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Reply: Passing the PMP exam (a short report)

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Topic History of : Passing the PMP exam (a short report)

Max. showing the last 6 posts - (Last post first)
8 years 5 months ago #6271

Magnus Volkmer

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Let’s structure the report in four parts. Part 1 brief fact list, part 2 study approach, part 3 lessons learned, and part 4 recommendations.

Fact List:
• Experience to date: 8 years of experience in project management
• Overall PMP study time: 3 month; 2h a day (average)
• Study material: PMBOK-Guide, PM PrepCast, PM Exam Simulator, and Achieve PMP Exam Suc-cess 5th Edition from Diane Altwies and Janice Preston (including Exam simulator)
• PMP Exam: 1st attempt; result: 4 Proficient, 1 Moderately Proficient

Study Approach:
1. Watching PMPrep-Cast videos; (3-4 weeks)
• Using commuting times
• Mind-mapping the key points to memorize the content
• Understanding the key structure of the PMBOK-Guide and PMI’s best practices of project management.

2a Starting exam simulations
• 5 full-time simulations
• Many 10-50 question quizzes
• Mind-mapping open issues and knowledge gaps

2b Reading “Achieve PMP Exam Success” (3 weeks)
• Repetition of PMBOK content

2c Studying PMBOK-Guide (3 weeks)
• Memorizing the dependencies between processes and the serveral input/output-documents

3 Explicit Learn Phase (3 weeks)
• Focusing on knowledge gaps identified during exam simulation and quizzes

Lessons Learned:
• PMBOK-Guide isn’t as boring as it seems. It’s quite easy to read, if you understand the structure.
• PM PrepCast, PMBOK and exam simulators would have been enough (I didn’t really need the preparation book).
• No brain dump needed

Recommendation:
• Focus on the purpose of every process and understand, why this process is important.
• Focus on the document-flow and information-flow through the processes (where are documents/information created; where are they used).
• Know the PMI-terminology (understand what terms are used for inputs, output and tools & techniques)
• Use 2 different exam simulators. It gives you a better feeling.
• Exam tips: Arrive early at the location. Be comfortable. Be calm. You studied hard, you are prepared. Nothing to worry about. Go through the exam like you did in the exam simulation.

OSP INTERNATIONAL LLC
OSP INTERNATIONAL LLC
Training for Project Management Professional (PMP)®, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®

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