In an age where information is at the tip of one's finger, credible information can be hard to come by. As experienced project managers and professionals, what is the best advice you would give to someone studying for the PMP exam? Saving Changes...
read PMOBoK for one time, then study Rita and solve the exams attached with it. then do some sample exams.
if you are experience project manager . it should be enough. Saving Changes...
Anton OosthuizenSenior Business Analyst / Project Manager| Self EmployedPretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
IMO the most important part is to understand how to decompose the question. If you do not understand the questions your will a) waste time and b) potentially get it wrong.
First, read the last part of the question. This is where they state what they want. Many times they include a lot of irrelevant information that only confuse.
Once you know what they are asking you read the whole statement from the start and note the important part, relevant to the question.
You then apply what you have learned by
a) eliminating the outliers in the choices given which normally leaves you with 2 out of 4 plausible options.
e.g. Both John and Mary were born in Kentucky. John is 50 and Mary is 40. What is their combined age? Reading the last part first you will know that where they were born is irrelevant. Choices are 200, 90, 84, 10. Even the most mathematically challenged amongst us know it's not 200 or 10. So now you apply what you have learned and your answer should be either 90 or 84. It's 90 BTW ;)
Sound stupid? Even the cleverest fail a test because they do not apply common sense when reading what is required.
Not all question are like that and some are straight forward 'what is 1 +1' type questions.
Now go read one of the many books recommended. Saving Changes...
My advice to anyone considering taking the PMP is to have as much project management experience as possible. Get it at work, at home and, yes, doing volunteer work.
Knowledge and skills can be purchased but experience is acquired. Given that most of the exam questions are situational, experience will be the difference maker.
Look at those who fail the exam and you will see people who don't have the breadth of experience. They will take courses, purchase mock exams but that will still not get them where they need to be. Saving Changes...
Many here like the combination of Rita and PMBOK. Aside from the materials, much is also with the individuals learning tendencies and test-taking skills. Understand what is required, go into the exam well prepared and well informed - control the test, don't let the test control you.
I studied daily; during the commute, lunch and after dinner. On weekends, I spent a solid 6-8 hours. During those days I studied in short bursts with frequent breaks to remain energized and focused.
I like "control the test, don't let the test control you." Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated. Saving Changes...
I did Rita and then PMOBoK. then I took 7 days off from work and studies 10 - 12 hours.
Once I had the material covered, I took around 5000 practice questions to improve my test taking ability. And voila I passed the exam in my first attempt.
Appreciate your response and the part about the practice test question. 5000 that's a lot. Saving Changes...
Sherna, Following are my advice:
(1) Read the PMBOK thoroughly, understand all the processes, try to coordinate them with your experience, many times we have different names for different activities eg initiation of tendering process is some times called, RFQ,CFB,IFB etc the process is same. If you have an industry experience it will not be difficult. You may have to read it number of times depending upon your understanding and experience.
(2) Secondly join PMI, lot of webinars and material is available for understanding.
(3)Be a part of a group, who are pursuing the PMP, this will also help to clarify certain doubts.
(4) There are many online courses available like; Cornelius Fichtner, Rita etc. You will need PDU's to qualify for exam apart for satisfying other conditions as per PMI.
Thank you for the pointed tips, much appreciated. Especially regarding different names for activities. Saving Changes...
