Congrats to Kim on passing the PMP

Stu,

Here is a summary of my approach to the test. I included some lessons learned in italics:

1. Assess your study need prior to signing up: I started studying BEFORE signing up for the test. This may not work to motivate everybody, but I had an external deadline to take the test by August 31. I did this to determine if I’d be ready.

For those who are in the current class and plan on taking the exam, take the exam soon after finishing the class. That was my intention and I just now took it. Everybody is busy, but the longer you wait, the longer you will have to study. Start studying during the review class and be ready to take the test within a few weeks of finishing the class.

2. Start Slow: It was hard for me to get into studying again. Knowing this, I started small and set small goals such as spending the first week developing a study plan and gathering study materials. Every week I would increase my study sessions.

3. Make your schedule fit your studying: Know that you will only be studying temporarily. You'll be more consistent with your studying if you make your schedule fit around your studying.

4. Buy A Study Guide: Do a search for a PMP study guide and pick one that suites you. Mine had an online companion that was easier to learn from than the book because it was narrated and visual.

In retrospect, having a study guide while in the class and "studying" it while going through the class would have helped me understand the concepts earlier. I personally didn't touch the PMBOK during my studies (Mainly because I cannot find it) and it is much harder to read than a well written study guide. However, for those that struggle with the concepts, the PMBOK should be read to get a good foundation.

5. Quiz your reviews: My review was organized by Knowledge Areas. Each time I finished my review of a knowledge area, I would take quizzes on that area and made sure I understood anything I got wrong. To further challenge myself, I would quiz myself by process group or particular processes as well. Be aware that taking quizzes on a particular knowledge area, process, or process group is much easier than an all encompassing quiz or exam because you are aware of where you are in the material. During the real exam, you will have to sometimes figure out what knowledge area or process group you are being questioned on.

6. Do Assessment and Practice Exams: Once my review was over, I spent a few weeks focusing on doing exams only, both short ones and full ones. Make sure to schedule a few full length exams. It's extremely tough to take a 4 hour long test. Make sure to practice reviewing your problems when you are done with the test. This is important because a good review can raise your score because you will be much calmer knowing you at least answered all of the questions.

I should have gotten exams from more than 1 source. The main reason being is that small differences in grammar or use of terms can throw you off during the test. Knowing that the actual exam questions may look different allows you to focus on what is being asked.

7. Know and Memorize any Calculation Stu presented: Earned Value is a must, but know how to do a decision tree analysis, calculate pay back period based on IRR, etc.

I only studied Earned Value equations, however, Stu's class really focused on getting to the root of all of the formulas and calculations involved in the PMI processes. This helped me with those problems even though I had not studied them.

8. Know and Memorize the Processes: Learn the 42 processes and know what process group and knowledge area they belong in. The chart in PMBOK should be memorized and the EXACT wording should be learned. There are 517 inputs, tools & techniques, and outputs. I did not memorize these, but I wrote them down as I studied. This allowed me to at least see them and know that they existed. This is important because the PMP exam will throw PMI sounding terms at you that will seem like the right answer. You should at least know the major output of each process and get familiar with the inputs.

9. Know the structure of the test: Obviously, every question answered correctly will help your score, but keep in mind that all questions (except for the 25 experimental ones) are worth the same amount regardless of difficulty. With that said, know which process groups are emphasized on the test and make sure you are proficient in those areas. For example, most questions come from the executing and the planning process groups.

10. Study the PMI Code of Ethics: Study the code and make sure you do practice questions that focus on this area. These are not always common sense. Understanding this code will also help in understanding how to answer scenario based questions because it will help you think like PMI does.

11. Review the Reference Books Stu Provided: The PMP exam is much broader than the material covered in the PMBOK. Review at least the portions of the books that Stu assigned.

12. Take the Test When Ready: Knowing that I spent almost 500 dollars on the test was motivation enough to make sure I was ready. Take the test when you are ready by making sure you are doing well on your full length practice exams. Keep in mind that 61% is all that is needed to pass. I didn't feel comfortable until I consistently scored in the 90's on my practice exams for a number of reasons. The first being that you will be more calm and relaxed prior to taking the test and it shows that you understand the material. The second being that, depending on how many sources you get the practice tests from and who put them together, you may end up seeing some of the same questions over and over. Keep in mind that you may not do as well on the real exam as you do in your practice exams because of this.



Kim Mizuno, Jr. PMP