TOPIC: Failed the PMP exam 2 days ago - How can I pass it on the next attempt?

Failed my PMP exam 2 days ago.
I found that the real exam was far more difficult than the full exams on Prepcast .
I Passed the 7 full exams on pepcast with an average score of 77% and was really confident before the real exam but unfortunetally, I failed.
I feel I cannot be more prepared than I was before the real exam (knew all my 49 processes, the main outputs,... etc).
The big difficulty I had on the exam was with the long questions: I had to read them 2 or 3 times to be sure I understand them very well

Can somebody give me advices how I can prepare to pass it the next time?

Thanks,

Andre:

First and foremost - don't despair. The exam is extremely challenging. Prepcast has several articles that may be useful here: www.project-management-prepcast.com/free/pmp-exam/articles .

I would approach preparing by first analyzing my weakest areas. You will get a report from PMI (online) that does a full analysis of your exam. Then go though the PMBOK and other resource material to make sure you understand that particular material. Lightly go over the material that you already understand to keep it fresh.

There are numerous resources available for "test taking hints." Look at those and take from them what is useful for your learning style.

With respect to the long questions: Read the last sentence first, then go back to the remaining question for additional information if it is necessary. In many instances, the paragraphs preceding the actual question provide a lot of "red herring" information and if you don't understand the question well, you end up applying the extraneous information to arrive at the wrong answer. You find yourself in a situation of "pick the rightest of the four right answers below" and that is an uncomfortable place to be.

With respect to the simulator: There are numerous posts across the forum that scores on full tests of less than 80% probably will not be sufficient to pass the exam. I suggest that you take advantage of working more quizzes (10-50 questions) in the identified weaker areas and then 100-question quizzes on integrated material (i.e. a "mini-test.").

Good luck!

Harry

Hello Harry,

Thank you for the advices. I'll follow them.

Have a nice day,

André

Step 1: DONT GIVE UP
Step 2: Follow the steps Harry laid out above. Read the last sentence first (what is the question asking), then go back up to the question to gather more info. Then eliminate choices based on the 4 available answers.
Step 3: Find your weak areas.
Step 4: Know change requests, Stakeholder mgmt and Comm mgmt REALLY WELL. And how those knowledge areas are connected and work together. My exam was very heavy on those.
Step 5: You may want to think about doing a bootcamp. Not because the bootcamp will be overly productive for you, but the materials they provide you are priceless. I used pMA and they provided us with a 4 page cheat sheet that had all important items laid out by process group. They also provide 180 something powerpoint slides that as a more condensed, focused PMBOK basically.
Step 6: Check out Aileen Ellis's videos.
Step 7: I think this is the most important - DO MORE PREPCAST questions. Do so many to the point where you can't do anymore. Instead of spending time reading mundane facts and theories in the PMBOK, spend that time going over your test questions. Go over your wrong answers AND your right answers. This is a better gauge of if you're on track than the actual Simulator results. Then when you see a similar question, you'll remember the reason why you got the similar question right and this will give you confidence.

Hang in there! I could have easily been in your shoes, that's why I'm spending time writing this. DO NOT GIVE UP! You still have 2 attempts left and now you know what to expect. All you can do is study more, change/improve some of your methods and give it another shot. I'd recommend not taking it for 4 weeks, but not more than 6 weeks. So I'd say schedule somewhere between 4-6 weeks and that should be perfect. Based on your schedule, etc.

Something I can add, André,
Once you have completed one Exam Simulator, check for the explanations provided on why some of your answers were wrong.
Do the same also for questions you answered right because it is very important to know the good reason why those answers you choose were correct.
It is also a good way to do a review of different chapters.

Andre,

I'm sorry to hear that you weren't successful at first. I know how frustrated you must be right now. But as others have said, don't despair. It is a hard exam, but you can do it.

Harry already provided you the link to our main articles page, but I wanted to point out this one article here in particular:

www.project-management-prepcast.com/failed-pmp-exam

It is the one I write especially for students in your situation. It contains 15 years of experience in turning a failed exam attempt around and then passing the next time.

Hello Steve,

Thank you for your precious time you took to write to me. I'll follow your advices.

André

Hello Cornelius,

Thank you for writting to me. I really appreciate.
I will read the article.

André

Hello Felix,

Thank you for your message. I will follow your advice by taking more time in reading the "why" of my correct and incorrect answers.

André

Andre,

I'm sorry to hear it - failing the PMP is incredibly frustrating when you feel like you've been studying tirelessly and that you've done all you could do. I was in the same boat when I studied for nearly 3 months nonstop only to fail. I passed the next time two months later with AT in all categories, with some major revisions to my study plan. Here is what I can recommend to you.

First, acknowledge yourself for taking such a difficult exam. Take comfort in knowing your passing rate next time will be higher, because, thanks to PMI, you'll know your weak spots and strengths to have more targeted studying Definitely take a break before all of this, so that you're not burnt out.

I also highly recommend using more than one source to study. The PMP is a situational exam, and passing requires understanding to apply the frameworks into a variety of contexts.
Fortunately, there are an overwhelming amount of resources to choose from today, from mobile apps to online training academies. Using an array of applications is a safe way of knowing that you really know your stuff, no matter the source in question. Based on what worked for me, what I can recommend is to use a blend of apps, books, flash cards and online tools. I would reread, make index cards and then would take targeted quizzes based on those areas.

While creating the process chart helps, it is good to get really comfortable with the ITTOs and their relationships. Since the exam doesn't directly ask for the definitions but rather things like.. "what should the PM have done instead?", understanding the process in question the relevant ITTO will gear you to the correct answer.

I was initially baffled when I failed the first try, mainly because of how I had been acing the practice questions in the apps. As I soon realized, while I was improving over time, it was because I was actually memorizing the questions and their answers limited to the sources I was using -- rather than thoroughly understanding the processes.

Another thing to recommend, is taking mock exams in simulated environments. It sounds like this is what you've done, but recreating all of it -- from the meal you eat before to the time you take it -- builds a sense of routine and familiarity with it. Make ‘process of elimination’ work in your favor during the live exam, and don’t leave questions unanswered. Also, when reading the questions, always read the last sentence first. Much of the time, this will help clarify the answers for you. In making the best selection, I suggest reading the last choice first, just so you are less inclined to pick the first answer you see. Try to eliminate two answers if you can, before making a final selection. This will help reinforce the answer and why you picked it.

You got this!

This is a tough exam and you took it which is half the battle. I agree you should aim for at least 85% on most simulators and around 75% on difficult ones like Oliver Lehmann. I recommend a sample of exams . It is important to get some variety from good providers so you force your mind to adjust to different styles. I have some suggestions for good ones if interested. Beware of too many providers , I recommend a balance. Read right and wrong answers when provided and don’t give up!! Focus on the knowledge areas where you are the weakest but continue revisiting where you are strong . Retake the exams and ensure you are now comfortable with you selection this time. When judging Readiness, go by first attempt only. My best !

Hello Kristen,

Thank you very much for your time you took to write all your advices. I'm relly gratefull.
I'll definately apply all of them.

André