.

Shiv, I have around 15 years of experience and handled quite a few projects of various sizes. I had plans to complete PMP examination, started many times but dropped in between due to some or the other distractions.

Finally I made up my mind to complete this examination last November. I tried to complete before the updated exam but couldn’t do it. So with many advice from many others I thought of not to worry about the new pattern. And finally had the big success and would proudly say that I am a PMP certified.

Some of the tips and how I did this.

Exam preparation

I started to read PMBOK, and one of my friend who is a PMP certified acted like a mentor and used to take classes whenever he found time. I too made it a point to read 1 hour a day.

I started seriously during December and completed first round of Rita Mulchay, Head first and many other articles, blogs which I could read it through internet.

From January onwards I started attempting sample questions every day, looking at one knowledge area at a time.

Then finally I started writing full-length mock exams. I took about 13 mock exams. My scores were low in the beginning and started improving over time. These mocks were all based out of the old pattern.

One advantage on taking as many mock exams as possible is that I could get to manage the time. Even when you review the wrong answers you can master on that process. If you have the mock tests with the new pattern, it would be a lot better.

[continue reading…]

Shiv, I cleared my PMP exam on 25th Feb on my 1st Attempt.
My preparation time – 90 days.

Study books

1) Head First PMP
2) PMBOK (you can get for free if you are PMI’s member)
3) PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy

Training (& 35hr contact education requirement from PMI)

Instead of classroom training I went for Online training. My benefits were that of studying in chunks irrespective of the location and duration. I could always go back and forth and relearn difficult concepts. I went with PM PrepCast by Cornelius Fichtner.

Mock Exam resources

I was selective here as I did not want to get overwhelmed. Here are two that I selected –

1) PM Exam Simulator by Cornelius Fichtner
2) Oliver Lehmann’s PMP App

Also read: What I found about PMP prep during my 4-month prep journey – by Muhammad Shahid, PMP

My study approach

1) For procrastinators like me, paying the exam fee was one way to get committed to exam preparation.

2) I would say decide on a study strategy & STICK to it. Don’t add any more resources to your list especially when you are very close to the exam date. I did the opposite & wasted some money & time on this. [continue reading…]

Shiv! Thanks a lot to for creating such a wonderful blog which shares loads of information on PMP & CAPM preparation.

I am happy to inform you that I passed CAPM on my first attempt. I would like to mention that though I was preparing for CAPM, I had referred more of PMP notes and mock tests which made me sail through easily.

My CAPM Study resources

1. HEADFIRST PMP – I had first gone through this book which had a very interactive way of explaining each processes and ITTO. I used to go through each chapters take notes on it and made it sure to practice chapter test after each chapter. This book was very good to start up with. This book helped me gain confidence inspired me to apply for CAPM on 28 January.

2. PMBOK GUIDE – I completely referred to PMBOK GUIDE Edition 5 for preparation of my exam. I kept a target of completing one chapter every 2 days. This took me one and a half months to complete with my work posing a major constraint.

I took notes on ITTO and made data flow diagrams which were useful for review before the day of exam. One key point – ITTO are very important to be understood. Try not to memorize them, understand the flow on how one particular input of a process becomes an output using specific tools & techniques.

I got about 30-35 direct questions on ITTO in my CAPM exam.

3. PMP ITTO Android app – This app helped a lot in knowing the ITTO of each processes along with the description of each Process Group, Knowledge Areas, Process & ITTOs. [continue reading…]

Shiv!, I would like to thank you for your guidance during my preparation for my recent PMP Exam.

I am happy to report that I passed the first time and couldn’t be more relieved to put this test to bed.

I would like to share my experiences with the future PMP’ers preparing for the exam with the following takeaways:

PMP Study resources

a. I read Rita cover to cover two (2) times. One KA per day usually and reviewed Risk, Quality, and Time Management several times.

b. Shiv’s Smartnotes and Study Plan were extremely helpful to reinforce the material and to stay on track

c. Two full Mock Exams and scored an average of 74%. Reviewed all incorrect answers and reviewed those subject areas.

d. Hundreds of Practice Questions from Exam Central and BestPMP.com. Note: BestPMP closely mirrored the format of the exam questions.

e. I prepared and brain dumped all Process, Knowledge Areas, and all the processes from process table in PMBOK as well as all formulas. There were not very many calculation based questions on the exam.

PMP Study plan

[continue reading…]

Shiv, I have cleared PMP exam in first attempt with 3MP & 2LP on 31st March 2016.

I am very very happy and thankful to you for your guidance. TRUST me your SMARTNOTES helped me in quick revision & the study advice shared by other successful PMP students helped me a lot in making strategies for studying.

I spent overall about 2.5 months for my PMP preparation.

Study resources used

1. Started with Rita Mulachy 8th edition
2. I started with HeadFirst PMP book at the same time
3. Various Android apps like HyperPMP, PMPPro etc. (Shiv: Here’s a list of PMP apps)
4. Lastly a quick review of PMBOK 5th edition.
5. PMP SmartNotes from PMESN (Shiv: in book format here)

[continue reading…]