TOPIC: PM PrepCast Study Process

PMP Study Community -

I have signed up for the PM PrepCast in the beginning of this month (August 2015). And I am amazed on the levels of details that Mr. Cornelius has went into each tutorial sessions. The content goes above and beyond the materials covered in the PMBOK Guide. However, I am also worried that I won't have sufficient time to go through all the videos.

To the PMP Students here, I would like to ask if there are specific video sessions that you watch without going through all the contents. I am by no way to suggest in going for the easier route but to study smart. And I am trying to create a study plan that can benefit my study group using this product at their own convenient time.

Thank you!
David

David - I suggest you watch all the videos and if possible adjust your test date around being able to complete all the videos. Now, perhaps you have some constraint which will force you to take the test sooner than that? In that case you may have a real challenge. However, I did have one idea for you. The PM Exam Simulator that OSP offers provides detailed reporting and if you analyze these reports you will see that it breaks down your scores by domain and by Knowledge Area. So, if you were looking to "target" certain videos from the PrepCast then you might want to look at your practice test results and see which knowledge areas you scored lowest in. For example, maybe if you took a 200 question random test the results would say that you did really good in HR and RISK and COMMUNICATION while you scored poorly in STAKEHOLDER, INTEGRATION & TIME. In this case, you could go to the PrepCast and review just the videos on these particular weak areas and then go back to the PM Exam Simulator and do a re-test with the result being that your scores improved in the weak areas, held steady in the other areas and your overall assessment score went up! That is the goal after all. Again, as I tell all my OSP coaching students, there is no substitute to reviewing all the PrepCast videos, but if you have some constraint that prevents you from doing that then this would be my advice to you. Regards - Dan.

Hi David!

A method that I found helpful when organizing my study plan was to look at exam outline provided by the PMI within the Project Management Professional (PMP) Examination Content Outline ( www.pmi.org/~/media/PDF/Certifications/e...al-exam-outline.ashx ). When I felt overwhelmed, I would go back to this outline and confirm that my efforts matched the breakdown.

I've attached a snippet of the Exam Content Outline.

The PM PrepCast video catalogue is indeed huge - but very beneficial. I started my studies by doing the overview of each of the modules. I found that was a good introduction to all the concepts. I then used a study guide book that matched my learning style. I worked through a knowledge area in the book. Did some pre-tests and then picked videos that filled any gaps in my learning. If I had the time or required more indepth explanations, I worked through the entire module until I had it down cold. I then moved on to the next knowledge area.

Everyone is different and you will need to find a style that matches your way of learning. Cramming is not recommended. You won't learn that way, you will only memorize. The exam questions are mostly scenario based so you will need to apply what you have learned. It is worth the investment of time. Work towards your exam date. Move it if you truly aren't prepared but don't give yourself too much time or you may find that you are still not prepared when the new date actually arrives.

Best of luck!

Tracey

Dan - My constraint is to take and pass the exam before it changes. I understand the deadline has been moved by PMI from Nov. 1st this year to Jan. 11th next year. But I strive to get this done this year. I have already read (not study) the PMBOK guide once so now I am diving into the details. Do you recommend me to take a 4 hrs exam simulator after I finish each Module/Chapter?

Hello David,
if you are worried about the exam changes, my recommendation is the changes are normally very limited and if you studied well you can pass both the old and the new exam versions. so focus your efforts on understanding the materials.

Good Luck.

Hi David,

What I did was listen to enough of the videos to get my 35 hour contact hour requirement fulfilled for the application process. I then switched to the Rita Mulcahy PMP study guide. I also reviewed the PMBOK guide. All of these resources gave me a well rounded understanding of the material, which, to me was most important. I also took tests using the PM exam simulator and practiced using the various formulas. I timed myself in creating a "brain dump" in 5 minutes which really helped. I still had time to go back and listen to any PM Prepcast videos I may have missed or needed to hear again.

I would not be too concerned about the exam changing. I actually started studying for my exam just before it was set to change in July 2013 (started studying in May 2013). Although I most likely could have passed it, I opted to wait and take the newer one as trying to meet the exam change deadline was causing me too much stress. I took it in October 2013 and passed. Those few extra months of study really helped.

I suggest focusing on understanding and getting a grasp of the material.

Best of luck!

I like Dawn's thought about not rushing too much. If you are dedicated and give it 2 hours a night and a little more on weekends, you can probably be ready by January. It really comes down to how much time you are able to dedicate to it.

Hi David,

why not taking this as a own project? Do a plan and do a schedule. You have the end date (in January or may be in decemeber if this works better for you).

Now plan backwards and see if there is enough time or just plan forwards and see if time is enough and if not, than apply scheduling technics like fast tracking, crashing and so on ...

What i wanna say: there is not really a shortcut!

You may take a little risk, focus on some areas and leave others aside. May be you got lucky and take it down ... but what if not?!. Than you have a much bigger problem since you have only one shot, cause after this exam changes significantly and you have to restart new, right.

Well, just act like a pro! Take it serious, do a plan and stick to it!

This article here may be helpfull for the case you didn't know it allready:

✪ Creating Your PMP Study Plan - The Complete Guide ✪
☛ wren.cf/5z

Best of luck!

Markus