1St Steps in Preparing for PMP Certification

6 Week Charter

1st Steps in preparing for PMP Certification

 Do not panic.

 Start preparing early.

 Put in hard work.

 Do a combined Study.

 Have a group of 2-3 people.

 Discuss topics and do not leave anything un-answered.

 In doubt - do not hesitate to ask others.

 Keep PM Questionnaire open in the background. While you work, make sure you attend atleast 20-30 Questions everyday.

 This will help you to have a break amidst your busy schedule and complete the questions before you can appear for the exam.

 During discussions, consider Projects in other domains also like Construction, Process Industry apart form IT Industry.

 Keep in touch with your Sponsor.

 Follow the following 6 week charter

6 Week Charter

1st Week - Understanding the Concepts

 Apply for the exam.

 Complete your application form and submit.

 Form a study group of 2-3 people.

 Ideally they should be taking the exam during the same period.

 They sould be co-located.

 Try to get people with different skillsets - from Finance, ADM, etc..

 Atleast one of them should be a driver.

 Read PMBOK.

 Spend atleast 1 -1.5 Hours everyday.

 Identify One / Two topics for each day.

 One person can read loudly while others listen and highlight Important sentences / statements.

 This could be done in turns - like One person reads one section and the next person takes over the next section.

 End of the reading, discuss and understand the topic.

 Focus on the highlighted statements and discuss.

 This could be completed in One week.

 Read PMBOK once completely in this week.

 2nd and 3rd Week - Re-inforcing the Concepts

 Identify One topic for each day.

 Read PMBOK, RITA and the study notes given during preparatory course (If you have already attended the Preparatory Course) for each of the topic identified.

 Focus on important statements and the definitions.

 End of the reading, discuss and re-inforce the concepts.

 Get your sponsor to solve / clarify the doubts you have.

 Keep noting down the important information in a worksheet / Word. This will be a reference for you in future.

 Speak to your PMP colleagues for any other material they have prepared based on PMBOK.

 Paralley start taking the PM exam papers

 Read the question carefully.

 Understand the question.

 Watch for the words “NOT”, “EXCEPT FOR”, language.

 Read all the answers even if you know the answer. This will help you in understanding the concept properly.

 Understand all the answers.

 Choose the best answer.

 Watch for answers like “a and b”, “All of the above”, “None of the above”.

 Debate on the answers.

 Debate on why the answer you have chosen is right.

 Debate on why the answer that you have not chosen is wrong.

 Discuss with your sponsor.

4th Week - Concentrate on Specific areas

 Identify the topics and areas for each day - ie. Depreciation Methods, Earned Value Analysis, Types of Contracts, Conflict Resolution, etc...

 Identify the person who could speak on these identified areas.

 This person will present these areas to others.

 Explains the concept in detail.

 Presents the problem and discusses the solution.

 Others to participate in the discussion.

 Continue to take PM exam papers.

 Identify the areas that needs more concentration.

 Book the Slot at Prometric Center for the exam - specify date and time.

 Discuss with your Sponsor.

5th Week - Preparatory Session

 Work on the areas that you have identified for more Understanding.

 Attend the preparatory session Organized by IBM.

 Complete the PM Questionnaire.

 Discuss with your Sponsor.

6th Week - Grand Finale

 Make sure that you do not plan for any travel this week.

 Reduce your regular work pressure.

 Make sure that you have sufficient sleep.

 Conecetrate on your studies.

 Review all the topics.

 Jot down important areas / formulae / concepts.

 Take off for last 3 days from office.

 Utilize this time in enforcing whatever you have learnt.

 Discuss with your sponsor and the team.

Exam Day

 Relax.

 Have less food.

 Goto the Center

 Spend first 10 mins in writing down the formulae and few diagrams on a piece of paper which you can use it during the exam.

 Take the Exam.

BEST OF LUCK AND AWAYS HOPE FOR THE BEST.

HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS.