Shiv, thank you for your support, emails, great tips, and the PMP prep books. I became PMP certified a few weeks ago with 2 ‘Proficient’ and 3 ‘Moderately Proficient’ score.
I would like to share some advice and study tips here based on my PMP prep experience, for the benefit of PMP aspirants.
It started in May when I decided to get PMP certified. I opted for one of the local training center and opted for weekend batch, which was for 2 weekends.
My Study Approach
I come from a non-project management background, therefore everything was absolutely new for me.
I started with reading the book by Andy (#ad), and then shifted to Rita’s (#ad). But even after that I had feeling of incompleteness.
Thanks to Shiv, whose time to time guidance kept on showing me the right path, I started reading PMBOK and the books by Shiv, which I got online.
I completed PMBOK twice before giving mock exams.
Shiv’s mnemonics and formula guide are awesome ones to refer to. They helped me remember critical concepts and formulas without spending too much time, or effort to recall them.
The PMP exam Simulator (#ad) helped me gain confidence. I learned to manage the 4 hours of exam time in an optimal way to answer all 200 questions ahead of time.
I prepared my own notes from all sources and referred to data flow diagram in PMBOK. The diagrams in PMBOK are the best, it clarifies the concepts.
I managed to understand all processes in their the logical sequence, but ITTOs, I just understood them, did not mug up.
I then went on to complete practice exams to gauge how I was performing in each Knowledge Area.
Also read: How Marie Nguyen overcame last minute near-disaster to pass her PMP exam!
PMP Mock Tests
I bought PrepCast simulator (#ad) with 1800 PMP certification exam mock questions, which were great. Also used Rita’s Fast track 8 tests (#ad).
You can get a free version (but limited questions) of PMP simulator from here and see if you like it before investing.
In all, I gave around 15 online mock tests. I scored between 79 % – 83 % in Rita’s Fast track, between 80 % to 87% in Prepcast simulator, and 93 % for ITTO mock test.
There is one other small trick I followed at the end of each test, which ensured I prepared much better for the real exam.
After each practice exam, I would review the questions that I got wrong to develop a list of knowledge areas that I needed to re-review.
Be Careful About This Possibility
I had an issue with mock questions that I got from the Internet, and I think you need to take notice of this if you too are collecting questions off the Internet.
I had around 4000+ PMP sample questions. But they were not as difficult as you would get on the exam. In fact, I had some of the questions from earlier versions of PMBOK (example, Administering Procurement process) which can confuse you and create havoc – so I suggest stay away from any earlier versions of PMBOK based questions.
Preparing For The Exam
I booked my exam in last week of June, and the date I chose was 5th July.
Last week prior to the exam, I just referred to my notes and gave one swipe of PMBOK.
I also completed the PMP Formula guide by Shiv, and updated my notes.
I made sure that I gave enough time to myself to relax between study sessions.
Also Read: How Hari Chand became PMP Certified in 20 days flat!
The Big-Day!
I travelled a day early to the exam centre as it is not in same city where I live in. It was
The exam was a nerve-racking experience for me and I settled in slowly in around 40-45 minutes after the exam started. I finished one round of questions in 2 hours and had 2 hours left to review marked questions.
Due to stress, I had more questions marked in actual exam than mock tests. So, I had about 140 questions to review. I got almost all situational questions in my exam.
While reviewing, I took deep breath and stared and validated all answers.
When I finished my survey I saw the “Congratulations” message and that feeling of being PMP certified is something that cannot be expressed in words!
I have seen people studying for 3-4 months.
But I managed to complete it in a month and 10 days, July 5th is when I completed my PMP and passed with 2 P and 3 MP Score in my first attempt.
In Closing,
Being PMP certified was my dream, because it was my ticket to professional growth. Sure, PMP is not one of the easiest exams I have faced. But I now know that anyone can pass PMP exam with good study resources, good planning, and good old determination.
I wish you all the best.
It is definitely possible, go do it!
Daya Patil, PMP
