I recently took the PMP test for the first time, and unfortunately marginally missed the passing score. I'm gearing up to re-test, and while the experience has uncovered some ways to prep differently this time, I'm stuck on a certain type of question.
I've got the material down, but believe I struggled with questions relating to what should you do next. I fully understand that what I would do in real life has nothing to do with the test, and the answer has everything to do with the PMP material and definition, however I'm having a really hard time linking the multiple good answers provided with a specific process group and/or knowledge area, especially when only one answer is the BEST answer. I believe the key is simply knowing which option is in what process and knowledge area, however I'm not readily making the connection that I believe will give me this insight, and don't how to sharpen this skill in my prep. How should I be looking at the material, since most of it is factual in nature with steps and general scenarios/explanations.
Any tips on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated, as I don't want prep the same way again, and come out with the same result after making the same mistake. Saving Changes...
Unfortunately, those "what should you do next?" questions really require a firm grasp of the sequential flow of certain activities or processes and lots and lots of practice is the only way to get there.
You could also take an individual process and trace where its inputs come from and where its outputs get consumed. When you look at it as 49 processes, that's overwhelming, but it's not a case of 49x49 connections. For example, understanding the flow between Manage & Direct Project Work - Control Quality - Validate Scope helps you understand how a deliverable will become an accepted deliverable...
YouTube - Top 5 PMP exam tips and tricks by PMC Lounge... I believe they went over this style of question as one of the 5 listed types and how to combat them. Saving Changes...
Osman DönerProject Manager / Business Analyst| Tubitak Bilgem YteAnkara, Türkiye
Rmc Learning’s Pmp Exam Prep book is a supplementary source and provides helpful tips for questions. Also you need to practice question to pass the exam. I recommend PmFastrack, you will learn how to approach questions.
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1 reply by Steven Mitchell
Jun 04, 2018 9:56 AM
Steven Mitchell
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Thanks. This helps. I took 5 practice tests which is about 1,000 questions, but to my dismay, I found that the practice questions were not good examples for the most part of the actual test questions, both in the type of question, and the types of answers provided. Because of this, my goal this time is to take only 1 or a maximum of 2 tests, which puts more of an emphasis on the quality of practice test this time. I will definitely look into this. I've also heard of Rita Mulcahy. Have you had any experience with her material, or do you know how it compares to RMC and Fastrack?
Saving Changes...
Teresa Lyn HepplePM Consultant| ContentgrrlFlower Mound, Tx, United States
One of the most critical flows to understand is that of work performance data, work performance information, and work performance reports. Right after the big brain dump table 1.4, there's a great summary on page 26, followed by a flowchart on page 27 that shows WPD, WPI, and WPR in context of process groups. Trace what processes might produce or collect certain knowledge-area-specific performance data, what processes use analytical tools to produce information, and how other processes produce the reports.
Another critical flow to understand is that of change requests and approved change requests. Again, trace for yourself what processes produce change requests, the only process that produces approved change requests, and the few processes that use approved change requests as an input.
Another critical flow to understand is that of quality and scope validation. Again, trace for yourself what processes are involved.
One thing that worked very well for my study group is building a spreadsheet that tracks the ITTOs. Of course, you could start with what the Appendix X6 indexes for Tools & Techniques per Knowledge Area and Category. Saving Changes...
Steven MitchellSenior Project Manager Engineering | Freeport McMoRanMetairie, La, United States
Jun 01, 2018 4:55 PM
Replying to Osman Döner
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Rmc Learning’s Pmp Exam Prep book is a supplementary source and provides helpful tips for questions. Also you need to practice question to pass the exam. I recommend PmFastrack, you will learn how to approach questions.
Thanks. This helps. I took 5 practice tests which is about 1,000 questions, but to my dismay, I found that the practice questions were not good examples for the most part of the actual test questions, both in the type of question, and the types of answers provided. Because of this, my goal this time is to take only 1 or a maximum of 2 tests, which puts more of an emphasis on the quality of practice test this time. I will definitely look into this. I've also heard of Rita Mulcahy. Have you had any experience with her material, or do you know how it compares to RMC and Fastrack? Saving Changes...
Steven MitchellSenior Project Manager Engineering | Freeport McMoRanMetairie, La, United States
Thank you everyone! This is very valuable information for me, as like I said, I have some clear takeaways on what I should change, however I was stumped on how to change this aspect. What I hear is that a better understanding of the inputs and outputs will help to link the "what to do" scenario to a specific process. The inputs/outputs are the path to what the next step is, hence, what to do next.
I appreciate the help. Saving Changes...
Teresa Lyn HepplePM Consultant| ContentgrrlFlower Mound, Tx, United States
I used Rita Mulcahey's previous edition when I passed the 5th edition PMP exam. I totally agree that you need to practice on sample tests. Mulcahey's chapter and end-of-book practice quizzes are quite challenging, and the answer keys provide some fair feedback about why the correct answer is the best choice.
I am working for Cornelius Fichtner, and based on my experience in my study group, I can recommend the PM PrepCast (a video podcast subscription) and the PM Exam Simulator. The PM Exam Simulator interface in Timed mode is very close to the experience of the actual exam, where you can cross out answers that you don't want to consider, as well as use the Mark, Guess, Move on (MGM) method, and review your marked questions after you've finished the set. In Learning Mode, you can view a Hint or Answer with per-choice explanations that discuss not only the rationale for the correct answer, but also why a particular answer was incorrect.
The PM Exam Simulator's online report is what made this most valuable for targeting my studies. The report shows not only the Process Group where you have trouble but also the Knowledge Area where you have trouble. That way, you only have to focus remedial studies on the areas you need.
After taking a sample exam, use the report to target a knowledge area. You can read all the answer explanations for questions you missed, look up the answers in the PMBOK Guide and supplemental videos/books/sites, and then try a Learning Mode quiz limited to the knowledge area you need to pass.
Need a free trial? Here are some free questions with detailed answer key:
Steven MitchellSenior Project Manager Engineering | Freeport McMoRanMetairie, La, United States
Hello again everyone. I just wanted to post an update that this past Monday I passed the PMP test, and I wanted to say thank you to each of you for taking just a little time out to help me in my preparation!
I’m very appreciative of that, and the feedback you provided was great in directing me on the right path to correct/change what I missed on the first try. The info you provided was not only clear, but following up on your advice also let me to other great invaluable resources that I would not have come across otherwise. You helped with exactly what I needed when trying to reach out to other certified professionals.
I already have some ideas on how I will give back to others who are where I was just a few months ago. Once again, I’m extremely grateful for your assistance, time, and info in helping me achieve my goal. Saving Changes...
Osman DönerProject Manager / Business Analyst| Tubitak Bilgem YteAnkara, Türkiye
