PMP Exam Study Tips
Thinking about taking the PMP exam to further your career? Here are some tips I have found to be helpful in preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam.
- Take studying seriously – This is a hard test! Most people generally spend 100-200 hours studying. Just because you have been a Project Manager does not mean that you will easily pass this exam. Just ask anyone that has taken it. Make sure you are adequately prepared and study appropriately.
- Enroll in a PMP exam prep course. This will save you a tremendous amount of time and effort and provide you with the 35 educational hours required to sit for the exam (if you don't already have them).
- Using a blank piece of paper, practice writing and re-writing the Project Management Framework table with the 9 knowledge areas, 5 process groups, and 42 processes
- Create mind-maps to help you memorize the Inputs, Outputs, Tools and Techniques for each of the 42 processes
- Be sure to take lots of practice exams and simulate the real exam as best you can. This will help you focus your study time on any areas that you are weak
- Form a study group or find a “study buddy” to keep you accountable
- Following a prep class, schedule the exam while the information is still fresh (no more than two weeks afterward)
- Make sure you understand the "why" of everything rather than just relying on straight memorization. Many exam questions are long and tricky, and you need to make sure you understand the concepts behind the terminology
Posted by Erika Flora at 9/20/2010 9:55 AM 
Categories: training, project management
Tags: project pmi project management professional capm pmp studying exam prep
Categories: training, project management
Tags: project pmi project management professional capm pmp studying exam prep
Erika,
I just took my exam in August and now PMP certified. Everyone is different, but here is what I did to get ready:
1.) Attended a week long boot camp
2.) Created flashcards that allowed me to memorize verbatim the functions in the Process groups and Knowledge areas.
3.) Downloaded iPod applications to help me study.
I found that knowing the Process groups and knowledge areas verbatim was the biggest help. I studied a little more than that, but that was my biggest focus
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Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge...and CONGRATS!
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can u recommend any good blogs , books etc on MS-Project / Scheduling related stuff , i am not so much into MS-project but want to gain expertise in a short time. I am preparing for my PMI-SP credential parallely,. would appreciate a response. The blog is informative , thanks for the posts.
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I would recommend checking out the Microsoft Project Users Group (MPUG): http://www.mpug.com Also, PMI's college of scheduling should have some great information: http://www.pmicos.org
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Erika-
What are your thoughts on the value of an MS in Project Management? Would my time be better off preparing for the PgMP? Thanks.
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Getting a masters degree is always a good thing and will certainly open doors for you. In my experience, holding an MS carries more weight with employers than holding a PgMP. Currently, there are less than a 1,000 PgMPs worldwide, and this certification has not yet gained the widespread popularity that the PMP does. Hope that helps. Best of luck to you!
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