My Journey Crafting an Effective PMP Study Plan

After my post hit over 14k+ impressions, and I received many questions via direct message on how I prepared for the exam, I decided to write this article to consolidate the steps I took to help other PMP candidates to best prepare for the exam.

Many people criticize this exam, arguing that most scenarios can’t be done in real life and that most people can manage a successful project without the certificate. While I partially agree with both statements, I still believe that a professional who seeks this certificate has a better chance of learning techniques not only to manage projects but to lead a team. We all know that project management is all about leading people effectively.

Have you ever worked with someone who is technically proficient but struggles to influence or lead people effectively? We’ve all encountered this type of professional. The PMP certification provides the right mindset, aligning with best practices and technical expertise to enhance leadership and management skills.

The PMP models, methods, and artifacts are there to support your project, not the other way around. Your project shouldn't drive the content; instead, the techniques should support your project's needs.

By the way, the whole exam is about the right PMP mindset, if you understand that, you increase your chances of passing the exam. I've shared below the resources that helped me understand the material for the test.

Understanding the PMP Exam

1.?Exam Structure: The exam consists of 180 questions, including scored questions and unscored (pretest) questions used to test the validity of future exam questions. Question types include Multiple Choice, Multiple Responses, Matching, Hotspot, and Fill-in-the-Blank.

2. Exam locations: Online testing allows you to take the exam from your home. However, many certified project professionals recommend in-person test centers because they offer a reliable setup, a distraction-free environment, and face-to-face support. I choose the in-person test center option and I explained my experience by the end of this article.

2.?Domains Covered:

People (42%): This domain focuses on the skills and activities associated with effectively leading and managing a project team.

Process (50%): This domain covers the technical aspects of managing a project, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closing.

Business Environment (8%): This domain addresses the connection between projects and organizational strategy, including compliance and benefits realization.

3. PMP Exam Content Outline: Familiarize yourself with the PMP Exam Content Outline provided by PMI to understand the domains and tasks covered. You can find it here.

Preparing My Study Plan

1. Assess Your Current Knowledge: I earned a Project Management Certificate from the University of Washington in 2020. To refresh my knowledge, I took Andrew's Udemy course, which also provided the 35 hours needed to apply for the PMP exam, aligning with my professional experience. You can find the Udemy course link here. I finished the course, got the certificate, applied, and was approved to take the exam in October 2023. I began preparing for the exam from February 2024 to June 2024.
2. Set Realistic Goals: Set Realistic Goals: I studied for 2 hours per day for 4 months, using various resources that I explained below. I answered more than 2,000 questions and scored above target in all three domains.
3. Choose Study Materials:

a) My main resource was PMI Study Hall Essentials. This tool was a game changer for me, and the simulators gave me the confidence I needed for the test, you can find the link here.

b) All David McLachlan YouTube videos – At first glance, his content may seem to tackle relatively straightforward questions, but what he does exceptionally well is provide brilliant insights into the exam mindset, offering valuable explanations that help you think critically and approach problems in a strategic way:

150 PMBOK 7 Scenario Based Questions and Answers

200 AGILE PMP Questions and Answers

100 Waterfall PMP questions and answers

d) Ricardo Vargas Videos: PMBOK? Guide 6th Ed Processes Explained, you can find it here.

e) Third3RockPMP – Their notes helped me fix the mindset a week prior to the exam, you can find it here.

f) PMBOK 7th edition - I've read the entire book, but David McLachlan's video, '150 PMBOK 7 Scenario-Based PMP Exam Questions and Answers', essentially provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the book's content, aligning scenario-based questions with each page of the material.

g) Reddit PMP community

Creating a Study Schedule and Time Management Strategies

1. Daily and Weekly Plans: My daily plan included answering at least 30-40 questions from the PMI Study Hall, reading 7 pages of the PMBOK 7th edition, and watching the YouTube videos I listed (usually watched for 30 minutes per day). I used the “Pomodoro Technique,” where I studied for an hour and took breaks in between.
2. Balance and Consistency: The key is to be consistent. These 2 hours per day were enough, and I used the weekends to increase the study time to 4 hours per day. This allowed me to cover any days during the week when I had extra appointments or got busier than normal at work. Spending extra hours during the weekend compensated for the days when I was too tired to study (I respected these days by balancing them with doing something I love or just resting).
3. Use of Study Tools: I recommend using the two test simulators provided by PMI Study Hall towards the end of your study plan, once you feel sufficiently confident. Personally, I booked a study room at a local library and completed the simulators three weeks before my exam date. Additionally, I joined a PMP community on Reddit, where members encouraged me to attempt the test even if I scored between 70-75% on the simulator. While some suggest aiming for at least 80% for confidence, I found this unnecessary.
4. Time management Strategies during the test: During the exam, I discovered I had enough time to read each question twice. However, I learned not to overthink the answers. The system allows you to review each set of 60 questions, but I opted not to review any. Trusting my gut, I submitted my answers promptly after completing each section.

Exam Preparation and Exam Day

1. Final Review: For my last-minute preparation, I used the Third3RockPMP cheat sheet the day before the exam. While some people suggest avoiding any last-minute studying to minimize stress, I found that reviewing the concise notes didn't overwhelm me. In fact, it provided a great refresher of the key technical concepts and reinforced the Project Management mindset, helping to boost my confidence before the exam.
2. Test-Center Experience: I took the exam at a test center, arriving 30 minutes early for check-in. The process was straightforward and efficient. I was required to present my ID and have my glasses inspected each time I exited and re-entered the exam room. The room was clean, quiet, and well-maintained, and the proctors were friendly and helpful. The system worked smoothly, and I got a 10-minute break every 60 questions. No tech issues whatsoever.
3. Relaxation Techniques: My test was on a Monday, and besides taking the day off work, I had a relaxing Sunday before the test. I had lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, took my dog to the park, and drove to the test center to familiarize myself with the route beforehand.
4. What to Bring: I brought a sandwich and some water, which I stored in a locker and could only access during my breaks. You're not allowed to use your cellphone or smartwatch during breaks, so I kept them in a plastic bag the entire time. You're not allowed to bring notes or review any materials during the breaks either. I used one of the breaks to eat my sandwich, but the 10-minute breaks fly by faster than you think.

After I submitted the test, I exited the room escorted by the proctor and I received a provisional score report saying that based on the preliminary assessment examination resources, I have successfully passed the examination.

If you've made it this far, it's clear that you're putting in the effort, and I'm confident that you'll pass the exam. This certificate will significantly enhance your knowledge, career prospects, and confidence in applying the right mindset when leading teams and managing projects.

Feel free to share any additional tips and resources that have helped you in the comments or contact me via direct message if you have any additional questions.

Every journey is unique, and I hope you find the path that best aligns with your timeline and goals in achieving this certification. You've got this! Best of luck on your PMP exam day and beyond!