TOPIC: How do you retain PMP concepts deeper thant just memorizing them?

Hi everyone,

I’ve been studying for PMP and I’m worried I’m just memorizing instead of truly understanding the concepts. With exam day creeping closer, that’s stressing me out.

How did you make sure the knowledge “stuck” rather than just cramming? Any active recall or practice methods you’d recommend?

Good morning, Kevin,

Keep in mind that I'll be speaking from the 2019 exam perspective where most of it was PMBOK 6 and waterfall methodology. That may or may not make a difference in today's test environment.

Once I figured out how the concepts meshed and worked together, it became quite easy to internalize the methodology. It just worked almost seamlessly. To get to that point, however, was quite an uphill slog for me as I was not a "project manager" per se but a consultant that had to manage projects professionally. It was very much like learning a second language because the concepts didn't mesh with my technical brain - until they did. With the emphasis on Agile methodology, I suspect that it's the same, but simultaneously different as well. Agile practitioners on the board may want to comment on that.

So, it wasn't a manner of "memorizing" as much as it was internalizing the concepts to me. It also helped that I put them into practice in my professional life.

Good luck