After years of thinking about doing it, I have decided on finally sitting the PMP certification in November. I thought that once I submitted my fees, I will have the motivation to actually focus. Therefore, I have made my profile on PMI which is currently under review.
I am here trying to find an answer of how I can motivate and organize myself to be able to take the exam in November; if it's even possible to prepare within this timeframe; how to keep myself motivated; are there any shortcuts; what are the best resources to prepare when you are short on time; and what are the pitfalls that i need to look out for?
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Indeed. My recomendation is making "reverse engineering". After reading and understanding the content outline document read the PMBOK and try to map it to the content outline. After that take tons of exam questions and resolve it (3-4 times the amount of the exam). Remember that questions are situational questions and you have to answer what the PMI expect as an answer in the framework of PMBOK, not what you do in the same situation in your work life.
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2 replies by Donna Heagan and Waqas Idrees
Aug 23, 2020 1:00 PM
Waqas Idrees
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Appreciate the help. Which document is 'content outline document'?
Aug 28, 2020 9:23 PM
Donna Heagan
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Yes, Where is the content outline?
Saving Changes...
L PATRICEA D CRUZConsultant| Project Managmetn AcademyPetaling Jaya, Malaysia
Read each chapter for understanding and attempt questions related to it. Than do the 2nd round of revision and another set of questions - at least 3 times more..... Be disciplined... allocate at least 4 hours every day and give yourself a break over the weekends.... ALL the best ... you can make it happen
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1 reply by Waqas Idrees
Aug 23, 2020 12:59 PM
Waqas Idrees
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Appreciate the support!
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Sure. Anything is possible. And what's the worst that can happen? Fail? Learn? Take a second time? In the grand scheme, no big deal.
I would not spend too much time looking for shortcuts. Follow the advice provided here, search the forums for other member's experiences, and begin forging your own path. Take your study habits from your own past and apply to some techniques found here.
That was my experience. I read, took notes, then used those notes as my primary source; easier to carry around, etc. I could continue to highlight and scribe additional notes in the margins. I also used flash cards and Pomodoro technique. I reviewed multiple times per day in short burst of focus and spent more time on weekends.
Get started on your prep and work diligently toward your goal. Good Luck!
Sure. Anything is possible. And what's the worst that can happen? Fail? Learn? Take a second time? In the grand scheme, no big deal.
I would not spend too much time looking for shortcuts. Follow the advice provided here, search the forums for other member's experiences, and begin forging your own path. Take your study habits from your own past and apply to some techniques found here.
That was my experience. I read, took notes, then used those notes as my primary source; easier to carry around, etc. I could continue to highlight and scribe additional notes in the margins. I also used flash cards and Pomodoro technique. I reviewed multiple times per day in short burst of focus and spent more time on weekends.
Get started on your prep and work diligently toward your goal. Good Luck!
Read each chapter for understanding and attempt questions related to it. Than do the 2nd round of revision and another set of questions - at least 3 times more..... Be disciplined... allocate at least 4 hours every day and give yourself a break over the weekends.... ALL the best ... you can make it happen
Indeed. My recomendation is making "reverse engineering". After reading and understanding the content outline document read the PMBOK and try to map it to the content outline. After that take tons of exam questions and resolve it (3-4 times the amount of the exam). Remember that questions are situational questions and you have to answer what the PMI expect as an answer in the framework of PMBOK, not what you do in the same situation in your work life.
Appreciate the help. Which document is 'content outline document'? Saving Changes...
It's possible with an adequate study plan for each week prior to the exam. Determine the number of hours of the day you will dedicate to acquire PMP knowledge through PMBOK, courses, exercises, and be constant every day. Rita RMC Exam prep book is a good aid: https://rmcls.com/ Saving Changes...
How do you best retain knowledge when you learn? Podcasts, video, bootcamps, exam simulators, flash cards, reading? If you can read the PMBOK Guide straight through, and retain a significant amount of it, more power to you.
I recommend a few key things:
- understand how you "best" learn and retain information
- use more than one approach when studying - some variety is good, but don't jump around too much (unless that's part of how you learn)
- find a companion book to the PMBOK Guide, to help guide your studies
- if you're not familiar with the exam format, an exam simulator can help you prepare
- arrange your plan so you're not learning anything new in the month before you take the exam. The last month should be about practice and making sure you're retaining what you'll need to know for the exam
- consider taking a break from your preparations a few days to a week before the exam; you're not going to retain anything new in the last few days, and you don't want to be tired when taking the exam because you were up late studying. Unless you thrive on tension and anxiety, you will be better served by going into the exam relaxed and feeling prepared. Saving Changes...
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