Hello Everyone,
I passed my PMP EXAM, 3rd TIMES A CHARM!
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support from PM PREPCAST, TEAM, & PMP ASPIRANTS. I have been studying intensively and ambitiously for the past 6 months.
It’s a long journey, but well worth it professionally and personally! Here are my lesson’s learned timeline.
5/23 – PMP 4day Bootcamp class (TIA)
5/27- Joined PMI and PMI NYC Chapter
5/28 - PMI Application approved
5/28- Read Andy Crowe book, end of chap questions
6/3 – PMP Exam 1rst time, failed 1rst attempt
6/10 Read Rita Mulchachy, end of chap questions
7/5 - Read PMBOK 1rst time
8/3- ESI International 400q difficult practice exams
8/15- Velocity Teach online questions
8/22- PMBOK 2nd time
8/26- AILEEN ELLIS’s books, all exam questions
9/21 – PMP Exam 2nd time, failed 2nd attempt
After 2nd attempt I felt very discouraged and after a few weeks break, I knew how important it was to persevere and finish what I had started.
10/18 – PM PREPCAST Simulator (1800 questions)
This is where it all came together. This simulator is completely aligned with the exam, if not harder. I completed all 8 exams (200q/ 3.5hrs at a sitting) twice a week.
Average score was 78%. Most importantly review the answers you got wrong by building “timed and learning quizzes”- TAB -Include questions I answered incorrectly. I knew I had to identify my gaps.
12/22- PMP Exam 3rd Time, P A S S E D (4MP’s, 1LP)
Overall, the PMP Exam is all about what would the project manager “do FIRST”…what would the project manager “do NEXT” and what’s “the BEST” answer, based on the question.
A FEW IMPORTANT TIPS
- Try to comprehend the all PROCESS GROUPS and KNOWLEDGE AREAS based on PMBOK pg 61.
- ITTO’s- you don’t need to memorize 650 ITTO’s, just understand how they are incorporated into the process/ knowledge areas.
For Ex. - Deliverables from Direct and Manage Project Work fed in Quality Control and then fed into Validate Scope.
- PMI Code Of Ethics – learn how to instill there values (Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, and Honesty)
- PMI ECO’s (Examination Content Outline) discusses ALL DOMAINS in detail, this is a must read.
- PMBOK GLOSSARY TERMS, very helpful
- PMPREP CAST Simulation – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
- Stakeholder Mgmt Plan vs Communication Mgmt Plan and Stakeholder Mgmt Plan (all about the individual) VS
Human Resource Mgmt Plan (all about the team)
- Change Management Plan, how perform integrated change control is incorporated into this plan.
- If there is a deviation from the scope, cost, schedule baselines, it’s often due to incomplete risk identification.
- Understand estimating techniques (Analogous, Parametric, 3-Point, Bottom-Up Estimating)
- Schedule Compressions (fast track vs crashing)
- Critical Path vs Critical Chain Method
- Procurement Management Plan (Procurement Documents)
- Analytical Techniques vs Facilitation Techniques
- Enterprise Environmental Factors vs Organizational Process Assets
Thank you for all your support to help me persevere to obtain my PMP.
I wish everyone the best of luck. DON'T EVER EVER GIVE UP!
All the best,
KBG, PMP
