PMP? Exam Lessons Learned #11

Peak Point: Hello Patricia! Congrats on your PMP exploits! Please tell us a little about what you do.

Patricia: I am a Project Coordinator at a renewable energy company that focuses on commercial and industrial clients. In brief, the scope of our typical project involves installing the mounting structure (on ground or on the roof), solar panel placement, Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) connection and finally the distribution board connection to supply the end user.

My typical working day entails a lot of communication and correspondence with the Engineering Procurement Contractors (EPC) regarding what's happening at our various project sites. When I'm not participating in the planning of upcoming projects, I'm probably handling procurements or visiting project sites.

Peak Point: When did you join the PMP Exam Prep class, and when did you pass the PMP exam?

Patricia: I was in the March 2023 cohort at Peak Point Consulting and was able to sit and passed my exam on 20th June 2023

Peak Point: Please paint for us a picture of your journey to the PMP certification What motivated you to get the PMP?

Patricia: Honestly, it was the motivation of knowing that I am improving myself and not stagnating in my career.

Peak Point: "A rolling stone gathers no moss" right? Way to go! Tell us about your preparation. Did you dedicate daily study time for revision?

Patricia: Yes, at Peak Point, we were advised to treat the exam like any other project that needed to start and finish. So, I figured I would give myself at least 3 months of study time before I take the exam. This was in part because I could only do a finite amount of study time daily.

Peak Point: What study materials did you find most useful?

Patricia: I liked Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep 10th Edition paired with the PMP Exam Simulator that you guys provided as a complimentary. Of course, I also used the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition and the Examination Content Outline (ECO).

Peak Point: How many full simulator exams did you complete?

Patricia: I was able to get two practice exams done before the main exam.

Peak Point: What key strategies can you say helped you to pass the exam on your first attempt?

Patricia: Understanding that it is very important to read to understand and

not just to cram the information, especially because the exam asks questions

that are real-life applicable.

Peak Point: Tell us your experience with the exam. Did you take the online proctored exam or did go to a test centre?

Patricia: I went to the test centre at JKUAT Towers in Nairobi's CBD.

Peak Point: How was the experience – at the test centre?

Patricia: I walked in at 7:10 am. My exam was at 8:00 am. So I had time to settle in. I jumped on a phone call with my friend and we talked for a while. I scrolled on my phone for a bit and when it hits 7:50 am, I went into the exam room. There was a thorough search done and I was permitted into the exam. I sat down and did the instructions portion and before I could finish I was told the time was up and I had to begin my exam.

Peak Point: Were you anxious?

Patricia: I was not anxious. That was in part because I was more excited to get it done and get out. Lol! ??

Peak Point: Did anything surprise you or was it all fairly as you had expected?

Patricia: I think what surprised me was that the questions that were being asked were a lot less wordy than I had anticipated. There were a few questions that were long but most of them were short and to the point.

Peak Point: Did you finish answering all the questions?

Patricia: Yes I did. By the time I was left with 1 minute I submitted the exam and got the "congratulations" message. Fastest 4 hours of my life!

Peak Point: In your estimation, what was the ratio of Agile/hybrid vs predictive questions on the exam?

Patricia: It felt a little like 60% of the questions were on agile/hybrid concepts and 40% on predictive project management.

Peak Point: The exam has two optional ten-minute breaks. Did you take any?

Patricia: I took both of them. I drank water which made me go to the ladies, which got me walking.

Peak Point: Which type of questions did you find to be most challenging?

Patricia: I think strangely the questions that seemed difficult were the ones that were on agile.

Peak Point: What did you do when you saw the notification that you had passed?

Patricia: I was briefly in a state of ‘that’s nice’ then when it hit I wanted to shout but I settled for a celebratory fist in the air. ??

Peak Point: Nice touch! Whom did you call first to announce the good news?

Patricia: I called my boyfriend first.

Peak Point: If you were to do it all over again, what would you do the same?

Patricia: I would read the questions with the same level of understanding debating all of the choices given and their sensibility.

Peak Point: What would you do differently to prepare for the exam?

Patricia: I would take a break especially on the evening before. I would also stay away from googling the probability of a failing score. Lol! ??

Peak Point: What advice and tips would you give aspiring PMP candidates?

Patricia: I would say go for it. Attack it with the same mentality you would any of your projects as the coaches at Peak Point like to say. You will probably go through mixed feelings about whether you set the right date for your exam but have no fear. Remind yourself that you have actually studied and hopefully done a couple of practice tests and the anxiety is actually just excitement to get it over with. It's also important to decide on the exam date early, and to schedule the exam so you can have a deadline to motivate you.

Peak Point: How can you be reached for professional discourse or business

opportunities?

Patricia: I am always available via email, WhatsApp or phone call. My

WhatsApp number is +254703911544 and my email address is [email protected]

Peak Point: Any final words?

Patricia: Thanks so much for all the helpful pointers Peak Point. If there was a Yelp review to be left I would give a 10 out of 10.

Peak Point: A perfect 10. Wow! Thanks Patricia, we'll make do with your generous 5-star Google review!

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