Hello All,

Like a lot of people I too have been lurking around, with an account but under the radar. I am happy to say today I passed the PMP exam and on my second attempt. Nothing earth shattering – kudos to all you proficient scores – I got MP’s all across the board, I was just happy to see congratulations I didn’t care what I got!

My first try was 3 weeks ago and I got 3 BP's (I, P, E) and 2 MP (M&C and C). It took me all 4 hours. I did a boot camp first - waaaay too much information overload, but what I did like about it was it did give me a good general understanding in a very short time. I hated the two 50 question practice exams everyday for 3 days, then the full practice exam on the last day - but it trained me to get used to doing all those practice exams.

I studied for a week, best as I could with 2 kids and a full time job, husband, home you name it - took the exam and failed. I was beyond crushed. One - to have failed when I’m a really good test taker and two - because I’d have to go through this all over again. Well I took that weekend off to regroup and them come Monday I went back in to battle.

This is what I did the second time around

1) Sorry to have to say this but yes I read the PMBOK and it was Zzzzzz. But, I had so many a-ha moments as I kept reading. Topics, areas and concepts made even more sense than before. So I knew I was on the right track. This was the only book I read thoroughly except the end of Andy Crow – Pass First Try as I had the PMI code of ethics. That was it.

2) I did umpteen practice tests - from PMStudy, the Oliver Lehmann the free one (scored 68% Yikes!). I bought the PMStudy 4 test package and my friend have an account with Insite Velociteach so I used that just to take the practice tests I did not want to confuse myself with other teachings.

3) So I read a chapter of the PMBOK and did the corresponding practice tests in Insite and PMStudy. Regardless, my scores ranged from 69% to one time getting 84% - just one time. Generally around the 72-76% mark. I was not sure I was ready but my date was set.

4) ITTO's - for the life of me I could not get these down. At one point, I was happy to say a cup of tea was an input into Perform Qualitative Risk Analysis. My friends told me to keep at it and get a general understanding and don't even try to memorize them. They were right – memorizing them, unless you can – is pure insanity. Some I would get right some I would get wrong – I had to move on. I was not looking for a perfect score just a passing score. So I focused on getting other areas as right as I could.

5) I love music, so I did come up with my own songs/rhymes/nemonics or whatever you want to call it. Those really worked or me.

6) Come test day (today), I at a light breakfast, arrived at the test center 45 mins early – ate my banana, drank some water PRAYED and went in. I took 2 short bathroom breaks and come the end I had 1 min and 23 sec left! How people do this in 2 and a half hours I’ll never know. I was not feeling great – not feeling horrible.

7) I did the survey to buy myself more praying time and after an eternity I saw congratualtions! I could have screamed but held it together.

To those going for their first, second, third, fourth or whatever attempt – keep the faith, keep at it! It’s so worth it. I know a couple of PhD folks on their third try and they are still in it to win it! PMP is no normal test as we all know - it's a tricky little thing - but you can  do it!

ALL THE BEST TO YOU!!  

K&A