The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam permits the use of a simple, four-function calculator. This means candidates can perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division during the test. An example would be calculating project cost variance or earned value using provided formulas.
Access to a calculator reduces the cognitive load on exam takers, allowing them to focus on applying project management knowledge and processes rather than complex calculations. This contributes to a fairer assessment of true project management competency. Historically, allowing calculators reflects a shift towards evaluating practical application and strategic decision-making within project management, rather than pure mathematical proficiency.