I passed the PMP exam yesterday with 3P and 2MP.

My experience would be helpful to people who have been out of college for a long time.

I have not studied for a (close book) exam for almost 10 years and was never good at memorizing stuff.

My PMP application came up for audit, so I had to run around to get the paperwork done. Started preparing mid October, exam on 13^th Dec.

The journey:

1.       I started reading the experience of other PMP takers and an overwhelming majority memorised the ITTOs and created brain dumps. I decided not to do it since I was never good at memorising stuff and didn’t want to start now. I got very few ITTO type of direct questions which I am reasonably confident I got right, by using logic.

2.       I studied Rita’s PMP exam prep 7^th edition and PMBOK (apart from googling certain concepts)

3.       I read 2-3 chapters per day (referring PMBOK when needed) & took the chapter end tests the next day. I was scoring 65-90%. I analysed my answers.

4.       Once I finished I read PMBOK cover to cover

5.       Read Rita’s PMP exam prep (all chapters). Took all chapter end tests once again.

6.       I compared my answers to the first time (not just the wrong ones, but also the right ones) and analysed my knowledge/ answers.

7.       Started taking the smaller exams available online (20 questions, 70 questions etc). Referred PMBOK while analysing answers.

8.       I booked my slot for the exam about 2 weeks in advance.

9.       Started mock exams, I took about 10 free & paid exams. Was scoring about 65-85%.

10.   The exam:

a.       I typically lose momentum when I take breaks so I didnt take breaks for more than a min or so.

b.      I decided I wont mark more than 10 questions for review and I wont mark any question after 70 or so questions. The logic was simple, I would have gained momentum in the first 50-60 questions and if I am unable to answer it then, it is unlikely I would do a better job later. In the exam I did not mark any question.

c.       I used to take about 130-150 mins to finish my mock tests. In the final I finished in 180 mins.

d.      The reason to the increase was that I used the calculator for all calculations and also drew the network diagrams and wrote down the information in format I was comfortable with (for example the project has till now spent…would be written by me as AC=). In mock tests I would do all these mentally and sometimes make silly mistakes

e.      I then started revising my answers starting from question no 1, I reached about 75. I changed about 2-3 answers

f.        Also I was extra cautious on context, for example NOT, input/ output etc since I had a few face-palm moments in mock tests

g.       The numerical questions were quite simple and on a normal day could be done mentally.

h.      There were a few questions which had answers either too close, or all answers unsuitable etc, I am guessing it is my gap in knowledge, but it could also be among those 25 dummy questions. One question was actually repeated.

The advice:

1.       Don’t memorise, its not worth the effort.

2.       Since no memorization no brain dump.

3.       Understand the processes as defined by PMI in PMBOK.

4.       One big problem is when you have experience you tend to depend on your knowledge instead of the standard definitions/ vocabulary of PMBOK.

5.       In case of any disagreement between your knowledge/ real world experience and ideal/ PMBOK way, the theoretical approach wins. For example if a contractor is contractually bound to send a report and he is late by a day, in real world you may pick up a phone and remind him, at least first couple of times, if the other choice in exam is to send a formal written communication, the second choice wins.

6.       While the exam is not a cakewalk, it is not as difficult as made out in some of the forums.

7.        None of the mock tests I took came close to the actual exam. At the same time it is important to take mock tests since they help you prepare.

8.       It is very difficult to sit for 4 hours continuously, prepare for that. Some people feel that since they work in IT they are used to sitting for 4 hours in front of the computer. There are very few people I know who actually sit continuously for that long, usually there are breaks for meetings/ chai-sutta etc.

9.       Know yourself and how you like to take tests, for some people regular rests help, for some getting up for water is a distraction from the task at hand. Know what you like and what makes you tick. It is like going for a contract negotiation, you don’t know exactly what the other person is looking for but you make the required preparations.

10.   The mind wanders, I had this problem in the final exam also. I needed to work hard to concentrate. Prepare for it if you also have a similar problem.

11.   They don’t expand all abbreviations. Some were, some were not.

12.   They have “gotcha” answer choices. For example if the right answer is 5962, there will be a 5926 in the answers, so if you are in a hurry you may mark the wrong answer.

13.   Unless you are god, you wont get all answers right, be ok with that.

14.   If you are debating whether to take it now or later, all other things being equal take it now. The pattern is going to change in July and known devil is better than unknown angel.

All the best :)

 PS: Oh and I dont remember seeing any Ethics questions, I think they have removed the section