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🎉 Yay! I finally completed my PMP prep course and earned 35 official training hours!

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Darya Stanskova PMI: Power Management Institute Clearwater, USA

But honestly — how did you know you were really ready for the exam? After the course, I still feel completely unprepared… And it’s not because the training was bad — quite the opposite! The instructor was great, the material was clear, and everything was well organized.



It’s just that I came from engineering and economics into project management, so my way of thinking is quite different. Of course, I’m learning and growing. The projects I’ve managed in practice as a leader are one thing, but formal education and structured training is a whole different level.



I feel like I’m ready for PMP, but I’m still not sure if I want to or can pass the exam.



So here’s my question for you:
— How did you know it was time to take the exam?
— Did you ever have that “I’m ready, but I’m doubting myself” feeling?
— Or am I the only one who’s both smart and indecisive? 😅



Would love to hear your advice and stories!
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Kiron Bondale Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada
Darya -

When I wrote the exam in 2000, there were extremely few resources available to prepare outside of the prep course itself. As such, it really came down to getting my practice exam scores up into the high 80's and then hoping the real thing was similar enough to the practice questions I'd answered.

And while there were certainly some questions on the test which I had no clue about, I followed the advice I'd received during my prep course which was to manage my time carefully so that I wasn't getting into analysis-paralysis and risking the exam for the sake of one or two challenging questions.

Kiron
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1 reply by Darya Stanskova
May 30, 2025 9:21 PM
Darya Stanskova
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Kiron — thank you so much for sharing your story! It’s very reassuring to hear that even with limited resources back then, you relied on solid practice and good time management. I love the advice about not falling into analysis-paralysis. I’ll definitely keep that in mind when I’m finally sitting for the exam. Appreciate your thoughtful reply!
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Darya, I've been in the same situation as yours. We almost never feel we're fully ready but what boosted my confidence is doing lots of simulation practice exams and made me feel I am ready enough to take the exam. Good Luck!
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1 reply by Darya Stanskova
May 30, 2025 9:22 PM
Darya Stanskova
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Rami — thank you for the encouragement! It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling “never fully ready.” I agree — practice exams really do help measure where you stand and give a much-needed confidence boost. I’ll focus more on those and try to trust the process. Thanks again for the support!
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Darya Stanskova PMI: Power Management Institute Clearwater, USA
May 28, 2025 2:57 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Darya -

When I wrote the exam in 2000, there were extremely few resources available to prepare outside of the prep course itself. As such, it really came down to getting my practice exam scores up into the high 80's and then hoping the real thing was similar enough to the practice questions I'd answered.

And while there were certainly some questions on the test which I had no clue about, I followed the advice I'd received during my prep course which was to manage my time carefully so that I wasn't getting into analysis-paralysis and risking the exam for the sake of one or two challenging questions.

Kiron
Kiron — thank you so much for sharing your story! It’s very reassuring to hear that even with limited resources back then, you relied on solid practice and good time management. I love the advice about not falling into analysis-paralysis. I’ll definitely keep that in mind when I’m finally sitting for the exam. Appreciate your thoughtful reply!
avatar
Darya Stanskova PMI: Power Management Institute Clearwater, USA
May 28, 2025 5:02 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
...
Darya, I've been in the same situation as yours. We almost never feel we're fully ready but what boosted my confidence is doing lots of simulation practice exams and made me feel I am ready enough to take the exam. Good Luck!
Rami — thank you for the encouragement! It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling “never fully ready.” I agree — practice exams really do help measure where you stand and give a much-needed confidence boost. I’ll focus more on those and try to trust the process. Thanks again for the support!
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Jun 02, 2025 11:07 AM
Rami Kaibni
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My pleasure. Good Luck, Darya. Keep us posted!
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
May 30, 2025 9:22 PM
Replying to Darya Stanskova
...
Rami — thank you for the encouragement! It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling “never fully ready.” I agree — practice exams really do help measure where you stand and give a much-needed confidence boost. I’ll focus more on those and try to trust the process. Thanks again for the support!
My pleasure. Good Luck, Darya. Keep us posted!
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Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Hi Darya,
Go for it! congrats on earning this milestone... Just do some more preps - review some prep questions and glance through the PMBOK.... Then decide and go for it... You may never be convince that you are 100% ready.. Just decide and fix the date of your exams and work towards it.... I wish you all the best
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Nelson Torres Rivera Project Manager| Luma Energy Bayamon, -, Puerto Rico
So here’s my question for you:
— How did you know it was time to take the exam? When I started to use the PMP Simulator from TIA Examen I passed mostly of all the scoring above 90.

— Did you ever have that “I’m ready, but I’m doubting myself” feeling? Everybody has, But you you to have the PMP Mindset to pass the test.

— Or am I the only one who’s both smart and indecisive? 😅 Everybody

You got this. Have the proper Mindset to take the test and you will pass it.
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Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz RYLAI Access Control Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Yes, Darya, we often feel insecure about being prepared to take the PMP Exam.

For your preparation, in addition to the course, I recommend Rita Mulcahy's certification prep; it's a good option to acquire PM Knowledge at your own pace and is updated to the latest exam. Visit this link:
https://rmcls.com/about/rita-mulcahy

Also, try Rita Mulcahy's simulator: https://rmcls.com/pmp-exam-simulator/
It's a useful tool to practice with questions, according to the PMP latest exam.
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Brennan Justice United States

Hi Darya and community,

I'm in your same shoes and feeling just about the same way! But happy to see the encouraging the responses and additional resources. Verónica - I noted the Rita M resources and am going to dive into those today, thank you!!
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Paul A Capello PMP, CSM| University of South Florida, Professional & Workforce Development Bradenton, Fl, United States
I teach the PMP Prep course, and I tell my students to quiz themselves incessantly and use all the tools that are out there.

Remember that AI is a newer tool!
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