PMP Exam in a month

Submitted by sanjana on Tue, 02/12/2013 - 22:45

I have recently started preparing for PMP exam and have almost a month to prepare for it. I have already scheduled the exam and it is in the middle of next month and apparently it is the last date of my one year eligibility. I appreciate if someone can help me in the preparation. I started with PMBOK and reached till chapter 3 where I lost it completely. There are so many input and outputs given and it seems like impossible to remember everything in such a short time. Do we have to remember everything or should I start preparing from Rita and skim through the PMBOK later. I am just wondering if it is possible to prepare for this exam from scratch within a month?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Regards,

Sanjana

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PMP Exam Tips, Tricks and Lessons Learnt.
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uglory

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 02:23

 Dear Sanjana,

From my personal perspective, two factors should be considered: 1). Your prior knowledge of project management as per jobs and responsibilities. 2). The number of manhour you are willing to commit towards studies - Do you have an elaborate schedule and committed to it?.

Well, there is nothing impossible!. With dedication and commitment you can make it!!.

Read your PMBOK religiously and practice mock tests.

Goodluck!.

Eric0001

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 02:54

 I would suggest, try to read HeadFirst book, then come back to PMBOK and read it.

try Mock exams, if you are getting 70%+ in tests then you are ready for test.

if not then find which process,KA your gaps are redo reading book and pmbok for those concepts and try another Mock exam.

No you don't have to mmemorize ITTO's but understanding each and every process (42) will be good enough.

Its upto you to decide, based on your timings and experience and understanding the concept and remembering it.

 

All the best !!!

jiazzi

Wed, 02/13/2013 - 05:02

 As someone who got really overwhelmed with the ITTOs too and completely turned off by the PMBOK, I would definitely go with something that is easy to digest first.  I did not use HeadFirst but used another easy to read guide - Andy Crowe's book.  Start with something easy (if I can turn back time I would have used Headfirst first).  Then I would take the mock exam from PM Study and study all the answers as they are directly quoted from the PMBOK.  That way, you can understand what PMBOK is trying to say in a meaningful context.  

I did not memorize the ITTOs but tried to understand the key ones which Andy Crowe's book points out.  I did memorize the 42 processes by KA and PG (made me grumble and grumpy but I knew I had to do it).  If you have a lot of days off within the month, then try reading Rita and take all the quizzes at the end.

And yes, it is possible to prepare in a month from scratch.  Many people have done it here if you read through the "I Passed!" posts and "Lessons Learned."  They give you so much insight into the various study strategies people have used to pass on your own (w/o an expensive boot camp class) and within a month.  

Finally, after reading through one book, take mock exams galore.  If you have time for re-reading, take even more.  That will really prepare you for taking the exam.  

Good luck and I hope to read your "I PASSED!" post when the time comes.  :)