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(1)

Who Wants to Pass the

PMP Exam?

(No, you can’t phone a friend)

Richard Nerzig, PMP

(2)

Exam Taking Tips and Logistics

• Who should take the exam

• How to apply to take the exam

• What do I have to do to prepare

• Where do I take the exam

(3)

Overview

Who?

Perhaps you

How?

The Application Process

What?

Preparing for the Exam

Taking the Exam

Where?

Sylvan Learning Center

When?

Timing is everything

(4)

Who: Perhaps You

• Do you want to

– join a rapidly growing group of like minded

professionals (currently 18,000+ worldwide)?

– increase your knowledge?

– enhance corporate qualifications?

– enhance personal career opportunities?

– spend the next two months locked in a room?

(5)

How: The Application Process

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum requirements (Category 1)

– undergraduate degree or equivalent plus 4500

hours project management experience

– experience must be within the past 3 - 6 years

• Alternate Minimum Req’ts (Category 2)

– high school diploma or equivalent plus 7500

hours project management experience

(6)

How: The Application Process

Application & Resume

• Application and Experience Verification forms are

in the Certification & Standards booklet

• Resume must be included and coordinated with

the Experience Verification forms

• I provided great detail under the theory that this

minimizes being audited

• 15% of applications are rejected; most often due to

insufficient PM experience

(7)
(8)

How: The Application Process

Submittal Timing & Cost

• It takes PMI approximately 2 weeks to review and

disposition the application; if approved you will

receive an Exam Eligibility Letter from PMI

confirming your eligibility to take the exam and

providing instructions for scheduling with Sylvan.

• You have three months from date of approval to

schedule and take the exam, or you will have to

re-apply

(9)

What: Preparing for the Exam

Overall Study Programs

This class is one element in your overall Study Program.

Read the PMBOK including glossary several times

Read the other recommended textbooks; they are particularly helpful in

HR, Communications, Quality and Risk areas

Do multiple practice exams

Form study groups to understand the broad concepts and relate

management areas to process groups. You’ve got to be able to apply

the concepts to simulated project scenarios

Flash cards can be useful for the inputs/tools/outputs stuff. You’ve got

to know these cold

(10)

What: Preparing for the Exam

Other Resources

• PMI NYC Chapter Website:

www.pmi.org/chapters/ny/training

• PMI Website: www.pmi.org/certification/

• Other commercial resources

– seminars, CD-ROM based study programs - see

ads in PM Network magazine

(11)

What: Taking the Exam

Cram right up to the last minute. Or take the day before off.

You will take the exam in a small cubicle. Others will be taking other

exams concurrently in the same room.

You cannot bring ANYTHING into the room. You will be given a

pencil and scrap paper.

Gather yourself… bring your knowledge to the very front of your

brain. Stay focused.

You have 4 1/2 hours (plenty of time). You can bookmark questions

and return to them later. There is no penalty for wrong guesses.

When you are finished, you mouse click and get your results

immediately.

(12)

Where: Sylvan Learning Centers

• Eligibility letter from PMI will provide all details

of scheduling the exam at Sylvan

– Call Sylvan Learning Center’s phone number to schedule your exam

800-967-1100. See next slide for complete listing of locations.

– As of Jan 2000: ASI offers the exam. Tel: 877-244-1688

• Various cancellation policies relating to refunds;

read the fine print

• Bring photo identification

• There is a 15 minute tutorial on taking a computer

based exam

(13)

Sylvan Testing Center Locations

New York City Metro Area

Sylvan Testing Centers Listing as of 02/01/2000

S T AT E

S IT E #

CIT Y

AD D R E S S

Z IP

P H ON E

CT

2403

Hamden

1700 Dixwell Avenue

Hamden Commons

06514-3147

(203) 287-9677

2411

Glastonbury

2839 Main Steet

The Cambridge House

06033-1033

(860) 659-0400

2416

Norwalk

48 Westport Avenue

6851

(203) 847-0031

NJ

4103

Toms River

635 Bay Avenue

Seacourt Pavillion

08753-3313

(732) 349-4609

4104

Hamilton

3635 Quakerbridge Road9065

University Office Plaza

08619-1247

(609) 631-9794

4108

East Brunswick

754 Route 18

Suite 106

08816-4909

(732) 390-0515

4110

Verona

155 Pompton Ave

07044-2919

(973) 857-5412

4119

Fair Lawn

33-00 Broadway

07410-4603

(201) 475-1670

9064

Philadelphia/Deptford

1800 Clements Bridge Road

Building 2 Suite 15

08095-2022

(856) 384-4744

NY

19

Brooklyn Heights

175 Remsen Street, 6th Floor

Brooklyn-Downtown

11201-4300

(718) 222-1277

4202

White Plains

180 South Broadway

10605-1818

(914) 289-0437

4215

Garden City

320 Old Country Road

11530-1703

(516) 746-7367

4225

Manhasset

1447 Northern Boulevard

11030-3003

(516) 869-1236

4226

Albany

Washington Avenue Extension

Pine West Plaza, Bldg. 1A

12205-5600

(518) 869-6119

4228

Staten Island

1919 Hylan Boulevard

10305-2100

(718) 980-3079

4231

Queens/Rego Park

95-25 Queens Boulevard

Suite 710

11379

(718) 997-6356

(14)

When: Timing is Everything

• Take advantage of the flexibility

– you can schedule the exam in a week or three

months from now

– take it on the Tuesday after a holiday weekend

– factor in your own professional and personal

schedules

– you will want to be able to devote most if not

all of your free time to study in the weeks

(15)

Next Steps

• If you fail, you must apply to re-take the

exam and pay the required fee

• If you pass, you will receive formal written

notification from PMI

– begin accumulating PDU’s to maintain your

certification

(16)

Tips

Compiled by Charlene Huang and Mike Raboy

16 Tips for PMP Study and Test Taking Strategies

1. Be positive and be optimistic.

How you think is everything. Your thoughts will greatly influence your exam preparation and actual exam experience. Having a positive and optimistic attitude will help you prepare for the PMP exam.

2. Decide the outcome of PMP exam is to pass the exam!

In “The Art of War”, Sun Tzu said: “A great warrior knows a victory is at hand before engaging a battle.” Likewise, decide you WILL pass the PMP exam before taking the exam.

3. Set a target date for taking the PMP exam.

It gives you a sense of urgency when you work towards a deadline. And you will get more out of your exam preparation.

4. Have a study plan.

Like all the projects you have worked on, you need a study plan to guide your exam preparation. Be sure to include the followings on your plan:

a. Design your plan according to the content of the exam. For example, focus your preparation heavily on three areas: project planning, projects execution, and project control. b. Review course outline (i.e. The PM Certificate Program by IIL or PMP review course

outline) with PMBOK Guide side by side. c. Always conclude your review with sample exam.

d. Spend extra time to review questions you have missed on sample exam. For example, if you have missed on the concept of “BCWP”, go back to course outline, PMBOK Guide, and

Project Management: A System Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling by Harold Kerzner and review the “BCWP” concept for minimum of three times. 5. Stick to your study plan.

Decide on your preferred study method and stick with it. Start your plan early and study often. 6. Make PMBOK Guide your best friend.

a. Carry PMBOK Guide with you all the time. When you have a free moment (i.e. commuting), review it.

b. Memorize the glossary. Memorize the glossary. And memorize the glossary. c. Memorize the chapter overview (i.e. inputs, tool/techniques, and outputs). d. Understand all examples and charts that are listed in PMBOK Guide.

e. Review the content of PMBOK Guide over and over and over till you are ONE with PMBOK Guide.

1. Make PMIQ (ProjectManagementIQ by IIL) your best friend.

a. Go over all subject areas in study mode. b. Go over all subject areas in exam mode. c. Go over sample tests.

d. Test and retest until each subject area is at least 90% correct. 2. Use flash cards.

PMP Review Flash Cards by: Project Mentors Inc.

PMI'S BEST SELLER. Covers the definitions of PMBOK Guide in 500 self-study flash cards.

3. Create a sample exam binder.

Print out all questions that you have missed from PMIQ. Sort them based on PMBOK Guide chapters and insert them into a binder. Review them at least three times before the exam.

4. Exercise and have plenty of sleep the night before the exam.

The length of exam time is four and half-hour long. It takes tremendous amount of physical and mental strength to go through the entire exam. Exercise and plenty of sleep the night before will do wonder for you.

11. Take a PMP exam prep course.

When completing the PMP exam prep course, it gives you a sense of confidence and readiness for taking the PMP exam.

12. Make your testing appointment as soon as you receive an approval letter for taking PMP exam.

Testing centers tend to be booked very quickly. Be sure to make your testing appointment upon receiving the approval letter.

13. Bring a calculator on the day of exam.

Bring a non-programmable calculator and make sure the battery works.

14. Draw scheduling diagram nicely and calculate it perfectly once during the exam.

The same scheduling diagram will be appeared multiple times throughout the exam. By calculating it correctly the first time will save you time later on.

15. Be prepared to sit for a long time.

The exam is four and half hour long and no break is allowed. Be prepared to sit for a while.

16. Bring hard candy and M&Ms.

Sugar helps to keep your blood sugar and energy up; they will be very handy in a long exam situation.

(17)

Tips

Compiled by Cablevision

" T h e s t u d y e x p e r i e n c e i s a s v a l u a b l e a s t a k i n g t h e e x a m . "

- - G e t t o t h e e x a m e a r l y , b u t n o t t o o e a r l y o r y o u ' l l j u s t g e t n e r v o u s

w a i t i n g

- - B r i n g s n a c k s a n d s o m e t h i n g t o d r i n k w i t h y o u . Y o u c a n ' t h a v e t h e s e

i n

t h e t e s t r o o m b u t c a n t a k e a b r e a k .

- - B r i n g a s i m p l e c a l c u l a t o r , n o t a n e w o n e y o u h a v e n ' t u s e d b e f o r e

- - O n c e y o u b e g i n t h e e x a m , w r i t e d o w n t h e E a r n e d V a l u e f o r m u l a s o n t h e

s c r a t c h p a p e r t h a t i s p r o v i d e d o n c e y o u a r e

a t t h e c o m p u t e r . K n o w t h e f o r m u l a s c o l d .

- - R e a d e a c h q u e s t i o n c a r e f u l l y . S o m e t i m e s t h e w o r d s " E X C E P T " a n d

" N O T "

a r e i n u p p e r c a s e , o t h e r t i m e s i t n o t .

- - A f t e r r e a d i n g e a c h q u e s t i o n , t h i n k o f y o u r o w n a n s w e r b e f o r e l o o k i n g

a t t h e c h o i c e s p r o v i d e d o n t h e e x a m .

- - I f y o u d o n ' t k n o w t h e a n s w e r s o n o n e o f t h e m a t h p r o b l e m s , w o r k

b a c k w a r d s f r o m t h e c h o i c e s g i v e n .

- - B e p r e p a r e d f o r a r a n d o m s e q u e n c e o f q u e s t i o n s . T h e y a r e N O T s o r t e d

b y m a j o r p r o c e s s a r e a .

- - A l s o b e p r e p a r e d f o r s i t u a t i o n a l q u e s t i o n s , n o t j u s t o n e s t h a t

r e q u i r e

r o t e m e m o r y .

- - T h e t e s t o f f e r s y o u a n o p t i o n t o m a r k q u e s t i o n s f o r l a t e r r e v i e w .

Y o u

m i g h t w a n t t o j o t d o w n w h y y o u m a r k e d i t , a s

y o u c a n a c c u m u l a t e q u i t e a f e w q u e s t i o n s b y t h e e n d o f t h e t e s t .

- - F o u r h o u r s i s p l e n t y o f t i m e t o t a k e t h e t e s t s o d o n ' t f e e l l i k e y o u

h a v e t o r u s h .

2 . A P M I m e m b e r i n O h i o s e l l s s o f t w a r e t h a t d e s c r i b e d a s e l e c t r o n i c

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