PMP Exam Techniques

Updated to account for exam changes in Aug 2011

Prepared by Ian Glenister PMP, APMP, APMPQ, MSP, PRINCE2 www.pcmi.co.uk
PMP is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute (PMI)

Resources
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge PMBOK Guide Fourth Edition Michele's PMP Student CD (Quality Computing Projects, Inc.) PMP Exam Self Study Group: http://pmp.groupsite.com PMP training and support http://www.pcmi.co.uk Work by Vitaliy Fursov, PMP

Produced by
Ian Glenister, PMP, APMP, APMPQ, MSP, PRINCE2
Ian is a seasoned international project manager who has designed worldwide educational project management training Ian believes successful project management will make a real difference to any organization and wants to help you to succeed in achieving your project management objectives

ian.glenister@pcmi.co.uk

The PMP Exam

The PMP is a 200 question multiple choice test normally held at a testing centre
The test is carried out on a computer and each question comprises four options, only one of which is correct PMI no longer publish a pass mark however it is generally felt that you need to be scoring 75% or more in your practise tests before you are ready for the exam

Image :Grant Cochrane

Exam Checklist
1. Study for the exam, consider some PMP coaching or training from PCMi www.pcmi.co.uk 2. Apply for the exam at www.PMI.org 3. Put the exam date in your calendar 4. Make sure you know the exam location 5. Give yourself a chance to relax the day before your exam 6. Prepare an exam essentials kit (snacks, map, money for parking) 7. Make sure you take a government issued photo ID with you 8. Arrive in plenty of time, at least 15 20 minutes before the start time 9. Read through the instructions provided at the exam site, take a deep breath and put all your hard work to use
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Grounds for Test Site Dismissal

Make sure you avoid any of the following: http://ow.ly/8PNMl 1. Using or attempting to use someone else to take the test 2. Failing to provide acceptable personal identification 3. Having access to, or using, notes or any prohibited aid related to the test 4. Creating a disturbance 5. Communicating with any person other than the test administrator 6. Attempting to remove scrap paper from the testing room 7. Exceeding time permitted for a scheduled break 8. Eating or drinking in the testing room 9. Leaving the testing room without permission 10.Removing, or attempting to remove, any examination related material from the testing room 11.Attempting to tamper with a computer 12.Engaging in an dishonest or unethical behaviour, such as cheating 13.Failing to follow any other examination administration regulations

Start of the test

At the start of the test, you have 15 minutes to work through a familiarisation session
This does not normally take much time so you can use some of the 15 minutes to: Jot down key points, diagrams and formula you have memorised Breathe deeply to relax a little When you are ready, start the test

Image :Stuart Miles

During the Exam

Read the question, answer it and then move onto the next one If you dont know, or are not sure of the answer, mark it for review and come back later a later question might enable you to answer it on the next pass Once you have passed through all 200 questions, revisit those you have marked for review If you find yourself getting tired, take a break but remember the clock will keep on running Stay hydrated, you loose over 10% performance if you are dehydrated

Breakdown of Questions
The question in the exam are split into the following process groups:
Process Group % of questions Approximate no. questions

Initiation Planning Executing Monitoring and Controlling Closing

13 24 30 25 8

26 48 60 50 16

General Tips
Memorise formulae, especially EVM and PERT Get plenty of question practice so you can eliminate the wrong answers Answer all questions, guess at the end if you have to! You have an average of 72 seconds per question, if you dont know the answer then mark it for review and come back later The PMBOK rules, if you dont agree or do it that way, it is not relevant for the exam You can apply to have a translated version of the exam if your first language is not English

Specific PMI Oriented Tips

The project manager takes an active approach to the job by not waiting until a risk materializes and becomes a problem The project manager does not escalate problems to upper management or to the customer before fully analyzing them and identifying options When answering a question related to what the project manager should do in a specific situation, you should rephrase the question to: What is the first thing the project manager will do given such a situation and given his or her proactive nature? Always assume that lessons learned and historical databases are available PMI does not approve adding extra functionality without benefits (gold plating) Project managers have all kinds of soft and hard skills The Work Breakdown Structures (WBSs) are wonderful tools Roles and responsibilities need to be properly defined

Question Oriented Tips

Some questions contains irrelevant information that does not relate to the correct answer, you don't need to use all the information provided to answer the question Each question has only one correct answer, select the most appropriate answer Some choices may represent true statements but are not relevant, make sure you read all the options before you select any one Some people find it better to read from the last option up to the first to make sure they do not miss any out before choosing the answer You need to answer the questions from a PMI perspective not from your own experience, for the exam imagine to be in an ideal environment for project manager Some choices may represent generalizations, which may be characterized by words such as always, never, must, or completely; these are often the incorrect choices Some choices may represent special cases, these choices tend to be correct and are characterized by words such as often, sometimes, may, generally, and perhaps Remember that the correct answer may not be grammatically correct

Exam Strategy
Take a break (or two) Review marked questions Answer all questions, don't leave any questions unanswered Submit, wait for a warning that submission is irrevocable click OK
If you have prepared well, you are ready so dont worry!

Dont forget You Are Ready!

You have spent hours getting ready so dont panic The results in your practice tests were a useful indicator of your readiness Ask yourself, what is this question really asking, consider what you think the answer is and then look at the answers you may well find it as one of the options! Let us all know here when you pass and then join our successful PMP project manager group at http://ow.ly/8PZ0N

Image :Master isolated images