Can any veterans of PMI's PMP certification exam provide any guidance for preparation?
I hear there's a good bit of earned value calculations; I need to brush up on that because I don't use it regularly. Other than that, solid PMBOK knowledge and what? There's plenty of prep courses, but it's on my nickel so I'd like your thoughts as to whether they're worth it.
Also any comments on the value of having the certification. Has it helped you? Saving Changes...
Check out the PMP prep course from RMC Project (www.rmcproject.com)
It hit on all of the areas covered by the exam and was well worth the money. I had Rita as an instructor and she was great! Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I've received the PMP cert. within the last couple of months. Here are my two cents worth.
First, it will separate you from the group because it grants you with a presumed expertise. However, if you don't take a progressive leadership role quickly you will lose that position. But if your ready it can put you out in front and keep you there.
Second,DO NOT under estimate this exam. I have a MBA and I did a personal study with the materials recommended by the PMI and this thing still gave me a run for my money. The exam is not intuitive. Experience alone will only get you half way through it. (Don't forget that a retest is $375) In short, the PMI has it's methodology with you will have to know indetail and the PMBOK will give the topics but not enough details to pass the exam. You will need the study pack.
I was given a large new project right after my cert.. None of the member of the team personally knew me but the letters behind my name gave me the up front credibility. But when I quickly mapped out on the white board the 14 steps of the planning process with inputs/tools/and outputs (taken straight from the PMBOK)the team came together because they had someone they could have confidence in. Saving Changes...
I am preparing to take my certification exam. I was using a CD-ROM study aid from the International Institute for Learning which they gave as part of completion of their certification course. I'll admit I was strong in some areas and weaker than I thought I would be in others. A fellow student of mine recommended the book from RMC entitled PMP Exam Prep. This book spells it all out! The study tips and tricks make everything, including the earned value analysis formulas, easier to understand. I am alot more confident heading towards the exam than I was before I bought this book. Saving Changes...
I just received the PMP in March, 2001. Everyone else is correct the study prep materials by Rita at RMC are worth thier money in gold.
Don't get to worried about earned value, I think on the whole exam I had only 2-3 questions that required any calculation.
The IIL prep questions are good and their are a bunch of them. I did every module in that program as well as the RMC material. The IIL program is definitely Kerzner while the RMC program is definitely PMI. If you're on a limited budget I'd recommend the RMC software over the IIL software. With enough study you can pass the exam without taking any formal prep course. I didn't take one. Saving Changes...
Mulchand, any experience you have where you use the skills of a project manager (any of the 9 bodies of knowledge) can count towards your 5000 hours. If you organize a dinner for 30 people and get bids for catering or if you help develop a new company process and use negotiating skills....those are all things that are considered acceptable project-related experiences.
I am looking for information on project management training. Specifically, I want to know about the Gartner training course. Is this course worth sending our entire IT staff? How does it compare with PMI's training course? Is the training and certifications for both of these courses respected in the job market or is one better than the other to aquire? Saving Changes...
