How do you ace project management certification exams?

Excel in project management certification exams, Here’s how I did it: 1. Familiarize yourself with the exam's content, format, and objectives. For instance, the PMP exam is based on the PMBOK Guide. Review the exam outline and objectives to understand what's covered. 2. Take sample exams to gauge your knowledge and identify areas for improvement. It's a strategy I followed. 3. Consider enrolling in a reputable project management course, like the ones offered by Google or ACE Credit. Interactive resources, videos, and exercises enhance your understanding. 4. During the exam, maintain your concentration and confidence. Manage your time wisely, and carefully read each question before responding ???? #CertificationExams #ProjectManagement

Know your stuff! There is no short cut to prep! Immerse yourself in the content, spruce up your knowledge by taking mocks!! Don't be afraid to fail and re learn! Know your strengths and areas that need improvement! Make a checklist and keep a tab on how the progress looks!

The way I passed the PMP exam is in two ways: 1. Forget everything you know about managing projects in real life. You must think about managing projects through the lens of PMBOK and how they teach the core principles. It can be difficult, but trust me on this. 2. Ace the practice exam within the PMBOK. To ace the exam you must approach the practice exam in the same manner. Block off the same amount of time of the real exam. Find a quiet place. Have your pencils and scrap paper ready. No notes or resources. Take the practice exam! Assess how you did. If you did not get at least a grade of an 85, then you’re not ready for the real thing. Block off another day and time and do it all over again until you get an 85. Then you’re ready!

First, study to understand the content, not to just pass the exam. This is the mindset I used. 1. The exam content outline is your exam foundation, use it. 2. Utilize study materials and resources 3. Create a study plan and allocate dedicated time for preparation. 4. Take advantage study groups for additional insights and support, find a study buddy! 5. Practice practice with sample questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format. 6. Take mock exams to assess your readiness and identify areas for improvement. 7. Stay calm and focused during the exam, managing your time effectively. 8. Read each question carefully and eliminate incorrect options before selecting the best answer.

I passed my PMP exam in 10 weeks and this did not include all the months of research and getting to understand project management as a career. The first thing is knowing the requirements for the exams so you can ensure you meet up. I recommend understanding what works for you! How long can you study in a week? Do you want to join a group or study alone? I studied alone and used the PMBOK guide and 2 courses on Udemy plus a book from Rita. I also got an exam simulation that didn't really make any difference. YouTube practice videos helped as well. What I found was that the moment I paid for the exam, my mind went into an all study mode. in a preparatory course and don't get carried away with all the available knowledge

I suggest before taking the examination, finding out what the topics are and how the questions are formulated. As the courses go on, light bulbs should be going off, such as, "I remember that question from the practice exam [etc.]..." and write it down again and again. Then your entire coursework becomes your study time. When you get into the "real world" of project management, you'll learn from mentors, co-workers, managers about how they implement the project management tools they have learned. So once the course is over and youve passed the exam, it's time for on-the-job management which is the most importance. However still remember those pertinent skills you are taught in the coursewok. They will come in andy and you can teach others.

Absolutely, selecting the right materials can be the make-or-break point for many candidates. It's beneficial to start with the official exam guides as they set the standard, but diversifying your materials – incorporating podcasts, webinars, or even forums – can provide varied perspectives and nuances that a single source might miss. For instance, auditory learners might benefit more from podcasts or webinars. But remember, always cross-reference any information you come across, especially from forums or blogs. They might offer invaluable insights, but there's also a risk of encountering outdated or misinterpreted information. Word of mouth, especially from recent test-takers, can be a gold mine for real-time insights on exam trends.

Attend study group sessions for practice. I found great value in joining the free study group sessions hosted by Gabor, where we discussed and solved various practice questions. Additionally, I benefited from attending Andrew's weekly live sessions on YouTube, where he shared valuable insights and strategies. Both these sessions not only provided additional practice but also helped me understand different question formats and improve my problem-solving skills.

In the ocean of tons of training materials, it is very hard to choose the right ones. Connecting with a person who has already taken the exam is very crucial. Finding a connection or a mentor is a very important step when wondering which book to study.

I used a technique I found in Tony Buzan's Study Skills book where I only study for 20 minute sessions at a time. The idea is that you only really clearly remember the things you study in the first and last five minutes; and anything in between needs to be confirming something you already know, or is funny or rude. By having many of these micro-study sessions, with a ten minute breaks, you increase the volume of information you can recall; as well as avoiding fatigue and allowing for tasks that would otherwise cause procrastination - like snacking, texting, tweeting and contributing to articles... ??

Since most of us are working along with preparing for these exams, it's important to have the right physical and mental energies when studying, otherwise, it's pointless. I spend one or two hours in the morning as I have the perfect physical and mental energy after getting the right amount of sleep. Decide for yourself when the right time is.

What I found helpful was to carve out a certain time each day and each week. I was doing 1 hour per day and 4 hours per weekend for my study. And for my study plan, I made a sequence of training, practice, reading and more mock exams.

Consistency is a key ingredient for success. For professionals juggling work and study, chunking the material and studying in focused, short bursts can often be more effective than marathon sessions. This technique leverages the psychological spacing effect, which aids long-term retention. Integrating active learning techniques, such as teaching the material to someone else or participating in group discussions fortifies understanding. Lastly, always account for buffer days in your schedule to revisit challenging concepts or simply to take a breather. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint; pacing is crucial.

I conditioned myself to show down, read the question and reduce to 2 questions. I worked also take many practice tests to find the areas to improve.

Taking tests is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is absolutely essential to take as many tests as possible. This is because tests are a great way to assess your knowledge and skills, identify areas where you need improvement, and track your progress over time. On the other hand, the difficulty of tests can vary greatly from provider to provider. This means that applying the same knowledge to different tests can result in a 30-40% difference in your score. This can be frustrating and discouraging, especially if you are consistently scoring lower on tests than you expect.

Absolutely, practice tests are pivotal. In my years as an educator and project manager, I've found them invaluable. They're not just about checking your knowledge; they're about building test-taking resilience. Simulating real exam conditions is key; it prepares you for the environment and pressure. But, don't let scores solely dictate your preparation. Dive deep into the feedback. Understand the 'why' behind every mistake. And remember, these tests are part of a bigger study toolkit. Use them wisely to hone your strengths and work on weaknesses.

The PMP exam is theory-based which means the test questions will look for the exact answer described in the PMBOK. Try taking a full practice exam once a week for six weeks prior to the scheduled exam to become familiar with how questions are phrased.

practise practise practise! I've used the PMI study hall and TIA exam simulator. I also used Youtube videos by David Mclachlan's. The mock exams and simulator plus the YT videos played a significant role in my preparation for the PMP exam

Absolutely, revision is where real consolidation happens. As a seasoned educator, I've always emphasized that studying is a two-phase journey: acquisition and consolidation. Think of it as constructing a building. Initial study sessions lay the foundation, while revisions make the structure robust. As you approach the exam, don't rush. Tackle weak areas methodically. Create summarized notes or mind maps for quick references. This not only helps in reinforcing concepts but also boosts confidence. Lastly, remember it's crucial to rest; an overworked brain can falter under pressure. Approach your exam with a rested mind and a confident heart.

In my experience, I see that a very interesting point to take into account is, reliable certifications have content update plans. It's important to pay attention to content revisions and when this happens, from there the preparatory courses and preparatory materials for certification begin to adapt to the new context of the exam. This happens, for example, with PMI certifications. In addition, it's important to understand well what each entity is looking for in the context of questions: Situational issues ? Specific technical knowledge? Definitions ? It's very important to know well what the entity seeks and then you define the strategy for each exam that you you want to be successful.

I had spent months preparing, diving deep into methodologies and best practices. However, I underestimated the importance of logistical preparation for the exam day itself. On the day, traffic delays meant I arrived with mere minutes to spare. Already flustered, I realized I'd forgotten my authorization letter at home. Though the exam center staff were understanding, the initial panic threw me off balance. Midway, my calculator malfunctioned, and I hadn't brought a backup. Despite finishing the exam, these avoidable disruptions affected my performance. It was a stark reminder: in project management and its certification, meticulous planning extends beyond just the content.

- Set a realistic study schedule and stick to it. The PMP is a challenging exam, so it's important to give yourself enough time to study. - Get familiar with the PMP exam content. The PMP exam covers a wide range of topics, so it's important to get familiar with the content before you start studying. - Create a study plan. Once you know the exam content, you need to create a study plan. This will help you stay on track and make sure you cover all of the material. Your study plan should include a schedule for reading the PMBOK? Guide, taking practice exams, and reviewing your notes. - Find a study buddy or group. - Take practice exams. - Review your notes regularly. - Stay positive and motivated.

Utilize flashcards. I made the most of my commute to work and lunch breaks by going through digital flashcards available on my phone. This helped me reinforce the concepts and revise effectively.

I’d like to add a perspective of aligning ourselves to the exam schedule is also important. For example, PMP Exam duration is 4 long hours ( either online or centre based). While taking practice tests we should have an arrangement similar to exam day and practice whether we are able to sit and provide the fullest during the period. Some might have an habit of giving practice tests in bits and bobs, which will not be handy while attending the exam.

Mastering the art of tackling uncertain questions is as critical as knowing the material itself when it comes to certification exams. I used the same approach to pass both the NCLEX and PMP my first attempt. Accept that is likely there are things you will forget or never learned. Being calm under pressure allows you to think more clearly and make better judgments. Utilizing elimination strategies to weed out blatantly incorrect options can increase your odds of selecting the right answer. Additionally, trusting your foundational knowledge and looking for clues in the question or even within other questions can provide invaluable insights. Make your guesses as educated as possible, write down what you do know. Memorize examples.

One technique is to create a 1 page hand written “brain dump” (a.k.a. cheat sheet) that includes all the formulas (especially EVM) and any other processes or theories that you find difficult to remember. Then memorize everything on that sheet and then practice recreating it from memory. You’ll find that each time you will remember more than the last time. On exam day, take a pen and blank page and use the first 5m-10m to do that “brain dump”. I found it helpful when reviewing my final answers at the end of the exam just prior to clicking on “submit”.