PMP? Exam Lessons Learned with Tanveer

Here is a brief history of how I obtained my PMP?. First of all, I should mention that I have a bachelor's degree in computer science (graduated in 2005) and more than 15 years of experience in the software development industry. Nonetheless, I have to say that PMP? has been one of the most challenging exams I've ever had.

History: 

In January 2016, I was promoted to PM. I didn't know a lot about the PMP? exam and the difficulty level. I met several colleagues who had received their training and they encouraged me to follow it. In 2017, I decided to obtain my PMP?.

I contacted one of the top PMP? (pmaspire.com) training centers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and started the course in early January. The course ran for approximately 4 weeks and ended the first week of February. 

What I did wrong? 

I finished the course at the beginning of 2017. Then I started to read PMBOK? (Version-5). After a two-month struggle, I was bored, skipped, and gave up. This was the biggest mistake, I suppose! PMBOK? is a reference guideline. Without previous knowledge, it is cumbersome to digest the term and theory. I should read Rita or Head First to find out things flippantly, so I guess it will be easier to get into the PMBOK? guide. 

In December 2018, I received a Christmas coupon for Udemy and bought Joseph Phillips' PMP? Exam Prep Seminar, and started learning again. It was quite simple, and I connected the way he explained the terms of project management and the areas of knowledge. Thanks, Joe for the course! I was studying from time to time then and I was very busy with my newborn and the pressure at work at the same time. So I couldn't hook it up correctly. This examination requires commitment. It doesn't have a shortcut. There needs to be adequate planning, execution, and monitoring of what you learn and control when you jump out of scope.

What did I do right? 

In April 2020, the government announced a lockdown. and we started working from home. At that time I decided, Enough is Enough! Now is a great time to find some ME time! Let's end the misery. I went back to reading Rita three hours a day and I ended up in three weeks. Then came back to read PMBOK? sixth edition again but didn't do well actually. After two weeks I dried out once again. So, I did some research on the internet, watching videos from Youtube to continue my study.

In August 2020, I bought a simulator from PM Master Prep and proceeded step by step as they recommended. It has a baseline quiz of 50 sample questions. I scored 60% on my first attempt. It told me about my weaknesses. So I pushed hard and filled those gaps from Rita and the Youtube videos. On my fourth attempt, I scored more than 80% and then I got confidence that YES! it's possible to crack this thing up! 

I started practicing more Knowledge areas and Process Groups. One thing I need to mention here is that when I scored 80% three times consecutively in any KA/PG then I moved to the next KA/PG. For example, M&C took 7 times to score 80% and the Resource knowledge area took 9 times to reach that landmark. It took two and a half months to finish all 1400+ questions. In November I then tried the Prepcast questions. One of my well-wishers shared credentials but finally, I was able to solve 600+ questions. The mock exams were great in that they would tell you which section the questions came from so that I could check that section. I also started monitoring my progress based on the process groups and knowledge areas. Every morning I practiced random 50 quizzes when I woke up. Four and a half hours of sleep was my daily routine. Whenever I wrote the wrong answer I reviewed them on PMBOK? which makes total sense by then. I also tried Oliver Lehmann’s 200 FREE questions. I scored 79% on my first try. In mid-November 2020, I took PMI membership and took PMI FREE 200 questions. Though it was a bit disappointing (I scored 60%), I saw many people had the same experience on the internet. I scheduled the exam on December 27, 2020. The day before the exam, I just briefly glanced over my notes, looked at the equations that I wrote wrong. I practiced a lot. So that I didn't need to write any brain dumps in the exam. All formulas were in my head. 

Exam Day!

Finally, the day of the exam came. I scheduled the exam for 10:45 AM. I arrived at the test center at 9:00 AM. After checking in, I was able to start the exam ten minutes early (so 10:35 AM). 

In the first 25 questions, I barely answer anything. I knew that some of the questions were meaningless and vogue. So, I skipped and searched for that particular situation that makes sense to me. 98% of the questions were situational. I got 3 PDM questions though. After about 30 minutes, my brain started working and recognizing some situational questions. I stay calm and try to keep up a smooth pace per question. If any question took more than one minute then I marked it and skipped. After completing 90 questions in 105 minutes the system asked me to review my marked questions. Before going to the 10 minutes break I saw on the clock that 145 minutes remaining for the next 110 questions. 

After the break, I did the same thing. I stay calm and try to set the momentum that I created in my earlier part. I completed the exam with three minutes in hand. My heart was pumping so fast that I couldn't press the "submit" button. When I saw the “Congratulations!” word I didn’t read the rest. I didn’t complete the survey. I just wanted to jump outside as soon as possible to end this misery. 

What should I do now? 

As PMI said, I need to earn 60 PDU in the next three years. Having said that, I need to give back to the community. When PMP? is in my pocket it gives me the confidence that every project manager dreamed of. It opens the door to the global community. PMI hosts networking opportunities for members in major cities. It is an élite group of highly qualified professionals. Several firms won’t even consider your application unless you have the PMP? certification. To them, the PMP? is mandatory. Although the preparation for PMP? certification can take a considerable amount of time, it pays off in the long run. Lastly, if I can do it you can do as well. Never stop learning, "keep moving forward"!

My study partners: 

1. PMBOK? sixth edition and hand book
2. Rita Mulcahy - PMP Exam Prep
3. PM Master Prep - 1400++ questions on this simulator 
4. Project Management Prepcast
5. Process flow from PM Drill
6. Glossary by Andy Crowe
7. Flashcard from PM Master Prep and Joseph Phillips
8. Formula and Memory sheets by Joseph Phillips
9. 200 Free PMP Sample Questions - Oliver Lehmann
10. 200 Free sample questions from PMI
11. Youtube channel - PMC Lounge
12. Youtube channel - iZenBridge Consultancy Pvt Ltd
13. Youtube channel - PMPwithRay
14. Youtube channel - Aileen Ellis
15. Youtube channel - PM Master Prep
16. Youtube channel - EduHubSpot 
17. Youtube channel - Arun Mohan
18. Youtube channel - ExamsPM
19. PM Master Prep Podcast