Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Marvin,
I know it's hard but try to focus again on your studies. I spend almost 6 months for my preparation. I started with PMBOK, then Rita and finally sample questions from various sites. I tried around 2000 questions altogether.
It is sad to learn from you that you are struggling for the final attempt to earn your PMP credential. I think I am obliged to share my PMP journey whereby I just got my PMP credential in my first attempt on 14 December 2017. I am a construction project manager by profession. To be honest, PMP exam is the toughest exam that I ever sat.
The trick of PMP exam which I personally felt was the emotional intelligence that you must have while answering the 200 questions with average 72 sec per question. I spent longer time in CPM analysis related calculation question. I felt of "given up" in middle of exam for specific "frustration" from the exam question asked whereby the answers given were all seems right or near best. I recalled I had marked near to about 15 questions (some include ITTO) which I wanted for review. But unfortunately, I lost the last chance to revisit my all answers due to time constraint. My last question only left about one to two minutes to answer. This was the most tension professional exam that I ever sat.
The PMP question are dynamic & case based. It requires expert level skill in project management knowledge & experiences while selecting the best answer. Knowing this fact, during my preparation for PMP, they are few steps that I did not follow as recommended by seniors in this platform. 1. I did not attend formal PMP boot camp or training course. 2. I did not take up any mock exam. 3. I did not have study group.
The only reason why I choose to adopt above strategy is because PMP exam is an expert level of professional exam that goes far beyond normal learning skill by book. The question are dynamic & vibrant. I spent so much time to understand the inter-connectivity of KA/management processes, deliverables, flows of information, change request and ITTO. I do not memorise but take serious focus to appreciate (PMBOK® Guide) as a collection of principles that both novice and the experienced within the project management profession can utilize to develop good practices into best practices.
My journey took about 4 months. My advice would be don’t over-study. I believed you have tried out most if not all, the methods recommended above by senior. The point that I wish you to know is never give up but keep trying. I like to refer exam handbook guide that tell how you would be tested in each of the domains. And I found my strategy after I truly understand what PMP exam handbook guide. I entered exam hall not in exam-driven mind but passion-driven mind to earn global professional project management credential.
Wishing you good luck & hope this helpful.
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Janarthanan BalasubramanianSenior Business Analyst| Standard Chartered Global Business ServicesBangalore, Karnataka, India
With the changes to the exam coming up in 2018, it is good to pass the exam in your last attempt left with. Have you read PMBOK? Did you get hold of some mock exams? If you get a score of 75 - 80% in the mock exams in your first attempt there are good chances of passing the PMP exam. Go through the Exam Analysis Report from PMI and understand the gaps in your knowledge. Focus on those areas. Head First PMP (chapter end questions and a full-length mock exam) and PMP Exam Prep by Rita (chapter end questions) are good companions in the journey to take PMP. All the best. Let me know if any assistance required from me to help you in your preparations. Saving Changes...
Janice GrierSenior Technical Vendor Manager| ATTShelby Township, Mi, United States
