Project Management

Please login or join to subscribe to this thread

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

linkedin twitter facebook  
avatar
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 ..
Sort By:
< 1 2 >
avatar
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Congrats on passing the exam Tiong and thanks for sharing your experience.
avatar
Davies Oladele Olaniyi PM I| Moore Advice Lagos, Nigeria
Congratulations
avatar
Subodh Pandey Bangalore, Ka, India
Hi
Congratulation, what is the best quick preparation guide chapter of PMBOK7 to be identified or suggestive before 30 days of exam?
...
1 reply by David Lim
Sep 22, 2021 4:36 AM
David Lim
...
I suggest a read through of the entire PMBOK7 as this is the new framework for PM. It's very readable at 300+ pages vs the 900+pages PMBOK6. In my view though, the 5PG10KA remains foundational as predictive-planned approach will not go away and remain highly relevant to many projects (complex engr, sending a man to the moon etc) so I am glad my training was on this foundation. However to handle the many situational/contextual questions in the exam, a read through of PMBOK7 and the APG is a must.
avatar
Vipin Verma Project Supervisor| Infinite Computer Solutions Pte Ltd Singapore, Singapore
Congratulations Tiong. This will help me as I am planning to book exam end of oct or early nov.
avatar
David Lim SG Singapore
Sep 21, 2021 12:34 PM
Replying to Subodh Pandey
...
Hi
Congratulation, what is the best quick preparation guide chapter of PMBOK7 to be identified or suggestive before 30 days of exam?
I suggest a read through of the entire PMBOK7 as this is the new framework for PM. It's very readable at 300+ pages vs the 900+pages PMBOK6. In my view though, the 5PG10KA remains foundational as predictive-planned approach will not go away and remain highly relevant to many projects (complex engr, sending a man to the moon etc) so I am glad my training was on this foundation. However to handle the many situational/contextual questions in the exam, a read through of PMBOK7 and the APG is a must.
avatar
Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani Manager, Quality and Continuous Improvement| Hörmann-TNR Industrial Doors Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Congrat!
avatar
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Congrats Tiong,
Such a brilliant performance and on your 1st attempt. Each time someone mentions Rita Mulcahy I feel good because her text was so helpful in my success in the 1st attempt too
avatar
Adam Hall Brandon, Ms, United States
What is 5PG10KA? I'm about to buy my PMBOK7, Agile Practice guide, and PMP Exam Prep Simplified from Amazon.
...
1 reply by David Lim
Oct 04, 2021 9:48 AM
David Lim
...
This is the framework in PMBOK6 framework for project mgmt.. 5 Process Groups 10 Knowledge Areas.
avatar
David Lim SG Singapore
Sep 30, 2021 2:00 PM
Replying to Adam Hall
...
What is 5PG10KA? I'm about to buy my PMBOK7, Agile Practice guide, and PMP Exam Prep Simplified from Amazon.
This is the framework in PMBOK6 framework for project mgmt.. 5 Process Groups 10 Knowledge Areas.
avatar
Stephen Moreira Jones Vice President of Operations| BlockFilm Inc Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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!!!
...
1 reply by Olajide Kehinde
Oct 09, 2021 9:38 PM
Olajide Kehinde
...
Hi Stephen, can you please help out with the material used in prepping for the exam?
< 1 2 >

Please login or join to reply

Content ID:
ADVERTISEMENTS

"Whatever does not destroy me makes me stronger."

- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

ADVERTISEMENT

Sponsors