Hello all,

I’m glad to share with you that after 5 month project on 27^th October I finally obtained a PMP Certification.

Since this forum helps me a lot I want to share my LL and study plan.

My study plan starting from 8^th June:

·         Read Rita’s book – 3 times in total (1 very concentrated and on my 2^nd and 3^rd pass I skimmed through the material without paying attention to the exams etc.). This is the right time that I DO NOT study Rita’s process chart. It seemed me very difficult for me. However the book covers all the things that I found on the exam. I took 3 times all sample questions after each chapter in the book.

·         Read PMBOK – 2 times very concentrated in order to understand all ITTOs.

·         Read Information technology project management by Kathy Schwalbe – 1 time in order to gain different point of view. It is a good book because inside you can find examples from real life situations under the form of “Which went wrong…” and “Which went right…”

·         Memorize p. 43 from PMBOK as well as all formulas (EV, PTA, PERT, SD, EMP etc) – I DO NOT memorizes the ITTOs and I advise to try to simply understand them. It is not so hard.

·         I practice many, many mock exams. I really can recommend the following:

o   Head first PMP sample exam (free)

o   Rita’s FASTRACK (paid)

o   www.passionatepm.com (free)

o   PMStudy (1 free, full package is paid)

o   PMI – Prometric 100 PMP Sample questions (paid)

o   Oliver Lehmann PMP sample questions

In October I bought PMStudy package and I really can advise it as the questions are very close to the real exam questions.

On the exam:

·         The questions weren’t very wordy – if you practice Rita’s super PMP you will find the questions on the exam easier.

·         May be it is a matter of luck but I found many questions related to quality, especially Pareto, control, fishbone, Ishikawa diagrams.

·         Questions related to formulas were relatively easy (SV, CV, SPI, CPI). I was very surprised that I had 2-3 questions with old acronyms, so you can review them before exam.

·         I finished with all questions within 2.40 min. On my 170 question I took a short break. I have marked around 75 questions for review. I revised them and 30 min. before the exam end I pressed “End exam”. I didn’t not filled the survey and after 15 loooong seconds I saw CONGRATULATIONS J Here is the right moment to thank to my wife for the great support and  trust in me, to GOD and to all of my family. My score report was as follow: 

o   Initiating – Proficient

o   Planning – Proficient

o   Executing – Moderate Proficient

o   Monitoring and Controlling – Proficient

o   Closing - Moderate Proficient

o   Professional and Social responsibility – Below Proficient

Obviously I have underestimated the Professional and Social responsibility, so pay attention to this topic.

Finally I want to wish luck to all people who will pass the exam.

BR,

Stefan, PMP