Is it worth it to do a "Brain Dump" for the PMP exam?
Shayla MeekProgram Faculty Manager| Western Governors UniversityTx, United States
I have heard you should perform a brain dump for the 5 process groups, 10 knowledge areas, and 49 processes, as well as critical formulas. Is this a good use of time? Also, I am concerned this would be difficult to write out on the whiteboard for the online exam. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 14, 2020 10:09 AM
Replying to Shayla Meek
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Thank you Rami! This is good feedback. After reading the responses to my post, I feel it is a much better use time to study for proficiency than a specific brain dump strategy.
You’re welcome, Good Luck Shayla. Saving Changes...
RICHA LAMAProgram Delivery lead| ScotiabankNew Delhi, Delhi, India
Jul 14, 2020 10:12 AM
Replying to Shayla Meek
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Thank you Richa! I appreciate you taking the time to provide insight. I love the idea of using the fifteen minutes to relax and visualize success. Great advice!
Hello Shayla. Since PMP questions are extremely situational, a braindump of processes, process groups, and knowledge areas isn't useful. Maybe, if you like to take advantage of the free time you have before the test, you can write in your sheet the main formulas of EVM, so you can consult them for any exercise that requires calculations.
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2 replies by David L. Rico, PMP and Shayla Meek
Jul 14, 2020 5:04 PM
Shayla Meek
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Thank you Veronica! I appreciate the feedback to practice/capture the formulas. I think this will be very helpful. Thanks again!
Aug 19, 2020 5:52 PM
David L. Rico, PMP
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I used a brain dump and swore by it.
If EVM is a struggle, find my article with "EVM Illustrated". It was intended specifically for this purpose.
Saving Changes...
Jared PadgettVerizon MediaVentura, Ca, United States
I prepared a brain dump, but I only had a small whiteboard instead of paper so I didn't worry about writing anything down. I didn't end up needing it anyway.
For the online PMP exam, I'd imagine that the brain dump would be even more challenging to accomplish.
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1 reply by Shayla Meek
Jul 14, 2020 5:06 PM
Shayla Meek
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Thank you Jared. I agree, I don't think it is going to be very effective on an online whiteboard. Thanks again!
Saving Changes...
Shayla MeekProgram Faculty Manager| Western Governors UniversityTx, United States
Jul 14, 2020 3:59 PM
Replying to Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz
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Hello Shayla. Since PMP questions are extremely situational, a braindump of processes, process groups, and knowledge areas isn't useful. Maybe, if you like to take advantage of the free time you have before the test, you can write in your sheet the main formulas of EVM, so you can consult them for any exercise that requires calculations.
Thank you Veronica! I appreciate the feedback to practice/capture the formulas. I think this will be very helpful. Thanks again! Saving Changes...
Shayla MeekProgram Faculty Manager| Western Governors UniversityTx, United States
Jul 14, 2020 4:31 PM
Replying to Jared Padgett
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I prepared a brain dump, but I only had a small whiteboard instead of paper so I didn't worry about writing anything down. I didn't end up needing it anyway.
For the online PMP exam, I'd imagine that the brain dump would be even more challenging to accomplish.
Thank you Jared. I agree, I don't think it is going to be very effective on an online whiteboard. Thanks again! Saving Changes...
Hello, I did not do a brain dump - mainly because of the time factor. I barely had enough time to check my marked questions at the end of the exam. I feel its better to use the brain dump time towards reviewing marked questions.
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1 reply by Shayla Meek
Jul 23, 2020 9:04 PM
Shayla Meek
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Thank you Nidhi for your response. I think spending time reviewing is a good suggestion.
Saving Changes...
Rugpong GrachangpunProject Manager| A private Sector CompanyBangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Shayla
Risk is all around. Perhaps, examiners won’t even have a chance to dump the brain into a piece of paper or w/b. However, once they understand the 49 processes and realise how to use those formulas, they don’t need to dump any thing.
I would recommend any examiner to keep in mind that “what things need to do” and “when need to do that things” is very necessary and “how to do” (for both calculations and perform each process”
When the examiners understood that, they would have a lot of brain space to analyse those 200 questions.
P.s. I did’t have a chance to dump any thing.
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1 reply by Shayla Meek
Jul 23, 2020 9:06 PM
Shayla Meek
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Thank you Rugpong! I appreciate you taking the time to respond!
I just took (and thankfully passed) the PMP. I didn't create a brain dump, I can tell you that I cannot imagine how a 'brain dump" could have helped me. I'm terrible at memorization so I focused on studying understanding the logically how the processes flow.
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2 replies by Rugpong Grachangpun and Shayla Meek
Jul 18, 2020 4:02 PM
Rugpong Grachangpun
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it was work, wasn't it?
Jul 23, 2020 9:08 PM
Shayla Meek
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Congratulations Jeffrey! I appreciate your response.
Saving Changes...
Rugpong GrachangpunProject Manager| A private Sector CompanyBangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Jul 18, 2020 3:38 PM
Replying to Jeffrey Spiller
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I just took (and thankfully passed) the PMP. I didn't create a brain dump, I can tell you that I cannot imagine how a 'brain dump" could have helped me. I'm terrible at memorization so I focused on studying understanding the logically how the processes flow.
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