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...
With an example you can understand the concept.
Imagine you have drawings and specification that specify to build a special type and size of block wall.
You didn't find at the suppliers the required type or size.
The supplier recommend you another similar type.
But since it is not mentioned in the specification, so you prepare a change request and submitted to the consultant (who is participant in the CCB) explaining the issue and you suggest a replacement.
The consultant study the request and reply with approval or rejection to your request.
In case of approval you proceed with the new type of block, and if rejected you will look for another solution and submit another change request.
You document everything in a change log.
This process is called a change management system.
Thank you Hatem for detailed example. However my concern is i get confused with below type of questions on change requests. Not able to choose the correct answer.
"A project is in the final stages of testing when it receives a major change request from the customer which would delay the final delivery of the project by 2 weeks. What should the Project Manager do NEXT?"
a) Create a change request and go through the change management process
b) Evaluate the impact of the change
c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer
d) Adjust the project management plan and baseline
...
1 reply by Sean Fuller
Aug 18, 2017 5:30 PM
Sean Fuller
...
I believe the correct answer is a) Create a change request and go through the change management process. I tried to find supporting documentation to reference in the 5th Edition PMBOK guide but couldn't find it. So here's the next best reference I could find that might help you study on this topic... http://www.dummies.com/careers/project-man...ification-exam/
However, I could also argue that the answer is b) Evaluate the impact of the change. This is from the point of view that the stakeholder should create the change request which would then prompt the project manager to evaluate the impact of the change.
In my opinion, this is where investing in a good exam simulator is extremely helpful in preparing for the actual test. I used the PM Exam Simulator which told me which questions I got wrong, what the correct answer should be, and why it should be the correct answer with references to documentation. It cost $125 and was well worth it to me. (I am not a paid spokesperson for this product nor do I receive any form of incentives for recommending it.
With an example you can understand the concept.
Imagine you have drawings and specification that specify to build a special type and size of block wall.
You didn't find at the suppliers the required type or size.
The supplier recommend you another similar type.
But since it is not mentioned in the specification, so you prepare a change request and submitted to the consultant (who is participant in the CCB) explaining the issue and you suggest a replacement.
The consultant study the request and reply with approval or rejection to your request.
In case of approval you proceed with the new type of block, and if rejected you will look for another solution and submit another change request.
You document everything in a change log.
This process is called a change management system.
Thank you Hatem for detailed example. However my concern is i get confused with below type of questions on change requests. Not able to choose the correct answer.
"A project is in the final stages of testing when it receives a major change request from the customer which would delay the final delivery of the project by 2 weeks. What should the Project Manager do NEXT?"
a) Create a change request and go through the change management process
b) Evaluate the impact of the change
c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer
d) Adjust the project management plan and baseline
...
1 reply by Hatem Haffar
Aug 28, 2017 12:56 PM
Hatem Haffar
...
It is very easy question and you need to use logic to answer that.
The answer is not A as Sean said.
I will explain it to you, so next time you will know how to answer.
The question tell you that you received a change request.
therefore it is not logical to create another change request since you already have one. so A is not correct.
(Evaluate the impact of the change): we always have to evaluate the cost and schedule impact and assess if any new risk will appear and redo the plan. It is logic answer, I will keep my eye on it and look for other answers.
(Communicate the implication of the change to the customer): How can I communicate the implication of the change while I didn't evaluate the impact yet. So C is incorrect.
(Adjust the project Management plan and baseline): what changes have to be done in the plan? do I need more resources? more time? more cost? I need to evaluate and study before changing the plan. so D is incorrect.
at the end you are only left with one logical answer B.
Saving Changes...
Sourabh Chatterjee, PMPPrincipal Consultant| SSA Business Solution Pvt. Ltd.Thane, Maharashtra, India
Cleared the PMP exam in first attempt. The key is to give as many mock test as possible after going through PMBOK guide at least thrice. These mock test results will always draw you back to PMBOK guide and will make you realize the grey areas which would need rework. Please do not forget to thoroughly read and understand the code of ethics.This exam is all about your mental endurance so do take breaks every 1 hour for 2 minutes to regain your focus. Most of the questions are situation based so practice by putting yourself as a PM in real life project scenarios when you are attempting these mock exam questions.Your grit and perseverance to clear the exam will take you through.
All the best!!! Saving Changes...
Sean FullerTechnical Account Manager| ECX Systems, LLCTyler, Tx, United States
Aug 18, 2017 12:47 PM
Replying to Mousumi Tripathy
...
Thank you Hatem for detailed example. However my concern is i get confused with below type of questions on change requests. Not able to choose the correct answer.
"A project is in the final stages of testing when it receives a major change request from the customer which would delay the final delivery of the project by 2 weeks. What should the Project Manager do NEXT?"
a) Create a change request and go through the change management process
b) Evaluate the impact of the change
c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer
d) Adjust the project management plan and baseline
I believe the correct answer is a) Create a change request and go through the change management process. I tried to find supporting documentation to reference in the 5th Edition PMBOK guide but couldn't find it. So here's the next best reference I could find that might help you study on this topic... http://www.dummies.com/careers/project-man...ification-exam/
However, I could also argue that the answer is b) Evaluate the impact of the change. This is from the point of view that the stakeholder should create the change request which would then prompt the project manager to evaluate the impact of the change.
In my opinion, this is where investing in a good exam simulator is extremely helpful in preparing for the actual test. I used the PM Exam Simulator which told me which questions I got wrong, what the correct answer should be, and why it should be the correct answer with references to documentation. It cost $125 and was well worth it to me. (I am not a paid spokesperson for this product nor do I receive any form of incentives for recommending it.
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 !!
Great tips, Pawan! I am taking the exam in 4 months as well; will use your tips for sure :) Saving Changes...
Hello ;I was took my exam 15 Aug and just failed that wasn't expected at all.
all my daily score was above 70 and i was able to find the answers and trick in most of the question during daily exercise ,but i found the real exam very different by the what we are testing .
the question was situational and tricky but even i said i will pass today .when i press the bottom i just shocked .
still i don't know where of my plan was wrong ,i have plan to reschedule it at 15 -20 Oct.
...
1 reply by Irtaza Ghafoor
Sep 16, 2017 3:34 PM
Irtaza Ghafoor
...
Same thing happened with me. I don't know what was wrong. I have plan reschedule in month Nov. Any suggestion. What is your planning now Abbas.
I know it can be disappointing to not pass the exam after all the hard work you have put so far, Abbas.
The exam results should highlight the areas you want to focus on. As well, you now have the added knowledge of what the questions are on the exam.
I'm glad to see you've scheduled your second attempt. I'm sure your next exam will be a different experience. Saving Changes...
Morne BeeslaarManaging Director| Faolan ConsultingPretoria, South Africa
My strategy was simple, I did a prep course with a reputable company and then scheduled the exam for the very next week. Left me one weekend to study well.
Tricky bit of the exam is the questions where there are two "right" answers and you have to figure out which is the "more right" answer. This boils down to experience and good old common sense.
Good luck. Saving Changes...
Hatem HaffarProject Manager| Schweitzer Engineering LaboratoriesPulman, Wa, United States
Aug 18, 2017 12:47 PM
Replying to Mousumi Tripathy
...
Thank you Hatem for detailed example. However my concern is i get confused with below type of questions on change requests. Not able to choose the correct answer.
"A project is in the final stages of testing when it receives a major change request from the customer which would delay the final delivery of the project by 2 weeks. What should the Project Manager do NEXT?"
a) Create a change request and go through the change management process
b) Evaluate the impact of the change
c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer
d) Adjust the project management plan and baseline
It is very easy question and you need to use logic to answer that.
The answer is not A as Sean said.
I will explain it to you, so next time you will know how to answer.
The question tell you that you received a change request.
therefore it is not logical to create another change request since you already have one. so A is not correct.
(Evaluate the impact of the change): we always have to evaluate the cost and schedule impact and assess if any new risk will appear and redo the plan. It is logic answer, I will keep my eye on it and look for other answers.
(Communicate the implication of the change to the customer): How can I communicate the implication of the change while I didn't evaluate the impact yet. So C is incorrect.
(Adjust the project Management plan and baseline): what changes have to be done in the plan? do I need more resources? more time? more cost? I need to evaluate and study before changing the plan. so D is incorrect.
at the end you are only left with one logical answer B.
...
1 reply by Mousumi Tripathy
Sep 01, 2017 4:13 AM
Mousumi Tripathy
...
Thank you Hatem and Sean for the explanations on your choice of answers.
However the answer explanation in the book says as below. Really i am getting confused with such kind of questions.
A project is in the final stages of testing when it receives a major change request from the customer which would delay the final delivery of the project by 2 weeks. What should the Project Manager do NEXT?
a) Create a change request and go through the change management process
b) Evaluate the impact of the change
c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer
d) Adjust the project management plan and baseline
Answer: (c) Communicate the implication of the change to the customer. The next step is to communicate the impact on the final delivery to the customer and get his approval, especially because it affects the final delivery date of the project. Option (a) and (b) are already completed by the team as they have already assessed the impact of the delay on schedule. Option (d) will come after customer approval.
