Passed PMP - 26 May 2012

Submitted by mechguy on Sat, 05/26/2012 - 22:37

Passed PMP with 'Proficient' in all domains, except 'Moderatly Proficient' in Closing!

Study Material:

PMBOK 4th Ed - read 2 times

Rita 7th Ed - read 3 times

Rita Fastrack

Mock Test Results:

O. Lehmann 175 - 73%

O. Lehmann 75 - 76%

SimpliLearn - 78%

TechFaq360 - 84%

Exam Central - 85%

Head First - 81%

PM Study - 78%

Study Tips:

I completed my preparation in a total of two and a half months, that's the duration; from the day I received my study material (PMBOK and Rita) till the day of exam. No breaks in the middle or slacking off. Studied approximately 4 hours a day.

At the start, would read a chapter each from PMBOK and Rita, followed by the end chapter questions from Rita, then move to the next chapter and so on. All along would keep making notes.

The trick I used to learning ITTO was; take three prints of page 43 in PMBOK. On one copy of this page write the important outputs next to each process, second copy important inputs, third copy write the mnemonic that you can creatively create for the tools and techniques. To learn the names of tools and techniques for the mnemonic, in an excel sheet (or whatever format works for you), create a table with the process e.g. Define Activities, under it the mneomonic e.g. DERT, and under it the names of all tools and techniques; Decomposition, etc. It also helps visually, if you create the complete input and output sheets above, with different colored pens e.g. all inputs in blue and all outputs in red.

In short, I had memorized what I felt were important inputs and outputs and all T&Ts. Along with memorization, it is important to understand each of them as well.

Keep adding to your notes as you learn of gaps in your knowledge with more readings of the Rita and PMBOK, and explanations of the wrong answers in mock tests.

Exam

The exam has a mix of everything, one liners, long questions, situationals, ITTOs, etc. So prepare for it all.

I would generally finish mock exams at home with an hour still remaining, on the real exam I completed the last question with 2 minutes remaining on the clock, and that also without taking a break! I guess I was too cautious and took my time, I only marked two questions, and took care of both in the end.

 

That's all I've got for all you PMP aspirants out there.

Goodluck!

Forums: 
PMP Exam Tips, Tricks and Lessons Learnt.
  • Log in to post comments
  • 2028 reads

sashsarv

Sun, 05/27/2012 - 01:35

Mechguy, congratulations!


Your score of Proficient in 4 out of 5 domains is very impressive. You must have really studied hard! I am in process of studying for the exam, and its encouraging to know the material i have can really take me there. I have the same Rita book and PMBOK. I was advised to just read one of the books, so I kept reading Rita. I reference the PMBOK for the processes alone. I guess based on your feedback and other posts, seems like PMBOK is a must read besides Rita. I am one month into reading Rita. Have finished all chapters except procurement. I have not completely read PMBOK. I had anticipated to take the exam 2nd week of July. With 3 hours a day and not having read PMBOK in its entirety, is this unrealistic to set a goal of taking the exam in July??


Anyone else reading the post and the experts those who have passed PMP are also welcome to provide their comments. Thanks in advance to all of you!


 


 


 

abd_alexie

Mon, 05/28/2012 - 17:52

 First of all congrats mechguy...

 

sashrav..few experiences & learnings that I'd like to share with you to help you prepare better for July 2nd week.

Books Referred: PMBOK & Rita 6th Edition

Tests: Only 2, PMStudy Free & Simplilearn Free

I think Rita & PMBOK are a complete package in itself. Whereas Rita is must to help build concepts, PMBOK is essential to understand each tool and technique and language of PMI. You might understand after reading Rita's book what Parametric Estimating is but the exact definition as given in PMBOK when comes up on exam you find it difficult to identify.

Each and every line in PMBOK is a source of potential question on Exam. Hence be thorough with PMBOK. It really helps.

Few concepts in my exam were so close to what I read in Rita that I was amazed. Try to do exercises at end of each chapter in Rita. This is what I did: PMBOK once, Rita & PMBOK simultaneously, Rita alone & finally PMBOK. In the end you cannot find anything better than Rajesh nair's notes to sum it all up. I think this guy has consolidated PMBOK, Rita and maybe other books beautifully.

The best part of my entire PMP experience was 4 hours of exam. I was so relaxed and cruised through the test like anything. May be the day was good for me. 

Expect to see good no of EVM ques, Network diagrams, direct Inputs, Outputs ques from PMBOk and situational ques, which I am sure you could master after reading Rita. 

Ok so now what made the difference:

PM Study test (Got 73%): Atleast 8-10 ques in my exam I was able to get correct because after giving PM Study test I got the direction on what the test is like and prepared accordingly. So a must to do.

Rajesh Nair Notes: Another good no. got correct because of rajesh nair notes because during final revisions everything was summed up so beautifully that things were fresh in memory.

Rest is all Rita & PMBOK. Simplilearn didn't really like after PM Study and was not as close to final test as was PM Study.

After exam i thought, it was not very difficult and so mostly people must be getting passed. I met two guys who came out with me and both had failed. I realized maybe it was not easy but good prep makes the difference.

So best of luck...PMP is all about commitment, passion and sincerity

cheers

 

 

sashsarv

Tue, 05/29/2012 - 02:08

Hi abd_alexie

 

Thank you for your detailed study plan. Its just that with everyday ticking away, am thinking I gotto read the book two more times before i start taking those 2 tests!! I love these forums, I will plan to read/post questions during my PMP journey.

 

Regards