The PMI PMP certification is intended for project managers who have led and directed projects for a substantial period of time. The certification exam is highly recommended for individuals who are looking into growing their career in project management. The PMP credential will prepare project managers to lead projects in almost all methodologies while increasing their earning potentials. It is a known fact that employers greatly value this certificate because of its ability to significantly improve the experience and skills of a project manager.
The Examsnap PMP certification examination is not such that can be crammed and offloaded during the exam. You need to invest time to adequately plan and prepare for it. You cannot just breeze through the study materials and assume you can scale through easily simply because you have years of experience in project management. There are numerous resource materials you need to study and understand to be able to successfully pass this certification exam. In order to help you with your preparation for the PMP test, we have put together some tips that will assist you in writing the exam and passing it excellently.
Understand your learning pattern
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People are different, and we learn differently. Before you start your preparation, try to understand how you learn. There are individuals who prefer studying with others, and there are many others who learn well in a classroom setting. Take some time out to reminisce about your study experiences and decide on what works for you. If you prefer classroom learning environment, enroll with PMP preparation courses in your location, and if solo learning is your preferred training method, you need to put together a study plan and stick to it.
Register as a member of PMI and schedule your certification exam
It is highly recommended that you apply to become a member of PMI before you write your certification exam. However, before you take this step, ensure you check the requirements for earning the PMI PMP credential, and be sure you meet every one of them. For you to be eligible for the certification, you need to meet either of the following requirements:
- You must have a 4-year degree with at least three years’ experience in project management. You should also have a minimum of 4,500 hours’ experience leading, managing, and directing projects, as well as 35 hours of project management training in an education institution.
- An alternative is to have a secondary degree with five years’ experience in project management. You must also have 7,500 hours’ experience leading, management, and directing projects. In addition to this, you should have 35 hours of project management training.
If you meet these requirements, you can go ahead to apply for your certification exam. You should actually register to join PMI before you register for your test. This will save you cost and give you access to the PMBoK Guide. You need to have the PMBOK Guide for your study, and getting it for free is a spec that comes with being a member of the prestigious PMI.
Develop a study plan and stick to it
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If your plan is to study for the PMP examination on your own, you need to put your study plan together. It is crucial that your plan is as realistic, as it can be. Put your work schedule and family responsibilities into consideration before you put the plan together. You understand yourself, and you know your attention span when it comes to studying. Planning to study for four hours a day when you can only stay focus for one, and half an hour is not realistic, and you might find yourself stuck even before you start. You can plan to have between one to two hours’ study time daily instead of lumping your study time to the weekends with five to seven hours’ study plan. Having a regular short study time is better than an irregular long study time. In all your preparation, you must have the exam date in focus. This is why it is recommended that you schedule your test as you study, and not wait to finish your preparation before you schedule it. With the exam date in view, you are able to develop a productive study plan. If you plan to enroll for a study class on the other hand, you might reduce your study period significantly because you get to cover the courses faster.
Understand the PMP certification exam
How to Prepare for the PMP Exam Part 1: Assess Your Eligibility
This is a very important part of your preparation. You need to know the exam pattern so that you can adequately prepare for it. The PMP certification exam contains 200 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete within a period of four hours. 175 of these questions count towards your exam score while the other 25 questions are pre-test and do not count toward your final examination score. You will not be privy to what counts, and what doesn’t because the 25 questions are randomly distributed throughout the exam questions. The test questions cover the contents of the PMBoK Guide which means you have to really study the resource material.
Use other resource materials
PMBoK Guide
In addition to the PMBoK Guide, you also need to get other books that will be helpful in your preparation. There are many of these resource materials online, and one of the ways you can get them is by taking an in-person or online class. When you sign up for the class, you get access to expert instructors and study aides that will go a long way to help your preparation. Individuals with self-study plan can also benefit from online resources by going through online course.
Take practice tests
Free PMP® Practice Exam Questions – 120 Sample Test Questions
This is very critical to your success in the PMP certification exam. Irrespective of whether you are taking an in-person or online class, or whether you want to study on your own, you need to take practice exams. One of the great ways to access them is through study materials that can be found here. You can always find mock exams towards the end of each chapter of the study material.