Learn how to pass the PMP(r), exam in one go. Ranga was a student in the June class. He showed leadership skills by helping others from the beginning. After class, he approached me to ask if he could get more involved in the classes. After many conversations, he was hired to the ExamsPM team. Welcome Ranga.
Despite his hectic work schedule, he managed to study for the PMP(r) within a month. I spoke with him this weekend to get his thoughts. This post will be about his journey and some tips to help you on your own.
Before the exam
Tip #1: Make a study plan and establish daily goals. Before you can execute your project, as a project manager, it is important to create a plan for project management. Consider passing the PMP(r), as a mini-project. Before you can get started, you must first establish your plan. You can do anything, no matter how small. It is important to mark it on your calendar. Consistency is the key to momentum.
Ranga studied for 2 hours every night, from 8:30PM to 10:30PM. He set mini-goals for what he wanted to achieve by the end of each study session. These mini-goals became more realistic over time and eventually led him to passing the PMP(r). Rome wasn’t built in one day.
Tip #2: Learn the basics firstGoing to ExamsPM training helped Ranga to understand everything he needed for the exam. He went through the course slides, Rita’s book, and PMBOK(r) before he started to study. Before he began answering the questions, he wanted to make sure he understood the concepts. “The questions are based upon the book, so it makes sense for me to first read and understand the book.”
Tip #3: Don’t rely solely on your real-life experience. Ranga has 10 years of experience in project management at GM and five years at Linamar. However, she still finds some concepts in the PMBOK(r). The PMBOK(r), which aims to cover all topics that project managers need to know in any industry, is the PMBOK(r). In reality, however, you will only use a few relevant to your project. The exam may also ask you to answer in a PMI way, which may not be how you are used in real life.
Bottom line: Relying on only your work experience is dangerous. You still need to learn.
Tip #4: Make it your priorityI know you’re busy. There are kids to look after, work to do, and grass to mow. This exam is not a quick one. There is no shortcut. Ranga saved time by studying while eating dinner, which is not recommended. He also put off some other commitments. Ranga also made it a priority that he set aside two hours each day for study. This is temporary. Once you pass your exam, you can resume your normal life!
Tip #5 – Borrow books from a library to get additional practice questions free of charge. Ranga borrowed a few PMP(r), related books from the library. Ranga aimed to complete 50 questions per day. You can now find more sample questions free of charge if you’re looking for them.
The Day of Your Exam
Tip #1: Arrive at least an hour early. Ranga arrived at the Prometrics test centre and had trouble finding parking. It took him over an hour! He arrived at his Prometrics test centre an hour early, which gave him enough time to complete his exam on time. It’s impossible to predict what could go wrong so it is a good idea to arrive at your test centre at least an hour before the actual exam. It is a good idea also to take a bus or drive to the exam centre at least a week before the actual date to get a feel of the environment and to determine which route to take.
Tip #2: Make the most of the first 15 minutes. There is a tutorial that takes 15 minutes before the actual exam begins. This time is your opportunity to be smart. You’re probably already tech-savvy and don’t need to be taught how to press the forward button.