Project Management Professional exam

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Randell1234, Sep 9, 2005.

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  1. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Has anyone taken this exam? How hard it is and what study material is available? I just passed the CompTIA Project+ Exam and was thinking about going for the PMP.
     
  2. scubasteveiu

    scubasteveiu New Member

    Hello Randell,

    I take my exam in 4 days, so I will report back after completion.

    With proper preparation, I do not think the exam would / will be that bad. I have been studying for six months.

    Another new twist are the requirements changes. They have also "supposedly" made the new version of the test more difficult.

    Study material? Visit the PMI site, then review the reviews on Amazon.com for PMP related material. Be sure you get the new version of the PMBOK and new versions of the study material.

    Another thing you might want to do is join PMI, for students it is only $30 (they send you a copy of the PMBOK on CD).

    I have had some people tell me it is more difficult than the CISSP exam ...
     
  3. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    Randell,

    the exam has changed so my information may be of limited help. My agency now has about 30 PMPs on staff including 5 in my office. All of us used the PMBOK to pass the exam. We all all used a brain dump. We memorized all the formulas and dumped those and other info on the scratch sheet before we started reading and responding to questions. Know your Knowledge Areas, Inputs, Tools and Techniques, Outputs, etc...

    use page 11, page 28 (org structure), page 38 (project management processes), of the new PMBOK to develop a list of bullets(see above) and everytime you see a formula write it down.

    Remember your role as a Project Manager when responding to questions.

    I don't think the PMP exam is any harder than the CISSP but it certainly broader.

    The new version is not more difficult but it is scaled differently.

    The PMBOK is THE study material.

    If you do a search the PMP exam was discussed previously.

    Congrats on passing your CompTIA exam.

    Regards,

    Kevin
     
  4. Dr Rene

    Dr Rene Member

    Im passed the PMP back in 2000. I studied for about 4 months, while attending a Dept of Defense Program Management school. I concentrated on the PMBOK, and used the Meredith and Mantel Project Management textbook. I also used the PM IQ software program.

    My suggestions:

    Study the PMBOK--especially the glossary! PMI uses their own terms and definitions--you need to know them! Know the PM knolwedge areas and Process Groups--and know what are the inputs, tools and techniques and outputs for each of the areas.

    Remember that the PMBOK is just an outline of the material you have to know--thats why you need a good PM textbook to dig into the stuff.

    Also, remember that the PMP tests you book knowledge, not your experience. Don't answer the questions based on your pm experience, but based on your book knowledge.

    Dr Rene, PMP, C.P.M., CPCM
     
  5. Kirkland

    Kirkland Member

    My exam was littered with quantitatives. Go in understanding earned value. Risk and change management were also significant elements.

    Just studying the PMBOK won't do it. Pick up supportive, and PMI approved, adjunct texts on the key knowledge areas. Remember that this is very much about PMI. Your project management experience alone may lead you to incorrect answers.
     
  6. rtongue

    rtongue New Member

    I passed the PMP exam 2 months ago before the recent changes went into effect. My overall score was 84%. I studied 1 to 3 hours every day for 3 months. My study material was as follows:

    A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

    Project Management Professional Study Guide by Kim Heldman

    The Portable PMP® Prep: Conversations on Passing the PMP® Exam (Audio CD)
    by Carl L. Pritchard, J. LeRoy Ward – Helpful in cementing in your mind the basic concepts but you will need to study further.

    PMP Exam Prep (4th Edition) (Paperback)
    by Rita Mulcahy

    PM FASTrack: PMP exam simulation software, Version 4.3 by Rita Mulcahy – Pricey but extremely helpful as the types of questions were very similar to the actual exam

    You also may want to go to Amazon.com search on PMP and read the reviews. Also some of the search guides on Amazon are helpful in pointing you in the right direction.

    I also found the Yahoo discussion group PMHub very helpful

    Randy
     

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