Cross-posting from another thread as realised that this one may be more appropriate.
I am hoping to take the PMP certification exam in a couple months, but wanted to ask for some advice (I have two topics) and would really appreciate your help:
Do you have any recommendations on this, or are there others you would recommend?
In terms of knowledge background - in my online Master's Degree in Public Health, we did have a course on project management - we had a one week residential (in person training) for around 25 hours, and then weekly readings and discussions online (I estimate a total of 70 hours). However, looking at the sample exam questions, while I have some familiarity with the concepts there, I think I badly need a review before the exam.
I'm sure this applies to almost everyone, but I am hoping to take the exam in a couple of months but don't have the hugest amount of time (very high-pressure/intense job), so any advice on what would be most effective would be very much appreciated.
2) Question about using PMI methods: I'm a veterinarian, but left clinical work 11 years ago and have worked as a project officer (4 years) in an intergovernmental organisation, campaign manager (3 years) in a non-governmental organisation, project manager (2 years) in another NGO, and then head of campaigns for 2.5 years in the same NGO.
The jobs involve/involved a lot of planning, budget management, internal and external stakeholder engagement, team coordinationwriting reports, etc all the way to arranging logistics for meetings with admin support.
However, I haven't used much formal project management methodology - I basically adjust to what templates are used by the NGO.
Would my experience be relevant or should I be considering the CAPM instead? Saving Changes...
Online Community Specialist| PMINewtown Square, Pa, United States
Hello Karanvir - and welcome to PMI's Online Community! In regard to your question regarding your PMP journey, I highly recommend reading the many posts contained within our Certification Discussion Group, particularity this one that offers great suggestions from your fellow colleagues - https://www.projectmanagement.com/discussi...where-to-start-
You can reply to the comments in the link above to gather additional information. I hope this helps and wish you luck in your journey! Saving Changes...
To meet the educational requirements for applying, if you wish to use a 35 hour PMP prep course, then you could use the "official" PMI one (either through PMI, on-demand, or via an Authorized Training Partner, live) or a reputable non-PMI one such as Velociteach.
Given that the exam will test your ability to apply the PMBOK framework, a prep course can be a good way to learn things the "PMI way".
Alternately, you could take other formal non-prep courses which add up to 35 hours and then study for the exam using a different method such as a self-study guide.
With regards to the experiential requirements, you do need experience leading projects which does include covering most of the tasks you'd see listed in the PMP exam content outline. If your experience is not covering the majority of those, you may fall short should your application be selected for an audit. Based on your description of the experience, you may have sufficient valid experience to meet the 36 month requirement, but it does come down to exactly what you were responsible for on the projects you choose to submit for your application.
I purchased this one: Andrew Ramdayal's courses on Udemy for about $30. It wasn't too expensive and it was very good. FYI, there are 35+ hours of material in the 200+ videos. It's going to take a while to cover. I basically did an hour a day, 6 days a week. I also read the PMBOK guide which was a waste of time. The Udemy video already goes over everything and it was easier to digest a video than reading text. Andrew said one thing that stuck. If you already have experience as a project manager, you are going to fail this course if you don't study for it. Reality is different from the PMP exam. I took a free PMP exam (Just google). It was one with 50 questions. I failed miserably. After I took the udemy course, I'm now getting 65-80% right. I also noticed that some free PMP exam courses are linked to a bootcamp you can purchase. So in my opinion, these tests are harder, more wordier, than the real exam. I think they want you to fail on purpose so it will make you feel a sense of urgency to purchase their course for $500. My exam is on Monday. I believe I started my journey 3 months ago. I'm now barely ready for the exam. Couple of months you can do it. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Karnavir, In addition to what my fellow colleagues have mentioned, below is my suggestion for a study plan:
1) Read through the Exam Content Outline (ECO), PMBOK 6th Edition (Including the Agile Extension as lots of questions are Agile / Hybrid based) and then read the PMBOK 7th edition (it is a small book).
2) Go through Rita Mulchay’s Exam Prep book, I think its 11th edition now, but double check. This is one of the best resources for exam preparation.
3) After you are done, purchase the Simulator Package through PM Prep Cast and practice as much as you can. This is a great simulator and resource for questions that mimic the real exam.
4) If you want a course to fulfill your 35 Hours then check Joseph Phillips on Udemy. He is a PMI ATP and great instructor or check out PMI's self-paced course in the PMI Store.
I agree with Kiron regarding the experience component - Good Luck! Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Dear Karanvir,
Given your background and current professional commitments, choosing a PMP certification course that offers flexibility to fit your busy schedule is essential. Based on your experience and the options you're considering, here's my advice:
Course Selection for PMP Exam Preparation:
Google (Coursera): Google's Project Management Certificate is well-regarded and designed to provide a broad overview of project management principles. However, it might be more introductory than what you're looking for, especially considering your previous exposure to project management in your Master's program.
UC Irvine (Coursera): UC Irvine's certificate is a solid choice. It's known for its detailed coverage and alignment with PMI methodologies, which would benefit your exam preparation. Coursera’s platform also offers flexibility, which is crucial for someone with a high-pressure job.
Andrew Ramdayal's Courses (Udemy): Andrew Ramdayal’s courses are popular among PMP candidates for their practical approach and focus on exam preparation. This could be a good option if you're looking for a class specifically geared towards passing the PMP exam.
Prepcast: Known for its extensive question bank and simulation exams, Prepcast is excellent for testing your knowledge and getting you accustomed to the exam format. It might be best used as a supplementary tool alongside another course that provides a comprehensive content review.
Recommendations:
Given your need for a thorough review, UC Irvine's course or Andrew Ramdayal’s offering would be suitable. They provide in-depth coverage while allowing you to study at your own pace.
Considering time constraints, consider combining a structured course like UC Irvine’s or Ramdayal’s with Prepcast for exam simulations. This approach will give you both the content depth and the practice needed for the exam.
Regarding Your Project Management Experience:
Your varied experience in project management, though not formally under PMI methodologies, is still precious. The PMP certification recognizes professional experience in leading and directing projects, which you have. Your planning, budget management, stakeholder engagement, and coordination roles align well with PMI's framework.
CAPM vs. PMP:
CAPM: Ideal for individuals with less project management experience or those who haven’t managed projects.
PMP: More suitable for experienced project managers who have led and directed projects, as it is globally recognized and demonstrates higher expertise.
Conclusion:
Given your extensive hands-on experience in project management, I recommend pursuing the PMP rather than the CAPM. You have the practical experience; you need a structured review that a course like UC Irvine's or Andrew Ramdayal’s, supplemented with Prepcast, can provide. This combination should equip you for the PMP exam while accommodating your time constraints. Remember, the key to success in the PMP exam is not just understanding PMI’s methodologies but also being able to apply project management principles in various scenarios, something your diverse background has already prepared you for.
PMI Team Member
Community Champion
