PMP Study Guides

PMP STUDY GUIDE

Contents
1. PMP Exam Requirements:................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Education:.................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Experience: ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Training: ....................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Study Materials: .................................................................................................................................. 2
3. Starting Study: .................................................................................................................................... 2
3.1 Get information about PMP Exam: .......................................................................................... 2
3.2 Join the PMI membership: ........................................................................................................ 2
4. Training Program:............................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Classroom Training Providers: ................................................................................................. 3
4.2 Online Training Providers: ........................................................................................................ 4
5. Apply for the Exam ............................................................................................................................. 5
6. PMI Audit ............................................................................................................................................. 5
7. Schedule the Exam ............................................................................................................................ 6
8. Exam Preparation............................................................................................................................... 6
9. Prometric Center ................................................................................................................................ 7
10. The Exam ........................................................................................................................................ 8
11. If You Failed .................................................................................................................................... 9

1. PMP Exam Requirements:
To apply for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam, you have
to fulfill these three requirements:

1.1 Education:
You must hold a four year bachelor degree, or a diploma (or any equivalent).

1.2 Experience:
You must have a minimum number of hours of project management experience. If
you’re a degree holder, then you should have at least 4,500 hours (not overlap that
means about three years), and if you’re a diploma holder, then you should have at least
7,500 hours (not overlap that means about five years) of experience in leading and
directing projects.

1.3 Training:
You are also required to attend a 35 hour training program for formal project management
education. Ensure that you satisfy these requirements above to apply for the PMP certification
exam.

2. Study Materials:
Next step, you start collecting the study materials. Your study materials may consist of
reference books, slides, notes, videos, podcasts etc.

You should buy one Preparation book and one Video as follows:

Book: Head First PMP or Rita Mulcahy

Video: The PM PrepCast

You should overview book and listen video, if you don’t understand that isn’t big
problem because this time is only “Pre-study”

3. Starting Study:
3.1 Get information about PMP Exam:
Go to http://pmi.org and other PMP website, PMP forum,… to collect information and
read lesson learned of PMP passers. If you need additional information you can send
email to me: projectmanagementpmp2013@gmail.com

3.2 Join the PMI membership:
It will help you tremendously in your preparation, some benefits of PMI membership are as
follows:

- You will get a discount on the PMP certification exam fee and this discount will outweigh
the membership cost you paid to PMI.
- You can download the digital copy of the latest version of the PMBOK Guide FREE of
cost, along with the PMBOK Guide. You can freely download many other standards and
frameworks from the PMI site as well.
- You’ll get several magazines published by the PMI on a monthly and a quarterly basis
FREE of cost. Examples: PM Network, PMI Today, Project Management Journal.

Once you have collected all of the information, study materials, and joined the PMI, I highly
advise you to start now.

Start with any good PMP exam reference book and complete it. Then, read the PMBOK Guide. I
recommend not starting with the PMBOK Guide because it tends to be a very dry and juiceless
read. That being said, if you start your studies with the PMBOK Guide, I’m afraid you may lose
interest entirely.

When I started my preparation for the PMP exam, I collected some information and joined the
training program. However, before joining the training program, I didn’t read any reference
books or the PMBOK Guide. This was my biggest mistake.

During the training, there were several topics which were new to me. Many of my classmates
were discussing those topics, and I was sitting silently listening to them. It was an embarrassing
situation for me, and I certainly don’t want you to go through the same experience.I wished that I
had studied a reference book or the PMBOK Guide at least once.

That being said, I suggest you read any good PMP exam reference book, and the PMBOK
Guide before starting the 35 contact hours training program.

4. Training Program:
Now, it’s time to earn the 35 contact hours of the Training Program.

There are two typical types of training providers who have proven to be more popular
than the rest:

- Classroom Training Providers
- Online Training Providers

4.1 Classroom Training Providers:
In this type of training model, you will have class for a few days, and upon completion
of training program, you will get a certificate of attendance.

Benefits of Classroom Training Programs:

- The sessions are interactive.
- You’ll complete the course in short time span.
- You will get the chance to meet with cross-industry professionals.

Drawbacks of Classroom Training Programs:

- It is very costly.
- These programs are usually held in large cities. If you don’t live there, you may
have to travel.
- The seats are limited.

- The schedule is fixed. You have to make time as per their schedule.

If you’re interested in a live classroom training program, here is the link for a live
classroom training program from

4.2 Online Training Providers:
These days, online training program are becoming more popular because of their
flexibility and ease of use.

Benefits of Online Training Programs:

- They are much cheaper than the classroom training programs.
- You can join them at any time from any place in the world.
- There is no seat limitation.
- You have enough time to complete the course.

Drawbacks of Online Training Programs:

- The sessions are not very interactive.
- Responses to your questions may be late.
- Since these programs provide you with enough time to complete it, you may feel
lazy and may not take full advantage of it.

Here are a few renowned & affordable online PMP 35 contact hours training program
providers, they also are Rigistered Education Providers (R.E.P)

Simplilearn (USD 74.99)

PM Prepcast (USD 129.99)
(if you have bought this video in “Study Materials” above, you only finish Final exam that
not additional payment).

It’s all about the type of training program and it’s up to you which training program you
choose for yourself. However, beware: try to get your contact hours from the PMI
approved R.E.P only.

There are many benefits of getting the contact hours from the PMI approved R.E.Ps:

- Their course content is in line with the PMBOK Guide. It is reviewed and
approved by the PMI.
- In case of an audit, you will not be required to submit the course content
because you already attended a pre-approved course. It will save you a lot of
headaches.

5. Apply for the Exam
You have two options to apply for the PMP certification exam. The first option is in
paper form, and the second one is online.

The information required in both formats is the same, but processing for the online
method is much quicker than the paper method. Therefore, I recommend you go with
the online option.

The application form is categorized into three sections. The information required in each
section is as follows:

- In the first section, you have to fill in general information.
- In the second section, you have to fill in your project management experience.
- In the third section, you will be required to provide details of your 35 contact
hours training program.

You have the option to fill in this form over a course of many sessions. You can fill in
part of the form and save it. Then, when you have time, you can go back to complete it.

* Please note: Once you start the process, you must complete it within 90 days.

Fill in the form completely, and submit to PMI.

PMI takes at least one week to review the application. Once your application is
reviewed and approved, PMI will send you an email with instructions on how to proceed
further. Now you may proceed with making the payment.

6. PMI Audit
When you make the payment, there is a chance that you may be selected for an audit.

It’s not just you…Almost every PMP aspirant who applies for this exam has the audit
phobia, and they are scared about what could happen if he is selected to be audited.

Believe me, a PMI audit is nothing that you should worry about. I have never seen a
single candidate fail it.

During the audit process, PMI will ask you to provide them with some documentation;
e.g. photocopies of your education certificates, experience certificates, and the 35
contact hours program.

Send them these documents via mail and you are done.

PMI may also contact your previous bosses, so be sure to inform them about your audit
process.

In one week’s time, PMI will inform you of your audit outcome. If PMI is satisfied with
your documents, they will send you an email containing a code. You can now go to the
Prometric site and schedule the exam with this code.

However, if PMI finds some discrepancy in your documentation, they may ask you for
further clarification.

Once you’re selected for an audit, you have 90 days to complete it.

7. Schedule the Exam
* Please note: This is a very important step! You must schedule your exam within three
months time, as soon as your application gets approved.

You may be unable to seriously focus on your studies until you schedule your exam.
Once you schedule your exam, the clock will start ticking and you will start your test
preparation seriously, aggressively, passionately and punctually.

8. Exam Preparation
No one can tell you how you should prepare for your exam and you should not follow
the study blueprint of any other person. You must plan your strategy according to your
own needs and suitability and stick with it. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy your
reading and may feel like it’s a burden.

Some people say that early morning is best time to study. I have never studied in the
morning. Honestly, I tried many times, but failed miserably. I find it very difficult to wake
up early in the morning. I used to study in the evening and then through the late night.

You’re free to follow your own style. If you’re comfortable with early morning studies, go
with it. Otherwise, don’t force yourself.

Now, comes creating your study plan. I’m not going to dictate to you the exact
procedure, but I’ll try to guide you in such a way that no corner is left unturned, and you
will be able to study more efficiently.

Ok, here is the Strategic Study Plan:

Pick any good PMP exam reference book, and read it thoroughly from cover to cover.
Once you read it, go through the PMBOK Guide. Try to understand the concepts and
logic behind the each process. Pay attention to process flow. Visualize the relation
among the Input, Tools & Techniques and Output (ITTOs) and process flow.

Refer to the manuals, notes, and the slides, which you have collected or you have been
given by your training provider.

Repeat this process as many times as necessary until you are comfortable with it. Try to
read the PMBOK Guide at least three times. It will give you a better understanding
about the process flow and ITTOs.

Solve the questions given at the end of each chapter of your reference books.

Now you’re ready for next stage…

Try to purchase any good sample question bank from any well-known source. Some
good resources are as follows:

PMP Full Length Simulation Tests
Online PMP® Preparation Chapter Tests as Per PMBOK4
The PM Exam Simulator

These packages contain enough practice questions. Attempt them and find your weak
areas and then work on improving them. Then attempt the simulated tests, and see
where you are ranking. Change your focus to account for any issues, if required.

On several PMP exam forums, I see that many PMP aspirants are desperately seeking
sample PMP questions and study materials. Believe me, if you have the materials
suggested by me in this eBook, you won’t have any difficulty passing the exam.

Attempting too many questions and mock tests will waste your time, demoralize you and
most importantly, it is not needed at all.

Try to solve questions available from authentic and reliable sources only.

The PMP exam is based on the PMBOK Guide. Therefore, read it as many times as you
can.

9. Prometric Center
Try to reach the Prometric Center half an hour before the scheduled test time. This will
give you enough time to complete the formalities. If you don’t know the location of the
exam center, visit it one day before and find the correct location.

It will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete the formalities, and then you will be allowed to
enter the test room.

10. The Exam
Once you click the start button, you will be immediately familiarized with all display
options and how to use them - e.g. how to select an answer, how to use a calculator,
etc.

Time allotted for this session is 15 minutes, though you may complete it sooner and
start the exam.

I suggest that you should not end this session very early. Utilize the full 15 minutes.

Go through the awareness session quickly, and use any remaining time to write down
some important and critical formulas or concepts that you find difficult to remember. You
can use the paper provided by the prometric staff.

After you complete your familiarization session, your test will begin.

You have to attempt 200 questions in four hours (1.2 minutes per question). I assure
you that if you’re well prepared, four hours is sufficient to answer 200 questions.

I have seen in many forums and blogs that people who passed their PMP exam on
average (most of them) took two and half to three hours to complete the test. The
remaining time they utilize to review answers.

During the test, you’re allowed to take the breaks, but there is no concession in time.
Your clock will be continuously ticking; therefore take only a short break.

During my exam I took two breaks to freshen myself.

Take your time, complete the exam, and submit the answers.

After you submit your answers, you will be taken to a survey. After completing the
survey, your result will be displayed.

“I hope you see the congratulatory message!”

Please note that in the PMP exam there is no negative marking. Therefore, it is in your
best interest to attempt all questions. For few questions you will be clueless about the
answers, so select your best guess in this case. The point is: never leave any question
unanswered.

If you pass the test, hopefully within 24 hours you will get an email from the PMI and
your name will be added to the PMI registry. You will receive your certificate within eight
weeks of passingthe exam.

Before moving further, let us summarize all the important steps once again:

- Check your eligibility.
- Collect all information regarding the PMP certification exam.
- Collect study materials (e.g. books, notes, manuals and slides, etc.)
- Join the PMI membership.
- Start reading the PMP exam reference books.
- Go through the PMBOK Guide.
- Attend a 35 contact hours training program for formal project management
education.
- Apply for the PMP exam and schedule it.
- Start preparing rigorously.
- Attempt the exam and pass it.

11. If You Failed
Don’t worry if you failed in your first attempt. You still have two more attempts to pass
the exam. I have seen a survey (I don’t remember where I saw it) which says that the
chances for passing the PMP exam on the second time increases drastically. Therefore,
you now have a higher probability of passing the exam than you did on the first attempt.

The PMP exam is not as tough as many people think. Most people who failed the exam
blame their poor preparation for their failure. I believe that if you follow the guidelines
given in this eBook and prepare accordingly, passing the PMP exam will not be difficult
for you.

Thank you for reading this E-book !

PMP Study Guides

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