PMP exam- Pass..

Submitted by Raleen on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 10:55

Hi, I passed my PMP exam today

Input- 4 months of study+1 week intensive study 

Tools-  HeadFirst, Rita, PMBOK and several mock tests

Output- Pass

 

However, the score report was not Proficient for majority domains. Not sure if I want to retake because it looks.. to an employer/ interviewer. There is also no numeric score to it.

 

Any advise on whether to retake it?

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aguvera

Tue, 12/02/2008 - 23:32

All,

 

I passed my PMP exam yesterday. PMZilla and PM Prepcast has been great helpful.

This was my first attempt and I could able to do it.

Most of the questions are descion making for me. It was tough but I could able to pull it.

 

Thanks

Arafath

 

Adil

Wed, 12/03/2008 - 11:46

congratulations!

as you are still fresh can you please give us some examples of questions you had?

thanks

jjrr007

Thu, 12/04/2008 - 02:19

Raleen,

I wouldn't recommend re-taking the PMP exam if the score is low.  I don't even know if you can take it again. Regardless, I wouldn't do it. 

The exam is difficult.  About 30% of people do not pass.  So regardless of the score, I would give the information to my employer (or potential employer) and be proud.  Your work should appreciate your hard work and not care about that.  If they are that concerned about this, than I would really ask myself if I should work there.  You worked too hard to take the exam again. 

 

 

rfboyd

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 18:22

I concur with jjrr007 - you are a certified PMP with your passing score. Your certification is an asset to your company. Well done!

 

Bob, PMP

chris2009

Tue, 02/17/2009 - 04:39

Hi All,

Firstly I passed the PMP exam 2 months ago, I studied for 4 weeks part time nothing much. I read half of Ritas book and maybe %30 of the PMBOK.

All I can say the test is the worst freaking thing I ever came across. It is very opinionated and logics doesn't really apply to it, it is written from the point of view of a person and you will have allot of difficulties if you are not in the same mindset has the person who wrote the exam.

Lots of scenario questions with crapy answers that are grammatically incorrect in an attempt to keep all answers the same length.

Don't be alarmed if you fail it the first time in my opinion it is meant to fail you to get more revenue for the PMI. I personally don't agree with the trash in the exam and I don't believe it proves anything if you pass or fail, the only thing that gives the pmp its power is the work experience that is required to take the exam. 

 

A few tips for you people out there;

* Know everything there is to know about the quality knowledge area (I MEAN IT ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING)

* Know your Formulas for SPI, CPI and so on..

* The PMBOK is missing 2 chapters that you will need in order to pass the dam PMP (Professional Resistibility & Ethics and Delegation) guess what you need to pay extra to buy these chapters from PMI bullsh!t.

* You really have to get in to the mind set of those PMI pricks, what you know from the real world and commonsense wont help you much.

* Lots of stuff on Quality, scope control and procurement in the test.

 

I remembered some questions from the test and still today I haven't been able to find the correct answer after searching goggle and the PMBOK so that should tell you that the test really is bullsh!t.

But good luck anyway.

 

atgunn_78

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 13:52

I recently took the PMP test and didn't pass unfortunately.  I scored moderately proficient in all areas except 2.  My score in those areas was below proficient.  I used Rita's PMP prep, the PMPBOK, and e-learning courses and prep-test simulations offered through my company.  The prep-tests didn't give me a very good sampling of the types of questions to expect.  Can anyone provide any suggestions on material that I should use so that I can re-test?  Has anyone heard that the test is changing in May?

 Thanks,

atgunn 

roblis

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 17:16

Atgunn,

 

The test IS going to change by the middle of 2009 (june or july I guess). You may check at PMI website.

I would run for 2 reasons:

 1) Not trowing away your fresh study memories

 2) Ensure you don't need to study a new version of PMBoK.

 

How did you use your material? Did you get PMFasTrack?

atgunn_78

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 18:37

Roblis,

Thanks for the response.  I didn't get the PMFasTrack software, but I did use Rita's PMP Exam Prep book.  I studied each section and took the quiz at the end.

atgunn 

roblis

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 18:44

Attgun, I guess the quiz at the end of each chapter is not enough. I would look for the PMFasTrack simulator, it's simply great! It'll make you think with your PMI hat on (as Bob said very well).

Use the book as your guide, use PMBoK as reference and do a lot of tests.

I strongly suggest you to use a mind map to help your studies (like freemind). It helps a lot to organize ideas and fetch concepts pretty fast when you need.

rfboyd

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 18:24

Per PMI, all PMP exams through 30June2009 are based off the PMBOK 3rd Edition. Effective 01Jul2009, all PMP exams will be based on the 4th edition.

 Also, I used Rita's book, and one called PMP In-Depth (Sanghera). I used a variety of free question banks as well (Oliver Lehmann, PMZILLA, etc), and was able to score moderately proficient across the board. There are more exam simulator sites out there - I wouldn't recommend paying for exam simulators though other than those that come with a study package (Rita and others).  Don't wait too long to retake the exam - the info is still fresh in your mind - just review the weaker areas on the exam, and remember to put your PMI hat on when answering the questions. On a lot of the questions, more than one answer will seem correct - which one is the most correct though? Having your PMI hat on should help you make that decision, or at least get it down to two possible answers vice three or four.

Good luck!

Bob, PMP

atgunn_78

Tue, 02/10/2009 - 18:41

Thanks Bob for the advice and for letting me know when the PMP test will be based on the 4th edition.  I'll look at some of the free question banks that you suggested.

Atgunn

chris2009

Tue, 02/17/2009 - 04:35

Hi,

 I saw a elearning course a friend used from skillsoft "PMP prep" that looked very good and had all the knowledge you need, but it was expensive US$2500

HN-LB

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 11:31

I failed the PMP exam for the second time.

I am really shocked, I study Rita Book and used the PMBOK as reference; I practiced a lot and was scoring in PM Fast Track around 80%. I scored in PM study 75%; PM Final 76%; the 175 questions of oliver 74%; the 200 questions of PM Head firts 85%....

There should be a problem; In my first attempt, I didn't prepare well, and I scored moderate proficient in two areas (Planning & Monitoring)this time I scored moderate proficient in monitoring only (All the other area below proficient).

I studied a lot, and practiced a lot... And this what I got.

What do you recommed me to do? Any one advise me to go and retest again?

Please let me have your inputs.. & Thank you all...

admin's picture

admin

Mon, 03/02/2009 - 05:26

This is a bit unusual, With scores like that you must clear PMP in flying colors. One question, how much time did you take in the exam ?

 If you are preparing hard, its possible that you have got used to the questions as you may be repeating the practice test, but in real exam when you get new set of questions, you may be making silly mistakes.

Now to help you, I would suggest that take a close look at both your score cards, check which are your weak areas and your strengths, now dont waste time studying topics where you are already strong, Note down your weak areas, and try to recollect what questions related to that area must have answered wrong. Search for answers

 Once you have the list of your focus areas, prioritize them and then work on questions from practice test only related to those areas.

 You can still do it before June 09, I would suggest dont take any break as things are still fresh in your mind, plan for the 3rd attempt very soon, based on your comfort feeling. 

 Doing PMP in this tough times is a huge value add to your resume and feel confident that since now you have faced the exam twice you are better equipped to clear it in this attempt.

 

HN-LB

Mon, 03/02/2009 - 06:53

Sir,

 Believe me, I'm honestly listing what I have got in the practice tests, I feel crazy when I hear that people scores below 70% in the PM Study test, and they are able to clear the real exam, even with Rita I've got an average of 80% in four practice tests...!!!

Any way, I would like to thank you very much for your reply... I know that there might some few gaps and weak areas which makes me fail... I have many questions to clarify, May I have your help to answer these questions? I believe that if I've got the proper support in clearing some points, it will help me a lot.

 Could I have your e-mail please?

Regards,

 NH

yacin

Tue, 03/10/2009 - 18:53

Hi All

I have earned the CAPM a month ago and I decided to keep going for the PMP.Today I took the test and failed,it was a fricky wall and I wonder who was the einstein behind it.

 I never figured I would come across such this one,I did all sorts of simulation (Rita,Oliver,Certgear....) all passed,all had all sortes of tons of calculation and graphic to design.

 I remenber this morning with the PMP I touched my calculator one single time,all others questions were driving u crazy out of control.I wonder how the hell they come up with those kind of questions.it's like they are inside your mind and know your weakness.

I am planning to retake it while it's still fresh,I am preparing on low profiency area that I scored.

Not even an alien can pass this one their first attempt.

 Any advice are welcome.

Y

ostralek

Thu, 06/18/2009 - 06:08

try http://pmpbank.googlepages.com/

for free questions as well as useful tips and RITA's chart as well. 

worked for me! 

 

Cheers

Ron

 

anithapr1999

Fri, 06/19/2009 - 19:11

I  found these qns in some  web site . Could any one help me to figire out the  answersCry

 1)You are working  as PM  on a project   .You  have overheard a discuss that  one of your most valualble  team member 's   is planning to re-locate to some  other country  If his wife get a new job there .In that circumstance wht will you do

1.Keep queit . This is gainst the code of etthics that interfearing  some  one 's personnal matters.

2. Document  this is  in project Issue log

3. Notify the client and team members.

anithapr1999

Mon, 06/29/2009 - 00:56

ww

 

atgunn_78

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 19:13

Hello, 

I passed my PMP!!!  I found Rita's exam prep and sample test questions along with the PMBOK to be the most helpful.  I studied for about 3 months.  Two weeks before my test date, my studying was very focused and intense.  I also used Rita's Hot Topics.

 Atgunn

martian

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 23:17

I am appearing tomorrow.

Any tips for me?

Was the exam closer to Rita's tests??? or was it like Oliverlehman /PMzilla's mock tests...indepth questions from some corner of PMBOK??

 

Thanks in advance

atgunn_78

Thu, 07/02/2009 - 18:59

Martian,

I apologize for responding late.  I found the exam to be closer to Rita's tests.  I hope that you passed your test.

 

Atgunn  

jamestbw

Sun, 09/04/2011 - 09:53

Hi all,

I pass my exam on the first try. Thanks to PMZilla for the tips. I started preparing for the exam since Feb,
attended the training course and the refresher course with a local training institution.

I will like to share my experience here.

To pass this exam, you really need discipline and focus. No cramping during the final week of exam.

I scheduled myself to study since Feb this year.

Besides, I used books which include:

1) PMP Exam Prep (1000+ Practice Questions with Detailed Solutions)
2) PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (6th Edition) (3 times)
3) PMBOK of course ! (3 times)
4) PMP Study Guide by Joseph Phillips (went through the questions once)

I also downloaded and purchased PMP iPhone apps. 

In addition, I also subscribe to Cornelius Fichtner PMP Prepcast and to its free PMP questions.

I also tried 5 sets of questions, 2 sets of mock exams supplied by my trainer.

I also went through lots of free PMP questions on the Internet. Be sure to know and remember the PMP formula very well. You can do that through practising PMP maths question.

Most of the questions are quite different from what I have seen in the sample questions. But if you know the concept well, it should not be too difficult for you.

Here are some tips for students taking the exam. When answering the PMP question:

1) Read the question carefully word by word. DO NOT skim through.
2) Try to understand what is the issue on the question and what the question is asking.
3) There will be lots of situational questions. For these type of questions, there is no obviously right or wrong answer but best answer
to be able to answer the issue on hand.
4) Be careful, question which ask for "NOT", "BEST", "FIRST", "NEXT".
5) Read the options carefully.
6) Eliminate the option which is obviously wrong.

7) Select the best option to solve the issue on hand.
8) If in doubt, you can mark the question so that you can come back later if the time does not run out. Do not leave any question unanswered as there is minus marks for guessing the wrong answer.