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TOPIC: 12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time was a charm!

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time was a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19468

  • Keira Miller
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I took the PMP exam on 12/28/2019 and PASSED!!! It was my 3rd time taking the exam this year. So this was the last time I could take the test before having to reapply.

The first time I did Joseph Phillips’ Udemy class. The second time I read through Rita’s book once. Both were helpful with gaining a general understanding, but did not contain enough practice exams. For my third time, I refused to paid over $1000 for a PMP bootcamp class. I found online that PM PrepCast had the best reviews and was the best value. I spent a month and a half reviewing the material and another month focusing on the practice exams. What was most beneficial to me was that the material followed the PMBOK and the practice exams. I would read the section in the PMBOK first, then listened to the lecture, and did the practice questions. Also I did all 7 exams (not the ITTO exam). I passed 6 of the 7 exams with my scores ranging from 69-75. For all my exams, I took the first 10 minutes to do a brain dump of all 49 processes (found a video on YouTube) and formulas. On the actual PMP exam, I found the questions to be very similar and easier than the practice exams. I would highly suggest completing all 7 exams as I felt it was a great indicator and built my stamina.

My scores were I:AT, P:AT, E:BT (not sure what happened but it is done lol), MC:AT, and C:T. I used the full 4 hours, with 20 minutes to review my flagged answers.

My two previous exams I took with Prometric and this one with Pearson. I know it may vary but I found the check in process more streamlined and the testing environment better.

Other test day suggestions:
- drive to the test center before test day to check out parking and etc
- dress in layers, my exam room got extremely cold towards the end my exam
- arrive at least 30 mins early
- be prepared for potential chaos as staff are checking in other exam takers for various exams, there were a lot of moving parts
- you can request earplugs. Although it did not completely cancelled noise it helped a lot. Also there are headphones but knew they would be too heavy to wear for 4 hours
- you get a basic calculator and laminated flip notebook to write
- you can not do your brain dump until question 1. I saw on here that some did it during the tutorial but the instructions and proctor explicitly said no writing until the test starts
- the timer on the screen is in minutes, countdown starts at 240 minutes whereas on the practice exams the format is in hour:minutes. I wrote in my notebook 180, 120, 60 so I can remember to do hourly adjustments to pick up speed
- once done with the exam you must raise your hand and remain seated. I was so excited I passed and grabbed my stuff to leave, but the proctor stopped me. She said if I would have exited she would have to report a violation

I can honestly say if I passed the PMP you will as well!

Thank you Cornelius Fichtner for providing great material and practice exams that helped me pass my PMP!
The following user(s) said Thank You: Sylvain L, Jehad F. Al Amri
Last edit: by Keira Miller.

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19530

  • Elizabeth Harrin
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Well done!
---
Elizabeth Harrin
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12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19532

  • Keira Miller
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Thank you Elizabeth!!!

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19533

  • Sue Popkes
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Congrats!! I too have failed twice and will be taking it the third AND FINAL time and passing sometime during the first quarter of 2020.

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19534

  • Keira Miller
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Thank you Sue! You will do well, you got this :)
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12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19564

  • Irene
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Congratulations Keira! I'm in the same boat as well and hope to write my 3rd time soon. I had to take a bit of time away as my last writing had severely demotivated me but your story is very inspirational.

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19569

  • Keira Miller
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Thank you Irene! I completely understand I had a huge gap between my 2nd time (May) and this time (Dec). I had to mentally reset and enjoy the summer. Also I learned not to rush in too quickly and be ready on my own terms. But you're definitely in the right place. Since you already know the material, I would suggest putting your effort in the 7 practice exams. You will do well and I can't wait to hear when you pass :)
Last edit: by Keira Miller.

12/28/2019 PASSED 3rd time is a charm! 4 years 2 months ago #19607

  • Lisa Sweeney PMP
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Go get ‘um, Sue! I’m rooting for you!

Check-out my Lessons Learned: Passed PMP, 1st attempt, 9/5/19–Part 3 of 4
Skip down to the bottom, “IV. Answering the Questions”.

It helped me get through the exam.

Hoping third time will be a charm for you, too!
The following user(s) said Thank You: Elizabeth Harrin
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