How to pass the PMP® certification exam
- 27 de maio de 2017
The decision to pursue a certification is a professional milestone and should be treated with due importance, especially when it comes to such a coveted certification as the PMP®.
The Project Management Institute (Project Management Institute, PMI), is one of the largest associations for project management professionals. It offers eight certifications that attest knowledge and competence, among which, the Project Management Professional PMP®, which has more than 370,000 certified professionals worldwide.
Preparation for PMP® certification requires planning, discipline and focus to obtain expected results and achieve the goal. Therefore, it must be clear that there is no magic formula, it requires a lot of study and dedication.
The PMP® certification is the most recognized and respected professional certification worldwide in the Project Management area. It attests to employers, clients and colleagues that a project manager has knowledge, experience and skills in project management so that projects are carried out successfully.
It’s necessary to treat PMP® certification as a project, and thus plan all steps, from the eligibility request stage, study plan and even logistics for taking the exam.
Investment Analysis
Prior planning of the investment needed to obtain a certification is essential. You need to analyze the costs you’ll have with certification voucher, travel, accommodation, food and even your time dedicated to studies.
If you’re already a PMI member, the voucher costs $405.00 dollars, otherwise, you’ll pay $555.00. Therefore, if you’re in doubt about becoming a member, go ahead, because the benefits compensate.
Regarding logistics, to take the exam it’s necessary to travel to a Prometric Test Center.
Currently in Brazil we have only 6 cities that are able to provide the computer exam: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Recife, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo.
If you prefer to take the paper exam, you can take it in: Fortaleza, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Sergipe and Vitória.
After this feasibility analysis, you’ll be able to determine when you’ll have the necessary resources to take the exam.
Eligibility
PMP® certification has a series of requirements to allow a candidate to become eligible to take the exam. These requirements often end up inhibiting candidates, but they’re not a seven-headed beast, on the contrary, they’re necessary requirements to maintain an initial leveling of candidates.
| Four-year degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) | High school diploma (high school or equivalent) |
|---|---|
| Minimum of three years of project management experience | Minimum of five years of project management experience |
| Minimum of 4,500 hours of project leadership and direction | Minimum of 7,500 hours of project leadership and direction |
| 35 hours of project management training | 35 hours of project management training |
If you meet the requirements, I suggest four steps to obtain eligibility:
- Read the certification manual
- Join PMI and the chapter in your region
- Submit the eligibility request
- Read the preparatory
Pay attention to the fact that 10% of eligibility submissions end up in audit, so it’s recommended to prepare all necessary documentation, in case you have to send it to PMI.
My Study Plan
I got my PMP® certification in 2015, as it had been a few years since I had completed MBA in Project Management, I decided that my certification project would last 3 months, this would be enough time to resume studies and be ready to take the exam.
Right after having done the economic feasibility and having become eligible to take the exam, I chose to schedule the date. This way I could no longer give up, or postpone taking the exam waiting to feel ready, because I would be committed. Therefore, I recommend this tactic to everyone who intends to take the exam, schedule before you even start studying.
I gathered my study arsenal which I summarize as:
- PMBOK
- Rita Mulcahy’s book
- Rita Mulcahy’s Hot Topics
- Andriele Ribeiro Preparatory
- PM FASTrack Simulator
- PMTotal Simulator
I set up a study schedule from Monday to Saturday, for a period of 2h per day Monday to Friday and 4h on Saturday. Each week I studied a knowledge area and took the simulator of the area studied on Saturday.
I maintained focus only on the material I had selected, without looking for extra material on the internet, as this could hurt more than help. I used the Cornell Notes methodology to study and this helped me a lot! If you don’t know this methodology I strongly recommend you get to know it, it’s a very simple and practical way, which will help you in any type of study.
It was necessary to maintain study discipline during the period I planned, that is, the time determined for study was sacred, I needed to stay 100% focused, without interruptions, therefore, family support is fundamental for this achievement.
I felt confident to take the exam when I managed to achieve 90% on the FASTrack simulator, this was the milestone to be calm and see that I was really prepared.
The Exam
The exam has a maximum duration of 4 hours and has 200 multiple choice questions, before the test you have a 15-minute period to read the instructions, take advantage of this time to write formulas and make some notes on the scratch paper, thus avoiding any “blank” that might occur in the middle of the exam.
Most questions are very similar to the simulators, both FASTrack and PMTotal. Often it will seem like there’s more than one correct alternative and you’ll need to choose the most correct one, this makes you lose valuable time, so try to avoid any kind of interruption.
After answering all questions and completing the submission, it will take about 30 seconds for the result to appear on the screen, the feeling of relief and ecstasy with approval is something indescribable, a mix of pride and gratitude.
I hope this article has added value and inspired you to move forward to achieve your certification, I’m sure that with good planning, discipline, focus and dedication you’ll be able to enjoy this incredible feeling that approval provides.
Good luck on your PMP certification journey.