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...
For some of it's failings, Rita still wrote the best book for PMP exam preparation. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
I did not use 'RMC' guide. Actually, had not known about until after I sat my PMP exam. Others here have regularly noted they used in conjunction with the PMBOK. I would say the instructor is not justified to make a statement such as that.
I became a huge fan of Rita, for me it was a essential material of study
Of course, I read the PMBOK as well, I recommend read both, but Rita is more interactive and explain in a very easy way Saving Changes...
Interesting read Patrick on LinkedIN. Saving Changes...
Zawar SheikhConsultant| IndependentE Northport, Ny, United States
The majority of the people I deal with think like the sample exam questions. That is, they give incomplete information, and have unrealistic expectations.Yet as a manager I'm expected to make sense of everything and make sure everyone is on the same page. Communications is really the biggest problem I see all over. Can it be the exams are supposed to prepare us for detective work when dealing with poor communications and incomplete information? Saving Changes...
I am also preparing to sit for PMP exam. I'm using Kim Heldman's 9th edition study guide, in addition to a 35 PDU online course.
So the advice is I STILL have to read the PMBOK guide?
...
1 reply by Markus Kopko
Mar 20, 2018 3:51 AM
Markus Kopko
...
@Boon:
The PMBoK Guide is the foundation for the PMP Exam, and so it is essential to know and understand it.
The prep books should be used in companion to help students for better understanding of the PMBoK Guide; its processes and how to apply them in daily project work.
I do always recommend the following study habits I have used by myself; feel free to align it accordingly to your own preferences:
Step 1: Just read the chapter in PMBoK Guide
Step 2: Now STUDY the corresponding chapter in your prep book(s)
Step 3: NOW STUDY the same chapter in PMBoK Guide AND try to understand the content and how the processes work for instance.
Step 4: After all of that just do the provided sample questions in your prep book(s) to see if you have understood the stuff. If you have less than 70% right, do the steps 2 - 4 again or try to figure out where your weak areas are and do those chapters again.
This is how my strategy works in a rough, and it is good for me. Another people here rude for the strategy to read the PMBoK Guide at least three times straight through.
From my point of view, this doesn't work really well.
But everyone has to find his own strategy I guess ...
