Things I Wish I Knew

How to Prepare for Taking the PMP Certification Preparation Crash Course

Thank you for registering for:

Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Preparation Crash Course: Prepare for Certification in Five Days!

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Table of Contents

1. OBJECTIVE .................................................................................................................. 4

2. BOOKS AND MATERIALS RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED FOR CLASS ................................... 4

3. HOW TO PREPARE FOR A CLASS DAY ............................................................................ 4

3.1. Class Day 1 Pre-work ............................................................................................................................................ 4

3.2. Work on Class Day ............................................................................................................................................... 4

3.3. Class Day Post-work ............................................................................................................................................. 5

4. PMP TEST STUDY TIPS .................................................................................................. 5

4.1. General Test Preparation Tips ............................................................................................................................. 5

4.2. Specific Knowledge Area / Process Group Tips ................................................................................................... 5

5. PMP TEST TIMING TIPS ................................................................................................ 5

5.1. Ideal Time for Taking Test ................................................................................................................................... 5

6. HOW TO TAKE PMP TEST ............................................................................................. 6

6.1. Test Simulation ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

6.2. General Test Taking Tips ...................................................................................................................................... 6

6.3. Test Hours / Results ............................................................................................................................................. 6

7. APPENDIX A: CATALOG OF RESOURCES OTHERS HAVE FOUND USEFUL ........................... 7

7.1. Books .................................................................................................................................................................... 7

7.2. Web Sites .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

7.3. Resources within Your Company ......................................................................................................................... 7

7.4. PMI Members ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

7.5. Eligibility Criteria .................................................................................................................................................. 8 7.5.1. Educational Background ............................................................................................................................... 8 7.5.2. Project Management Experience ................................................................................................................. 8 7.5.3. Project Management Education ................................................................................................................... 8

7.6. Application Process .............................................................................................................................................. 8 7.6.1. Reference Information.................................................................................................................................. 8

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7.6.2. How to Calculate the Hours Spent in Each Process Groups for Every Project .............................................. 9 7.6.3. Documents Needed for Audit ....................................................................................................................... 9 7.6.4. Examination Fees ........................................................................................................................................ 10

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1. Objective

The purpose of this document is to provide techniques and tips in order to prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP™) Certification Exam. The intent is to facilitate the process of achieving this Certification.

The underlying premise of the PMP™ preparation course and this handbook is that the course will provide a sound basis for passing the PMP Certification Exam which should not be confused with teaching fundamental project management skills. It is assumed that the practitioner/student already has significant project management experience.

2. Books and Materials Recommended/Required for Class

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Fourth Edition (PMBOK® Guide) (ISBN 978-1-933890-51-7).

Crosswinds: PMP Exam Success Series Boot Camp Manual. This book will be provided as part of the registration for the course, as well as a practice exam CD with over 3500 test questions.

3. How to Prepare for a Class Day

3.1. Class Day 1 Pre-work

Please read the entire PMBOK® Guide - Fourth Edition before class starts. You will not have time to read this during the class! Our experience and guidance from other candidates indicates that this will contribute greatly to your success on the exam. Reading through it a second time will be a plus!

If you are prepared, you will get much more out of the class and you will be much more willing to participate.

Active participation in class makes the material more interesting and greatly improves material retention.

3.2. Work on Class Day

Be on time.

Take notes as needed, ask questions, and participate. Participation helps to improve your understanding of the materials and facilitates information retention.

Keep your comments relevant to the subject matter presented. Be considerate of time as you interact with the class.

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3.3. Class Day Post-work

It is highly recommended that you review all the sections’ sample test questions and answers after that day’s class. This post class review helps you memorize the “PMBOK-specified answer” and also provides you one more opportunity to develop relevant questions you might need to email to that day’s class instructor.

If you do have questions, do not hesitate to email your instructor.

In addition, develop a personal study sheet for use later when studying for the actual PMP test. Your study sheet should be your reference document of key points from the day’s class, interpretations you want to ensure that you remember, and other follow items.

4. PMP Test Study Tips

4.1. General Test Preparation Tips

You will need to know everything the instructor identifies as required knowledge. If the instructor specifically identifies concepts, formulas, facts or other information that they believe will be included on the PMP Exam, be sure you are familiar with them.

Take practice tests. Take them several times. This cannot be stressed enough. Taking practice tests is one of the best ways to understand what the actual test is like, and to determine where you need to improve your knowledge base.

4.2. Specific Knowledge Area / Process Group Tips

Memorize the Knowledge Area charts and all cost formulas.

5. PMP Test Timing Tips

5.1. Ideal Time for Taking Test

Ultimately, when you take the test is up to you. You must sit for the exam within 21 days of the Prep course; however, sooner is better as the more time that passes, you will begin to lose the material that is still fresh in your mind. It is also recommended that you take the test in the morning, using the day prior to the test day as a study/review day.

If you need to take the test at a location some distance from your home, you might want to go the night before and stay at a hotel/motel so that you can get a good night’s sleep. Check out the location of the test site that night so that you can arrive at the site in the morning on time without fear of getting lost.

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6. How to Take PMP Test

6.1. Test Simulation

When you sit for the exam, there will be a short simulation at the beginning that walks you through how the exam works and how to navigate through the exam. Be sure to take this simulation to familiarize yourself with the level of content, how to read the questions and eliminate the obviously wrong answers, and the approximate time to answer this block of questions. Your test duration time does not start until you actually start the exam.

6.2. General Test Taking Tips

As soon as you actually sit down to take the test, write out all your study notes on the blank sheet of paper supplied by the test proctor, such as formulas, Project Management Knowledge Areas and Project Management Processes. Anything you memorized when you studied for the test can be transferred to this blank sheet of paper. It will help you later when you start to tire during the test. For example, be sure to write down the formulas for Present Value, Net Present Value, Benefit/Cost Analysis, PERT Weighted Average, etc. Write down your terminology, such as PV = Planned Value; EV = Earned Value; AC = Actual Cost, etc.

If there was anything that stood out to you when studying, write that down on your sheet when you sit for the test. You will find it very helpful to be able to refer back to this sheet while taking the test.

6.3. Test Hours / Results

You have four hours to take the 200-question exam.

While you are taking the test, you can mark a question for later review. If you really aren’t certain of an answer, it often is a good idea to mark it and come back to it. In some instances, a question later in the test provides you the answer to an earlier question. If you really aren’t sure of an answer, eliminate the obviously wrong answers, and go with your first instinct on the remaining choices.

Once you are certain that you are done and have reviewed any and all questions you marked for review, select the finish button to submit your exam.

In about one to two minutes you will receive your results on the screen. If you have passed, one of the test personnel will hand you a notarized letter showing that you are now a certified PMP.

You will also receive a printout of your test scores.

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7. Appendix A: Catalog of Resources Others Have Found Useful

7.1. Books

The PMP Credential Handbook (http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf)

Project Management Professional (PMP®) Examination Specification (http://www.pmi.org/Marketplace/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?GMProduct=00100075001)

PMI Sample Questions Document (http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_samplequestionsandanswers.pdf)

PMP Exam Prep (4th Edition), Rita Mulcahy

Rita's Pocket PMP Exam, Rita Mulcahy

Hot Topics Flashcards for Passing the PMP and CAPM Exam: Hot Topics Flashcards 5th Edtion, Rita Mulcahy

Project Management: Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling & Controlling, 8th Edition By: Harold Kerzner (ISBN 0471225789)

PMBOK Q&A by PMI (ISBN 1880410214)

Project Management Memory Jogger By: Karen Tate, Paula Martin (ISBN 1576810011) Self-study reference, not used in class.

7.2. Web Sites

Project Management Institute: http://www.pmi.org

PMI Credential Reexamination Form: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmpreexamform.pdf

PMI PMP sample questions: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_samplequestionsandanswers.pdf

PMP Credential Handbook: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmphandbook.pdf

Project Management Institute Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/ap_pmicodeofethics.pdf

PMI Online PMP Certification Application: https://www.pmi.org/certapp/default.aspx.

7.3. Resources within Your Company

Check out available resources within your company. For instance, some companies reimburse for PMI membership fees and examination fees. Other employees interested in or performing as project managers may be able to offer suggestions regarding resources to help you in your certification process, or may be able of provide assistance in preparing for your examination.

7.4. PMI Members

Talk to others who have recently taken the PMP Certification Exam. They will be able to offer insights and suggestions that may prove helpful to you as you prepare for and take the certification examination.

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Appendix B: Prior to Applying for the PMP Exam.

This section lists items that potential candidates need to know prior to applying for the PMP exam.

7.5. Eligibility Criteria

Exam eligibility criteria are as follows:

7.5.1. Educational Background

High school diploma or Associate Degree/global equivalent secondary school diploma

OR

Baccalaureate/Global equivalent university degree.

7.5.2. Project Management Experience

High School diploma or Associate Degree holders:

o 7500 hours of PM experience; 60 unique (non-overlapping) months of PM experience within the 8 year period prior to the application.

OR

Baccalaureate/Global equivalent university degree holders:

o 4500 hours of PM experience; 36 unique (non-overlapping) months of PM experience within the 8 year period prior to the application.

7.5.3. Project Management Education

High School diploma

OR

Associate Degree

OR

Baccalaureate/Global equivalent university degree

AND

35 Contact hours of PM Education – The PMP Preparation course offered by the North Carolina Piedmont Triad PMI chapter will grant 35 contact hours.

7.6. Application Process

The PMP Credential Examination is a four-hour examination composed of 200 multiple-choice questions that measures your ability to apply knowledge, skills and techniques used in project management. The examination is developed by groups of individuals from around the globe who hold the PMP credential and is routinely reviewed and revised to ensure the best and consistently objective assessment.

To begin the online certification application, go to: https://www.pmi.org/authentication/default.aspx?r=www.pmi.org/certapp/default.aspx&s=true.

7.6.1. Reference Information

Please refer to the PMP Credential Handbook (http://www.pmi.org/PDF/PDC_PMPHandbook.pdf) for instructions on completing the application process.

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7.6.2. How to Calculate the Hours Spent in Each Process Groups for Every Project

Use the experience verification section of the online application to document and report your relevant experience in leading and directing project tasks. Document projects individually. Do not group project management experience.

Each month in which you worked on multiple, overlapping projects counts as one month toward the total requirement.

Consider all the projects on which you have worked and identify how many hours you led or directed project tasks. For this section of the application, if you worked on multiple projects at one time, all the hours spent leading and directing project tasks count toward the total.

Verify at least 35 contact hours of specific instruction that addressed learning objectives in project management. Document all education hours regardless of when they were accrued. The course work must be completed at the time of application.

You can satisfy the educational requirements by demonstrating the successful completion of courses, workshops and training sessions offered by one or more of the following types of education providers:

o PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s)*

o PMI Component organizations*

o Employer/company-sponsored programs

o Training companies or consultants

o Distance-learning companies, including an end-of-course assessment

o University/college academic and continuing education programs.

PMI chapter meetings and self-study (e.g., reading books) generally do not satisfy the education requirements.

Please note! Our course satisfies the 35-hour requirement for specific education in project management.

7.6.3. Documents Needed for Audit

The submission of an application indicates your agreement to comply with the terms of the audit process. All applications are subject to an audit, although only a percentage of applications are selected for audit. The selection of an application for audit is random.

If your application is selected for an audit, you will be notified after payment of the credential fee is received. The electronic audit notification provides detailed information on how to comply with the terms of the audit.

During an audit, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation such as:

Copies of your diploma/global equivalent

Signatures from your supervisor(s) or manager(s) from the project(s) and/or program(s) documented in the experience verification section of the application

Copies of certificates and/or letters from the training institute(s) for each course documented on the application to meet the required contact hours of project management education.

If you are able to provide the necessary documentation to meet the terms and requirements of the audit process, the audit should take about five business days to complete. You may not continue with the credential process until you have complied with the audit requirements.

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Once you successfully complete the audit, you are permitted to take the examination and your one-year examination eligibility period starts. If you fail to meet the audit requirements, you will receive a refund.

7.6.4. Examination Fees

Fees applicable to the PMP Certification examination are:

Project Management Professional (PMP®) Examination Fees Member Nonmember Computer-based Testing $405.00 (US) $555.00 (US) Re-examination Computer-based $275.00 (US) $375.00 (US)

If you do not pass the examination on the first attempt and would like to take it again, you must submit a re-examination form within your one-year eligibility period and remit payment of the re-examination fee. Candidates are permitted two re-examinations per one-year eligibility period. Candidates that do not pass the examination on the third attempt must wait one year from the date of their last examination and then start a new credential application. The form can be returned via fax or mail to the PMI Global Operations Center or the appropriate Regional Service Center. The PMI Credential Reexamination Form may be obtained from this web site: http://www.pmi.org/PDF/pdc_pmpreexamform.pdf.