Study Strategies
There are many methods for you to prepare for the grueling 4 hour PMP Exam.
We’ve outlined a few of the most successful here:
1. PMP Exam Prep Classes or Boot Camps: These cram session courses are
specifically designed to fill your mind with the knowledge required to pass the
test. Typically a more expensive route, but very effective at helping you beat
the PMP Exam. We offer Exam Prep Classes through Striumph, as their classes are
priced mid-range and provide project managers with more understanding of real
life application than that of industry competitors. These classes qualify for
contact hours or PDU’s, which can be used on your application with PMI.
2. Self-Paced Study efforts: There are numerous books and materials out there to
assist you in preparing for the PMP Exam. Most provide more in depth
understanding of the PMBOK. Self-paced study happens on your schedule. Progress
at your individual pace. Studies have shown that individualized programs enable
the majority of people to complete the material more quickly. In addition, it
also allows slower learners to set a pace commensurate with their learning
speed. In a traditional training program, all participants are usually required
to go through the material at the same time and pace. Self-paced Learning gives
students a chance to speed up or slow down as necessary. Be sure which product
you buy is PMBOK aligned. www.readysetpass.com is a great place to start. The
PMP Success Study Guide "Secrets of the PMP Exam" is PMBOK aligned, easy to
comprehend and very exam focused. Great exam tips included.
3. Practice Exam (Simulation): Practicing against simulated PMP® Exam Questions
is one of the absolute best ways to prepare for the actual exam. Completing
multiple practice exams gives the learner an opportunity to better understand
the exam layout, types of questions and pace of the exam. 200 questions over 4
hours equals roughly 1.2 minutes per question. You have to learn to gauge your
exam pace. Many people use a predictor. To do this, make columns on a sheet, one
for 90%, one for 50% and one for 25%. If you know the answer to a question with
little or no doubt, put a mark under 90% column, if you think you know the
answer to a question, but there may be an alternate correct answer, put a mark
under the 50% column, if you have to guess at the answer, place a mark in the
25% column. At the end of the exam total up the 90% marks say you have 114 * .90
= 104. Similarly for 50% say 60 marks under the 50% column, 60* .50 = 30.
Finally total number of marks under 25%, in this example 26 * .25 = 6.5. 104 +
30 + 6.5 = 140 (pass)
As you practice against the sample questions adjust these. If your predictor is consistently high say 180% and you are scoring lower change the ratios. For me I find 80%, 50% formula works was the best predictor. You can do these calculations in your head.