PMP? Exam Lessons Learned #14

Peak Point: Congratulations, Denis! You really did us proud with your PMP certification. Do you mind telling us a little about what you do?

Denis: Actually, I don't mind, as I'm here to share my PMP story. I am a Civil and Structural Engineer, working in the construction industry. I am mostly involved in the structural design and detailing of commercial and residential buildings. I also supervise the construction of buildings and structures and various engineering infrastructure. I am also registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA) as a construction site supervisor.

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

Denis: I joined the PMP Exam Prep class on Monday, the 9th of January of 2023 and passed the PMP Certification Exam on my first attempt with an Above Target score on all three domains (people, process, and business environment) on Thursday, the 10th of August of 2023.

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

Denis: As an experienced project manager, what motivated me to get the PMP certification was a desire to further enhance my skills and knowledge in the field of civil and structural engineering project management. The PMP certification is a globally-recognized credential and acquiring it demonstrates my commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and competence. Additionally, the PMP certification provides me with a structured framework and best practices that I can apply to my projects, ultimately leading to improved project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction. Moreover, the PMP certification opens up opportunities for networking with other professionals, staying updated on industry trends, and taking my career to the next level. These are some of the reasons that motivated me to become a Certified Project Management Professional.

Peak Point: Very good reasons there! Were you self-sponsored or did your company sponsor you?

Denis: I sponsored myself.

Peak Point: Tell us about your preparation. Did you dedicate daily study time for revision?

Denis: Certainly, my preparation for the PMP certification involved a disciplined approach and dedicated study effort. I recognized the significance of the certification and wanted to ensure I was well-prepared.

I established a structured study schedule, dedicating 2 hours each day for revision. This consistent daily commitment allowed me to cover a wide range of topics while also enabling me to delve deep into complex areas of project management. I made use of various study resources, including official PMI materials, textbooks, and practice exams. I read the whole of the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, and the Agile Practice Guide.

Moreover, I supplemented my study routine with practical application. I integrated concepts from my studies into my ongoing projects whenever possible, which not only reinforced my understanding but also allowed me to witness firsthand how these principles impacted project outcomes.

By maintaining this diligent daily study routine and incorporating practical application, I was able to develop a well-rounded understanding of project management concepts and successfully prepare for the PMP certification exam.

Peak Point: That was a deliberate and thorough preparation. I'm glad your efforts have been rewarded. What study materials did you find most useful?

Denis: During my preparation for the PMP Certification Exam, I found several study materials to be particularly valuable in helping me grasp the concepts and excel in the exam. The study materials that I found most useful were the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, and PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, and the Agile Practice Guide since they are from PMI which is the official globally recognized professional organization that offers the PMP certification.

I also used Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep 10th Edition and dedicated a significant portion of my preparation to taking PMP practice exams on the PM Aspire Exam Simulator offered by my training institution, Peak Point Consulting Group, which is a distinguished PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP). The practice exams simulated the actual testing environment and allowed me to assess my knowledge, identify areas of weakness, and refine my time management skills.?

I also joined Peak Point's PMP Revision Study Group on WhatsApp. The WhatsApp group doubles up as a discussion forum where I engaged with fellow PMP aspirants. This provided opportunities for collaborative learning, sharing insights, and gaining different perspectives on challenging topics. I also want to take this moment to thank IRENE LAZARO and Ronald Kefa, PMP, DASM, PMD Pro, for being very active in helping us revise in the Peak Point PMP Revision Study WhatsApp Group. Irene was posting various PMP Questions and letting people practice by answering the questions and then she later shared the answers after people had attempted the questions posted. Irene posted answers that were very detailed referencing the page number of the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, or the Agile Practice Guide that supported the correct answer.

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

Dennis: I first and foremost tried to really understand the concepts and not just memorize things: PMP is about applying concepts, not memorization. I mostly focused on understanding the underlying principles and how they relate to real-world project scenarios.

Thoroughly understanding the PMBOK Guide: The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide and the Agile Practice Guide was for me the foundation of the PMP exam. Studying and understanding the concepts, processes, and terminology in-depth in the Guides was what really helped me pass my PMP Exam on my first attempt with an Above Target Score in all domains.

I also used multiple study resources: Besides the PMBOK Guide, I used additional study materials such as the Rita Mulcahy PMP Exam Prep 10th Edition and I also took multiple practice exams. This helped to reinforce my understanding and provided me with different perspectives.

Time management is very crucial when taking the PMP Exam: The PMP exam is time-bound. I therefore practiced managing my time during practice exams on the exam simulator to ensure that I am able to answer all questions within the allocated time.

During the exam, I read each question carefully to understand what was being asked. I paid attention to the keywords that could provide me with clues to the correct answer. I used the process of elimination to rule out the obviously incorrect answers thereby increasing my chances of selecting the right one.

Peak Point: Did you take the online proctored exam or did go to a test centre?

Denis: I took my PMP Exam at the Computer Pride Test Center in Nairobi.

Peak Point: How was the experience at the test center?

Denis: I chose the test center first and foremost because it is a structured and controlled environment designed to ensure secure and fair testing. The staff at the center were courteous, friendly, and professional. Their computers were up to date, which helped me to be comfortable while taking the exam. The exam center was very quiet and enabled me to concentrate on the exam. I believe this helped me to focus and pass the exam.

Peak Point: Were you anxious?

Denis: I was a little bit anxious but I composed myself and tried to stay calm because I knew staying calm, being stoic, and exercising self-control is what would help me tackle the exam objectively.

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

I was surprised, alright. I was surprised by the question style and complexity: I noted that the wording and complexity of actual PMP exam questions were more challenging than I had expected. In my experience, I found that the actual PMP Exam required more critical thinking than the practice exams and also required the ability to really apply project management principles to real-world scenarios.

I was also surprised by how quickly time flies during the actual exam. While taking practice exams I managed my time quite well and even completed most of the exams way before the time was up. However, on the actual PMP exam, I don’t know whether it was because I was a little bit anxious,?I found myself taking longer to read the exam questions and sometimes second-guessing myself before choosing the right answer. This took a lot of time, especially during the first set of 60 questions before the first break. However, I composed myself, and for the remaining 120 questions, I managed my time better and was able to complete all the exam questions with 14 minutes to spare.

Peak Point: This is interesting because the guy we interviewed just before you had a similar issue with time management on the first 60 questions. We're glad though that you managed to answer all the questions.

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

Denis: I think agile/hybrid questions were slightly more than predictive questions.

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

Denis: Yes. I took both 10-minute breaks to stretch and rejuvenate before embarking on the next batch of 60 questions.

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

Denis: The questions that I found to be most challenging were those that had two seemingly correct answers where you have to select the most correct answer. The other type of questions that I found to be most challenging were the questions that you have to select multiple correct answers and I was left wondering and asking myself, “What if I choose one correct answer and the next answer, I choose might be wrong, will I fail the entire question because it clearly states that the question has multiple answers.” I found it very challenging to choose the right multiple answers because I was wondering if the next answer I choose will be correct.?

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

Denis: I was extremely happy and wanted to rejoice. However, I had to exercise self-control. I, therefore, maintained my composure and was calm and stoic so as not to distract the other people who were also taking their exams in the same room. I, therefore, composed myself and walked out of the room silently, not to distract the other candidates taking their exams.

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

Denis: The first people I called to announce the good news were my father and brother.

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

Denis: I would thoroughly study the PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guide: Just like before, a thorough understanding of the PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guides remains crucial. I would continue dedicating time to studying and absorbing the key concepts, processes, and terminology in the guides.

I would continue to stick to my well-structured study plan that covered all the knowledge areas and process groups. I would also ensure, just like I did, that I comprehensively covered all the content in the PMP Examination Content Outline. I would still practice with the exam simulator and with the exam questions posted in the Peak Point PMP Revision Study WhatsApp group.

Peak Point: You seem to be quite happy with how you approached the exam but tell us, what would you do differently?

Denis: First of all, I would read the PMBOK Guide 6th Edition, and PMBOK Guide 7th Edition, and the Agile Practice Guides more times than I did to really understand the key concepts, processes, and terminology. I would identify and address weaker knowledge areas sooner rather than later. I would devote extra time to studying and practicing questions related to those areas to improve my overall competency.

Peak Point: There's always room for improvement in hindsight. What advice and tips would you give aspiring PMP candidates?

Denis: I would advise them to thoroughly study the PMBOK Guide and Agile Practice Guides which are the foundation of the PMP exam. Study the Guides thoroughly and understand the key concepts, processes, and terminology. Familiarize yourself with the PMP Exam format, including the number of questions, time allocation, and question types (e.g., multiple-choice, situational).

Create a Study Plan: Develop a structured study plan that covers all knowledge areas and process groups. Allocate time for each topic and stick to your schedule.

Practice with Mock Exams in Exam Simulators: Take multiple full-length practice exams under simulated exam conditions. This helps you become familiar with the exam format, manage time, and gauge your readiness.

Focus on Understanding, Not Memorization: Don't just memorize facts; aim to understand the underlying concepts and how they apply in real-world project scenarios.

Prioritize Situational Questions: Since the exam includes situational questions, practice analyzing scenarios and applying project management principles to make informed decisions.

Join Study Groups or Forums: Engage with fellow PMP aspirants in study groups or online forums to discuss concepts, share insights, and clarify doubts.

Also, most importantly, I would advise aspiring PMP candidates to schedule the PMP Exam early so that they have a deadline to work with. Having a deadline helps aspiring PMP candidates focus on preparation and also avoid procrastination. Having that exam pressure helps candidates to force themselves to be more serious with their exam preparation even if they might not always be willing to. Moreover, not scheduling for the exam early enough sometimes creates laxity which might be very detrimental to attaining your PMP goal.

Peak Point: Thank you so much Denis, for taking the time to share your PMP journey with us.

How can you be reached for professional discourse or business opportunities?

Denis: My email address is: [email protected]

My LinkedIn Profile is: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/eng-dennis-kiamba-pmp-a18974115/

Would you like us to help you become PMP certified? Go on, register for one of our forthcoming classes and we'll get right back to you with the necessary information.

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