PMI Certification Prep - What has worked for you?

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Permalink Reply by Karen Fox on January 27, 2010 at 4:19pm

Hi Sam. I took a PMP Prep class that met 2 nights a week for six weeks. I was not working at the time so I had a lot of time to study. Those folks who were working had difficulty allocating the time. You cannot just attend a class and expect to pass the exam. You need to have the time to study and review and take the practice exams.

That being said I have heard that those folks who take a boot camp have been very successful. But, then these classes are very concentrated and focused.

Hope that helps.
Karen Fox, PMP, CSM

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Permalink Reply by Joe Gallenstein on January 28, 2010 at 7:42am

I went through the same struggles. Working for many years in the role of a project manager but not having the certification really limited my opportunities. I enrolled in the Villanvoa University online classes in Mastering Project Management then followed this up with their PMP Prep course. Both really helped prepare me for my PMP exam. Additionally, I read and used the practice exams in the book "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try" by Andy Crowe, PMP.

Hope this helps.

Joe Gallenstein, PMP

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Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on January 28, 2010 at 9:23am

Joe, was the prep course also on-line? And did you decide on on-line prep as you could control when and where you availed yourself of the training? Good advice on the book - I'll check it out.

Thanks,

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Karen Fox on January 28, 2010 at 9:30am

Sam, you also need the 4th edition of the PMBOK and Rita Mulcahy's books are also very good.

Karen

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Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on January 28, 2010 at 9:37am

Karen, thanks for the advice - will procure that resource as well...

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Barry Voltz on February 18, 2010 at 3:02am

The other book I would strongly recommend is http://www.headfirstlabs.com/books/hfpmp/
or Head First PMP, 4th Edition.

Self Study is the direction I took, when I felt that I was ready to sit for the test, I then signed up for the PMP prep class, which gives you the 35 PDUs you need, then took the test 20 days after the class, by design.... your best window is 15 days to 30 days, but no more then 40 days.

Practice, Practice and more Practice simulating the full 200 question test over the 4 hour time limit. To the point you get you mind in the mode of it is just a test. Did I say PRACTICE... ;-) There are a number of sample tests available. Every question you get wrong, study why, what is wrong in your thinking, etc. The goal is not memorization, but a complete understanding of why, the purpose, when, how, whom, etc..... The really test is not about memorization, and it is based on PM according to PMBOK, so you may have to unlearn to learn to the PMBOK way. I know I did....

When and only when you think you have mastered the free ones, goal is 80% to 90%. Then move up (but not until you have masted the free ones) to fee based.... http://www.pmstudy.com/enroll.asp#PMP I purchased 2 of them, and I'm so happy I did. (The reason I say do not go after these until you have mastered the free ones, because you need build up to the fee based one). If you do not, the wind will leave your sail. The link I posted is a very good simulation of the real thing. Goal here is 75% or higher..

The key to the test, get into a habit, know your strategy, and practice it until is is habit. Know when your going to take a break, know how much time to spend on a question, then leave it, (you can come back to it), Do not get stuck trying to answer a question you really do not know, you will have them on the real test. Know how to move on without it effecting you or your test. Know your test strategy.

I know I'm repeating, but I can not stress this tips hard enough.

I studied for 6 months along with taking 30 credit hours per semester for my Bachelors degree at the same time, and getting my Six Simga Green Belt, and ITIL certifications. You have to have a plan, and follow it, if a task in your plan does not yield results, toss it out. Change up how you study, I recorded notes, loaded on to my Ipod, and played them when driving. I created flash cards, had in my pocket at all times, elevator time pull them out, grocery shopping with the wife, pull them out, when waiting for dinner to come to the table, have the wife quiz me with them. Quick and fast, not long study times, but quick rapid fire was the idea here. Reading, 20 to 30 mins, break for 10 mins, thinking about what I just studied, over and over in my head. I'm not sure how you learn and retain best, but my point, think outside the box and find what works for you, and for most it is not one thing, but a number of things.

What I'm saying, make it part of your life, this way it is not so big. Another little key, it is the law of 5, you have to repeat something 5 times, over the course of 5 days, to reach 80% retention.

I hope anyone that reads this finds it helpful.

Oh... It is completely worth it......

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Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on February 18, 2010 at 9:51am

Great advice, thanks for your time in putting this all on "paper"...

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Bob Blackburn on January 28, 2010 at 2:21pm

I am doing this now. I am in my second class at Villanova. the Prep class is next. I have that book on hold at the library and plan to buy Rita's Guide as well.

Although I am local to Villanova, I am taking the online courses for flexibility.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Miles on February 3, 2010 at 9:33am

Hi Sam,
I'm in the same situation you are...I decided to supplement my professional accounting designation with a PMP so I sent in my qualifications and was accepted to write. Dilemma was taking some for of preparation course - I found one at the following link ( http://www.ed2go.com/macewan/online_courses/BM/Business_and_Managem... - scroll to the bottom and there are two prep courses). I'm into the course about two weeks and it is very good.

If you are very focused and don't need to learn in an interactive group setting, this course is very inexpensive and quite thorough.

Good luck...I'll let you know how I do on the exam.

Doug Miles, CMA

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Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on February 3, 2010 at 9:57am

Thanks Doug, please do let me know how your testing went. Sam

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Permalink Reply by Kelvin J. Arcelay on February 18, 2010 at 5:42am

Sam,

There are many good resources out there that will help you in passing the test. I tend to lean toward instructor lead training either: Andy Crowe - Velociteach or Rita Mulcahy - RMCProject. If you are looking for books you might want to check the just published 4th edition of the exam cram to get your fee wet. From my perspective, the best advice I was ever given while preparing was: forget what you know and learn what PMI says and expect.

Regards,

Kelvin Arcelay

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Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on February 18, 2010 at 9:45am

Thanks Kelvin, I've actually heard that last piece of advice before... ;)

Sam

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