I started preparing for PMP from June onwards. Although I had thought about it many times earlier, I could never really prepare for it seriously, and this time I decided to go for it.
I started in June by reading PMBOK 5th edition and I signed up for PMP online training on Vision training systems where I could fulfil 35 hours training requirement needed by PMI during my application process.
My PMP Preparation
I spent almost 4 hours every day preparing for PMP by reading PMBOK and side by side going over the training for every chapter that I read.
I did not like PMBOK a lot, to be honest, for me it was difficult to read and follow. But I knew I had to stick with it. After completing PMBOK I started reading Rita Mulcahy 8th edition. I really enjoyed it. I liked the way she explained concepts and I understood every knowledge area very clearly by going through Rita’s book.
I started solving the questions at the end of every chapter, and this helped me build my confidence that I understood the chapter. I continued marking the questions I got wrong and reviewed it before giving my real exam, so I was prepared for those difficult questions.
While reading the book I always used to think about my old projects and the processes we followed. This helped me understand everything in a practical way. I worked on a global project once, it was a big project with 100+ team members working in different time zones. I imagined how that project could have been done using PMP processes when I read the book, and this approach helped me a lot to internalize the application of processes. This understanding is critical in solving PMP questions.
After I completed Rita’s book, due to some reasons I stopped my preparation for 2 months. And then I again picked the book in October and started reading it from the scratch. I completed it once and then I again skimmed through it two more times to remember all classifications, formulas etc.
Also read: PMBOK + PMESN + Prep Tests = PMP : Sunil Narula
The final push before the exam
[continue reading…]
I cleared my PMP exam on the 1st of Oct – with just 2 weeks of preparation!
This was my first attempt and a very haphazard one. I want to share about things that worked for me to get my PMP. Hope this will help your readers.
I underwent PMP training Feb 2015, I became a PMI member and submitted my application in the month of April. I wanted to give the exam by Aug and had fixed a date.
But then job and other personal work took priority and I could not prepare. With a fine of $70 I postponed the date to the 1st of Oct. I thought I had enough time to study for the paper till then.
Once again, I got caught up with various other activities and PMP exam preparation took a backseat. Finally, in mid Sep, when there were barely 2 weeks left for the paper, I realized the amount of money that I had spent for this certification (including training) and the amount that would be forfeited if I didn’t appear for it. Though I had limited time to study, I made the best use of my weekends (4 days) and covered as much as I could.
I got MP in all process groups, something I think I could have improved on if I had studied properly, nevertheless, it did seem like an achievement to clear the exam on the first attempt, that too, with such little preparation.
Here are my tips for preparing for the exam when you have very limited time in hand.
Also Read: How Sayeenand passed his PMP exam with a simple plan he devised himself. [continue reading…]
PMP Exam CBT vs PBT – my experience in taking my PMP certification By Lazard Toe, PMP, ITIL
My experience in preparing to take the PMP Exam is focused on the difference between the Computer Based Test (CBT) and the Paper/Pencil Based Test (PBT).
Though these two ways of passing the exam are recognized and provided by PMI accredited centres, but they are quiet different. This testimony might not interest or surprise or even be considered out of context for those living in the USA or Europe where CBT are available, in areas like Africa the Paper Based Test (PBT) is the only way to take the exam unless you travel far from your location.
PBT Vs CBT – decision time
Coming back to my own experience which could be same for many PMP aspirants, I attended a PMP classroom training in December last year in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa. At the end of the training, the instructor mentioned that the CBT has been cancelled in Nigeria and that only the PBT is available. If we want to pass the test through the CBT, we would have to go to Accra – Ghana, one hour flight from Lagos.
This was not a concern for me at that time. It is worth noting that I had never taken a test using the PBT, so I did not have any clue about this. After the training, I quickly created my PMI account, paid for my membership. I applied for the exam and got my accreditation a week later. I downloaded the PMBOK and gathered some material online and from friends. I also had 2 simulators. I scheduled for April 2015 and later changed to June 2015. [continue reading…]
Shiv,
I am very happy to let you know that I passed my PMP exam on my first attempt last week!
I want to share my study experience with your readers.
PMP Preparation
My PMP journey started 3 years ago, when I received my first training from a friend who was certified and wanted to coach me. Unfortunately few month from them I had to relocate to another country with a new job. Soon enough PMI introduced PMBOK fifth edition.
My last sprint started in February this year, when a good friend recommended me PM Exam SmartNotes blog. I signed up for the free PMP Study Blueprint email course. Soon I finalized my study resources and ordered the PM PrepCast by Cornelius Fichtner. I used the link from Shiv’s PM PrepCast review page and received discount and precious PMP study books as bonus from Shiv.
PMP Application Stage
I submitted my application on 20 May 2015, and five day later I received a notification that my application has been accepted.
PMI membership is very important as you can have many reference resources from members area. Also you will get your own copy of PMBOK with your name marked. I suggest it is better to get PMP membership as early as possible.
During the month of June my computer was stolen, with all my study materials. I was pretty disappointed, I sent an email to Shiv and he kindly sent me all the books again. I would say this was an uncommon risk to manage 😉 [continue reading…]
Hi Shiv,
I cleared my PMP certification exam! First of all I want to thank you for your support and Guidance.
I am glad to share my experience of PMP journey.
I started my journey for PMP in 2012 but never taken seriously till April 2015. I submitted my form in April 2015. Then I took the exam seriously and fixed my target as last week of July.
PMP study Materials I used
1. PM PrepCast study materials which I bought on your advice
2. PMBOK 5th edition
3. HeadFirst PMP Book
4. Exam notes from PMESN blog.
Prep to Completion
- It took almost 3 months for the preparation.
- First of all went through Head First Book for understanding of concepts
- Then I went through training videos from PM PrepCast
- I studied PMBOK for understanding the nuances. Each day I managed about 4 hours for the study.
- On the exam day I was relaxed. I stopped hard study two days before exam date. Reached exam center three hour earlier. Prometric allowed me start my exam three hours earlier than the scheduled time.
- I became excited and relaxed after seeing the message “Congratulation!” 🙂
Lesson Learned
- Study PMBOK rigorously three to four times (don’t make the mistake which I did)
- Use some commercial simulator for help to understand exam platform and analyze your strength.
- Try to understand flow of all processes and their implementations (refer Data-flow diagrams in PMBOK).
- Study hard and be confident.
-Birken Datta, PMP
Its great pleasure for me to share; yesterday I cleared PMP exam at first attempt. Though the score remained 4MP and 1P, but in given circumstances and situation for me its great feeling!!!
First of all, thank Almighty God, all my PMP gurus / PMP resources, my family members and everyone in this group who shared their success/failure stories of their PMP exam;
PMP resources I used
Simplilear
n (Jason Gorman – PMP expert at Simplilearn)
For fantastic video tutorials. The concise course design, content, explanation methodology, presentation, especially voice of Mr. Jason is simply superb. In around 15 hours of total video content, they cover entire PMBOK such smartly that one can score 40-50% marks from just these alone and get most basic/important concepts cleared!!! I preferred online self-learning to learn at own pace and repeat/revise stuff at convenience. [continue reading…]
