Passing the PMP Exam with 3AT - tips and resources for self-paced learners on a budget!
You want your PMP, but the process feels overwhelming. I had a ton of questions and didn't know where to start. What class should you take? What prep materials do you need? Why is everything so dang expensive???
This past week, I successfully got my #pmp with three 'Above Target' scores on the exam. While the test is very doable, the body of knowledge is daunting. When preparing, it was very helpful to read about the resources and techniques that other people used, so I wanted to share what helped me during my #pmpexamprep and why. Also, if you are self-paced and on a budget, this guide is for you - I tried to be as cost-effective as possible, with the largest expense being the PMI membership and exam cost.
First, a bit about me - I am a consultant for Aspirant , a full-service consulting company that specializes in a variety of knowledge areas, from digital transformation, to marketing, to recruitment process outsourcing. I have previously worked in a Project Manager/Product Owner role in other organizations, with most of my experience in Agile and Lean/Six Sigma projects. While that is helpful, you do not need extensive experience to understand the subject matter and pass the PMP Exam. Finally, a major thanks to my team and managers at Aspirant, for being fully supportive of me through this several month process.
What prep resources did I use?
While there are a lot of great options out there, I personally tried to streamline the prep materials that I used so I would not be overwhelmed by task fatigue when planning out my studying. And while my job supported me and reimbursed my material costs, I still wanted to be mindful of my spending. These resources are listed in the order in which I would use them if I had to study for the exam again. Listed costs are in USD and are current as of 11/13/23.
Prep Class
Andrew Ramdayal 's PMP Certification Prep Course on Udemy, $129.99 Class Link.
Why? This class is both cost-effective and thorough. It is also regularly updated, so you'll know how to prepare with the most current information possible (there were new videos added even in the time where I was taking the class!). Udemy runs promotions and issues coupons on a regular basis, so you can get the class for a bargain if you're flexible with your timing. There is a lot of content, but watching the material at a speed that you can still understand (so 1.25-1.5x for me), taking the quizzes and then reviewing the sections you found difficult can help you get through it faster.
His section on 'PM Mindset' was worth the cost of the class by itself. The PMP exam is primarily scenario-based questions and understanding the PMI philosophy is key to choosing the correct answer on the exam. While it is self-paced, I took months to get consistent with my study time and found myself forgetting information from earlier on in the course. Try not to be like me and try not to take long (weeks/months) breaks while working through the course!
Study Materials
Third3Rock's PMP Exam Prep Study Notes, $16 for full version.
Why? Once you've gotten your class certificate, start here. This prep guide is jam-packed with useful information and is updated based on user feedback. It's useful to start with an initial read-through to get a sense of what you're already familiar with and what you need to study more. It is also helpful when you need more explanation about concepts seen in your practice questions. Once you're in the final prep stages, the abbreviated cheat sheet is key to reinforcing your knowledge.
Ricardo Viana Vargas, Ph.D. PMBOK 6th Edition Processes Guide, free on YouTube. Video Link
Why? This video is awesome in explaining the process flow and how everything integrates together. Watch it more than once over the course of your studies if you have trouble with the concepts and it will slowly begin to click together, especially as you see them in action via your study guides and questions. He also includes materials for you to practice diagramming the flow at home. On my exam, I was not asked to write the process in order or match activities to their corresponding process group. However, there were many scenario questions that would specify the phase of the project you are currently in (planning/execution/etc) and ask something like, "After X happens, what is your first/next step?" This is where understanding the process flow becomes very important.
David McLachlan 's PMP Question Videos, free on YouTube
Why? You will look at this and wonder, "Are these videos actually SEVEN HOURS LONG??? Really??" and yes, yes they are. For free! You'll want to watch these in stages, obviously. I would say these questions, in general, are on the easier side relative to the ones on the exam. The primary value of these videos is using David's techniques to read the questions, identify the important details, and then systematically evaluate and eliminate your response options until you arrive at the correct answer, which is very helpful as you practice in Study Hall (see below for more on that). It also gives you repeated exposure to concepts and scenarios that you'll likely see on the exam. Start with one of the first two videos, play around in Study Hall, then watch the Waterfall video if you think you need more preparation.
PMI Study Hall Essentials, $49 for three month subscription.
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Why? Study Hall (SH) has pros and cons. Compared to all the other resources listed above, it had questions most similar to the ones on the actual exam (makes sense, since it's a PMI product). Consensus seems to be that their questions tend to be more challenging than the actual exam, which I'd agree with. For that reason, SH can be a slight confidence-killer, but think of yourself as being overprepared. SH displays question difficulties of Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Expert. The real exam, in my opinion, was primarily Moderate-Difficult level questions with a few Easy and a handful of Expert questions.It has a variety of features, most of which I did not use, though the games weren't bad. The primary value was in the Practice Questions and Practice Quizzes/Tests.
As I mentioned before, it might feel very demoralizing with the harder questions. I also felt like their explanations when showing the correct answer were sometimes vague and confusing, especially for the Expert questions (another reason why having other prep materials helps a lot). I think Essentials was sufficient for my needs, but if you want more prep questions/tests, the more expensive option isn't a bad choice. I started with the practice questions and then moved on to the practice quizzes. Every time I got under 65% on a practice quiz, I'd review all my answers, wait a day, and try again so I was testing comprehension instead of recall. I then took the practice tests, with a week between attempts (they're long!). When taking the practice tests, try to mimic exam conditions and take it in one go with breaks so you can evaluate your pacing and stamina.
Remember that there is no penalty for doing terrible on your practice exams - it's okay if you don't pick things up the first time if you're reviewing and learning in the process! Finally, it is really difficult to say what scores you need in SH to be 'ready' for the real exam. My scores on the practice exams (with Expert) were 70% and 79%, I have seen stories with students passing the PMP exam with scores of 60% and above, though I can't guarantee that. Keep in mind that you will see very few, if any expert questions on the exam when considering your scores.
The PMP Community on Reddit (/r/PMP) -
Why? This community has a ton of information and guides from other test takers, which is helpful in planning your prep. A huge thanks to them - their tips and encouragement helped so much!
Test Overview and Day Of Tips
I would suggest wrapping up your important prep with a week to spare before the exam - at that point, reviewing your notes should be sufficient and you don't want to burn out.
The test is 180 questions (five will be omitted from your final score, but you won't know which) in three blocks of 60. The questions will be in the categories of People, Process and Business Environment, with each section having a mix of the three. You have four hours (plus two optional ten minute breaks) to complete the test. Once you have completed a block and started the next one, you cannot go back and change your answers from the previous block. If you take your test in a center, after completing the test, you will get a provisional document with a Pass/Fail with your actual score coming later via email, in my case, the next day.
Instead of getting a numerical score, you will be assigned a category of Needs Improvement -> Below Target -> Target -> Above Target. You will get a category score in each of the three sections, which will make up your overall score. As far as I can tell, there's no published breakdown of the numeric score you need to place in each category or the cutoffs for pass/fail.
Wear comfortable clothes, bring snacks and show up well-rested for your test. When testing, if you find yourself stuck, narrow down your options, choose an answer and mark the question for review to come back at the end - you're better off with a guess than leaving multiple unanswered questions that you didn't get to. Take your breaks, even if you feel good, just to re-energize and take a breath.
Once you're done, celebrate - this is a big accomplishment!
General Exam Questions
How long did you take to prepare? - Between taking my prep course and preparing for the exam, I would estimate about three months of dedicated time with studying 1-3 hours per day. I personally spent at least three months on the class (a combo of procrastination and life getting in the way) and about two solid months of studying. This time frame depends on your previous level of familiarity with the material and the amount of time you have available on any given day to focus on studying. I would suggest at least 1-2 months of time post-class to study, though a lot of people have suggested 3 months. You want to give yourself time to realistically pace yourself without cramming, and allowing for days where you don't have time/energy to study.
When did you apply to take the exam? - Immediately after completing my class. If you are prone to procrastination, like I am, I suggest you do the same so that you have a deadline to meet for your studying. If life gets in the way or you don't feel ready, you can reschedule your exam. Completing the application takes a bit of time, especially the section about professional experience. It took about five days for my application to be approved, and I was not audited (a random process where you have to submit proof of the credentials in your application). Do not apply until after you have completed your course, in case your application is audited and you are asked to present the certificate.
Did you take your exam in-person or online? - I took my exam in a testing center so I wouldn't have to add 'potential technical failure' to my stressor list. Depending on the center, time slots can fill quickly, so that's another reason to schedule your test as soon as possible. I have read enough horror stories where I'd suggest taking your exam in person if possible and to thoroughly test your device if taking it at home.
What was covered on the exam? - It's hard to say since questions vary, but my exam was almost exclusively scenario-based questions where I was asked how to manage various situations as a PM. This is where understanding the PM Mindset is so important, because you will need to know how to effectively assess, implement and evaluate challenges and changes that you will encounter during a project. I did not have to do any calculations, though I had to interpret some numerical data (cost performance and schedule performance index, expected vs. actual value). The exam seemed to have more questions about agile/hybrid projects than predictive/waterfall, though I was asked about both.
If you've made it this far, thank you, and I hope it helps. Feel free to ask questions in the comments. Best of luck!