Don't Fail the PMP Exam, Solve These Preventable Issues
Posted: Wednesday, June 02, 2010
by Elroy King
PM ExamReady
You want to pass that PMP certification exam the first time. Most reasons for failing the PMP exam are preventable and resolvable. Look at these common problems and how you can prevent them from getting in the way of passing that exam.
Be serious about preparing.
The PMP certification test is difficult and grueling. You are not going to pass it just by registering. Create a study plan. Set time aside every day if possible, at least several times per week. The test is based on the knowledge in the PMBOK guide, but is very heavily weighted in application of the learned concepts. Know that you are going to need either a good PMP Exam Prep manual, or a good PMP boot camp, or online PMP training. Get the material you need to be successful and put the time necessary into getting trained.
Most people that fail the exam, do so because they have no experience managing a project with the terms, vocabulary, and methodologies outlined by the PMI. Apply the PMBOK guide to your current project work and see how quickly the concepts become second nature. You already know much of the material because of your current experience, what needs to happen now is to learn the new vocabulary and methodology and apply it to your current work.
Read the exam questions completely before answering them.
The PMP exam is notorious for long detailed questions. Be sure you understand what the question is before selecting an answer. Most answers are designed to have some element of truth or relation to the question. Only if you understand the question will you be able to select the BEST answer.
Prepare for the Exam environment.
The exam is a four hour block of time that you can use to answer 200 questions at a computer. Bring some snacks, bring a sweater, bring a simple calculator (some testing centers provide these, advanced calculators will not be allowed), prepare to go out of the testing center for occasional breaks. Be prepared to jot down on a blank piece of paper important formulas, processes, knowledge areas, and other hard to remember facts, you will get a few pages of blank paper to take into the test. You will probably hit questions that seem like they come out of the blue, be prepared to mark them for review and continue on. Come back to those questions later, they may make more sense after answering related questions later in the test.
Study the right material
A PMP exam software simulation product can help you determine which areas you need to study. A good PMP Exam Prep text can organize the material into pertinent study sections. Use those materials to pinpoint where you are weak and to double up your study time and attention in those areas.
Relax
When you begin your test, expect to have some questions, maybe even a string of questions in a row that will appear to be hard or not what you expected. Just mark those questions and continue, you will find yourself falling into a regular pattern and answering the questions will become easier. Many people get frustrated or anxious after running into a question, or a string of questions that they can't answer. Take a deep breath, relax, and continue forward. It is likely that you will have an moment of inspiration later in the test that will allow you to go back and answer the questions, but you won't be able to do that if you let anxiety rule you.
The PMP exam is difficult, but many people have passed it, and you can too, with good preparation and a good attitude.
Elroy King
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Welcome to SearchWarp! Interesting exam preparation. It can apply to nearly all exams i think!
Welcome, very interesting article.
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