OK, after searching through the forum and reviewing books and products, I'd like to refine my question(s).
I am an IT Project Manager (currently unemployed) who has had no formal PM training, but fairly proficient in MS Project. I have managed development teams and projects in 4 companies over 8 years and I am confident that I can document the 7500 hours of project lead duties required without having a degree.
With time on my hands, I would like to start a concentrated effort to study and pass the PMP exam. With this goal in mind, I am trying to find the right “mix” of tools to gather to make this as straight-forward and expedient as possible. I also obviously want to keep costs down with not having an income at this present time. I had been considering a “boot camp” training of some sort, but after reading recommendations and posts, have come to the conclusion that I would be better off studying consistently over a longer period of time; say several months rather than a 5-day cram session.
After reviewing books and tools, I have tentatively come up with the following.
Book: The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try, Fourth Edition by Andy Crowe (Author)
I would always advise everyone to review the PMBOK as the test is on the PMBOK and other materials. The best way to prep for the test is to create a test for yourself or others. Go through the PMBOK and other recommended materials and write a test for yourself or to give to others. It works wonders and lets you know where you are weak. When I was a teacher (heck, we are all teachers still), I found the best way to master any materials was to review it and create a test from the materials. Saving Changes...
Masood AhemedPMP and PRINCE2 ICT Senior Project Manager. | Looking for new assignments, can join immediately. Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Hi,
i advise to go through rita mccauley book once Saving Changes...
I'd also strongly recommend Rita Mulcahy's books and other PMP exam prep tools (http://www.rmcproject.com/). Those books not only show what the exam is about, but get you to think about the questions just like PMI would like you to think.
Although I also agree about going over the actual PMBoK! I'd recommend a thorough reading of the PMBoK. Then going over whatever material you end up choosing to prepare for the exam. And then iterate until you feel equally comfortable with both the way the PMBoK describes each topic and the prep questions you'll get.
www.rmc.com and www.iil.com have good courses at varying prices. If you want a good quick brush up on project management, you can also look at my website (best viewed with IE) at http://home.comcast.net/~projectmgmt.
Many courses promise you will pass. I find the best way is to know the materials (write a test for others from the PMBOK) and memorize the formulas. When you take the test, write the formulas on the paper they supply and then clear your mind. Take the test and when you need a formula, use the paper. If you have been a PM for as long as you state, you just need the learn the right terms (it is not a project plan, it is a project schedule) and read every word they give you. This is a reading test and a review of the PMBOK. I used the PMIQ from International Institute of Learning (www.iil.com) over a weekend and took the test. It wasn't hard because I live and breath project management. You probably do too! Saving Changes...
