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Tips to pass PMP with the transition to PMBOK7 and the new exam format

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David Lim SG Singapore
Thought i will share some tips that worked for me. Passed the PMP on 1st attempt yesterday with AT on the 3 domains. It's been a journey, challenged at times but thank God it was a good outcome.

I did my PMP course end last year based on PMBOK6 & the 5PG10KA framework with the intention to attempt the PMP in Jun this year. Started studying in April but decided to defer exam to Aug/Sep so as to have more time to prep due to PMP change to PMBOK7 and the new exam testing format which was unsettling as I didn't really know quite what to expect.

I started studying "Head First PMP" by Andrew Stellman initially but while it was quite a "light" and "fun" text, i felt it just wasn't robust enough so i had to cross-ref back to Rita Mulcahy's text and PMBOK6 to solidify some of the concepts.

I read through Agile Practice Guide about 1x through plus review concepts I was not too familiar with. The exam had strong weightage on Agile so my advice is to study APG at least 2x through. I skimmed through PMBOK7 to understand the new framework. The text was quite actually quite readable compared to the weighty PMBOK6.

I started getting into test-mode 3-4 weeks before the PMP exam and took 4 mock exams of 100-200 questions and reviewed the answers to know where i had gone wrong. Don't be too hard on yourself with the test scores. The first 3 exams i scored between 62-72% which is touch-and-go as I was targeting for 75% as a minimum. On the last exam, few days before the PMP, I failed miserably with a score of 49%! That made me realized I needed to get a better understanding of Agile and the new exam test format. I did not sign up for PMI Study Hall or tried the practice exams but I think it would be a good go-to resource especially to get familiar with the new test format.

For the exam, plan max 80min (better if lesser) for each batch of 60 questions before the 10min stretch break as it would be good to have some buffer time for situation where the questions got harder for the second or third batch. For my case, I did find the 3rd batch of 60 questions a bit tougher and needed more processing time and I completed the exam to the minute with no time for review unlike the 1st two batches.

Hope these tips help for PMP aspirants ..
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Olajide Kehinde Nigeria
Oct 08, 2021 5:13 PM
Replying to Stephen Moreira Jones
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I passed the exam first time with AT on all three areas end of August 2021.

I recommend to try the PMI official practice exam. It is expensive but worth it as it really helps to reinforce the PMI and Agile mindset for how to answer.

I found this was much closer to the real exam than those provided by other vendors. It was a little glitchy (hopefully they've ironed out the bugs now) but still really helpful.
I actually found the real exam was easier than the practice exam.

Here is the link to the official practice exam:
https://www.pmi.org/shop/p-/elearning/pmi%...tice-exam/el035

Don't underestimate how heavy the Agile based content is in the exam; it really is 50% of the exam!

Don't get too focused on the ITTOs (Inputs, Tools, Techniques, Outputs).

Good luck!!!
Hi Stephen, can you please help out with the material used in prepping for the exam?
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RUDY HENDRA Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
i failed last week for 1st attempt, unfortunately purchased PMI official practice exam, its too easy vs the actual test. not sure whether PMP Hall will help ?
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 27, 2022 10:06 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Sorry to hear that Rudy but don’t get discouraged. Know where you scored lowest and work on addressing those areas.

You shouldn’t rely on certain simulation exam as they are only for training purposes and the exam is expected to be different.

Good Luck!
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 27, 2022 1:53 AM
Replying to RUDY HENDRA
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i failed last week for 1st attempt, unfortunately purchased PMI official practice exam, its too easy vs the actual test. not sure whether PMP Hall will help ?
Sorry to hear that Rudy but don’t get discouraged. Know where you scored lowest and work on addressing those areas.

You shouldn’t rely on certain simulation exam as they are only for training purposes and the exam is expected to be different.

Good Luck!
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Heidi Kaufmann Associate Director, Development Operations| Action Against Hunger ACF-USA Long Island City, Ny, United States
Thank you for posting this! I am struggling reading through and studying RMC and once I'm done with that will focus on PMBOK7 and the Agile Practice Guide!
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Navjot Walia Project Manager Sydney, Nsw, Australia
Congratulations Tiong, Welcome to the PMP Club!
Rita Mulcahy played a significant role during my PMP preparation as well.
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Roland Raphael Enrera Automation Lead| Manulife Quezon City, 0, Philippines
I'm currently taking the On-Demand training offered in PMI.

Does this cover all the relevant knowledge in passing the PMP Exam?

I also read some articles the exam format has changed but I think the current practice exam is still the same?

What does change in the new examination?
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