Is it worth it to do a "Brain Dump" for the PMP exam?

Shayla -

A brain dump is one of those "love it/hate it" things. Some folks swear by it whereas other swear at it.

The whiteboard technology is not as convenient as a physical slate so there's been some feedback about folks preferring not to waste time on the brain dump as that is coming out of your overall exam time.

The main benefit of a brain dump is if there is something you are likely to forget in the midst of the exam. For some, it is EVM formulas, for others it is Tuckman's Ladder...

Kiron

I had created a brain dump. I practiced relentlessly so that I could be as efficient as possible with the time I wanted to spend.

Did I use it? Not really. Certainly, the exercise of creating the diagram and writing the formulas helped get my mindset in the right place, but I don't remember really referencing the dump.

Shayla

I personally do not like brain dump so in Kiron terms, I am from the swear at it group. Why ? Because it stresses you out and you go to the exam with the mindset of learning by heart instead of understanding logically the processes and knowledge areas and how they are related.

Believe me, if you have a deep understanding of how they are related, you will write them all in your sleep, it will be a piece of cake including all EVM Formulas. Its all common sense and in the exam, the questions require that you make sense of what is in between the lines.

RK

Hi Shayla,
I personally do not recommend a brain dump for the PMP or any other PMI exam because as we all rightly know it is not a test of memorization of PM terms or lengthy literature but an understanding of important PM concepts which you gain primarily through professional experience supplemented by your own investment of time in learning and understanding those concepts.
I have never used one in any of my PMI exam and never found the need of such.
I would recommend utilizing the initial 10-15 mins before the commencement of your exam to relax and relieve the exam stress post exam check in process by doing some deep breathing and visualizing your success in passing the exam rather than spending that fruitful time in stress fully jotting down those formulas or notes which would not be of much help.
I wish you all the luck and success!
Cheers..
Richa

I 100% recommend a brain dump. As you know, there is much to memorize for the exam (i.e. formulas). But you do not only brain dump on the day of the exam, but regularly perform a brain dump (daily up to the test even). This method of information review is to help it 'stick', not only pass a test. I've taken numerous technical certifications and after I have my study time for a particular exam, my brain dump gets larger and larger...especially with formulas, acronyms, and port numbers. In the end, what works for 1 person will not necessarily work with someone else. I suggest experimenting with various ways to make information stick, including a brain dump, flashcards, regular quizes, etc.