I am currently preparing the PMP exam and so far the PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition is my new Bible.
Do you have any tip on:
- Study plan: the one I have follows the summary of the PMBOK but I am open to suggestions
- Most important things to know,
- Common traps.
I thank you in advance for your kind advice and wish you a great day.
Your recommendations were so precious and I followed all of them. I got my certification yesterday. Thank you for your support. You contributed in that success. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear Lise
I hope that by taking the exam you will have PASS at the end
I am convinced that from a certain point in the preparation for the exam the important thing is:
- Gain dexterity in answering
- Be familiar with the type of exam questions
The best way to achieve this is by taking Exam Simulation 200 times at a time. Saving Changes...
1. I read the PMBOK three times and took notes. Those fill more than 100 pages but they compile the main definitions and key concepts. They were very practical when reviewing the main knowledge. I also noted each input, tools and techniques, and outputs in a separate note to have a broad look at the entire process (I have a strong visual memory);
2. I used lots of exam simulators. I used the main free options available online. I noted the questions on which I scored incorrectly and reviewed them carefully. On that occasion, I also did additional researches on articles and blog posts on aspects I did not know well;
3. I joined a group study on WhatsApp that one of our members recommended me. The comments of the participants were more helpful than the exam questions posted regularly;
4. I studied carefully three times Rita Mulcahy Prep Book and I made all the exercises;
5. I used flash cards of Rita Mulcahy. Those were useful to review briefly some knowledge two-three days before the exam;
6. I enrolled on a class on Coursera and I must confess it was of no help;
7. I Googled most of the tools, diagrams, histograms, etc., to check what information they display;
8. The funnier part: I used some of the knowledge immediately at work. I tried to relate with the project I am currently managing and thought about how I could also improve the overall project management in the company. I know I learn the best when I apply the theories in the real life. I also offered a training to my colleagues on the basics of project management.
In total, it took me around eight months. It's long but I have a very busy job and I took it easy for around five months and I increased my efforts in the last three months.
I believe it worked fine for me. I scored above target on four domains. Saving Changes...
Hope these below-mentioned points help to prepare for the exam:
1. You have to understand all knowledge area and process group from PMBOK thoroughly, remember the keywords which make difference from one process to another process
2. Understanding of each Definition make to select the right answer in the exam
3. Most of the questions are situational based so practice more and more mock test from a reliable source on PMBOK 6 version, it will help to understand the gap area to revise the contents from PMBOK
4. Make a group study and discussion to help to understand it fast and remember for life long
5. A lot of stuff available online but select the correct and reliable content before going through it by reading user review etc.
6. You can read Rita Mulcahy if required to understand the topics in more details if you find more gaps while doing mock questions.
7. Also a lot of good stuff available on projectmanager.com so go through as per your requirements
