Posts Tagged ‘PMP’

Posted on June 1, 2009 - by

Free PMP Exam Prep Tips and Tricks

Project managers are the ones who make decisions and carry them out. They have the final decision on most points, can spend budget, can change schedules, and can approve or refuse scope. For the pmp test, assume that the project manager is large and in charge! Another attribute of project managers is that they are proactive in their approach to managing tasks and information. They do not wait for changes to occur. Instead, they are actively influencing the factors that contribute to change. Instead of waiting for information to come to them, they are actively communicating and making certain they have accurate and up-to-date information.
Don't Get Stuck
You should expect to find a few questions on the pmp exam that you do not know how to answer. You will look at it and see the correct answers, making it impossible to pick just 1. Even using every good technique, you will still have to make an educated guess at some questions. Some test takers can get quite upset at this, and it can undermine their confidence. If a question stumps you, simply mark it for review and move on. Never spend 15 minutes staring at a single question unless you have already answered all the others. One question is only worth one a fraction of a percent on the pmp exam, so if you do not know the answer, do not obsess over it. You may even discover mat a block of questions seem especially difficult to you. This experience can be discouraging and may cause your confidence to waver. Don't be alarmed if you happen upon several difficult questions in a row. Keep marking them for review and keep moving, until you come to more familiar ground. You may find that questions later in the test will offer you hints or jog your memory, helping you with those you initially found difficult.
You will have a few minutes at the pmp exam beginning to go through a tutorial. You probably won't find much value in the actual tutorial; however, you absolutely should take it. After going through it, you will be given a chance to wait before taking the test. Use that time to write down essential formulas and processes on your scratch paper.

Posted on April 14, 2009 - by Tech Guy

Chasing the PMP Certification Exam?

Professionals from different fields covet the PMP Certification Exam not merely for increased compensation but for the respect it commands because this proves they have the mettle to handle project management on levels of excellence.

Begin the Chase with Self-Evaluation

The chase for the PMP Certification Exam begins with an assessment of your present skills and your qualifications to take the PMP course. If you have a bachelors degree, you must have three years experience in project management or an equivalent of 4500 hours. If you are a high school graduate or have a technical diploma and five years or 7500 hours of project management experience, you set the next stage of the chase.

This experience must include actual project direction, initiation, project planning and management, monitoring and project closing. This is verified through your documentation of the projects you have led and managed. Without these, you cannot qualify for a PMP Certification Exam and you waste your time and effort making inquiries. If you qualify, your application is immediately processed.

Choose Your Training Course

There are several institutions providing PMP training; be sure that the course you are going to take meets PMI’s rigid standards for the training. Online sites offering these courses display the PMP registered certification mark; this is one way to detect the reliability of the site or service provider. A PMP training course should be equivalent to 35 hours and you can choose to self-study or sign up for a classroom course.

Choose Membership

Opting for a membership with the PMI will save you $150 on exam cost. By signing up online, you pay $119 and an additional cost of $20 or $30 for chapter membership in North America. This is not mandatory, but you get more perks as a member.

Application and Acceptance

Online registration applications for the PMP Certification Exam course are free and are processed immediately. You get your Authorization to Test after five working days. By this time you have been at your lessons and ready for a pre-test of what you have learned.

Test Site

There are several test sites for the candidates of the elusive PMP Certification Exam. Choose the one nearest your home to avoid the hassles and the stress of making it to the test site an hour before examination time.

Schedule Your PMP Exam

The best time to schedule your exam is preferably two weeks between the end of your course and the exam date. There are several preparations to do before the exam, hence the time gap but it is preferred to take the exam nearest to the closing of your lessons when you are at your peak. Some providers provide all the exam tools needed to help you prepare for the PMP Exam and earn that PMP Certification Exam.

Take Sample Exams

Take the sample exams until you bat an average of 90%, don’t settle for less if you want to pass the test. Answer all questions from the PMI mindset and don’t leave any blanks. An unanswered question is deemed a wrong answer so answer all the questions. Learn how to time the exam in the pace of four hours so you can gauge how you are going during the test to earn that PMP Certification Exam.

Posted on April 10, 2009 - by Tech Guy

Four Steps in Successfully Passing Your PMP Certification Exam

Successfully passing the PMP certification exam may be your ticket to more job benefits, more job responsibilities and more job opportunities. Thus, it is of utmost importance that you achieve it regardless of its stress levels.

Fortunately, you can adopt these four steps towards the PMP certification exam. Of course, these can also be applied to any and all certification exams that you might take in the future.

Do Your Exam Research

You have to investigate the subject matters covered by the certification program administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) for project managers. You must also do your research about the depth and level with which you must study the subject matter, which will determine the areas you will need to pour more attention to.

Doing your research also makes it possible to identify strengths and weaknesses in your current knowledge. This way, you can improve on the weaknesses and refresh on the strengths, which ought to maximize your chances at passing the PMI-administered certification exam.

PMI only recommends one bible in its exams. This is called "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)", which is recognized by the American National Standards Institute. Just refer to the PMBOK and you are in good hands.

Study and Study Some More

You will need at least 35 hours of PMI-sanctioned project management education before you can take the PMP certification exam. In this training-cum-review course, you will be able to study all that you need to know to pass the exam. Just remember to look for a reputable company that offers this training course!

With 200 multiple choice questions to be accomplished in just four hours, the PMI exam is definitely not child’s play. There are more than 40 formulas to be memorized and understood and many more acronyms and their meanings to be read and digested! Thus, diligent study is imperative for passing the PMP certification exam.

Assess Your Readiness

The hallmark of an excellent project management preparation course is the presence of practice exams. There must be at least two of these in order to hone your skills in answering the time-pressured exam.

You must aim for the passing grade and then add 10% to account for the nerves and excitement when taking the real exam. (Better safe than sorry) When testing your readiness, always make sure that you are closely mimicking the environment of the testing center including the time limits.

Prepare Yourself

Before the day of the actual PMP certification exam, there are things you must perform to prepare yourself. First, scout out the testing center. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the route and the room itself. You cannot afford to be late!

Second, get a good night’s sleep. There is nothing worse than answering questions on sleep-deprived body and mind. Third, eat your breakfast. Not only is it the most important meal of the day but a low sugar level will adversely affect your concentration. And do your ablutions! You need to feel fresh and you cannot waste time on bathroom breaks once too often.

Fourth, don’t bring anything you don’t need into the testing center. You will only be distracted, which is definitely not good for you.

And now, you are ready to take the PMP certification exam and pass with flying colors!