Failed ;( Please help me

Submitted by pmppaul on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 06:27

 Hi, 

I wrote the pmp today. I felt confident while taking it and knew there were a few questions I didn't get right but I thought for sure I did well enough to get above the 65% and was expecting to leave the testing center happy. After filling out the survey it was like getting shot when failed appeared on the screen. I have never failed anything in my life and am really set back. I think maybe I took the test too lightly but if anyone has any advice please let me know.

Here is what I had done. 

-8-9 full days (weekends / 3 days off) (6-7 hours each day) of reading/studying the Rita pmp book as well as 3 weeks of about 3 hours after work. 
-I completed two practice tests (175 questions each) and felt they were fairly easy. I did not do them as if I was taking the test though. I would determine my answer and then flip to check and then move the next / figure out how to do it if I didn't get it right. I went through this process once. 

I don't really know what questions I got wrong but I would guess I had issues with inputs and outputs. Should I memorize these for next time? I am ashamed but I got moderately proficient in initiating and planning and below proficiency in all of the other categories. I know for sure I got the math related questions right since I knew this well. 

It's like I kept getting the same questions over and over again about risk management and I didn't know the answers for them. The same was with fast tracking. I had 10-15 questions about fast tracking and luckily I know what it is. When I read the material it seemed like inputs/outputs were common sense so I didn't really focus on them but maybe I need to focus on specifics? 

To give some background I am a newer PM and just recently made the experience requirements. I am also single and have nothing keeping me from studying really so this is why it bothers me. Most people have families or other commitments and still manage to pass. I have 2 degrees in commerce / computer science and my native / only language is english. 

I finished the test right at the end of the 4 hrs and think time management may have been an issue. I thought it would take less time because everyone said it was about 3 hours but for myself the time just seemed to fly by. After 100 questions, I was behind where I should have been and started to answer questions faster. 

I don't really know how to approach it the second time. 

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Paul

 

 

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admin

Thu, 12/15/2011 - 12:04

Hi Paul


As a general rule I would say do 1 more round of reading and solve practice tests from reputed sources, that will help you gauge your correct level. Buy PMZilla book , it will really help you.


ITTO memorization is not needed but now since you have given the exam you already know what can be different questions on ITTO so if you feel the need maybe for 1 or 2 knowledge areas you can memorize.


Overall I think it was underpreparation which could have lead to failure


Regards

pmp_man

Sun, 12/18/2011 - 09:32

Paul – Don’t panic much, many people fail in PMP. Just take it like it was your bad day and you don’t want to remember.


 


PMP is not a subjective exam, so I would not say that you study more and give more mock exam questions. If this process was true to pass PMP, PMI would not have become so popular and standard Institute accepted across the world by all major giants.


 


Study PMBOK again, with peace of mind, try to relate the input, tools & techniques, output of all project phases and try to relate with real life example. This is most important. PMP questions are 90% situational and your state of mind that has ability to visualize the questions with real life example can only help you to pass the exam.


 


Keep smiling and remove the fear factor of passing the exam. You will pass for sure. Good Luck!

Punjabicutie4u

Sun, 12/18/2011 - 22:27

Hey Paul,

I took the test  recently & i have been studying for four months. Just wanted to tell you it's okay if you didn't pass - it really is a hard test. I  want to share my study approach incase you want to try.....

Read Ande Cowe's PMP  book first to get the high level overview of all the knowledge areas,

It comes with 1 week trial of some online software - do all the q's and exams ( 1000+ questions) 

Then purchase this question bank -  http://practice.pm-exam-simulator.com/  - This software taught me the "details" of the PMBOK guide that Andy didn't go into  - it helped me see the impt stuff from the mass of details the PMBOK guide had ...

I made index cards of everything so two - three days before the test - I only did q's and read my index cards. no reading from the book.

Also - trust me -- MEMORIZE the ITTO's  - Its not about getting the 5 questions on the test right that ask those q's - its abt how much this helps you answer the million other questions on the test. by memorizing the ITTO's - i used it as a guide- Do i know what a quality audit is? What is it? How will it help the next process? It just brings the full picture together. I felt that helped me pass - Not the mere act of memorizing, but more so in figuring out the importatce of each knowledge area in a project.

I think you need a few days "off" and then put on a brave face and try again. You can do it!!!!