How to Pass the PMP Exam

My free eBook the PMP Exam Master Class which you can download from www.pm-mentor.com contains much more details about what you will need and how to prepare for the PMP test.

Study Resources
You will need at least the following study resources.

The PMBOK® Guide - Third Edition is obviously the basis of your study but it cannot be your only resource - it does not cover the entire exam, the material is dry, impersonal and difficult to digest (almost like a dictionary), a tool in your learning of a language, but it can never be the only one.

You can order the PMBOK® Guide from www.pmi.org . When you join PMI (which I strongly encourage and recommend) you will get your own copy free of charge. You can also order it from www.amazon.com just do a search for PMBOK® Third Edition from the Amazon home page.

Exam Study Guide
You will need a good study guide that covers all knowledge areas and process groups. A good study guide will help you to make sense of the PMBOK® and focus your attention on the important aspects to study.

Exam Preparation Questions
You will need lots of good quality questions. Again make sure the questions cover all exam topics and the 11 knowledge areas in detail.

Please note: When you sign up for my PMP course at www.pm-mentor.com you will get the following:

1. Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
2. 1,400 Exam Preparation Questions with explanations
3. Flashcards - a summary of all the important concepts
4. Brain Dumps -all the information which you have to memorize for the exam.
5. Certificate of Education - covering the required 35 Hours of Education.
6. Exam Readiness Indicator - this will tell you when you are reday to sit the exam

How much time do I need to prepare for the exam?

In general (if you genuinely have the required experience) it should take you no more than 200 hours and no less than 40 hours to prepare for this exam. However preparation time differs and depends on skills and experience as well as learning styles.

The factors which influence your preparation time varies i.e. study resources, prior knowledge and experience, free time available to study, self discipline and learning style.

Set realistic expectations for yourself. If you have a fulltime day job and/or family commitments it might be difficult to spend more than 10 hours per week on studies. I suggest you set aside 10 to 20 weeks to get yourself prepared if you will be studying on your own.

What Method?

Different people have different learning styles. The following are however common to all styles:

• You and your books have to be together in the same place at the same time!
• Repetition works for every learning style.
• There are a number of formulas, rules, procedures which you have to memorize.
• My Exam Readiness Indicator will tell you when you are reday to sit the exam.

Over the years I have developed the PM-Mentor Study Method which has worked best for all of our students. This method places less stress on the students and allow them to work through the material in a structured and planned fashion, acknowledging the fact that almost all of them have to do this part time (after hours).

After all they are all project managers!

See the PM-Mentor Exam Master Class for a detailed discussion of our unique study method.

A Study Group

Many people find it beneficial to form a study group with 1 or more people (usually not more than 5). The study group will then meet once or twice per week for 1-2 hours.

It is very important to note that study groups don't work for all people all the time. It must be managed properly therefore it is strongly recommended that a study group coordinator is appointed to manage the activities rules etc within the group.

It is also important to note that study group members sometimes find it very easy to share copy righted information with each other. Read the professional responsibility area of the study guide very carefully before you start a group.

Study groups enable you to study together and the "peer pressure" would help people to focus on their preparation and motivate them to keep up with the rest.

Make sure you have solid commitments from your fellow study group members because many people enrolling for a study group never sit the exam. Many of the "dropouts" could just be so afraid that they will fail the exam they rather give up.

Doing it this way (in stead of attending an expensive class room course) can save you and/or your company a lot of time and money.

The PM-Mentor Study Materials are ideally suited and affordable for a study group environment. Please visit http://www.pm-mentor.com/ for more information.