The PMP Exam Questions - Part 1 - Types of Questions

Below is a brief overview of how PMI likes to present some of the questions which you can expect in this exam. See the PM-Mentor Exam Master Class for a detailed discussion of the types of questions.

Best, Worst, Least, Most, First, Next

Be on the look out for those adjectives! They are the guideline to the correct answer.

Double Reverse Logic

The wrong answer is actually the correct one which will score you the points!

Situational

You need experience, careful reading and solid knowledge

Long

Long questions may take 3-4 minutes to answer.

Short

Relatively short questions can be answered in just 10-15 seconds.

Alternate Terms

Some questions use project management terms that may be interchangeable with others.

PMBOK® Guide – Third Edition Standards

Most (but not all) questions and answers are closely aligned with the PMBOK® Guide.

Impossible

A handful of questions will be impossible for you to answer with confidence.

Calculation

There will be a few questions that require you to perform simple math calculations.

Diagram

You will be required to interpret graphs or diagrams on some questions.

PMP Verification - Exam Application - Part 2

The application can be completed online or on paper. Unfortunately the exam application is not an easy process. You will have to spend quite a bit of time gathering all the information and completing the application. The PM-Mentor Master Class contains mored detailed information and a template which you can use to help you complete the application.


We strongly recommend you to apply for PMI membership first!! This will save you $150 when you apply for the exam.


Follow this link to join PMI: http://www.pmi.org/GetInvolved/Pages/Why-Join-PMI.aspx


You will be required to provide all of the following information during the application:

1. Personal Information - home, work and mobile telephone numbers, email, address



2. Education Details - level of education, year awarded, name of school or university, city, state, countryand field of study



3. Project Management Education Information – confirmation that you have completed 35 hours or more of project management education prior to your application.



4. Payment Information – you can pay by credit card online



5. Experience Verification – for each project where you are claiming hours:

• employer, address, country, city/territory, post code



• project start and end date, project title, your role



• hours spent in each of Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control and Closeout



• total hours for each project, Industry for project and project deliverables

NOTE: Use the templates in Annexure A, of the PM-Mentor Master Class to specify the details for each project included in your exam application.

You do not need to have experience leading and directing across all domain areas on one project but must, in the total number of hours submitted, demonstrate that you have led and directed some of the specified tasks inall domain areas.

It is not necessary to have hours allocated against every task, just against some of the tasks in each domain - at least one task in each domain.

The ‘Professional Responsibility’ Domain does not appear on the application form as this is considered to be applicable to all the actions of a project manager.

If you have been working on more than one project at the same time you cannot claim double time. A good guideline is to not claim more than 2,000 hours per year with 1,850 being the norm. Don’t raise unnecessary flags with your hours!

Evaluation Process. All applications submitted go through a review process, which usually takes about five working days. You will be notified of the outcome once they have reviewed your application.

Audit selection. Please remember that PMI audits a significant percentage of applications. Audits are usually selected randomly but they reserve the right to manually select specific applications for audit. It’s in your best interest to assume that your application will be audited.

During the audit process, PMI requires formal verification of all information you have provided, from your nominated employer(s), project referees, training organisations and schools. This is a very formal process designed to maintain quality in the Certification Program. If incorrect information is found during the audit process, you will have your certification or eligibility revoked.

Audit Notification. Applicants selected for audit will be notified electronically. Automated follow-up reminder notifications will be issued to candidates electronically throughout the audit process.

One-Year Eligibility Period. All candidates will be given one year to take the examination. This one-year eligibility period begins when a candidate’s application is approved.

Online Application. We recommend that you use the online application process. The forms in the handbook below provide a useful reference before making your application. You can find the online application here: http://www.pmi.org/info/PDC_CertificationsOverview.asp?nav=0401•

You can use the templates in Annexure A of the PM-Mentor Master Class to design your own experience verification forms to help complete your application.

PMP Exam Prep - A Study Plan

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 study time.

Below is a high level outline of a study roster for getting you certified in 16 weeks. Adapt this to your own needs and circumstances.

1. First, work through the 11 knowledge areas (Week 1-5)
2. Second, study 11 knowledge areas in detail (Week 6-10)
3. Third, working on weak areas & brain dump (Week 11-12)
4. Fourth, map to the 5 Process Groups (Week 13)
5. Fifth, first attempt at all full exams (Week 14)
6. Sixth, second attempt at all full exams (Week 15)
7. Sit exam (Week 16)

This method places less stress on students and allow you to work through the material in a structured and planned fashion, acknowledging the fact that almost all of you will have to do this part time (after hours). After all you are all project managers!

• First, just read through the material make sure that you understand everything. In other words understand the scope of the work.
• Second, now study the material in detail chapter by chapter and attempt the chapter questions in study mode at the end of each chapter.
• Third, read through each chapter again make notes and attempt the chapter questions in study mode again.
• Fourth, map your knowledge to the 5 Project Management Process Groups i.e. Initiation, Planning, Executing Controlling and Closing.
• Fifth, finalize your brain dump, put the study materials except for the brain dump away and now attempt the first full exam.
• Book your exam!
• Sixth, put the brain dump away and attempt the full exams. Once you score 85% or more on 2 or more of the full exams you are ready for the exam. Practice a few times before the exam to create the brain dump without the use of your books.
  
  See the PM-Mentor Exam Master Class for a detailed discussion of our unique study method.