Categories: Agile, Career Development, Communications Management, Construction, Cost Management, Earned Value Management, New Practitioners, PMI Standards, Risk Management, Schedule Management, Scope Management, Time Management
I am glad to announce that I passed the PMI-SP® exam on April 16, 2018 from the first attempt with Above Target score and I would like to share with you my adventure as it might be helpful for new apirants who are preparing to sit for the exam.
How did I study ?
1- Study Time: 2 - 4 hours daily (6 Days a week) for 5 Weeks.
2- References:
- PMBOK 5th Edition - Detailed and in depth study of the Time Management Knowledge Area in addition to reading through the Scope, Risk, Communication & Stakeholder Management Knowledge Areas.
- Practice Standard for Schedueling (Second Edition) - Very Important especially chapters 2 & 3.
- Exam Outline Domains & Tasks - Very Important
3- Simulation Exams: Very minimal simulation exams. The aren't much resources available for simulation exams.
How was the Exam ?
I can only discuss the exam in general without going into details or specifics as it is against the Code of Ethics:
1- The Exam was tough, not easy at all.
2- Not too many lengthy questions. Most questions are 2 - 3 lines but the answers are not straight forward. It does test your depth of understanding for the schedueling process and many other processes outside of the scheduling knowledge management area.
3- The exam definitely tests your knowledge and experience beyond any textbook.
4- I finished the exam in 3:20 Hrs and I was reasonably fast between reading, analyzing and answering. I had 10 minutes left to review some questions.
What is my advise ?
Study very well and make sure you understand every single aspect properly and how to do it in real life and in what exact sequence - The sequence is important and how you and what you update in case of changes is very important too. If you are experienced, you should rely 60% on your studying and 40% on your expertise in applying those skills in real life and the EXAM.
What is my Point of View ?
Just like the RMP, finding the exam to be difficult is a positive thing that PMI made the exam that way so that it can maintain the value of this certification and only people who really deserve it and have the required skill level can earn it. I believe this is a plus for everyone who is certified as when you mention you are a PMI-SP certified, people will react "Oh Wow, Great" which makes you feel proud and feel the value of this certification if compared to people saying : "Oh everyone can get it, it is easy".
I am glad to have finally earned this certification and join the very elite global group of 1,800 certified schedueling professionals. I wish all the best of luck to all future candidates.
Always Remember: Such Adventures are definitely worth taking !
