Have you taken the PMP Exam? Post your tip!

I failed the exam!
I did not follow a formal simulator.

I used the PMchallenge as an exam simulator and I got to answer three sessions of 60 questions with a 60% performance in the PMchallenge (I made my own PM challenge scoreboard).

Do you think a PMchallenge in www.Projectmanagement.com is a weak tool?

Yes ,

I have passed PMP exam on 6 March 2018 :-) two weeks before changing,

All the Best for every one
Project managers

I sat for the PMP exam yesterday. I was confident going into the exam having prepared thoroughly. Regrettably, I did not pass.
I wish to retake very soon before I lose the momentum, say before end of May 2018. However, I learnt the syllabus must have changed after 26th March 2018.

Any advice?
Thanks.

Sorry to hear you did not pass. I know the feeling of being prepared and then not passing.
My only recommendation would be to try and re-test before March 26 when the exam will change, as will the curriculum to 6th edition. I have been researching the 6th edition and it will be incorporating a lot of Agile function and process, adds some processes, adds to ITTO's and refines some of the current processes. I am sitting for the exam again on the 25th (second attempt) with hopes of passing so I do not have to start from the beginning of 6th edition. Really try to re-book prior to the 26th. Study hard! Good luck!

Colleagues,

I got my certification the 3th of March of this year and after 8 months of preparation with ups and downs, studying late at night after work and using Saturdays and Sundays to study. In this process we need all the support of family and friends because time becomes scarce. I thank God for this success.

Before the final attempt:
1. I studied both Pablo Lledó and Rita and practiced with the Pablo LLedó simulation and Kinectara. I went through the PMBOK5 once, then when studying the processes with Rita and Lledó, I had the PMBOK by my side to check out any concept that I was not understanding. It helps a lot.
2. Studying alone is a bit hard, so I looked for a coach, get together with some colleagues. That’s another gain: New friends.
3. In the process I got to realize that it is not the amount of mock exams you make, but rather how you analyze and understand why certain questions you get wrong. Doing a lot of simulation can lead you to identify the right answer almost by default and take away the necessary need for more analysis and study.
4. I tried to analyze as much as I could, the logic of the different processes rather than memorizing. Rita’s chart was of enormous help, as well as Pablo Lledó’s puzzle.
5. There was a moment when I had to decide to stop studying new materials and doing more simulation. Everyone wants to help. Information can get tumultuous.

Just before the exam:

I tried to take my 10 hours sleep, however in my case it was impossible. I don’t know why, but usually in these type of situation precisely when you have to concentrate, something happens. In this case my daughter was hospitalized in emergency room, so all I had was 4 hours of sleep. Respecting the believes of all my other colleagues, I said “God you will Pilot me during this experience”

On the exam:
1. I breathed deeply for several time, and to bring oxygen to my brain.
2. I put all formulas and important steps, processes on the scratch paper, even though I hardly used the information, because the questions in the exam, didn’t need them in order to answer.
3. In my case it was paper based, so I openned the exam, and marked the first question, skip another one, then answered the third one that I believed I had the answer. After that my mind got cleared a bit and my eyes begun to detect those key words that lead you to choose the correct answers.
4. I followed my first intuition. By the way I went into the exam as calm as possible (in spite of my circumstances,) I came out believing that I passed the exam.
5. I followed Rita’s recommendations fully, so when I feeld a bit stressed out or tired, I would just smile. It worked for me.

What can I say about the exam?
1. It can be different from what you are expecting it to be. That can be a shocked that lead you to failure. The questions are mainly situational with very few straightforward questions or formulas. Don’t expect to see any of the thousands of question you simulate on the exam.
2. I see the questions on the exam as a type of puzzle, but with two – three tips that can lead you to the correct answer. If we had all the time in the world to answer that would be Ok, but all we have is about 72 second per questions that can seems a lot, but under pressure can pass swiftly. In the mock exams on computer I usually would take 2.15 hours to do the exams with excellent scores. On paper it took me 3 hours and 35 minutes.
3. I came from the world of social development projects, so the approach is somehow different. I enjoyed the course, got new friends, feel rewarded and much more resilient. I learned a lot.

Thanks.