Effective Time Taken : 45 days ; ~ 6 weeks (approx. 4 hours per day)
Materials Referred :
Step 1 : Read Scott Payne's ITTO based text book; also listened to the same audio book as I took morning walks. This action helped me understand the original framework of the Project Management process (instead of reading PMBOK 6th edition)
Step 2 : Took Scott Payne's process based quiz to reaffirm my understanding of the Process based framework
Step 3 : Subscribed to PM Prep Cast.
3.1 : Followed all the instructions to the "T" - Read ECO multiple times and per Cornelius' I made sure I knew all domains, tasks and enablers.
3.2 : Read PMBOK 7th Edition
3.3 : Read AGILE practice guide and Principles
3.4 : Completed all People, Process and Business Environment domain learning material
Step 4: Referred to Rita Mulcahy's book to reinforce concepts, deeper knowledge and additional content in my weaker areas.
Step 5: Repeated steps 3 and 4 to reinforce my understanding on weaker areas. This helped me gain confidence
Step 6 : Followed all the preparation steps highlighted by Cornelius like mindset preparation, listened to lessons learned etc. in the study guide
Step 7 : MAJOR ENABLER - SIMULATOR : PRACTICED 1000 questions across all three domains and 10 knowledge areas. Overall average score was 75% across all 3 domains.
Cornelius' 4 week study plan gave the confidence that preparation can be completed in 4 weeks but again this varies person to person. One should self-assess and plan accordingly. I gave myself 6 weeks and then scheduled the exam in advance. Planned preparation accordingly, took couple days off from work for preparation, some days I studied 8 -10 hours. On average 4-5 hours for 45 days.
WHAT WORKED :
- Understanding process based framework and ECO based framework along with Principles, standards and Agile framework
- Practiced quizzes or questions
- General Statistics to compare your standing with others, this gives to confidence. Confidence is very vital!
THINGS THAT I MISSED BUT SOMETHING OTHERS MUST CONSIDER IN THE PREPARATION :
- Had planned for at least 6 simulator exams but I didn't do single. Plan for at least 3-4 full simulator tests.
- Due to time constraints I couldn't take any simulator exam and but had practiced to complete 1 question in 75 secs average. I had practiced a total of 1000 questions.
- Taking Simulator exams will make life easy on the exam day (This is an area I missed but I had worked on my mindset accordingly and that helped)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Attempt all 180 questions. Do Not Miss or Skip any questions
- Take the mandatory breaks. They really help ease the mental pressure
- Exams tests your mental fortitude and ability to handle pressure and read the situation, analyze and choose the best answer (This comes with practice of questions - Practice >1000 Q's)
- Knowledge is one thing, but how fast you train the mind to switch to different situation holds the key to passing.
Thanks to Cornelius and team for creating a fantastic learning and quiz system. Your efforts are exemplifying Servant Leadership. Keep up the great work! This course was a great find for me.
