Failed PMP exam today.. after long hours

Submitted by johns on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 08:16

Folks,

 

It is not easy, I rescheduled two times with my busy schedule. I took PM boot camp too. Need lot of reading and clear understanding on concepts.  My thoughts are all these exam prep courses are not really helping much. Some of the real test questions are very hard, you need to prepare how to answer situational questions.

 

Memorizing is not helping much, except few questions. For me, lot of interruptions unfortunately, last two days before the exam. Some times it is difficult to set aside and focus on exam.

 

Well, I should prepare for retake. Any advise would be helpful.

 

Regards,

John

 

 

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ashok8008

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 15:43

Hi John ,

sorry to hear that

can i know what books you have read apart from PMBOK

i would say start with Rita prep guide, when you finish reading rita chapter read the same chapter from pmbok and you can understand concepts easliy , at the end PMBOK is must you must understand concepts by PMBOK way.

Try to attend as many as good questions

PMFastTrack makes strong on understanding concept

PMPerfect is good you can easly know your weak areas and matches with PMP exam and coming with 90 days try

Finally PMSTUDY exams its make full circle

 

This is just my way of preparation  you can find so many lesson learn in PMZILLA 

 

johns

Thu, 08/04/2011 - 18:54

Hi,

 

Thanks for the good advise. I did read PMBOK and I realized need to get more depth knowledge of the concepts. Did memorize page 43, that is not enough to answer most of the situational questions.

I heard that Rita's book has some bragging in explaining other than practice tests. Time is also not enough and same day I have family event which I cannot reschedule the exam.  There are lot other things to concentrate working adults with many diversions to concentrate and take the test.

Thanks again your advise

Regards,

John

 

KABANERJI

Fri, 08/05/2011 - 22:38

Hi John,


I am sorry to know about your failure in the first attempt. But then, failure is the pillar of success, so do not feel disheartened at all. I know what you mean by "many diversions", believe me I know how tough it is with family and relatives and social engagements and what not to snatch away that precious few hours you wish to devote for preparing! 


Few suggestions, don't know whether any of them are possible or not for you, but consider them all the same.


1) Take a leave from office -- paid or unpaid -- does not matter -- the motivation to pass PMP has to be enough there for you to understand this -- take leave from your family -- go away for two weeks -- come back after clearing the exam. I have seen some people doing it, and they have all succeeded in passing except who fell sick the before exam and had to be hospitalized (not because he studied too much, but because of asthma attack)


2) Change your sleep pattern. Wake up at least two hours before any one else wakes up in your family. I have done this myself and must say after you get in to the new sleep pattern, your daily progress in studies will surely please you and also help you pass the PMP.


3) Look at your PMP preparation materials -- if you are lacking in this, it is no good. PMP is not an easy exam, it is probably going to more challenging after 30th August. If you spend some on PM Zilla, you will surely understand what I mean by preparation materials, this is a great site to learn each day. But again, you have to devote time to this site to search out what is important for you to know.


4) Carrot and stick -- We are after all humans. Often we tend to forget that. Self imposed carrot and stick policy with target dates for finishing particular percentage of preparation works very well. At least I know it did work like magic for one!


Sorry if that was too much, just my suggestions!


Wish you the very best for your next attempt!


K A Banerji

johns

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 19:16

Hi Benerji,

Thanks for your advise. you got it right and truly understand how diversions in work place really impact in exam like this. I was about to reschedule, but it was too late. Only mistake I did was I didn't spend much time in PMBOK book. Spend lot of time in practicing questions.

If it is going to be more difficult and challanging after August 31st, I have to spend extra hours to know nuts and bolts of PMBOK and over all fundamentals of project management. I am not sure I can make it as working adult with lot of work responsibilities and diversions.  Thank you for your kind words, I will try to spend more time change my working habits and spend extra hours every day.

Regards,

John