So I failed my PMP exam

Submitted by fahad203 on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 16:00

I know 6 people that has their PMP and they all passed the first time. I don't know what I did wrong, I studied, studied and then studied more. I even studied on my vacation in Cuba.

How does anyone pass this exam? it's so ambigious and opioniated.

What did I do wrong?

 

I used Andy Crowe, Rita and PM Study.

Andy Crowe simulation exams seemed too easy.

Rita was  was good. I Should have spent more time with hers.

 

What's a good rule of thumb for waiting and taking the exam again?

 

Thanks guys.

 

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PMP Exam Tips, Tricks and Lessons Learnt.
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ShivaB

Tue, 12/13/2011 - 19:35

 If not, that might be the main reason why you failed.   All the Best.  

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admin

Wed, 12/14/2011 - 05:14

Sad to hear that, there is no thumb rule., basically when you feel confident again. I think not taking the right practice tests could have been the reason. I recommend buying PMZilla book along with PMStudy or PM Perfect.


Regards

fishman

Wed, 12/14/2011 - 11:36

Hey buddy.. I think that the problem was that you didnt use Pmbok, i had failed in first time and now i´m going try again, i didnt use pmbok in the first time, just Rita..

Now i´m studying Pmbok 3 times, Rita 1x, Head First 1x and was using Brainbok but now ísnt free.

Studying with pmbok now i´m confidente to try again... Relax for some days and start again for your sucess.

see you..

deepfriedbrain

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 03:29

Hello Fahad,

I'm also sorry to hear that. I'll give you 3 suggestions:

1. Give more attention to the PMBOK Guide. Every word and every line in that Guide is a potential question on the exam.

2. Develop the mindset required to answering the PMP exam questions. Yes, there's a certain mind set required to answer the questions. That's the trick to passing the exam. 

You can develop that mindset by understanding PMIisms and taking lots of practice questions. But while you are taking the questions, try to understand and analyze the situation presented in the questions and know what PMI expects the PM to do in those situations. The majority of questions are situational, as you might have observed in your real exam.

3. BrainBOK will certainly help cut down your preparation time. As pointed out in one of the comments, it is not free anymore. One reason is that PMI doesn't allow "free and public" use of its IP. So, in order to comply with their guidelines, we had to restrict the free access.

Now that you have taken the exam once, I'm sure that you have a fair idea of the exam format. Use that knowledge to cross the line in the second attempt.

Good luck.

krantikumar50

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 11:36

I totally agree with deepfiredbrain on point 1 and 2. I am not sure on 3 though.


 


When I flunked and as stated earlier my first thought was wish I had followed PMBOK more than anything but I only studied PMP exam on Rita and Crowe since a couple from my training batch had cleared without PMBOK. I should have NEVER done it. They passed as they were lucky and talented where as I might not be on both the counts. This time PMBOK along with ITTO and other reference books like Rita, Kim, Crowe, Head 1st only for questions. These books are with me from my last FATEFUL attempt. This time PMBOK and the rest will only fill in the numbers.


 


Deepfriedbrain's point 2 is of utmost importance where he/she talks about developing a mindset to answer PMP questions the way they want. This will be very helpful indeed.


 


All the best to WE!!!


 


Thanks,


KK

fahad203

Wed, 03/21/2012 - 19:07

 For introducing me to Brainbok. What could easily be the best tool online for PMP prep. It's so interactive yet easy to use. 

 

I finally passed my PMP. I couldn't have done it without everyone's input. 

 

 

jsreepmp

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 00:04

Hi

Its not a big deal, read the situations given at the end of the chapter in the quesitons and try to understand what it is really asking for. I depended only on Rita's book, I browsed through PMBOK. Reading PMBOK may confuse you more and the questions are more situational so PMBOK is not really going to help. Get inputs and outputs from that and make an xls book, that will help. I totally depended on Rita's book by focusing on what it is asking for in the questions. Of course, be good with netwrok diagrams, and formulas. Practice on examples to calculate. Don't think of the exam when you study try to understand what it is and you should be good. I studied Rita's book and took fast track exam. Passed the exam. Thank God. 

fahad203

Sun, 01/22/2012 - 06:07

For the encouragement. I really appreciate the input. 

 

So I revised my game plan. I am reading PMBOK, and most of you were right. I can definitely see the difference in the gap I had. I should have studied this and not under estimated it. I have also taken a keen interest in ITTO.

Last time around I got too caught up on the mathematical questions. I over studied EVM and Critical Path equations. In exam I think I only got around 10 combined. I neglected the ITTOs, I can see very vividly now that  I am studying the PMBOK


Will keep you guys updated. I have 3 weeks till my next attempt. I have taken 3 weeks off so I can just study. Will keep you guys posted. 

onenalone

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 05:04

Dont worry, it happens.

do not demoralize yourself.

 

I am suggesting you read head first pmp for clear understanding.....do a lot of googling for each topic not clear to you.

read pmbok 4 or 5 times.

 

this is what I am doing....hopefully by next month I will be sitting for my PMP exam.