I am pleased to report that I passed my PMP on July 30th, 2020 - here is my journey and lessons learned
My PMP journey started back in September 2019 when I started the LinkedIn Learning PMP prep course and tried to read the PMBOK Guide.
Keep in mind, I did not read the guide in great detail as it was dry and made me fall asleep. Instead I read the Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam
Prep at least 3 times! I did all the chapter questions and I bought and used the PMI Q&A's for PMBOK - it's a little book of practice
questions per knowledge area and has explanations.
My other resources were PMP mobile apps (PMI Guide & PMP Genius) and YouTube videos such as ExamsPM,
these helped continue my learning when my laptop/books are not available. Once I felt more confident in my
learning and was reaching 65-70% on mock exams, I knew I needed an exam simulator to take me to the next level.
There I purchased the PM Prepcast Exam Simulator. I completed 5 exams with scores: 75.5%, 78.5%, 77.5%, 73%, 77.5%.
I also took about 46 quizzes (10-20 questions each) mostly during the week, my mock exams were completed on the weekends.
With all that, I scheduled the exam for July 30th, I decided to take the exam at a testing center
as they had just opened in my area and I wanted that " I am going to take an exam" feeling vs
I am at home writing a mock exam (just my opinion).
The night before my exam, I looked over my notes, watched a few YouTube videos on risk
strategy and went to bed early.
Exam Day:
I was at the center by 7:30AM, worked through the first 89 questions, I didn't flag any of them
and I didn't review any of them, as I felt I was spending too much time re-reading and was fearful of
running out of time. After my 10 minute break, for the next set of questions I started to flag as a precaution.
I got about 3-5 formula calculation questions, many on change management, stakeholder,
and "what should the PM do" type questions. I had to build 2 network diagrams but luckily
no TCIP formula, phew! Also, the test center gives you a physical calculator and wipeable paper
booklet with a black marker - this was a great help as I hated the idea of using the online whiteboard.
I completed my next set of questions with 30 minutes to spare, I reviewed the questions I
flagged, changed the responses to two, closed my eyes and finished the exam.
When I saw congratulations, I was over the moon!
The exam is hard, it's challenging, but it's not impossible.
To compare the PMP Simulator exam questions to the actual exam, I would say the Simulator
prepares you for really wordy/situational questions. The actual exam questions was not as
wordy. I was challenged with a how vague some of the questions were - for those you try to
eliminate 2 and then you have a 50% chance of getting the right answer.
Anyways, that's my journey and lessons learned, good luck to everyone.
Reema Abouharb, PMP
