PMP Exam Tips

Below are tips that I used to pass my PMP exam. The exam changes periodically but using these tips should help you complete the exam successfully. I know that they helped me. This document was last updated on 9/28/2012.

Sit in the front of the class in the boot camp if you attend one. There are many tips and you will need all of them. Being up front allows you to learn more. Also, ask around to find the best one. My personal favorite is William George in Burlington Ma. http://www.willamgeorge.net . They may have courses in other cities. If not, again ask around. Go to best place and give yourself the edge.

If someone who has taken the test and failed is in your class, get as much information about the test as you can. Of course, dont do anything unethical but try to get some feel for the test.

Study the formulas in the car before you go in to take the test and the second you go into the booth do a brain dump of the formulas on your scrap paper during the tutorial. You need every right answer you can get and having the formulas will help you get the one right answer quicker. Dont be afraid of this. Concentrate on it.

On each question, read your choices up from D to A and this way you are sure to read all the choices and not read a few and miss the others.

Know the ethics inside and out. You should get these questions right as the answer are in the ethics section. Dont skim this. These are yours for the taking if you study the area hard.

Create a study guide. Dont use someone elses, create your own because writing it helps you learn it better for some reason.

Dont study hard the night before or the morning of the test. Give your brain a break. You should know the stuff by then.

Do a dry run commute to the test center so you know the traffic patterns and learn of any delays on the route. That said, get a Sunday test date and there will be less traffic overall. You dont need stress you can avoid.

You should know when you do your best work so that is the time frame you should schedule your test.

Rita Mulcahys book, flash cards and desktop test software are VERY useful. Spend the money and get the items. In my eyes, those items helped me immensely.

If you dont pass the first time, go back to your class provider and ask for some tutoring. I am sure that they will work with you.

After you pass, get involved in your local PMI chapter as those contacts will be useful for the rest of your career and volunteer whenever possible to get yourself visible to the group.

Study in a study group and that way you can improve what you are weak on more easily than if you are alone.

Take the test within three weeks of your class or your knowledge may fade.

When in doubt, answer the way PMI would want you to answer. The test is on the PMBOK and not your work experience.

Four hours should be enough time. Do not watch the clock. That is useless and will only stress you out. Focus on the question and answer that one and go on or dont answer it and mark it to come back to it. Control the test time in your head and dont let it overwhelm you.

When you fill out your application, make sure your descriptions are very clear. An audit can delay your ability to take the test so make sure you provide extensive details.

Know your tools and techniques very well.

Have confidence in your ability.

Liberally mark questions to go back to. No need to rush.

On test day, leave your house very early as you want to spend pre-test time in the parking lot and not running red lights trying to get there.

Good Luck and let me know if these ideas help you.

Anthony Hines

508-320-2804

http://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyhines

Anthony Hines, CBCP, MBCI, PMP, ITILv3, CIP, CLSSGB http://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyhinesPage 1