Study Time: Pros and Cons

Mike Griffiths is an experienced project manager, author and consultant who works for PMI as a subject matter expert. Before joining PMI, Mike consulted and managed innovation and technology projects throughout Europe, North and South America for 30+ years. He was co-lead for the PMBOK Guide—Seventh Edition, lead for the Agile Practice Guide, and contributor to the PMI-ACP and PMP exam content outlines. Outside of PMI, Mike maintains the websites www.LeadingAnswers.com about leading teams and www.PMillustrated.com, which teaches project management for visual learners.

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There are more study options available than ever these days when preparing for an exam or credential. The classics--buying a self-study book, taking a course or attending (or starting) a study group--are all still available, and now much easier to find with the help of the internet. Then new options such as online courses, online sample exams, wikis and knowledge bases are also widely available--and often more convenient to consume.

I doubt there is a single best way for everyone--people have different needs and learning styles; using multiple methods will likely bring the quickest comprehension. To help formulate the optimal blend, let’s review the main pros and cons of each approach to help create a personal study plan.

Full disclosure: I have authored self-study exam prep books, online courses and test simulation software. As such, I am likely biased, but I will try to keep to the facts. My work also brings me into contact with many people studying for exams and allows me to compare their feedback and thoughts on what was useful to them. Hopefully this feedback will be useful to you also. As with most things, my recommendation is to listen to as many viewpoints as you can, try to be open and objective and then decide what will work best for you.

1. Self-Study Books: Buy an exam preparation study book that explains the domain tested on the exam and …

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