How I Passed the PMP Exam: Useful Tips and Resources for Preparation

Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam is a significant milestone for any project manager aiming to elevate their career and demonstrate their expertise in the field. As one of the most respected certifications in project management, the PMP credential validates your ability to lead projects and manage teams effectively. Let me start by saying that I am incredibly proud of you for taking this important step in your career.

What This Article Contains:

1. Qualification Criteria
2. General Tips for the Exam
3. Resources
4. How to approach answering the questions
5. Plan for the exam day
6. Takeaway

Qualification Criteria:

To qualify for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), you need to meet certain education and experience requirements, as well as complete 35 hours of project management education. Here are the detailed criteria:

Education and Experience Requirements:

Option 1:

Education: A four-year degree (bachelor's degree or the global equivalent)

Experience: At least three years (36 months) of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience

Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal project management education

Option 2:

Education: A high school diploma, associate’s degree, or the global equivalent

Experience: At least five years (60 months) of unique, non-overlapping professional project management experience

Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal project management education

Project Management Education:

The 35 hours of project management education (PDUs) can be obtained through various sources, including courses, workshops, seminars, or training sessions.

Application Process:

Submit an Application: Complete the online application form available on the PMI website. You will need to provide details of your education, project management experience, and project management education.

Application Review: PMI reviews the application to ensure it meets the criteria. This process can take up to five days.

Payment: Once your application is approved, you will need to pay the exam fee.

Audit Process (if selected): If your application is selected for an audit, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation, such as copies of your education certificates, verification forms from employers, and certificates of project management education.

Schedule Exam: After passing the audit (if applicable) and payment, you can schedule your exam at a PMI-approved testing center or online.

Exam Details:

Format: The PMP exam consists of 180 questions (both multiple-choice and multiple-response) and is divided into three domains: People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%).

Duration: You have 230 minutes to complete the exam.

Language: The exam is available in multiple languages.

Maintaining Certification:

Once you obtain the PMP certification, you need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years to maintain the credential.

Think about joining the Project Management Institute (PMI). Membership offers access to exclusive resources, webinars, and networking opportunities.

General Tips for the Exam:

Here are some tips that I found very helpful for preparing for the exam:

1. Get to know the types of questions and the structure of the exam. Being aware of what to expect can reduce anxiety and enhance performance.
2. Once you begin your exam preparation, maintain a consistent study routine and do not stop studying for longer periods of time.
3. Focus on understanding the underlying concepts and principles rather than just memorizing facts. This will help you apply your knowledge to various scenarios.
4. After reviewing all the material, take as many practice exams as possible to get accustomed to the question format and timing. Analyze your results to identify areas for improvement and take at least two full-length tests before the actual exam.
5. Learn and understand the specific terminology used in the PMP exam, as it is crucial for accurately answering questions.
6. PMI frequently revises the PMP exam content outline to stay aligned with changes in the exam syllabus. This document details the domains, tasks, knowledge, and skills necessary for the PMP exam. Reviewing this outline is essential to grasp the exam's scope.
7. Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals when you start studying to avoid overwhelming yourself with information.
8. Lot of aspirants finish studying for the PMP in 2-3 weeks (I respect them for their immense dedication ??) but remember that you can take as long as you need (took me 4 months). Focus on learning the concepts thoroughly, not just obtaining a certificate. That is the real objective, after all.
9. This is a lengthy exam, so you need to develop the endurance to sit and concentrate for extended periods. Stay persistent, and it is definitely achievable.

Important: Avoid procrastination. Book your exam date to help you plan your study routine accordingly. If you have a full-time job, like I did, planning in advance is critical as this exam requires daily dedication.

Resources:

When searching for PMP resources, the possibilities are endless. However, prioritizing quality over quantity is crucial. Before beginning my studies, I conducted extensive research to determine the most helpful resources for me. You don't have to follow my path exactly, but here are the resources I used and what my research recommended:

PDUs (Professional Development Units): I completed my PDUs through Andrew Ramdayal’s PMP Certification Exam Prep Course on Udemy, which is highly recommended for self-study. Additionally, I used David McLachlan’s The Ultimate Project Management PMP Prep Course on Udemy as a revision tool. Both provide similar information with different teaching styles, so you can decide based on your preference after watching their YouTube videos. Virtual classes with a certified PMI trainer are also an option if you prefer in-person training.

Books: I began with Andrew Ramdayal’s “PMP Exam Prep Simplified,” an easy-to-understand book. I then read “PMBOK 7” and the “Agile Practice Guide.” Starting with a simpler book like PMP Exam Simplified is advisable because the PMBOK guides can be dry and difficult to digest. Focus on understanding the concepts rather than memorizing them. PMI members can access digital copies of the PMBOK guides and the Agile Practice Guide for free.

YouTube: I watched numerous YouTube videos during my preparation, and I found the ones in this YouTube Playlist to be the most helpful.

Mock Exams: I used Andrew Ramdayal’s PMP simulator, PMI’s Study Hall, and 500 PMP Practice Questions from David McLachlan's Udemy course. These were essential to my preparation as the questions closely resembled the real exam. Aim for a score of at least 80% on the TIA simulator, 70% on David’s course, and 60-70% on Study Hall questions.

Game: To make learning fun, try the Process Group and Knowledge Area Mapping Game. Aim for at least 80% and play it regularly.

Flashcards: I preferred making my own flashcards instead of buying them online.

Notes: The notes from the Udemy course mentioned in the PDUs section were invaluable for reviewing key concepts in the week before my exam.

Important Tips:

1. PMP questions are often situational, evaluating your practical application of knowledge. Avoid memorizing ITTOs; instead, focus on understanding them.
2. Develop a time management strategy early in your preparation. Do not spend too much time on difficult questions, mark them for review later.

How to approach answering the questions:

Here are the strategies I used to tackle every question on the mock exams and during the actual exam:

1. When presented with a question, quickly scan the four answer choices before reading the question itself.
2. Read the question thoroughly and determine if it pertains to a traditional, agile, or hybrid approach. Sometimes the question will not specify and may use terms like "iteration" or "project charter," so you will need to infer the context.
3. Once you have identified the project approach, use the process of elimination. At this stage, you should be able to eliminate at least two options.
4. Return to the last line of the question and carefully determine what is being asked of you as a Project Manager (first step / next step / best option). Make your choice based on this critical assessment.
5. The correct answer typically involves communication, referencing a document, assessing or researching, and in extreme cases, escalating the issue.
6. If you are unsure about a question, select the best possible answer and mark the question for review later. Always answer before moving to the next question, as there are no penalties for wrong answers. You can review it later if time permits.

Important: The most crucial tip is to stay calm throughout the exam. There is a lot to read, and feeling overwhelmed is normal. If you start to panic, close your eyes for 10 seconds, take three deep breaths, and then continue. You will manage it.

Plan for Exam Day:

Finally, prepare thoroughly for exam day to ensure everything goes smoothly:

1. Wake up early and ensure you have had at least 8 hours of sleep the night before.
2. Avoid studying the day before the exam. Instead, focus on reviewing the PM mindset and relaxing your mind throughout the day.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast and stay hydrated.
4. Engage in some light exercise to get your blood flowing.
5. If your exam is at a Pearson Vue center, arrive 45 minutes early to allow ample time for parking and getting settled.
6. I preferred taking the exam at a physical venue to minimize distractions, though you can also opt to take it from home.
7. Bring a verified ID with your signature for verification purposes.
8. Phones are not allowed in the exam center, so turn them off beforehand. Staff will help with verification and provide a locker for your belongings; you can only take your ID and locker key into the exam.
9. Pack quick snacks like a sandwich, granola bar, nuts, or fruits for your breaks. You can store these in the provided locker.
10. You will receive a booklet and pen for note taking. You can request a physical calculator, though a built-in calculator is also available on your computer.
11. Take the 10-minute breaks offered after every 60 questions. These breaks help you stay calm and give you time to eat, stretch, and refresh.
12. Review all your answers before taking each break, as you cannot return to previous questions once you request a break.
13. I received a printout of my results at the test center, with the official email notification and detailed breakdown arriving within 24 hours.

Takeaway:

I concentrated heavily on the people and business aspects, neglecting the process domain, which was reflected in my scores, as I performed better in the people and business areas. This exam demands both knowledge and extensive practice to effectively apply that knowledge. Success lies in the application.

Preparing for the PMP exam requires dedication, strategic planning, and consistent effort. By understanding the exam structure, using reliable study materials, taking mock exams, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can improve your chances of success. Remember, earning your PMP certification is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, and the results will come. Stay focused, stay motivated, and good luck. ??