Moments ago, I had the excitement of seeing the CONGRATULATIONS screen at the Prometric Testing Center and achieved Above Target on all sections. Here's what I did to get there:
- Took PM PrepCast Pre-Assessment and reviewed all answers (scored 62%)
- Watched all PM PrepCast videos over the course of 3 months.
- Read through PMBOK Guide once (PM PrepCast videos helped make this more bearable/skim-able for me).
- Took all PM PrepCast Chapter Assessments and immediately reviewed answers for each chapter (scored 71% in total).
- Read through Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep book once (did most exercises but no chapter exams).
- Took 1st PM PrepCast Exam Simulator (scored 79.5%. Jotted down topics I wanted to read up more on as I went through the exam).
- Reviewed incorrect answers and topics I jotted down to review.
- Took 2nd PM PrepCast Exam Simulator (scored 81%. Again, jotted down topics to review along the exam).
- Reviewed incorrect answers and topics that were jotted down.
- Took all the chapter exams in Rita Mulcahy's book sequentially. Reviewed all answers immediately after each chapter exam. (scored 78% total).
- At the end of Rita's book, there's a list of formulas that are recommended to be memorized. I memorized and practiced brain dumping the second half (starting from the EAC formulas).
- Took 3rd PM PrepCast Exam Simulator (scored 80%. Again, jotted down topics to review along the exam. I was concerned my score didn't increase, so I reviewed any areas I got below 80% by re-reading that chapter in Rita's book.).
- Reviewed incorrect answers and topics that were jotted down.
- Relaxed the night before the exam. No studying.
- Exam day: practiced my "brain dump" a couple times at the Prometric Center waiting area.
Key Takeaways:
- The PM PrepCast videos will build a solid foundation for you.
- Rita's book will fill in your knowledge gaps.
- Practice exams are important to build your mental stamina. The 1st hour of the practice exams I was in full focus. Then, as the hours went on, I started getting mentally tired and complacent. Build that mental stamina! I took the 1st and 2nd practice exams in the same day to build stamina (8 hours of exams in a day!).
- Take as many practice questions you can. At the end of my preparations, I was only able to get in about 1,312 practice questions (including my 3 practice exams).
- Beyond studying each Knowledge Area, be sure to have a firm understanding of how everything all comes together as a cohesive project management effort. Rita's Process Chart helps with this.
Happy preparing and happy holidays to all!
