PMI Certification Prep - What has worked for you?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by April Diehl, PMP on February 25, 2010 at 6:48pm

Because you have been working as a Project Manager for over 10 years, you probably already know what you need to pass the test, except you know it in your own language.
The trick is to translate it to the PMBOK.
I spent a number of years in the PM environment before taking my test. What I did was memorize the glossary. I figured all I had to do was relate the terms in the glossary with my own PM Language. By doing that the questions made more sense so I was able to make the correct decision on the test.
I also was able to get a set of audio flash cards from ebay. Basically what these did was quiz you on each section of the PMP. Example: What are the processes related to Project Scope? After 10 seconds it would give you the answer.
I copied these to my MP3 player and for a month all my spare time was spent listening to these. I played them in the car, when I was in line at the bank, or doing house work. I even started playing them as I went to sleep each night.
While I did read through the PMBOK and took a few simulation tests, I believe the studying of the glossary and the audio flash cards were the most helpful to me.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on February 25, 2010 at 6:59pm

Interesting - do you have a link for the flash card application? Thanks for taking time to reply - did you pass the test? ;)

Sam

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by April Diehl, PMP on March 18, 2010 at 1:10pm

I actually bought the CD's off EBAY. The store is PRAIZION FILMSCORE PRODUCTIONS.
I took the test with the 3rd Edition, but I just looked and he has updated audio flash cards for the 4th edition. And they are fairly inexpensive.
He has other CD's and MP3's that might be beneficial as well.
http://stores.ebay.com/PRAIZION-FILMSCORE-PRODUCTIONS

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mary Alice Russo on June 8, 2010 at 10:00am

Hi Samuel,
I know your initial query was from earlier this year but I too am knew to the formal process with about 20 years unofficial PM experience. I started my own PM consulting services business legally on paper, am starting the online course in about 2 weeks, plan to take the summer for the class and preparing my portfolio to sit for PMP certification in fall. In the meantime, I am trying to hone my marketing side of the business.

How has your quest with PM been coming?
-Mary Alice

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on June 8, 2010 at 10:02am

I had some great comments however my real life has overcome some of my activity to pursue the certification. Still working to make time to do the work and take the test...

Good luck on your business and thanks for your input.

Sam

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert Bruce on June 8, 2010 at 3:39pm

Hi Sam,

I have just successfully challenged the PMP exam. Unfortunately, the test is as tough as they say it is. But, what I did was take a PMI sponsored exam prep class. We met for three hours each week for 13 weeks. The assumption of the class is we were all experienced PMs, so they skimmed a lot of the basic information, and lasered into some key concepts. Our coursework was based on the Rita Mulcahy materials, including the Guide, flashcards, and PM Fast track. I took the exam one month after completing the course, which was imperative because I could not retain everything. Take a course, get the info slammed into your head, then take the test quickly. I also agree with the earlier comment that it's like learning a different language.

Everyone in the class was employed, so this was extra work for everyone. I would not recommend covering all the information in a week. There are seminars that do that, and I can't imagine what they would be like. It's just too much information to cover in too short of time.

I pretty much stayed with the Rita material, and passed the test last Saturday.

Good Luck,

Best Regards,

Bob Bruce, MS, PMP

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on June 8, 2010 at 3:47pm

First of all Bob, congrats! Well done. Second, thanks for replying and for helping me understand your route to success - and unfortunately for confirming the test process is a rigorous as I had heard... Not impossible obviously, but a LOT of work and prep time...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Fay on June 8, 2010 at 4:08pm

Hi there,
Just joined the site tonight and first thing I noticed was your question. Strangely enough I am in the same position. I worked as a contractor PM for 5 years with one client, and unfortunately the credit crunch closed to the door, I am not currently working. I am finding it very difficult to get any work as I do not have the qualifications to back my experience.
With regards training, I did attend the APMP course as a bootcamp while working with my client. I found the course to be too rigid and not 'real life' enough. I do believe there are a lot of factors to choosing the right training course though. The other delegates will make a difference, the trainer matters a lot and the relevance between your actual working environment/industry and the course material can be significant. I personally don't believe there is a complete solution to the PM training and qualification requirements.
I may even be way off, but I believe the fundamentals of project management are pretty straight forward. The real learning parts for me have always existed within the projects. I'd like to be proven wrong, but once you deal with technical issues, delays, wrong deliveries, anything non human basically you are usually left with the real issue for any project which tends to be personalities.
If I were to choose a course, I would look for something that taught simple PM fundamentals and processes, and follow it up with how to do that stuff Derren Brown does just to get the entire project team singing from the same sheet. ;-)

My recommendation- speak to the training department and ask for a training needs analysis to be conducted, compare the results with the course outlines you are considering to help you make a better choice.
Best regards- Paul

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on June 8, 2010 at 4:11pm

Thanks Paul, appreciate the feedback and good luck on the job search. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist.

Sam

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Fay on June 8, 2010 at 4:27pm

Hi Sam, my pleasure.
I live in Scotland (UK), if you hear of any jobs in this part of the world give me a shout.

All the best
Paul

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Samuel M Erdman on June 8, 2010 at 4:33pm

It's a small world Paul, you never know... ;)

Will keep my eyes pealed.

All the best right back at you.

Sam

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by April Diehl, PMP on June 14, 2010 at 11:05am

paul,
the pmpbok is not going to directly related to your individual experience because it was written to cover all industries. to pass the test you need to know the pmbok way. how it is applied is going to vary from industry to industry, company to company, job to job, and individual to individual. real life hasnothing to do with passing the pmp test

▶ Reply to This

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page