Chantel JonesConsultant / Project Manager| The Pedowitz GroupAustin, TX, United States
During my PMP Prep course I was advised to write down the KAs & Process Groups chart along with all formulas at the very start of my exam. I have been doing this everyday as practice, however, I've read that 1.) some people didn't even receive a double-sided piece of paper before their exam and essentially had no space to write the brain dump and 2.) some feel it is a waste of valuable time during the exam and memorization might be better.
Do ya'll think it is necessary to write out the brain dump prior to answering exam questions? Saving Changes...
A brain dump is a personal decision. Some folks worry about brain-freeze during the middle of the exam and the brain dump is a good way to avoid forgetting a critical formula or something else. For others it is a waste of time. You have to decide for yourself whether it will help or not.
Whether you take it in a test center or online, there will be a provision for either scratch paper, an erasable slate or an online whiteboard.
The brain dump can be done at any time after the exam tutorial - in other words, doing the brain dump will eat into your four hours so you need to take that into consideration.
Maybe it's recommendable only to make a dropdown of EVM formulas, because it's easy to search them in the page instead of remembering the formula while you are in the middle of the test. For another part, a dropdown of Areas of Knowledge or Process Groups isn't necessary, because the PMP test evaluates you in a complex manner, that needs a deep comprehension of Project Management situations and not a memorized set of processes. In addition, for the new version of the PMP exam (January 2021), the traditional organization in processes will change to a new point of view called "principles". Saving Changes...
Aftab HussainEngineering Coordinator| Waterloo Engineering General Contracting LLCAl Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
I would not recommend a brain dump, especially the KA and Process Groups. It eats into the test time but, more importantly, its an unhealthy (IMO) approach to the exam. As Veronica above said, the exam quizzes in a more complex manner. Memorizing Process Groups for me was adding an extra step in the thinking process of answering questions. Much better to truly understand the model and its linkages.
As for formulas, if you practice them enough times there should be no need to memorize them. YMMV though.
Personally, I used the provided sheet to note down questions I was unsure about and my thought process behind it so I can come back to it. Oh and testing centers have to provide a sheet/whiteboard. Ask for one if they dont. Saving Changes...
It depends person to person. I did a partial brain dump.
I never bothered to memorize process groups. After the exam, nobody will ever again ask what process group you're working unless you're coaching someone preparing for the exam. I just tried to ensure I understood why PMI would place processes into the respective groups.
I did write down formulas because for me it's just faster. I can derive any EVM formula by just knowing what the acronyms mean. It's faster for me to use the formulas though. Most of the formulas are just combinations of the same thing. With a few basic formulas and a bit of algebra, you have every other formula. I'm pretty good at math though, so as Aftab said, Your Mileage May Vary.
I'd suggest writing down the things you find it hard to remember at a moments notice so you don't waste time trying to remember them later, and don't worry about the stuff you can reason out if necessary. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
It is totally a personal decision and honestly don’t see the value in it. If you know the material and have a deep understanding of it, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Some get stressed out while doing brain dump if they think they forgot anything and this affects their performance during the exam.
Good Luck. Saving Changes...
Chantel JonesConsultant / Project Manager| The Pedowitz GroupAustin, TX, United States
Thanks so much everyone for the helpful advise and feedback!
Did you all find the PMP Mock Exams to be in similar difficulty level to the actual exam? I'm scoring passing percentages on those and was curious if that would be a gauge on my study progress, or to expect more difficulty?
Thanks so much again!! Helpful to hear advise from others who have already been through the process :) Saving Changes...
I always recommend to my PMP students that they score over 85% in quality practice exams consistently before sitting for the exam. They should also ensure they are scoring well across all process groups since it is not just a question of doing well in one process group if you do really badly in another.
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