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1.
PMP professionals are known to execute projects better than others. Hence its
a great way to overall improve the success rates of projects in your industry.
2.
If you are a seasoned project management professional , then you mostly are used to
doing things in pragmatic way and based on experience PMBoK and PMI has compiled,
standards, techniques, best practices and they keep updating the PMBoK based on current
trends. Hence this will keep you upto date.
3.
Even if you are project manager for many years, the certification will formally recognize
your professional ability
4.
Reading books like Rita Mulcahy and similar will help you in learning new tricks and
techniques to assist you in your project management activities. There are many videos you will
watch which will help you give more insights into any knowledge area.
5.
PMP certified professionals have edge over non-certified professionals when hiring.
6.
PMP credential may help your company win business, especially if you are in consulting
business.
7.
PMP forums like PMZilla and PMI charters will provide networking opportunities with other
PMP professionals and aspirants.
8.
Learning after a long break will open up your mind.
9.
You can even take up teaching profession and take PMP classes for other PMP
candidates.
10. After PMP you can take up other certifications by PMI like PgMP, RMP, SP , ACP etc to
further hone your skills.
11. During recession or in tough job market you may be distinguished over other professionals
and may not be fired.
12. Continuous certification requirements will keep you updated with PM World. You will tend to
read industry news, subscribe to publications or attend PMI chapters.
Your certification fee must accompany your application (credit card only if
online). The current fee is$405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members.
In my 5 years experience in supporting PMZilla Forum. I have seen many such cases where
people have failed PMP in first try but by taking the right steps they clear with good score the
next time. The main reason for clearing the next time is the right kind of focus and attention
which people give to PMP preparation.
Some of the top reasons for failure
1.
Not reading the PMBoK properly. Just skimming through it
2.
Not giving the right mock exams or doing very few mock tests.
3.
Silly mistakes in exam, not using common sense. Trying to recall things from
book
4.
Hurrying with PMP preparation just to meet some deadline.
5.
Inability to understand the subject or knowledge area. Leaving huge
knowledge gaps.
How to get back on your feet
First you will need the right kind of mindset a positive one and here are some facts.
1.
You now know what PMP exam questions are. Try to recall some questions and
find right answers.
2.
You exactly know your knowledge gaps. The topics where you got Below
proficient are your key focus areas.
3.
You know the whole experience of sitting through 4 hours, next time you will
not be worried about food, breaks etc. You know your pace of answering
questions.
It takes lot of courage and willpower to again gear up for the exam .Give yourself a pat on the
back that you faced yourself. Speak to someone you trust and who will motivate you. Their words
of trust in you will fill in the requireed encouragement. When you start your study preparation,
Dont give mock exams first. You must read and know the subject well.
So ask yourself a question "If there was anything positive about this incident, what could it be ?"
List down the points and read it to yourself for motivation.
On the study materials side here are the popular choices for second timers.
1.
PMBoK , but this time reading it more throughly
2.
Abhishek's Version of Rajesh nair notes here on PMZilla.
3.
Rita Mulcahy's PMP exam Prep -Do solve all excercises from Rita. Its must for
you. It will help to reinforce the concepts what you have just read.
4.
Headfirst / Andy Crowe / Kim Heldman - any one of these
5.
BrainBok.com forumula challenge Exam-75 Q if you are weak in Maths.
If you have used any other study material and if you feel its adequate. I suggest dont buy
anything more. Just check the free materials here on PMZilla http://www.pmzilla.com/pmpstudy-material-pmp
On the mock tests
1.
PMZilla 200 questions - Yes if you can score 55% here, you will be through in
real exam.
2.
PMStudy tests (2 tests)
3.
Rita mulcahy's fast track - Highly Overpriced , only recommeded if you are
really nervous
Free tests
1.
PMStudy Free 200 Questions http://www.pmstudy.com/enroll.asp(link is
external)
2.
Simplilearn 200
Questions http://www.simplilearn.com/slportal/login/login.do(link is external)
3.
Oliver Lehmann 75 Questions http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmp-selftest/75-free-questions.htm(link is external)
4.
PMPForSure 100 Questions http://www.pmpforsure.com/pmp/(link is
external)
5.
TechFaq360 200
Questions http://www.techfaq360.com/pmpmockexamstart.jsp(link is external)
6.
Passionatepm 100 Questions http://www.passionatepm.com/free-pmpexam-practice-test-questions(link is external)
7.
Bestsamplequestions 160
Questions http://www.bestsamplequestions.com/pmp-sample-questions/pmpsample-quest...(link is external)
Check this link for details http://pmzilla.com/free-pmp-exam-important-links-best
Some do's and Don't before the exam
1.
Keep your cool and relax. There is no need to get overwhelmed. Know you
can do it
2.
Do not over prepare for the second attempt. Over preparation can be cause of
failure too.
3.
Do not overestimate or underestimate PMP Exam. You will pass the exam if
you have prepared well.
4.
Do not rush to answer the questions. Read it well there can be some
misunderstanding if you rush.
5.
Do not keep gap between preparation and taking real exam. Also do not drag
preparation for weeks or months. make a plan and stick to it.
Comments from PMZillans are welcome
Time Frame - As per PMI each person has 1 year eligibility period to pass the PMP
examination. During the eligibility period, the exam can be taken 3 times . If you fail the
examination three times within your one-year eligibility period, you must wait one year from the
date of the last examination you took to reapply for the credential. If your eligibility period expires
without you passing the examination, you must reapply for the credential.
Reexamination fees - The second or third time re-examination fee for computer-based
testing is as follows:
Easiest way would be you sit at home and listen to podcast and watch a video and you get 35
Contact hours. There are two options for that.
http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-first-attempt-2
- 25th June 2013
http://pmzilla.com/done-and-dusted5192013-first-try
19th May 2013
http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-today-28-may-2013-3ps-and-2-mps
- 28th May 2013
http://pmzilla.com/lessons-learned-passed-pmp11july-5ps-first-attempt
July 4th 2012
http://pmzilla.com/lessons-learned-2
- 15th May 2013
http://pmzilla.com/pmp-passed-first-attempt
- 27th Aug 2012
http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-past-weekend-ll
- 27th Aug 2012
http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-aug-7th-2012
- 7th Aug 2012
http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-811-4ps-and-1-mp-see-my-lessons-learned
- 12th Aug 2012
3.
Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep. This book will clear your concepts and will give
you a good start. This book has lots of tips and tricks for PMP. The questions at
the end of each chapter are also very good. A must have for PMP.
4.
After you have read PMBOK and Rita's book 2-4 times its time to take Mock /
Sample exams .
A.
You can buy (link is external)Rita Mulcahy's PMFastrack. This would be
enough questions for you to clear PMP.
B.
Check the Free PMP Exams here. PMStudy is very good indicator of
what you will get in final exam. Try to solve 4 tests on PMStudy.
C.
To prepare you for Tough questions. Take PM Zilla's Free PMP Tests
If you do 2nd and 3rd step above then you do NOT need Rita's PM FASTRACK.
Materials on this website can help you clear up some of your doubts for
difficuilt questions. We recommend you go through the PMP Study Materials
Sections on this page
Preparations:
If you have 2 weeks full time then you can complete PMP
certification. For more relaxed schedule it can take anywhere from 1
month to 1 year. Generally average people say 18 weeks schedule is
feasible considering you have to work and study.
The key is to get started right away.
Don't get caught up in analysis paralysis. Just start with first
chapter of PMBOK and then u will start understanding things better.
Before the exam, make sure that you have completed test simulations and have comfortably
passed all the test simulations.
See the attached StudyPlan.MPP, for approximate Study Scheduling. This file can be opened
using MS Project.
Exam Details:
PMP Exam has200 Multiple Choice Questions, which must be answered within 4
hours. These questions are randomly generated from a question database which has several
hundred questions. There is No Negative Marking. All Questions are Multiple Select
Questions
i.e. the examinee must choose one from the available four alternatives.
The exam is online but a blank sheets of paper are provided.
25 out of 200 questions not be used for scoring
(Dummy questions) . Candidates will not know which ones are dummy when
taking the exam - implies that candidate has to answer 200 questions to
the best of their ability.
To pass the PMP Exam, the candidate must answer 106 out of 175 questions
correctly (i.e. pass percentage is 60.6%).
Make a start:
Glance through PMBOK first to just get a feel or high level view once.
In next reading understanding all the processes, interactions, and all the
terms and concepts. Make notes that suit you.
Refer the notes and keep revising it till you feel comfortable.
Check for materials on this site or elsewhere to step further into the topics
you have doubts.
Take tests chapter wise for each chapter. then move to next chapter.
Make a study schedule. Include time to take practice test each day, even if it is few questions
a day.
Review & revise things you learnt previous day , before
you start next topic, and do little everyday. Next day review two days
topics and then start.
If you are bored, take breaks, it really helps. Review & revise after break.
use the rest of the time allowed (there is a clock in the upper right
corner of the screen) to write down key formulas or other summary
notes, phrases, and pictures you have memorized.
Mark any question you are not reasonably sure of, so you can review later
Skip any questions that will take "a while" to figure out or
understand - you want to answer all the questions you know first, then
go back and spend time on more complex questions
First 1-2 weeks to familiarize yourself with PMI, PMP exam, Study
material, time frame, exam dates, Materials to buy & courses to
take.
external)
2) PMBOK - few chapters for knowledge gaps from the first book( human resources & quality
management)
3) skillport - pmp prepcourse for 35 hr PDU
4) Exam papers by christopher scrudu (8 - 50 question
sets) http://www.scribd.com/doc/232290997/Pmp-Exam-Prep-Ques-Answers-2013Chri...(link is external)
5) Practice test on examcentral.net (3-4 sets) , i took one more parctice test on a different
website, will find it later. http://www.examcentral.net/pmp/members(link is external)
6) revised the first book day before the exam
7) practice exam paper by oliver lehman (175
questions) http://www.oliverlehmann.com/contents/freedownloads/175_PMP_Sample_Ques...(link is external)
8) PANIC ON THE EXAM DAY! - ( A LIL I WILL ADMIT)
Do make notes and plan to have a brain dump before the exam begins. i did formulas and
motivational theory notes in 7-9 mins.
For the exam, i had planned for 2 * three minute breaks every hour and five mins break at 3rd
hour. So have a statergy and a contengency plan before you get to the exam and prepare
physically for it. practice 2 exam papers on the same time as your exam - the day before and day
before that, try to sit 4 hours in one spot for both of those practice tests, eat your breakfast and
lunch according to your time of test.
In the exam i fell behind in the first 30 questions which took 45 mins for me. i played catch up
from then. i did manage to complete with 12 mins to spare without any breaks. i could only revise
6 out of my 28 marked questions. Answer all questions during the first pass, do not leave any
question unanswered - there is no negative marking so it doenst hurt to guess. In your second
pass, you can spend a bit more time to confirm the answer.
Here is what i got in the exams, some tricky questions like
1) a big paragraph about change management and the question was 'who authorizes the project'
- you dint have to read the pragraph to answer.
2) a huge network precedence diagram and the question was ' what is the float on critical path' again you dint have to calculate anything to answer the question.
Question - topic frequency (updated from someone else's post)
1.
Communication channels 4 Q
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Round1
Week1: PM Framework , PM Context and PM process
Week 2: Integration and Scope Management
Week 3: Time Management
Week 4: Cost and Quality Management
Week 5: HR and Communications management
Week 6: Risk and Procurement Management
Week 7: Sample test and questions to find gaps.
Round 2 (Repeat)
Week 8: PM Framework , PM Context and PM process and Integration Management
Week 9: Scope and Time Management
Week 10: Cost , Quality and HR Management
Week 11: Communications, Risk and Procurement management
Week 12 : Take a simulation tests and see if you can score around 70% consistently
Week 13 : Relax and Take PMP Exam if you can score 70% in simulation test. If not continue
taking the simulation tests till you feel confident.
You can adjust your plan depending on your pace.
PRINCE2
Levels
3 Levels, Foundation,
Practitioner and
Professional
1 Level PMP.
Organizatio
n
APM Group, UK
PMI , USA
Recognition
Worldwide
Worldwide
Approach
Roles
Content
What
Practical Project
Management Methodology
Numbers
Countries
Highly prescriptive on
processes
Questions
75 , 50% passing
Hours
4 hours
1 hours
Eligibility
Not Mandated
4500 of PM experience
Training
Not Mandated
Price
200 Pounds
555USD
Recertificat
ion
certification.
I think PMP takes the good approach for purposes of teaching the subject
content of each knowledge area, but not as effective when it comes to
providing guidance for running a particular project.
Prince2 would be applicable more if you are looking for a PM job in the UK
or for a company that utilised the Prince2 methods. Prince2 and PMP are
not competitors, but mutually exclusive. PM can benefit by doing both of
these certifications.
PRINCE2 or PMP just by itself may not make you a better project manager,
you need project management experience, take the course, study and
get certified, when you go back to managing projects, you are equipped
with a whole new set of tools, techniques and knowledge. Its cyclic
process since when you apply your newly learnt skills , you will earn more
skills and with time become a better project manager. Those who do not
put the knowledge into use will not become better PMs. If you are looking
at a certification from the point of view of gaining knowledge, then they
both complement each other. However if you are looking at it as a
marketing tool, then it depends upon which country you are working. PMP
appears to have a wider following in North America and parts of Asia,
whereas PRINCE2 appears to have its followers in Europe ( and maybe
Australia). Both certifications are good and has lots of benefit , I strongly
encourage you to take up atleast one of them,.
Further reading and Comparison
http://www.maxwideman.com/papers/comparing/comparing.pdf(link is
external)
http://www.aipm.com.au/resource/RANKIN__FULL_PAPER_AIPM2007_0018_Comparing_PMBoK_and_PRINCE2_V1.0.pdf(l
ink is external)
http://www.pm-partners.com.au/files/PMPartner_%20Session_
%20Handout_PMBOK_PRINCE2V2.pdf(link is external)
Comparison with ITIL
ITIL is one of the fastest growing frameworks, and helps organizations
increase IT efficiency, improve quality, and control costs. ITIL is a
PgMP vs PMP
The project Management institute offers PgMP Program Management Professional and PMP
Project Management Professional . A common question is, which certification should I go for , or
should I do both. ? Which would be having more market value.
Lets see some difference. To be eligible for the Program Management Professional (PgMP)
certification, your must have, within the last 15 years, satisfied these requirements:
With High School Diploma, Associate's degree or equivalent:
4 Years (6,000 hours) of project management experience along with 7 years (10,500 hours) of
program management experience.
With Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent:
4 Years (6,000 hours) of project management experience along with 4 years (6,000 hours) of
program management experience. Additionally, if Bachelor's degree or equivalent is obtained by
from a PMI accredited university, the individual receives 1,500 hours toward the requirement for
program management experience.
PMP is an indicator of Project management experience and is one of the most popular PM
certifications today. PgMP is aimed at those project managers who also have significant
experience in managing PROGRAMS, essentially those who manage multiple, complex projects
to achieve strategic and organizational results.. In essence, the PgMP is the next level of PMP.
Hierarchy of certifications would be somewhat like this - CAPM, PMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-SP, PgMP,
and, PfMP - Portfolio Management Professional.
So what is the motivation to do PgMP if you are already a PMP