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PgMP® — PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PgMP Certification Overview, Eligibility, and Exam Logistics
2. Strategic Program Alignment
3. Program Life Cycle Management
4. Benefits Management
5. Stakeholder Engagement
6. Governance
7. Program Management vs. Project Management
8. Exam Preparation Strategies and Mindset
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Question 1: What are the five performance domains of the PgMP examination?
A) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring, and Closing
B) Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management, Benefits Management,
Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance
C) Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, and Risk
D) Portfolio, Program, Project, Operations, and Strategy
Correct Answer: B) Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management,
Benefits Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance
The PgMP Examination Content Outline (ECO) divides the exam into five performance
domains: Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management, Benefits
Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance. The previous process-group
structure was replaced by these domains, which reflect the modern program manager's
responsibilities across strategy, delivery, benefits, people, and oversight.
Question 2: What is the weight of the Program Life Cycle Management domain on the PgMP
exam?
A) 15%
B) 44%
C) 11%
D) 16%
Correct Answer: B) 44%
Program Life Cycle Management carries 44% of the exam weight, the highest of any domain.
This domain covers the full arc of program delivery, from initiation and planning through
execution, control, and closure. Approximately 75 of the 170 total questions come from this
domain.
Question 3: What is the weight of the Governance domain on the PgMP exam?
A) 15%
B) 44%
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C) 11%
D) 14%
Correct Answer: D) 14%
Governance carries 14% of the exam weight. This domain covers the structures, decision-
making frameworks, and oversight mechanisms that guide program execution, including
stage gate reviews, risk escalation policies, and compliance requirements. Approximately 24
of the 170 total questions come from this domain.
Question 4: How many questions are on the PgMP exam?
A) 100
B) 150
C) 170
D) 200
Correct Answer: C) 170
The PgMP exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored and 20
are unscored pretest questions. The pretest items are randomly placed throughout the exam
and do not affect the candidate's score.
Question 5: How much time is allotted to complete the PgMP exam?
A) 3 hours
B) 3.5 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 5 hours
Correct Answer: C) 4 hours
The PgMP exam allots 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the exam. The exam is computer-
based and is administered at Pearson VUE centers or via online proctoring.
Question 6: What are the eligibility requirements for Set A of the PgMP certification?
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A) High school diploma, 48 months of project management experience, and 84 months of
program management experience
B) Bachelor's degree, 48 months of project management experience, and 48 months of
program management experience
C) GAC-accredited bachelor's degree, 36 months of project management experience, and 36
months of program management experience
D) No experience required, only 35 hours of training
Correct Answer: A) High school diploma, 48 months of project management experience,
and 84 months of program management experience
Set A requires a high school diploma (or global equivalent), 48 months (4 years) of project
management experience or an active PMP certification, and 84 months (7 years) of program
management experience within the past 15 years. Set B requires a bachelor's degree with 48
months of project and program management experience each, and Set C requires a GAC-
accredited bachelor's degree with 36 months of each.
Question 7: What is the minimum passing score for the PgMP exam?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) PMI does not publish a fixed numerical passing score
Correct Answer: D) PMI does not publish a fixed numerical passing score
PMI does not publicly disclose a specific passing score for the PgMP exam. Instead,
candidates receive a pass or fail result. The passing standard is set by psychometric analysis
against a defined proficiency standard, commonly estimated at roughly 75% based on
candidate experience.
Question 8: A program manager discovers that a component project no longer supports the
organization's three-year strategic plan, though it still delivers value to two of the program's
five projects. The governance board has not yet reviewed the component. What should the
program manager do first?
PgMP® — PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PgMP Certification Overview, Eligibility, and Exam Logistics
2. Strategic Program Alignment
3. Program Life Cycle Management
4. Benefits Management
5. Stakeholder Engagement
6. Governance
7. Program Management vs. Project Management
8. Exam Preparation Strategies and Mindset
, page 2 of 53
Question 1: What are the five performance domains of the PgMP examination?
A) Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring, and Closing
B) Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management, Benefits Management,
Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance
C) Scope, Schedule, Cost, Quality, and Risk
D) Portfolio, Program, Project, Operations, and Strategy
Correct Answer: B) Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management,
Benefits Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance
The PgMP Examination Content Outline (ECO) divides the exam into five performance
domains: Strategic Program Alignment, Program Life Cycle Management, Benefits
Management, Stakeholder Engagement, and Governance. The previous process-group
structure was replaced by these domains, which reflect the modern program manager's
responsibilities across strategy, delivery, benefits, people, and oversight.
Question 2: What is the weight of the Program Life Cycle Management domain on the PgMP
exam?
A) 15%
B) 44%
C) 11%
D) 16%
Correct Answer: B) 44%
Program Life Cycle Management carries 44% of the exam weight, the highest of any domain.
This domain covers the full arc of program delivery, from initiation and planning through
execution, control, and closure. Approximately 75 of the 170 total questions come from this
domain.
Question 3: What is the weight of the Governance domain on the PgMP exam?
A) 15%
B) 44%
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C) 11%
D) 14%
Correct Answer: D) 14%
Governance carries 14% of the exam weight. This domain covers the structures, decision-
making frameworks, and oversight mechanisms that guide program execution, including
stage gate reviews, risk escalation policies, and compliance requirements. Approximately 24
of the 170 total questions come from this domain.
Question 4: How many questions are on the PgMP exam?
A) 100
B) 150
C) 170
D) 200
Correct Answer: C) 170
The PgMP exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored and 20
are unscored pretest questions. The pretest items are randomly placed throughout the exam
and do not affect the candidate's score.
Question 5: How much time is allotted to complete the PgMP exam?
A) 3 hours
B) 3.5 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 5 hours
Correct Answer: C) 4 hours
The PgMP exam allots 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the exam. The exam is computer-
based and is administered at Pearson VUE centers or via online proctoring.
Question 6: What are the eligibility requirements for Set A of the PgMP certification?
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A) High school diploma, 48 months of project management experience, and 84 months of
program management experience
B) Bachelor's degree, 48 months of project management experience, and 48 months of
program management experience
C) GAC-accredited bachelor's degree, 36 months of project management experience, and 36
months of program management experience
D) No experience required, only 35 hours of training
Correct Answer: A) High school diploma, 48 months of project management experience,
and 84 months of program management experience
Set A requires a high school diploma (or global equivalent), 48 months (4 years) of project
management experience or an active PMP certification, and 84 months (7 years) of program
management experience within the past 15 years. Set B requires a bachelor's degree with 48
months of project and program management experience each, and Set C requires a GAC-
accredited bachelor's degree with 36 months of each.
Question 7: What is the minimum passing score for the PgMP exam?
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 75%
D) PMI does not publish a fixed numerical passing score
Correct Answer: D) PMI does not publish a fixed numerical passing score
PMI does not publicly disclose a specific passing score for the PgMP exam. Instead,
candidates receive a pass or fail result. The passing standard is set by psychometric analysis
against a defined proficiency standard, commonly estimated at roughly 75% based on
candidate experience.
Question 8: A program manager discovers that a component project no longer supports the
organization's three-year strategic plan, though it still delivers value to two of the program's
five projects. The governance board has not yet reviewed the component. What should the
program manager do first?
