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PMP Exam Prep - Part 2

Posted by [email protected] on Mar. 23, 2023  /  PPRC Blog  /  Subscribe 0

PMP Exam Prep

Author:  Alex Kaled
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-kaled/

Alex is a Government Consultant for Matrix Design Group, Inc. He previously served 6 years in the U.S. Army. In addition to the PMP, Alex is a registered Engineer Intern in Colorado and holds certifications as a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Scaled Agilist, Certified ScrumMaster, Certified Associate in Project Management, and Disciplined Agile Scrum Master 

 0.0 Introduction/Scope

This guide assumes that the reader has little background research into the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. This guide provides the background information to apply for the PMP and suggestions for courses/study guides. Most of this guide focuses on how to fill out the application and the timing of application requirements. If the reader did some research but wants clarification on select items, the Table of Contents below will connect the reader to that specific information.

This guide will not give you the academic knowledge you need to pass the PMP.

0.0 Introduction/Scope

This guide assumes that the reader has little background research into the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. This guide provides the background information to apply for the PMP and suggestions for courses/study guides. Most of this guide focuses on how to fill out the application and the timing of application requirements. If the reader did some research but wants clarification on select items, the Table of Contents below will connect the reader to that specific information.

This guide will not give you the academic knowledge you need to pass the PMP.

Table of Contents

Part II – April 2023

• Studying
  • Study Guide Cocktail
  • Items to Avoid
  • Agile Trends
• Test
  • Test Location
  • Test Day
  • Test Taking Strategies

4.0 Studying

4.1 Study Guide “Cocktail”

I recommend 3 parts to make a perfect study guide, that should take 1-3 months to master the test.

1. RMC Exam Prep Book[1]
2. AR TIA Exam Prep
3. PMI Study Hall

RMC’s Prep Book is a great conceptual refresher to prime candidates for test questions. This text can be easily skimmed after course completion to refine your understanding of processes.

AR TIA Exam Prep questions help frame the mindset necessary to approach PMP questions. This Exam Prep is also broken up similar to the PMP with similar questions. AR has a YouTube video attached to each question that reviews the AR mindset that will help break down questions; there are three themes from AR’s mindset:

1. We don’t fire people, we coach; the only exception is a major ethical violation (e.g. lying on a resume)
2. We seek to understand/analyze the situation and THEN act
3. We ask for clarification/support from the project sponsor LAST

Study Hall provides test questions and case studies directly from PMI. Most test questions are critical thinking/application to a situation. Therefore, reading case studies and rehearsing test questions directly from PMI will orient the tester to PMI’s mindset toward PM situations.

Practice tests/questions are the key to enable understanding of the proper mindset/expected answers for situational questions. Practice test goals should be as follows: AR TIA ~ 75% / SH ~ 69% on full-practice tests

AR TIA is found to be slightly easier than the actual PMP; SH is found to be slightly harder.

4.2 Study Items to Avoid

Some study items are well-advertised, but they somewhat miss the mark for test-prep.

RMC’s Test Questions – RMC Test questions are so difficult that they will over-prepare candidates for the test. While this may sound good, the difficulty of the questions will cause candidates to unnecessarily extend their study period to meet a “ready” metric.

PocketPrep – These questions are more focused on rote-memorization/terminology instead of critical/situational thinking. They will throw off the mindset for the test.

4.3 Agile Trends

Candidates may need to invest in some independent study of Agile methodologies (Iteration Planning, Review, Demo, Retrospectives; Sprints; etc.) outside of the 35-hour course. The PMP is trending toward more questions on Agile Project Management; the 49 processes are focused on Traditional Project Management.

Candidates can seek out certification, like Certified ScrumMaster. However, a Google search on key words like Scrum Methodology, Agile Methodology, and Disciplined Agile Methods should give all the information needed to be successful for the PMP.

5.0 The Test

5.1 Test Location

PMI offers the exam remotely through PearsonVue. Remote testing offers flexible hours (practically all 24 hours) and removes the commute to a testing center. If time/geography is an issue, remote testing is best.

However, if time/geography is not a concern, I strongly recommend going to a testing center. Despite the advertised convenience of remote testing, the environment is actually fairly disadvantaged to the test taker:

• The tester (not the institution) is liable for any IT related issue (computer crash, internet crash)
• The tester (not the institution) is responsible for sterilizing the test room to the remote proctor’s standard
• The tester is liable for any issues that could be considered compromising the test’s integrity
  • Background noise
  • The test taker’s eyes moving away from the screen
  • The test taker’s entire head not being in full view at all times
  • The test taker’s hands on their face or hands moving around off-screen
  • The test taker mouthing testing questions
• Extremely rare, but review of remote footage review can invalidate a score after completion

5.2 Test Day

The test is 180 questions long, with 5 not counted, experimental questions. The test is 230 minutes, broken into three 60-question sections with a 10-minute break between sections. Breaks are not included in the 230 minutes. Testers cannot access the past 60 questions after each break. Testers typically take 76 minutes per section.

Results are usually emailed a couple hours after you the test; results usually take no more than one business day.

5.3 Test Taking Strategies

Generally, there are few memorization questions. Most questions are situational (ie “what would the PM do?”).

There are a few mathematical questions, but instead of memorizing formulas to give a numeric answer, it is better to understand what the math means. If given Earned and Actual Value; the test will likely not ask Cost or Variance. Instead, it will ask if the project is currently on-budget and on-schedule. 

The PMP is focusing more on Agile methodology to match industry trends, however most questions will require an understanding of Agile/Traditional/Hybrid methods and application of them together.

Final notes on taking the test.

• Take your time. Questions are no more than two to three sentences. Answers are typically one clause, never more than two sentences. There is enough time to read each question and answer in 230 minutes.
• Read each question thoroughly. Critical thinking/reading is extremely necessary. One word can change the meaning of the entire question/how answers interact with the question.
• Read all the answers. There are no “obvious” PMP answers. Typically, PMI structures questions with two choices that are likely incorrect and two choices that are likely correct.
• Personal test taking strategy:
  • Read the question
  • Read all options
  • Re-read the question
  • Eliminate two unlikely options
  • Re-skim the question
  • Select likely option

GOOD LUCK!

[1] If the candidate spends enough time working on PMI Study Hall case studies, RMC’s book may not be necessary

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