Quick answer (updated 16 October 2026): The best PMP exam simulator is one built for the new PMP exam that started on 9 July 2026: 180 questions in 240 minutes, People 33% / Process 41% / Business Environment 26%, and the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition. Of the options we checked, Gururo’s PMP Exam Simulator has the largest question bank (40 tests, 7,167 questions) at the lowest price with lifetime access, Brain Sensei suits learners who want a dynamically generated exam, and TIA suits short, intensive prep. Avoid starting PM PrepCast now: it stops selling on 31 October 2026 and all access ends on 4 December 2026.
Disclosure: Gururo, a PMI® Authorized Training Partner, publishes this guide and makes one of the simulators below. We list prices and features as published by each provider on 16 October 2026 and link to our sources.
A PMP exam simulator is a timed practice test that copies the real Project Management Professional exam: the same number of questions, the same time limit, the same mix of question types and the same domain weighting. Taking several full-length simulations is the most reliable way to find your weak domains and build the stamina for a four-hour exam.
The choice matters more than usual this year. PMI replaced the exam on 9 July 2026 with a new Exam Content Outline (ECO) and the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition. Simulators written for the old exam still sell, and practising on them trains you for a test that no longer exists. This guide compares the main simulators against the new exam, explains what changed, and shows how to use a simulator so the practice turns into a pass.
What changed in the PMP exam in July 2026
If a simulator does not reflect these changes, its scores will mislead you.
| Area | Exam before 9 July 2026 | Exam from 9 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 180 (175 scored) | 180 (170 scored, 10 unscored pretest) |
| Time | 230 minutes | 240 minutes, with two optional 10-minute breaks |
| Domains | People 42%, Process 50%, Business Environment 8% | People 33%, Process 41%, Business Environment 26% |
| Reference guide | PMBOK® Guide 7th Edition | PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition (seven performance domains, 40 processes, six principles) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiple response, matching, hotspot, fill in the blank | Adds case or scenario sets and graphic-based questions (charts, diagrams, traceability matrices) |
| Delivery approach | About half predictive, half agile or hybrid | About 40% predictive, 60% agile or hybrid, across all domains |
The biggest practical change is the weight of Business Environment, which more than tripled. Questions on business value, governance, compliance, organisational change, sustainability and AI now make up about a quarter of the exam. Check that your simulator’s score report shows this domain separately. Source: PMI, Project Management Professional certification.
How we compared the simulators
We checked each simulator against six things that decide whether practice transfers to the real exam:
- Built for the July 2026 exam. The provider states that the questions follow the 2026 ECO and PMBOK 8.
- Full-length, timed exams. 180 questions in 240 minutes, so you practise pacing and stamina.
- Question bank size. Enough unique questions that retakes do not turn into memory tests.
- Explanations. Why the right answer is right and why each wrong option is wrong.
- Domain score reports. Results for People, Process and Business Environment, so you know what to revise.
- Price and access period. Total cost for the time you actually need, without forced renewals.
Prices change often and some vary by country. Always confirm on the provider’s page before you buy.
Best PMP exam simulators in 2026: comparison
| Simulator | Questions | Full exams | Price* | Access | Built for July 2026 exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gururo PMP Exam Simulator | 7,167 | 40 tests | $24.99 one-time | Lifetime | Yes, PMBOK 8 and 2026 ECO |
| Brain Sensei PMP Exam Simulator | 2,200+ | 3 fixed + 1 generated | $99.99 | 6 months | Yes, for exams from 9 July 2026 |
| TIA PMP Exam Simulator | 2,000+ | 14 mock exams | $44.99 | 60 days | Yes, PMBOK 8 |
| PMI Study Hall (PMI) | Varies by tier | 2–5 practice exams | Regional pricing | 3-month subscription | Check: the earlier version was for exams before 8 July 2026 |
| PM PrepCast Exam Simulator | 1,920 (Deluxe) | 4 | $149 | 90 days | Closing: sales end 31 Oct 2026, access ends 4 Dec 2026 |
*Prices as published by each provider on 16 October 2026, in US dollars, excluding taxes. Gururo shows prices in local currency on the product page.
Gururo PMP Exam Simulator: best value and largest question bank
Best for: candidates who want the most practice for the new exam at a one-time price, with time to prepare at their own pace.
- 40 practice tests and 7,167 questions, written for the July 2026 ECO and the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition. Full tests have 180 questions, like the real exam.
- An explanation for every answer, covering the wrong options too, and results broken down by People, Process and Business Environment.
- Exam mode and practice mode, unlimited retakes and lifetime access. Works on desktop, tablet and mobile.
- Includes the PMP Study Notes and Cheat Sheet (107 + 53 pages, July 2026 edition) free with the simulator.
- Gururo is a PMI® Authorized Training Partner, and purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch out for: the bank is large, so plan your time. Start with untimed practice tests and keep the full timed exams for the last weeks.
Brain Sensei: best for a dynamically generated exam
Best for: learners who like a story-based, polished platform and want an exam that changes each attempt.
- 2,200+ questions, three fixed 180-question exams and one exam generated from the bank each time.
- Labelled by the provider as built for exams on or after 9 July 2026.
- $99.99 for six months of access. The provider offers a 30-day refund if you have started no more than one practice exam.
Watch out for: the six-month window. If your exam date moves, you may need to pay again.
TIA PMP Exam Simulator: best for short, intensive prep
Best for: candidates with an exam date in the next few weeks who already follow Andrew Ramdayal’s TIA material.
- Over 2,000 questions across 14 mock exams, updated for the 2026 exam and PMBOK 8.
- $44.99 for 60 days, with bundles that add a cram course and mindset material.
Watch out for: 60 days goes quickly. Buy it when you are ready to practise every day, not at the start of your studies.
PMI Study Hall: the official option
Best for: candidates who want practice material from PMI itself.
- Sold as a subscription in Essentials and Plus tiers, with practice exams, mini exams and extra questions. Prices depend on your country and PMI membership.
- PMI states that its earlier Study Hall product was intended for exams taken before 8 July 2026. Make sure you buy the version for the new exam from PMI’s new PMP exam page.
Watch out for: fewer full-length exams than most commercial simulators, and the subscription renews every quarter.
PM PrepCast: closing in December 2026
PM PrepCast was one of the best-known PMP simulators, but the company is shutting down. According to its closure FAQ, the last day to buy is 31 October 2026, all access ends on 4 December 2026, and purchases made from 1 September 2026 are non-refundable. Unless your exam is before December, choose another simulator.
How to choose the right PMP simulator for you
| Your situation | What to look for | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Exam in 3 months or more, tight budget | Large bank, one-time price, long access | Gururo |
| Exam in under 8 weeks | Many full mocks, intensive format | TIA or Gururo |
| You want a different exam every attempt | Dynamically generated tests | Brain Sensei |
| You want PMI’s own material as a second source | Official practice exams | PMI Study Hall (2026 version) |
| Weak in Business Environment | Domain-level score reports | Any simulator that reports by domain |
Whichever you pick, check three things before paying: the provider names the July 2026 ECO, the full exams have 180 questions in 240 minutes, and the explanations cover why the wrong options are wrong.
How to use a PMP simulator to pass on your first attempt
- Take a baseline test early. Sit one full exam before you study in depth. The score matters less than the domain breakdown.
- Study by weakest domain. Spend most of your time on the domain with the lowest score, using a study guide such as the PMP Study Notes.
- Review every explanation. Read the reasoning for the questions you got right as well as wrong. Guessing correctly hides gaps.
- Practise the new formats. Work through case-style sets and questions built on charts, burndowns and network diagrams.
- Simulate exam day. In the last three to four weeks, sit full 180-question exams in one sitting with the two breaks, at the time of day of your real exam.
- Book when your scores are consistent. PMI does not publish a pass mark. Most trainers advise booking when you score consistently in the mid-70s or above across several full exams, with no domain far behind.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PMP exam simulator in 2026?
The best simulator is one built for the exam that started on 9 July 2026, with full 180-question tests, explanations for every answer and domain reports. Gururo offers the largest bank (7,167 questions, 40 tests) with lifetime access; Brain Sensei and TIA are strong alternatives with shorter access periods.
How many questions are on the PMP exam in 2026?
180 questions in 240 minutes. 170 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest questions mixed in at random.
What is the passing score for the PMP exam?
PMI does not publish a fixed passing score. Results are reported as Above Target, Target, Below Target or Needs Improvement for each domain, based on psychometric analysis.
Are PMP simulators updated for PMBOK 8?
Not all of them. Check that the provider names the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition and the 2026 Exam Content Outline. Simulators written for PMBOK 7 still weight Business Environment at 8% instead of 26%.
Is PM PrepCast still available?
Only until 31 October 2026 for new purchases. All PrepCast products stop working on 4 December 2026.
How many practice exams should I take before the PMP exam?
Most successful candidates sit at least four to six full-length timed exams, plus shorter domain tests, and review every explanation.
Are PMP simulator questions the same as the real exam?
No. Reputable simulators write original questions in the style and difficulty of the real exam. Avoid sites that sell “real exam questions”; using recalled questions breaks PMI’s exam rules.
Is there a free PMP practice test?
Several providers offer free samples. Use them to judge question quality, then move to a full simulator for timed, full-length practice.
Bottom line
Pick a simulator that matches the July 2026 exam, gives you full 180-question timed tests, and explains every answer. For the most practice per dollar with no deadline, the Gururo PMP Exam Simulator gives you 40 tests, 7,167 questions and the PMP study notes and cheat sheet free. Preparing for more than one PMI exam? The PMI Practice Tests Bundle covers PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP and six more. Related reading: The Ultimate Guide to PMP Exam Questions and PMP exam time management tips.
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