My PMP Prep Journey of 4 Months- By Muhammad Shahid, PMP

I started my PMP prep in mid-2015 by studying PMBOK 5 but actual preparation started in Mid-2016 when I enrolled myself in PMP Preparation class for 35 contact hours.

How I began my PMP prep

1. I read PMBOK once during mid-2015 and found it to be very dry book, so decided to use it for reference only in future.
2. I read Rita’s Book thrice as suggested by my trainer. I highlighted important things during first two readings and read all those highlighted material twice during last week of my study.
3. I searched and found some tips for remembering Process Group & Knowledge Area Mapping Table and Formulas but later I realized that there is no need for these, because if you read Rita thrice you will automatically memorize these things.
4. I attempted Rita’s, Andy Crowe‘s and HeadFirst‘s chapter end questions 5 times and kept a record of the result for comparison. The results gradually improved and I was able to secure 85% to 100% in 4th and 5th attempt. Also attempted HeadFirst’s and Andy Crowe’s Mock Exam 5 times and able to secure 90%+.
5. Attempted all 1000 questions given in “PMP Prep – Question & Answers 2013 Christopher Scordo“.

Both no. 4 and 5 helped a lot in preparation. I also tried to attempt questions from some other sources but realized that either those questions are from PMBOK 4 or their answers are wrong. So, be careful while attempting prep questions because you may end up spoiling your concepts. Above mentioned sources are enough for preparation.

Also read: My PMP Secret? No PMBOK, and Plenty of Mock Tests – By Pratim Ghoshal, PMP

Two Days Before the PMP Exam

On Saturday, I studied all the highlighted material in Rita’s Book. On last day, I attempted HeadFirst’s Mock Exam and also read ITTOs from PMBOK just to make sure I know them, I didn’t try to memorize them. At 7 O’ Clock, I stopped studying in order to relax my mind and went to sleep at 10 O’ Clock, in order to have a good sleep.

On last day, I attempted HeadFirst’s Mock Exam and also read ITTOs from PMBOK just to make sure I know them, I didn’t try to memorize them. At 7 O’ Clock, I stopped studying in order to relax my mind and went to sleep at 10 O’ Clock, in order to have a good sleep.

At 7 O’ Clock, I stopped studying in order to relax my mind and went to sleep at 10 O’ Clock, in order to have a good sleep.

Also read: PMP:Once Bitten, Second Time Successful – By Sita Sharma, PMP

Exam Day

On exam day, I was worried from the morning that what will happen if I fail, and prayed. Went to Exam Center, after the formalities, they showed me the computer where I had to attempt the exam.

I started the exam, all the questions were scenario based and 1 paragraph long. I marked approx. 40 questions for later review. I managed the time by doing 50 questions in 50-55 minutes, and took 5 minutes break after attempting 100 questions and started again.

By the end, I had 20 minutes to go over marked questions but was only able to mark half of the questions and time was up. After completing the survey, I clicked “End” with my head down and looked up with excitement and there it was

“Congratulations, You Passed PMP”

and I was still having difficulty believing that I passed on the first attempt. A person from the center came to me and said, “Sir! click on ‘End’, you have passed the exam”. I clicked, came out and got my result printed. 2 Proficient and 3 Moderately Proficient.

Also read: ‘PMBOK + PMESN + PMP Prep Tests = PMP Success’ – by Sunil Narula, PMP

Here are my study tips

1. Study Rita’s book 3 times during your PMP prep
2. Attempt as many prep questions as you can, but be careful while selecting question source or you may end up jeopardizing your concepts.
3. There is no need to cram anything. If you understand concepts well then you will automatically remember the answers.
4. Don’t rely on Network Diagrams and Formula Based Questions. I had only 5 Formula Based and 1 network diagram question. You may get more, or less.
5. Take your time for preparation, don’t hurry the exam. It took me months after the prep class to take the exam.

Good luck for your exam prep,

Muhammad Shahid, PMP

Also Read: PMP Certification Tips & Prep Advice, by Lawrence Li, PMP

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