PROCESS

1. I read the Rita Mulcahy Project Management Exam Prep book once prior to attending the instructor led class room training at Key Consulting.

2. The Key Consulting approach to teaching Project Management was not geared towards only cracking the exam, but also to provide an in depth knowledge and understanding of the project management processes as prescribed by the PMI. The curriculum and instruction helped tremendously in understanding basic as well as advanced concepts in the PMI universe.

3. At work, I took the project management knowledge acquired at Key Consulting and applied it to my projects. I spent time defining my standards, developing individual plans, engaging team members and introduced essential documentation. When uncertain, I consulted Rita’s book and Key Consulting study material and templates extensively. I strongly believe that this exercise provided me with a thorough understanding and solidified my concepts.

4. I read Rita’s book for the second time and completed all the questions at the end of each chapter. For the ones I did not answer correctly, I researched and filled the gaps in my knowledge.

5. I read Key Consulting materials in detail once and answered all the questions.

6. I memorized the following: Project Management Process Chart, formulas (Earned Value, PERT, Communication, Present Value, PTI), Project Plans and sources of each Project Plan and baseline. I reviewed Inputs, Tools/Techniques and Outputs.

7. I practiced close to 1,500 questions (Rita’s book, Key Consulting, Rita’s Exam Simulator).

EXAM

1. The Prometric Center staff was helpful, courteous and professional.

2. I arrived 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time and was allowed to start early.

3. I wrote down all the formulas and important information on the scratch paper provided by the center (brain dump).

4. The exam started out with rather confusing and excessively wordy questions. I also took considerable time to answer the Earned Value questions. The exam tested on Earned Value in every possible way it could. There were several questions on this analysis. I was also surprised to see Present Value calculation questions, but I was glad that I knew the formula.

5. Through the middle of the exam, my confidence level diminished and since I had taken a rather long time in the beginning, I was struggling for time. I had approximately 60 seconds left for each of the 125 questions.

6. As recommended, I persevered and kept my calm.

7. The exam was composed of tricky, conceptual, wordy and calculation based questions. There were straight definition type questions but few.

8. I finished 4 minutes short of the 4 hour limit and reviewed approximately ten marked questions.

9. The screen goes blank, I fill out the survey, the screen goes blank again….Bravo! I passed and freedom at last!

The PMP exam tests a person’s mental strength and self discipline in addition to knowledge and experience. I would suggest making a solid study plan, take an instructor led course (essential) and have faith and confidence.