall is created by PMI and serves as an excellent tool for candidates looking for a realistic exam simulation and extensive practice.
Getting high scores on Study Hall is a very good indication but does not guarantee a pass on the PMP Exam and handling expert-level questions can be a challenge for the PMP exam takers.
Likewise, given the several drawbacks of SH, it will be wise to balance SH practice with supplemental resources and conceptual learning to ensure a well-rounded preparation.
TIA Exam Simulator (Andrew Ramdayal)
The TIA Exam Simulator, created by Andrew Ramdayal, is renowned for its emphasis on the PMI mindset and situational questions. Many users attended Andrew Ramdayal’s Udemy course, purchased his book on Amazon, or watched his YouTube channel before purchasing the exam simulator.
Andrew Ramdayal’s explanations and coaching style are highly valued by many PMP candidates. The TIA exam simulator has been used by over 26,000 PMP aspirants with 4.8/5 STAR ratings.
TIA Exam Simulator Features and Pricing
FEATURES | TIA Exam Simulator |
# Total Practice Questions | 360 |
# Mock Exam (60-question each) | 6 |
Access Period (Days) | 60 |
Price | $44.99 |
Suggested Exam Simulator Passing Score
Consistent scores of 70% and above are often mentioned as a benchmark for being well-prepared for the actual exam. While the TIA simulator is a good preparation tool, users noted that the actual PMP exam might be more challenging. Thus, aiming for higher scores on the simulator (closer to 80%) can provide a buffer and ensure readiness for the exam.
Likely Passing Range: 70%-80%
Recommended Score on TIA: 75%-80%
Higher Confidence for Above Target Result: 90% or above
TIA Exam Simulator Strength
- Mindset Coaching: Andrew Ramdayal’s emphasis on the PMI mindset helps candidates simplify and understand the logic behind the questions and choose the best answers. His video explanations are highly valued.
- Situational Questions: TIA is praised for its situational questions that closely mimic the real exam, making it easier for candidates to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios.
- Detailed Explanations: TIA provides thorough explanations for each question via video, helping candidates understand why an answer is correct or incorrect. This aids in learning and retention.
TIA Exam Simulator Weaknesses
- Subjectivity in Questions: Some users feel that TIA’s questions can be vague or subjective, which may not always align with the actual exam’s clarity. It’s important to develop a strong understanding of the PMI mindset to navigate these questions effectively. (Reference: WestWillow, MiltonManners)
- Over-reliance on Mindset Coaching: While Andrew Ramdayal’s focus on the PMI mindset is generally appreciated, some users feel that there is an over-reliance on this aspect, which may not fully prepare them for the variety of questions on the actual exam. The mindset training is crucial, but it sometimes overshadows the need for a deep understanding of specific project management processes and concepts, where users may underperform. (Reference: Correct-Judgment-354, Commercial-Weight736)
- Easier than the actual PMP Exam: While many users passed the PMP exam successfully with the TIA exam simulator, plenty of users indicated that the TIA practice questions are simpler and do not reflect the actual questions on the exam. It may lead to a false sense of readiness. Some users scored 80s on the TIA mock exams but still failed the PMP Exam. (Reference: Low-Variety-4247, maketa_life, Atsiz25)
Recommendations for Using TIA
- Understand the PMI Mindset: Watch Andrew Ramdayal’s mindset videos to learn how to approach PMP questions.
- Take Mock Exams and Monitor Progress: Begin with TIA quizzes and aim to consistently score at least 75% before taking the PMP exam.
- Review Detailed Explanations: Carefully review explanations for each question, especially incorrect ones, to understand why answers are correct or incorrect.
- Take Advantage of Live Streams: Participate in Andrew Ramdayal’s live streams for additional insights and to clarify any doubts.
- Balance Your Study Materials: Consider complementing TIA with other resources like Study Hall or PrepCast to ensure thorough coverage of all process areas.
Additional Observation
There is no doubt that TIA exam simulator has helped many users pass the PMP exam and there are many AR fans. Andrew Ramdayal’s mindset training is very helpful and makes it clear and simple for the users. Nevertheless, it is not a silver bullet and it is important to accompany additional study materials.
From exploring users who failed or barely passed the PMP exam despite high TIA mock scores, it seems the user tends to do well and above target (AT) in the People section but below target (BT) in the Process section on the exam. (Reference: Skrulltop, WorkingJelly2455, Bagholic1314, Professor_PM, Maalmitta, Correct-Judgment-354)
Lastly, 360 practice questions only equate to 2 full exams. With Agile, Hybrid, and Predictive models and People, Process, and Business environment domains, it’s quite a lot of topics to cover comprehensively. In my opinion, the number of practice questions alone is insufficient.
Summary
TIA is a valuable resource for PMP candidates, particularly for those seeking to master the PMI mindset, which is essential knowledge for passing the PMP exam. The mindset training and detailed explanations make it a worthwhile investment for PMP exam preparation.
However, the questions on the exam simulator are likely easier than the actual exam. The limited number of practice questions, overemphasis on mindset, and potential deficiency in the process questions are risk factors that may negatively impact the user’s ability to pass the PMP exam.
PrepCast Exam Simulator
For many years, the PM-PrepCast exam simulator was the gold standard for the PMP exam, until PMI created Study Hall and TIA exam simulator seemed to have become the favorite of PMP aspirants on the Reddit Forum.
PM-PrepCast has always been known for its extensive question bank and realistic exam simulation that mirrors and slightly exceeds the difficulty of the PMP exam so that the users are well prepared for the exam.
Many users have reported that PrepCast questions are very similar to the actual exam, providing a reliable practice experience.
For more information about Prepcast, please refer to this Prepcast Review.
PrepCast Exam Simulator Features and Pricing
FEATURES | Essential | Advanced | Delux |
# Total Questions | 1100 | 1450 | 2070 |
# Full Mock Exams | 2 | 3 | 5 |
# Separate Quiz Questions | 740 | 910 | 1350 |
# Day Access (clock start only when you take the 1st question) | 30 | 60 | 90 |
Extension Allowed | |||
Price | $99 | $119 | $149 |
Suggested Exam Simulator Passing Score
PM-Prepcast suggests 70% as the minimum passing score. If you can consistently score 70% or above when you answer the question the first time, you are ready for the PMP exam. You can find the details in Prepcast Helpdesk article.
Prepcast Exam Simulator Strength
- Close Match with Exam: PrepCast questions are very similar to the actual exam, providing a very realistic practice experience. This helps candidates feel more confident and prepared.
- Extensive Question Bank with Detailed Explanations: PrepCast offers a large number of questions, ensuring thorough preparation and practice. The variety of questions covers all exam topics and each question includes an answer key that provides comprehensive explanations and references for further study. This aids in deep understanding and retention of concepts.
- Outstanding Exam Simulator and Question Support: One unique feature that makes Prepcast stand out from the pack is the user can challenge the question/answer on the spot with a click of a button if you think it’s unclear or wrong. There is no need to post the question in the Reddit forum and ask for community support.
- Strengthen Process Knowledge: PrepCast covers all process areas thoroughly, with detailed explanations and references to the PMBOK Guide. This helps you better understand and prepare for process-related questions on the PMP exam.
Prepcast Exam Simulator Weaknesses
- Seemly Higher Cost: The most common reason is that Prepcast is more expensive than TIA and Study Hall when you look at the unit price. However, if you do the math and look at how much you pay per question, Precast is cheaper than TIA. With Prepcast, you pay $149/2070Q = $0.072/Q. With TIA, you pay $44.99 / 360 = $0.125/Q.
- Higher Difficulty and Complex Wording: Some users find PrepCast questions to be harder and more wordy than the actual exam. This can make practice seem more difficult but can also be beneficial for thorough preparation.
- Not Know for Mindset Training: Prepcast seems to take a balanced approach, and not overemphasize mindset. While Prepcast is aligned with the latest Exam Content Outline and PMBOK, it is not branded or is known as mindset training.
Recommendations for Using Prepcast
- Understand the PMI Mindset: Familiarize yourself with the PMI mindset using PrepCast’s detailed explanations.
- Begin with Practice Quizzes: Start with shorter quizzes, aiming to score at least 60-70% consistently.
- Take Full-Length Practice Exams: Progress to full-length practice exams, targeting scores 70% or above range.
- Review Detailed Explanations: Carefully review explanations for each question to understand the rationale and learn from mistakes.
- Focus on Comprehensive Coverage: Utilize PrepCast’s extensive question bank to cover all process areas thoroughly.
- Monitor Your Progress: Track your scores and adjust your study plan based on your performance to address weak areas.
- Balance Your Study Materials: Consider supplement PrepCast with other resources like Study Hall or TIA for a well-rounded preparation.
Additional Observation
Many users are deterred from using PrepCast due to its higher cost, greater difficulty, and lack of emphasis on mindset training.
Given these factors and the introduction of Study Hall, PrepCast has lost its glory among PMP aspirants. Both Study Hall and PrepCast offer similar functions and closely resemble the difficulty of the PMP exam. Naturally, users tend to choose Study Hall over PrepCast because of its lower cost and the fact that it is created by the exam’s official body.
However, PrepCast can still add value to your PMP exam preparation if you fall within the following circumstances.
Complement Study Hall:
- If you find SH’s expert questions demoralizing. The expert-level questions in SH can be demoralizing for some candidates, leading to confusion and second-guessing. PrepCast offers a balanced range of questions that are challenging yet manageable, which can boost confidence and help reinforce learning.
- If you find SH’s explanation unclear. Some users find Study Hall’s explanation overly complex and challenging to understand. PrepCast’s detailed breakdown of why each answer is correct or incorrect helps users who struggle with the complexity of SH explanations to grasp the concepts better.
- If you used SH (and TIA) and still failed the exam: Did you already use SH (and TIA) and already achieve higher than the recommended passing scores on the mock tests but still failed the PMP exam? Or, maybe you remember the answers instead of understanding the concept through repeated practice? Prepcast’s large question bank with realistic practice questions and detailed answer explanations may fit your learning style better.
Complement TIA:
- If your weakness is Process knowledge. TIA is criticized by some users for its lack of focus on processes, concentrating more on the PMI mindset and situational questions. PrepCast offers comprehensive coverage of all areas, including processes, which ensures a more holistic preparation.
- If you want to practice questions that match the difficulty of the exam. Some users perceive TIA as easier and does not always align well with the actual exam’s difficulty. PrepCast is known for its realistic exam simulation and difficulty level that closely matches the actual PMP exam
Summary
PrepCast is an excellent resource for thorough and realistic exam preparation. The extensive question bank and detailed explanations make it a valuable tool for PMP candidates seeking comprehensive practice.
If you struggle with SH or want to improve your Process knowledge area readiness, the Prepcast exam simulator is a good option.
Study Hall vs TIA vs Prepcast Comparision
Side-by-Side Comparision Chart
| Feature | Study Hall (SH) | TIA Exam Simulator | PrepCast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 (Essential) | $44.99 | $149 (Delux) |
| Total Questions | 775 | 360 | 2070 |
| Price/Question | $0.063/Question | $0.125/Question | $0.072/Question |
| Realistic Exam Simulation | High – Developed by the exam creator. | High – Focus on situational mindset questions | High – Questions closely mimic actual exam |
| Difficulty Levels | Varied – Includes easy, moderate, difficult, and expert levels | Similiar to easier than the exam. | Similar to slightly exceeding the difficulty of the exam. |
| Emphasis on Mindset | Strong – Consistent focus | Very Strong – Central focus | Moderate – Includes mindset but also process details |
| Explanations | Good – Explains answers but some find it complex | Excellent – Video explanations by Andrew Ramdayal | Excellent – Comprehensive explanations and references |
| User Feedback | Essential but some find expert questions demoralizing | Highly praised for explanations and mindset training | Valued for realistic simulation, explanations, and process training. |
| Strengths | Realistic simulation, PMI mindset focus | Mindset coaching, detailed explanations | Realistic exam questions, extensive question bank, detailed explanations |
| Weaknesses | Expert questions can be demoralizing. Unclear explanation. | Overemphasis on mindset and not enough focus on process. | Balanced approach. Not as strong emphasis on mindset. |
| Best For | Candidates seeking realistic simulation and extensive practice | Candidates needing strong mindset training | Candidates looking for realistic practice and improve process knowledge. |
Summary
Study Hall (SH) is ideal for candidates seeking a realistic exam simulation with a comprehensive question bank and a focus on the PMI mindset. However, the inclusion of expert questions can be challenging and may require balancing with conceptual learning.
TIA Exam Simulator is best for those needing strong mindset coaching and situational question practice. Andrew Ramdayal’s detailed explanations and focus on the PMI mindset are highly valued. However, the process knowledge area may be weaker and the mock test is easier than the real exam.
PrepCast offers a very realistic simulation with an extensive question bank and detailed explanations. It is suitable for candidates looking for thorough practice and a deep understanding of concepts. However, the higher total cost and less emphasis on mindset training are the key disadvantages.
Which Exam Simulator Should I Get?
In the past (PMBOK 5, 6), the PMP exam was much more process-focused. With the introduction of Agile and PMBOK 7, the exam has shifted to predominantly servant leadership and mindset. However, the process still accounts for 50% of the exam according to the PMP Exam Content Outline. The exam can swing either more mindset or process-focused, and it is a fair game for PMI.
You should prepare to take on both the mindset and process situational questions to improve the chance of passing the PMP exam.
Do you still have a hard time deciding which Exam Simulator to buy? Here is what I would recommend depending on the following situations.
Tight Budget – One Exam Simulator Only
If you are under a very tight budget, Study Hall Essential makes the most sense. It is created by the exam creator which offers a realistic exam experience. Just keep in mind that the answer explanation is not the best and expert questions can be demoralizing and distracting.
Study Hall + One Exam Simulator
In this scenario, you are looking to buy either a TIA or Prepcast exam simulator to supplement Study Hall.
It depends on whether your weakness is the People (Servant Leadership Mindset) or Process.
If you purchased Andrew Ramdayal’s Udemy course, it already included some practice questions. You can also watch David McLachlan’s YouTube Videos (200 Agile Questions, 150 PMBOK 7 Scenario-Based Questions) to develop the necessary mindset.
To help you determine the readiness for the process scenario questions, Prepcast offers a free PMP exam simulator with 69 questions. This free simulator will help you determine if Prepcast is right for you.
You should have a better idea of whether you need to work on people, processes, or even both after going through the exercises above.
If you need more practice with mindset, get TIA. If you need to practice processes, get Prepcast and check for the latest discount code.
All 3 Exam Simulators
Suppose you want to be prepared for any questions that the PMP exam may throw at you and budget is not a major concern. In that case, it will be helpful to practice on all 3 exam simulators so that you are comfortable with wordiness, different wording styles, question lengths, various scenarios, and types of questions.
You will have over 3000 practice questions combined. You don’t need to complete all the practice questions. The goal is for you to get enough practice so that you score higher than the recommended passing score for each exam simulator and that you are familiar with various question styles.
Alternatives to Study Hall, TIA, and Prepcast
When I passed my PMP exam in 2017, Study Hall and TIA did not exist, and I learned about Prepcast after I passed the exam. Once I decided to pursue PMP certification, I saw PMTraining ads and thought it would not be bad if PMI promoted this training provider, and PMTraining on-demand training and its exam simulator were what I used to pass the PMP exam on my first try.
If you are looking for an alternative, the PMTraining exam simulator has over 1100+ realistic practice questions for only $69. You can learn more with my PMTraining review.
You can also check out the list of top PMP exam simulators.
Share Your Thought
Practice is essential for passing the PMP exam, and the exam simulator is a critical component of this preparation.
This is a controversial topic as people may have strong opinions and favorite one exam simulator over the other. Let us know and share your thoughts in the comment below.
