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.