PMP Exam Prep: Get The Best PMP Exam Prep Info Here!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PMP Exam Prep

Hello, I'm Tim. If you are looking at becoming a certified Project Management Professional, then you are in the right place.

I, myself, have attained PMP Certification in December of 2006, and I thank PMP exam prep for my success.

PMP exam prep is a simple process you can implement to make sure you are mentally prepared before attempting to obtain your PMP Certification.

Read below for a lot more detailed information that I have put together about PMP exam prep.
 
     

The Smart PMP Exam Prep
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If you're itching to show off the PMP title after your name, you must ace that PMP exam. 

The trick is focusing on your PMP exam prep and that includes several sure shot techniques to get that PMP title.

Sure Fire Formulas

During your college years you had a dose of those exhausting exams.  You had to memorize math formulas for those math exams, know the historical dates in European and American history, and choose between true or false.  For your PMP exam prep, dig deeper into your stock knowledge and boost this with what you have learned from the course.

In all exams, you have to memorize facts.  Memorization can only be meaningful if you understand the principle of the fact.  To make memorization easier, use mental name games.  This will help you remember important facts.

For formulas, write it down several times on a sheet of paper and make sense out it your way.  You may not remember all the minute details but the moment you need the formula, your hand automatically writes the entire formula.  In the memorization game, let the mind and hand work together; this has proven effective many times over for several examinees, but they aren't telling.   

Master the software.  Since the exam is a computer-based exam, your course provider should be ready to give you additional tips if you are not familiar with software or the computer.  Don't worry if you don't have advanced computing skills - it is enough that you can hunt and peck and understand how the test is done.      

Another PMP exam prep trick to get that project management professional certification is to focus on your weak areas.  Read it aloud and write down the answers repeatedly.  It can be tedious but wouldn't do everything to pass that exam?  To boost your memory, pop memory boosting pills or sip those teas that expand your brain's memory capacity.  Doing your memorization by phases and categories everyday will pay off.

Grab that PMBOK.  Read it repeatedly because the answers that you need are there in the pages.  Be sure though that your PMBOK is updated.  To get the latest edition, get a PMI membership and also enjoy a discounted PMPBOK.     

Sure, you are only human, so there are moments that you'll have to guess your answers.  Choose the answer then that's nearest to the possible answer.  Don't worry; you don't have to get a perfect score to pass the PMP certification exam.

The PMBOK states that you must get 61% of the total score.  During the test, there will be 25 pre-test questions but these won't affect your score.  These pre-test questions are usually new questions tried out on the examinees to see how well these work. Oh, these are not numbered 1 to 25 but are randomly placed.  So there are 200 questions not counting the 25 pre-test questions.  Altogether there are 175 questions and you have to give 106 correct answers.

So mind that PMP exam prep and don't let that PMBOK out of your sight if you want that PMP certification that badly.

 
 

PMP Exam Prep:  Getting Ready the Right Way
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Your PMP exam prep begins the first day of your PMP training course, not a day or two weeks before the exam. 

Counted altogether, you have one month and two weeks to prepare for it.  So how do you prepare for the big day?

Maximize that Course

Signing up a Project Management Professional course is the biggest step to take before the PMP certification exam.  This is the step that will have 99.9% influence on the outcome of your exam result.  The rest of the struggle is yours alone - understanding the different knowledge areas and how these are applied to simulated project management situations.  Your PMP exam prep should have all the manuals prescribed in the PMBOK, the PMP bible of candidates for the PMP certificate.

During the course of the intensive training, you should expect 24 hour support from your PMP course provider.  You should expect the following to be provided - manuals and training materials, practice tests, duplicate exams, performance evaluation of your practice test and duplicate exam results, audio and visual learning aids, and crib sheets that contain a clear explanation to the answers of the questions.

As part of your PMP exam prep, organize your study schedule and stick to it.  If you decide to give the course two hours a day everyday, then stick to it so you can meet your target goal of taking the exam on a preferred date. Those two hours should get your reading the assigned lessons for the day. However, don't be too strict with the schedule; if you have to repeat a lesson repeat it until you are confident you have understood every detail.

Don't stick with the provided manuals; read the PMBOK and do some research in the local library.  You can always find something to supplement your training, whether you are taking an online course or attending sessions in a local training center.            

Always take note of the knowledge area where you find difficulties and refer to the PMBOK and the manuals.  If you can, discuss this with friends who have passed the PMBOK exam.  Or better yet, ask your course instructor to explain the topic further.        

The Don'ts in Your PMP Exam Prep

The common mistake people make for their PMP exam prep is combining work and study.  This can only stress you out if you do the same.  Instead, assign a regular place and time for your study.  The regular study ritual prepares you mentally for the task ahead.

Don't be too rigid with your schedule because mental exhaustion can drain your energies and set on you edge.  If you have to take a break, then take a break.  Relax or hit the gym to loosen those tensed muscles; after refreshing yourself this way, the next round of lessons won't be too much of a strain.

Don't try to memorize everything, instead try to understand everything; the trick is to sort out the stuff that needs to be memorized, such as formulas.  The formulas should be memorized after you arrange them in the order of succession of your lessons.  This will make it easier for you to see the big picture and appreciate how these equations are related.   

Don't sit up all night the eve before the exam; gloss over the parts you think you need to review and hit the sack to get enough sleep.  A refreshed mind on exam day is sure to remember all that needs remembering.  To sum it up, the best PMP exam preparation is focusing on your course mentally and physically with some breaks in-between.

 
 
     
 
 
     

Do You Need a PMP Certification?
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The truth is, not everybody can benefit from a PMP certification. Although this certification quantifies your capability as a project manager, it is not always necessary. 

But if you come across a prospective employer who demands this certification, it becomes a necessity. 

The Crux of the Matter

The business world is a demanding master.  Only the best are hired for top-paying positions and these positions often require managers with a project management professional certification tucked in their belts.  So where does that leave you?  But contrary to pessimistic views, this certification will position you well if an opportunity comes your way, especially if you are aiming for high-profile corporate projects.

There are employers too who specifically emphasize the requirement for a PMP certification.  If you come to think about it, having a PMP certification on your resume boosts your chances for employment even if you are not eyeing a project management position in spite of your project management experience or credentials.  A prospective employer will surely notice this credential and choose you among others who do not have this certification.

However, everybody knows that having this certification does not make one an excellent project manager.  Hands-on experience on project management can hone your skills and years of experience puts a shine to your performance.  The certification validates your capability and gives a professional aura to your profession.

So if you are looking far into the future and dreaming of snagging a corporate project in other parts of the world, the PMP certification is it.    Furthermore, getting this certification is spurred by your personal career goal and you alone can make good use of this certification.

Things to Consider

Since this intensive PMP course costs a bit, the decision to get this must weigh on factors that should spell success.  First, there's the cost.  If you can afford it, by all means take the course or start saving now and pay that course while taking the time to browse different offers and collecting the opinion of others who have taken the course.  These opinions will shape how you look at the course and guide you in your choice of course provider or the type of course to get.  

The important decision to make is the choice of provider.  What makes an excellent online course?  Check if the provider offers a comprehensive user manual that can be downloaded. The manual should have clear instructions and tips for acing the PMP exam.  There should be a training manual for each area of knowledge and audio/visual aids should be easy to manage.

Furthermore, the provider should provide regular practice tests and performance evaluation to guide you along the way and exam application support.  To notch providers provide crib sheets that contain explanations to questions to expand your understanding of a particular knowledge area and are available to respond to your questions 24/7.   

If you opt for the brick-and-mortar training course, choose the center that's nearest to your locality.  A daily run to center after a day's work can be taxing on your nerves and your wallet.  In a classroom environment, you have the advantage of having your questions answered on the spot and there's the sharing of ideas with the others taking the course.   

Now that you know what goes on behind the scenes and appreciate the value of a PMP certification, it is yours to decide if you need this certification or not.

 
 

PMP Certification:  The Best Career Investment        
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Career opportunities can pass you by if you are not ready for it.  If you are new to your job and tasked to handle project inception and planning, grab it fast and be sure you document the activities you work up and the time you spend on it. 

This will be the start of your journey towards a highly-prized PMP certification.

The Value of a PMP Certification

With inflation a certainty, you cannot stay forever in that job and receive the same pay check for years.  As your responsibility broadens in scope, you learn the tricks of the trade and deserve a better chance at earning bigger pay or getting hired by a big name company that pays well. So what has to be done to prove that you have mastered project management in the course 7 years?  A project management professional or PMP certification will give you all the chances to get a better paying job and the recognition and respect of your peers.   
     
This certification is also recognized around the world yet you don't have to travel far and wide to get this PMI accredited certification.  Right in your locality, there are PMI accredited training centers that provide the required 35 hours contact prior to the PMI certification exam, which is also available in your area. 

Of course, a PMP training course is not cheap; but if you consider this as a career investment, every cent you spend on the training and the examination fee is worth all the trouble.  Once you pass the PMP certification exam, doors to opportunities will open like a charm to let you in - towards better paying jobs in any part of the globe.  For starters, a PMP education or training can cost as much as $3,150 and higher and there's the grueling study hours to master the practice exams.    
    
What You Learn

The PMP training course covers a range a project process that will enhance your skills along the following: project planning, project scheduling, project budgeting, project team management, performance reporting and documentation, and project analysis.

All these activities are already familiar to you as project team leader but you are going to give your acquired skill the professional veneer with added knowledge from accredited PMP training.  The course also hones your evaluation and analytical skills, which are prized by companies with projects world-wide.  With a PMP certification, you become the expert with a bigger income. 

Where to Take a PMP Course

The course is offered world-wide. You can easily sign up for a course online complete with lectures and exams, and if you have a question a quick private call to your instructor solves the problem.  No you are not lumped in a chat room, you have a private instructor who will go through the paces with you or guide you through the 1,500 possible questions that may be asked at the computer-based exam at the examination centers.
   
Before taking the PMP certification course, check out the requirements.  If you qualify, sign up for an online training course or get yourself into a classroom environment in the nearest training center.  Master all the lessons before you decide you are ready for an exam.  Exams are held everyday so there's no hurry.  You have all the time in the world to prepare for your exam but there is no time like now to invest in your career.