Patrick DixonPresident| DPASLago Vista, Tx, United States
I am studying for PMP certification. I took a class that was based on the PMBOK guide, but the quiz questions were based on Rita Mulcahy's book. The instructor said that the PMP exam will be based on the content in Rita's book. My problem is that PMBOK and Rita differ significantly. For example, I was told to memorize the PMBOK Table 3-1 "Project Management Process Group and Knowledge Area Mapping" because it is critical to know this for the exam, but in Rita's book it has Rita's Process Chart which is similar but very different and does not reconcile with PMBOK. This is extremely confusing. What should I be studying? Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Patrick,
I concur with Sante and others on this. Rita's process chart was confusing more me too. But Rita's book is very detailed and give you lot's of insight for your exam. The questions at the end of each chapter is very good and are comparable to actual exam questions.
Rita book is good, if you plan to pass on PMBOK 6 ,Rita book is not change yet!
...
1 reply by Patrick Dixon
Dec 11, 2017 6:34 PM
Patrick Dixon
...
1. I am taking the exam Jan 26
2. It will be based on the current PMBOK (5)
Saving Changes...
Zanele DubazanaConsultant| VisaJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Hi Patrick
I know you have already received a mouthful regarding your question, however my experience was that the exam is not based on your project management experience as some before me have advised but rather on the PMBoK. You might find what you do on the job is not what PMBoK prescribes. So, be careful with regard to this advice. Secondly, also based on my experience with the exam is that Rita's process chart helped me a lot to answer the "what do you do next" type of questions and there was a lot of them on the exam. I listened to the audio book when I was driving to and from work on a daily basis. I also read Kim Heldman. You can also try the exam simulation on the simplilearn website. I found the questions to be very close to the PMP exam standard.
Finally, I passed my exam on the first try with an "Above Target" result on 30 November 2017.
Best wishes with your exam Saving Changes...
Lawrence Lyle, PMP CSSGB ITILSenior Project Manager| Dekalb County Government, Decatur GeorgiaNorcross, Ga, United States
PMBOK,
:) Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I never used the late Rita Mulcahy's books for any of my PMI certifications. I used the PMBOK, study groups and mock exams. Saving Changes...
Patrick DixonPresident| DPASLago Vista, Tx, United States
Dec 07, 2017 12:44 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
...
Additional notes
When do you plan to pass the exam?
Would it be base on PMBOK 5 or 6?
Rita book is good, if you plan to pass on PMBOK 6 ,Rita book is not change yet!
1. I am taking the exam Jan 26
2. It will be based on the current PMBOK (5)
Patrick, I have heard a lot about Rita's book some admire some confused like you with contradictory to PMBOK Guide, I have not seen the book myself so I can not comment on this one but all I can tell you The Guide is our main source but try to read more books or different courses don't rely just on one
This way you gain different approach of explanation and Good Luck Saving Changes...
As others have said, the RMC book (I don't say Rita anymore as she's no longer with us!) is a "good guess" as to what's on the exam. The reality is that NO training organization has "inside" information on the exam questions.
As far as what the questions are based on, having twice participated in PMP exam item writing sessions, the PMBOK Guide is one of 40-50 different references used when questions are developed. The one thing they used to tell us in those session is to ensure we had two references for each question we came up with.
Also, it's important to note that rote memorization or foundation type questions are the minority on the exam - the trend has been more and more application or scenario-oriented ones.
Kiron
Kiron, what do you mean by that (( she is no longer with us)) Saving Changes...
As others have said, the RMC book (I don't say Rita anymore as she's no longer with us!) is a "good guess" as to what's on the exam. The reality is that NO training organization has "inside" information on the exam questions.
As far as what the questions are based on, having twice participated in PMP exam item writing sessions, the PMBOK Guide is one of 40-50 different references used when questions are developed. The one thing they used to tell us in those session is to ensure we had two references for each question we came up with.
Also, it's important to note that rote memorization or foundation type questions are the minority on the exam - the trend has been more and more application or scenario-oriented ones.
Kiron
Kiron,
I did some search I guess I know what you meant I found out the she already passed away, I felt sad for her.
