Folks,

Happy to inform you that I have attained the PMP certification.

PFB the important lessons learned and suggestions:

The reason why I was after the certification wasn’t to make quick jumps in the organization or earn extra bucks(If it comes by though, I don’t mind J)

The objective was to learn a recognized/proven methodology which is accepted across globe in most of the domains.

During the course, there were different revelations though. Learning is the most important aspect but cracking the exam is a different ball game.

Here are important learning of taking the exam:

1. The most important technique is to spend time in reading the question . This may seem too simple but most of the folks a big mistake there. The answer lies in question itself most of the times, you have to catch the keywords.


2. Pick the low hanging fruit first. There are high scoring areas in exam where you need to concentrate in the first pass of 2 hrs. Needless to say these easy looking questions will land you in trouble if you haven’t done your home work (you need to a bit of research beyond PMPBOK and Prep Exam books). Human Resource Management is one area where there is good scope of earning marks since 3 out of the 8 processes from HR Management falls in execution process group. You can also earn good points in initiation phase questions.


3. You don’t need to cram input/output of all the processes. Exam is not about the memorization it’s about how you apply your concepts in the real scenarios. Its important though to be thorough with T&T of all the processes.


4. The pattern is definitely changed for the exam and its lot tougher than you think. Just go through the PM forums and you’ll realize how many have flunk in the first attempt. There are no easy picking which were available earlier in the form of Ethics and Quality Guru names questions. Those were really not testing your PM skills and PMI have understood the point.


5. There are lot of numerical questions in the exam. In my set, there were almost 30 numerical or chart based questions. In the first glance you’ll understand whether you will be able to solve it in 1 min or will take longer. Leave the tough one for the second half ( THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT), If you spend much time on them in the first half , it may waste a lot of time and dent your confidence.


6. Risk Management chapter in PMBOK is not very interesting and exhaustive ( I can’t believe they have even put the wrong picture for RBS). You’ll see a lot of questions from the risk response strategy, it is worthwhile to go through Rita’s book for this.


7. You’ll see a lot of confusing questions in quality and this too needs to be thoroughly review from Rita’s book. There were pictorial based questions on control chart which you need to be well aware of. My experience in quality implement in TechM have helped me there.


8. The easy looking calculation of channels for communication can be pretty tough if you think it is just about using the formulas. For instance if there are four sponsors,1 PM, 2 contractor resources, 3 functional managers who don’t interact with sponsor directly and their team members interact with each other but not with other teams.


9. If you have zeroed down to two options that are most likely the right answer. Make a selection for the best looking and put it in review mode ( THIS IS  IMPORTANT), there are chances that you may not get time to look at this again. The exam marks it is completed if you are not able to deselect the review option.


10. Don’t make the exam your ego ride, if you are not able to solve the numerical in 1-1.5mins,leave it. There are other options for scoring.


11. There is no negative marking. Keep last 3-5 minutes for putting some option against the questions where you don’t have a clue, you might get lucky.


12. Don’t rely on easy mock tests that may give you wrong sense of security. Oliver Lehman Mock tests could be the benchmark, the exam is very close to them. Scoring 70% there is a better sign of readiness than low quality mock tests which might fetch you 80-85%


13.  Exam may  test you on exactly opposite concept you have learned. Spend time on online forums and asking the opposite questions.


14. Don’t spend much time on finding which in the best or the worst technique. Every technique has its own importance depending on the context of the situation. Spend time on understanding and validating by attempting quality mock tests.

Suggestions for Preparation:

1. Dedication and focus is the key. 2-3 hrs of regular study every day for about 3 months is bare minimum.


2. Set expectation with the family and boss so that they are aware that you’ll require their support for 3-4 months.


3. Don’t get swayed by online posts where people claim that they have cleared the certification by studying in 10 days. They are either lying/boasting or might be having superior IQ compared to us mere mortals J


4. Start by Reading Rita’s PMP Prep exam book or any other material like headfirst once (simultaneously referring PMBOK). Second time around it should by PMBOK first and Rita’s book or any other prep material you are comfortable with (you’ll have better understanding after each repetition). 3^rd repetition would be lot quicker and will get you going for the exam.


5. Don’t make a mistake of taking PMBOK lightly and concentrating on the other materials. PMBOK is the bible and is the last word in case of any confusion with different materials. PMBOK is prepared from contribution from the top notch professionals in the field and have a pattern that will make you relate to the topics in a professional way (even Rita insists that studying PMBOK is must before taking the exam)


6. Start taking mock exams after 1^st pass of your study and note down you weak areas. Repeat the same after the second pass of your study (you should fare well in weak areas else you’ll require to go through various online materials to clear the doubts or take a professional help)

Some good reference for taking the mock exams:

1. PMStudy (website – free test) (( MEDIUM QUALITY))


2. Oliver Lehman’s mock tests (closest to the real exam) (( GOOD QUALITY))


3. Kim Heldman’s 200 questions ( 20 questions at the end of every chapter) – you need to have membership of PMI for accessing the same (( GOOD QUALITY))


4. SimpliLearn (website – free test) (( Medium QUALITY))


5. PM-exam-simulator (website – free test) (( GOOD QUALITY))


6. Headfirst free mock test (( MEDIUM QUALITY))


7. MyPMP.ie ((GOOD QUALITY) – Sample 200 questions on website.


8. Christopher Scordo 1000 questions( It may give you wrong sense of security as the questions are easy but it’s a good reference if you want to revise PMBOK based terms) - You need to have membership of PMI for accessing the same (( MEDIUM QUALITY))


9. TechM’s PMP Prep exam (( GOOD QUALITY))


10. PMPForsure ( if you have spare time)


11. TechFaq360 (if you have spare time)


12. Besides there are other scores of mock exams available. Make sure you only take the exams from reliable agency (they may not add value or will have wrong answers if taken from unreliable source)

I think I have given too much gyan, if you have any specific questions , will try to answer.

Cheers

Amit Bajaj (Pen name - Dugardeshi)