Rebecca BraglioCommunity Engagement Specialist II| Project Management InstituteNewtown Square, Pa, United States
Have you taken the exam? Passed? Failed? Failed and then passed?
Help out a fellow project manager and post your tip on studying for and taking the exam. Here are some we''ve gathered from members so far:
J.l Laroche: Try not to try to absorb all the PMBOK content by heart, focus on the main stream of processes and knowledge, the tools and the results and you will be fine don''t worry. remember to get first through all questions, answering the evident ones and flagging the others and then get back to the flagged ones, and think of it, even if you''re unsure of the answer, always, always pick one, if you''re wrong you will not loose points and you have 1 on 4 chances to get it good...
M. Hartsough: When reviewing those questions you flagged, don''t start second-guessing yourself. IMO, in all probability your initial answer was correct. Don''t change your original answers unless you definitely found a better one. Remember to answer from the "PMI Perspective". The PMI Perspective isn''t necessarily how you or your organization manages projects.
F. McCaskell: take a break every 50 questions - no matter if you don''t think you need it. This will prevent you from being burned out at the end.
C.Tong: don''t think the exam is easy or you won''t prepare yourself well Saving Changes...
I took the exam few months back and thankfully passed in the first try. The exam is not easy, so do study for it. 1. Read thoroughly the PMBOK guide. The word-to-word definition in the glossary section are often the best answer to many questions. 2. Learn the processes, knowledge areas, tools and techniques and different theories. Focus on the sequence of processes too. 3. I used Rita Mulachy's book - an excellent guide to help answer from the PMI perspective. 4. Practice as many sample questions as you can. Most answer options are correct but the trick is to find the best answer. With practice you slowly start looking for the keywords to help you choose the best answer. 5. Most of the questions are situation based - what would you do as the PM? 6. While taking the exam, even if you want to skip, choose one answer and mark it for review instead. You may not have enough time near the end of the exam to reread the question and all the options. 7. All the Best !!
Hi Pawan,
Thanks for your kindly Information. I have a question for you, I had the PMP exam a month ago but unfortunately failed on first attempt. I am looking to start a study plan to hopefully pass on the second attempt!
As I understood the best options is to read the PMBOK and also use Rita Mulcahy's book and also practicing sample questions, but could you please tell me which Rita book exactly? and where can I find a sample questions?
Thanks
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1 reply by Najam Mumtaz
Mar 15, 2018 9:39 PM
Najam Mumtaz
...
Sanaz,
Since exan is shifting to Guide to PMBOK 6th edition on 26th Mar so you need to get hold of Rita's 9th edition for preparation and if you are looking for simulation exams too than I suggest you go for their bundle offer which includes the book, the fastrack and hot topics.
Hi Pawan,
Thanks for your kindly Information. I have a question for you, I had the PMP exam a month ago but unfortunately failed on first attempt. I am looking to start a study plan to hopefully pass on the second attempt!
As I understood the best options is to read the PMBOK and also use Rita Mulcahy's book and also practicing sample questions, but could you please tell me which Rita book exactly? and where can I find a sample questions?
Thanks
Sanaz,
Since exan is shifting to Guide to PMBOK 6th edition on 26th Mar so you need to get hold of Rita's 9th edition for preparation and if you are looking for simulation exams too than I suggest you go for their bundle offer which includes the book, the fastrack and hot topics. Saving Changes...
I took the exam this month and thankfully passed in the first try. The exam is not easy, so do study for it.
1. Read thoroughly the PMBOK guide. The word-to-word definition in the glossary section are often the best answer to many questions.
2. Learn the processes, knowledge areas, tools and techniques and different theories. Focus on the sequence of processes too.
3. I used Rita Mulachy's book - an excellent guide to help answer from the PMI perspective.
4. Practice as many sample questions as you can. Most answer options are correct but the trick is to find the best answer. With practice you slowly start looking for the keywords to help you choose the best answer.
5. Most of the questions are situation based - what would you do as the PM?
6. While taking the exam, even if you want to skip, choose one answer and mark it for review instead. You may not have enough time near the end of the exam to reread the question and all the options.
7. All the Best !! Saving Changes...
I took the exam this and thankfully passed in the first try. The exam is not easy, so do study for it.
1. Read thoroughly the PMBOK guide. The word-to-word definition in the glossary section are often the best answer to many questions.
2. Learn the processes, knowledge areas, tools and techniques and different theories. Focus on the sequence of processes too.
3. I used Rita Mulachy's book - an excellent guide to help answer from the PMI perspective.
4. Practice as many sample questions as you can. Most answer options are correct but the trick is to find the best answer. With practice you slowly start looking for the keywords to help you choose the best answer.
5. Most of the questions are situation based - what would you do as the PM?
6. While taking the exam, even if you want to skip, choose one answer and mark it for review instead. You may not have enough time near the end of the exam to reread the question and all the options.
7. All the Best !! Saving Changes...
Its Definitely not an easy exam. but it won't be your last exam either. having said that, below are some of the things I found most helpful when I was preparing to take it a week ago.
1. You have to make sure you dedicate a certain amount of time a day to study. only you know what your time threshold will be to study.
2. Read the PMBOK, not memorize it but familiarize yourself with it, understand the way it was written. pay attention to unfamiliar terms and constantly check your glossary for practical PMI definitions (as they may or may not be the same in your environment).
3. Answer as many questions as you possibly can prior to Test day. the more familiar you become with the different types of questions, the way they are written and the "BEST ANSWER," selection method, you will do just fine.
4. Practice your brain dump. If the testing facility will allow you to create one during your 15 minute introduction, Great. If they don't, just know that you have it in your head to recall at will.
4. Lastly, but certainly not the least is "Don't forget to take a step back periodically and breathe."
Good Luck. Saving Changes...
Mustafa Al BinniPartner Manager| PFU a Ricoh CompanyJeddah, Saudi Arabia
I've just passed the exam for the first time on March 14, 2018. I took a course then I read Rita book. The last 5 days before the exam I made a review based on Aileen simplified review book. I studied very well the math of EVM and all math formulas as well the network analysis. But in the exam no calculation questions or very simple and strait forward one, the trick in the exam is how to solve 50 questions or more within 1 hour honestly I needed 30 minutes more and this lead to lose 18 questions I was not able even to select them randomly I thought I might failed but I've got above Target in Planning, Execution, and monitoring and ironically below target in initiation and closure. My mistake was I didn't train and exercise before the exam to solve 50+ questions in one hour. So my advise is put yourself in the same situation for four hours under the same pressure, concentrait on scenario questions before answer the question decide in which stage are then think based on that what is next, use elimination technique, don't over think. Now I'm thinking to prepare for business analysis exam so I think I've learnt what I shall do. Good luck with version 6 !
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1 reply by Lutendo Magoro
Mar 19, 2018 3:14 AM
Lutendo Magoro
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I totally agree with you Mustafa, I took the exam on the same day as well and I felt like I wasted my time learning calculations. Unfortunately I did not pass the examination, however, I am willing to give it a try, I'm really heartbroken
Saving Changes...
FAHIM SHEIKHPresident| 0947292 BC Ltd.Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Congratulations Mustafa..!!
Do you recall how many formula driven and network activity (forward pass, backward pass, float) questions you got approximately?
Also, if something stood out like any particular theme/topic? I'd appreciate your response.
Thanks.
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1 reply by Mustafa Al Binni
Mar 17, 2018 6:55 AM
Mustafa Al Binni
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Thank you Fahim, honestly, I haven't got any math based questions, as I said I've lost 18 questions because of time so I'm not sure if those questions would contain math questions, only very simple and clear, two or three questions based on EVM, to find if the project is on schedule and within budget, it was clear because they gave the EV value, AC, and PV. you know math based questions would be very easy because at the end it is a formula you have to apply so I don't think PMI wants to test you in applying formulas, this is why I think concentraiting on situations is more important. again the exam needs management and technique so exercise more simulating the same situation.
I read Rita book and http://aileenellis.com/ I think both are good and teach you good technique. Good luck!
Saving Changes...
Mustafa Al BinniPartner Manager| PFU a Ricoh CompanyJeddah, Saudi Arabia
Mar 16, 2018 6:14 PM
Replying to FAHIM SHEIKH
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Congratulations Mustafa..!!
Do you recall how many formula driven and network activity (forward pass, backward pass, float) questions you got approximately?
Also, if something stood out like any particular theme/topic? I'd appreciate your response.
Thanks.
Thank you Fahim, honestly, I haven't got any math based questions, as I said I've lost 18 questions because of time so I'm not sure if those questions would contain math questions, only very simple and clear, two or three questions based on EVM, to find if the project is on schedule and within budget, it was clear because they gave the EV value, AC, and PV. you know math based questions would be very easy because at the end it is a formula you have to apply so I don't think PMI wants to test you in applying formulas, this is why I think concentraiting on situations is more important. again the exam needs management and technique so exercise more simulating the same situation.
I read Rita book and http://aileenellis.com/ I think both are good and teach you good technique. Good luck! Saving Changes...
jai parkashAbu Dhabi, Outside U.S./Canada, United Arab Emirates
Hi friends, I passed PMP certification on Mar 14, 2018 in second attempt.
I would like to share my lessons learned as :
1-As different minds have a different approach for preparing the exam, there is no hard-fast rule for preparation, it totally depends how to manage time from regular work hours as well as from family engagements.
2-In the beginning of my study I, saw various YouTube videos for understanding the interlinking of various processes.
3-I took in-class training with the help of PMP certified Trainer as well as well as with my peers.
4-Intitially, I pasted page # 61 & 78 of PMBOK, beside my bed & in front of study table wall, or where ever I feel comfortable to see, frequently.
5-On the first attempt, I completed all questions, having spare time of 20 minutes, but I was not too sure how much %age is correct.
6-On second attempt, which was approx. 90 days from first one, I studied twice 8th edition Rita Mulachy, simultaneously with PMBOK guide .The definition in the glossary section of PMBOK are often the best answer to few questions.
7-I did various mock test through internet and bought 04 on-line simulation tests, which were very helpful to boost my confidence level.
8- Generally, I concentrated on all KAs, specially, I worked very hard on Integration, Risk, Procurement, Stakeholder KAs.
9-I would suggest try to practice as many sample mock tests as you can. In some questions, it look like all the 04 options are correct but the trick is to find the best option is only through practice, practice & practice.
10-One other item, that helped me somehow, during the exam, at the first instinct I checked one option and marked it to confirm later, when I checked later, my six senses approved it.
11-Another item helped me, during my studies, I prepared simple flow charts of inputs & outputs, such as WPD, WPI, WPR, Change log, Issue logs etc to understand the logics.
12-Please be informed that now a days, that there is no time allowed for Brain Dump. Once you completed the tutorial, the next window will direct you to start the Exam.
13-Please manage your time in way, try to take one or two short breaks, this helped me to focus with more concentration, take few deep breathe and if possible, do some stretches.
14-Last but not the least, you have to develop a trust in yourself, that you will sit in the PMP exam and you will pass it, for sure !
I've just passed the exam for the first time on March 14, 2018. I took a course then I read Rita book. The last 5 days before the exam I made a review based on Aileen simplified review book. I studied very well the math of EVM and all math formulas as well the network analysis. But in the exam no calculation questions or very simple and strait forward one, the trick in the exam is how to solve 50 questions or more within 1 hour honestly I needed 30 minutes more and this lead to lose 18 questions I was not able even to select them randomly I thought I might failed but I've got above Target in Planning, Execution, and monitoring and ironically below target in initiation and closure. My mistake was I didn't train and exercise before the exam to solve 50+ questions in one hour. So my advise is put yourself in the same situation for four hours under the same pressure, concentrait on scenario questions before answer the question decide in which stage are then think based on that what is next, use elimination technique, don't over think. Now I'm thinking to prepare for business analysis exam so I think I've learnt what I shall do. Good luck with version 6 !
I totally agree with you Mustafa, I took the exam on the same day as well and I felt like I wasted my time learning calculations. Unfortunately I did not pass the examination, however, I am willing to give it a try, I'm really heartbroken
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1 reply by Mustafa Al Binni
Mar 19, 2018 11:00 AM
Mustafa Al Binni
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don't surrender man :) and don't consider it a failure, its just a lesson learned, plan again based on this experience. good luck with your next try, don't give up this will sharpen your knowledge and understanding.
