If you’ve already had any project management experience or are trying to enter the field for the first time, taking and passing the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam is extremely important to be successful in this field.
According to the PMI, individuals who complete the PMP certification can considerably increase
their salary by an average of 20%, and they can help organizations complete projects on time,
within the budget and accomplish goals.
However, achieving this certification is not an easy task. In fact, the PMP test is harder than most, taking comprehensive preparedness to succeed over multiple months. In a nutshell, if you want to ace the PMP test, you need to train hard and vigorously!
In the field of Project Management, there is a lot of content to learn and you would need to be able to handle the practical uses of that knowledge. Even if you’re among those already well-established in your profession, it may have been years when you last prepared for a test, so your research skills may be a little rusty.
However, don’t fret. In this blog, we’ve covered the top 9 tips that you can follow to effectively prepare for your PMP exam.
1. Start Early, Work Hard
Rule no one is simple; there are no shortcuts. To pass this test, you need to start preparing early and work hard. There are no set guidelines for the amount of time you should spend preparing for this exam. After all, every learning is different. Generally, to excel, it is required that you spend 20 to 40 hours preparing for the PMP test. Focus your attention on the Guide to the Professional Body in Project Management for better outcomes. This guide gives you a fantastic start on test planning.
2. Check Your Eligibility & Register In Advance
You may want to ensure you have fulfilled all the criteria before registering for affiliation with PMI and making plans for your test. To apply for PMP certification you must either:
A four-year program with three years of project management experience, 4,500 hours of project management and project managerial experience, and 35 hours of project management preparation.
OR
A higher degree, five years of project management training, 7,500 hours of project management and project management experience, and 35 hours of project management instruction.
You should apply for the test and get it on the calendar if you fulfil the criteria and are able to obtain the PMP qualification. PMI membership is a part of the contract. It is a way to get access to the PMBOK Guide ® that you will need to read, and that is how you will sign up for the test.
3. Plan On Reaching The Test Centre At Least An Hour Sooner
If you’re taking your exam in your hometown or will have to travel to another location, it’s recommended to plan your journey in a way that ensures you reach the test centre at least 60 minutes in advance. This will help you prepare for unpredictable issues that you might face on your way, including traffic, vehicle damage, and even bad weather. Moreover, your exam centre is bound to have an elaborate security check in place. This will take time as well, especially if there’s a long line of people in front of you. Hence, by working 1 hour ahead of schedule, you don’t need to rush or panic to get to your exam room on time.
Visiting the exam centre during the intervening week of the exam is a good idea, just to determine the mode of transport and transport distance.
4. Give Yourself Time To Prepare For Tests
One of the most important aspects of preparing for any test is attempting mock tests. The PMP exam is no different. By doing mock exams, you can get a better sense of what to expect on the D-day.
Moreover, these mock exams will give you a better understanding of which areas you’re strong in and which require more effort. In short, practice exams will boost your confidence and give you an idea on how prepared you are, while helping you can draw a faster decision.
5. Don’t Indulge In Rote Learning
The PMP exam is a real test that measures the interpretation of the principles and ideas of project management in real-life scenarios. Because of the amount of vocabulary in the PMP realms, many attempt to memorise their path to performance only until it’s too late to discover the implementation essence of the test.
Understanding the concepts instead lets you internalise the ideas and adapt lessons to real-life situations. Even so, any project manager should conveniently recallable simple items like method classes, information fields, and common formulas. This provides methods for scheduling and reducing costs, the vital study of the route and more.
6. Cut The Distractions; Switch Off The Phone
Do not read the newspaper, surf the web or do anything that might divert your attention. PMP exam day is too beneficial to think about anything other than passing a test or worry about anything.
If you’re working, consider applying for a leave 1-2 weeks before your exam and solely focus on learning and understanding the concepts.
Carry several layers of clothes so you don’t get overwhelmed by the temperature inside the exam room. Warn your loved ones that you can not be contacted on the test day, at least until after the test.
Keep a bottle of water in your pack, chips or energy bars. You can’t take this into the examination room, of course (you’ll place them in the locker that you’ve been given). However, before entering the room, you should take a break and eat food when you’re tired or starving, and can’t concentrate on the test.
7. Learn How The Test Works
Getting a good grasp of what you’re going to face is probably the first step toward progress. You can also understand how the test is administered and what is required of you. You may visit the PMI website to receive this training, which contains all the most important information about the qualification. In addition, the PMBOK guide includes essential information, including an outline of the qualification, prerequisites, type of questions you may anticipate, and the time allotted for the test.
You’ll also find resources on the website, such as official training services, guidance for exam subjects, and informative research content. Or, you could consider joining a certification course with us at Invensis Learning, wherein you will be provided with all relevant information and training.
8. Allow Breaks
Be sure you’re giving yourself time for emotional breaks. It’s just as critical to have ample rest immediately prior to the exam as reviewing the textbook and taking practice tests. You do not want to get stressed out and exhausted during the test experience. Ensuring that you remain well, mentally and physically while studying for the test would help you to stay cool, relaxed, and composed during the exam.
9. Join Research Groups and Comment Forums
The PMP Test rating system is not clear. Any query is weighted by the level of difficulty, and no two students get the same number of difficulties. So it’s hard to determine which aspects you should focus on more. That is why it is of the highest significance to take practise tests.
The more you learn, the more experience you will gain to help you decide what problems can be considered straightforward, and what can be considered challenging.
Study groups and discussion boards will be great assistance in planning for your PMP ® test. You will help others pass the test as an involved participant in research groups and debate boards, have your own issues discussed and questions answered, learn more about some valuable tools and dramatically minimise the time taken to plan for the review.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to pass the PMP exam but you can achieve progress with the right commitment, research guides, and inspiration. Using the tried and tested best practices that have already got you to high school and college. Bring your research materials to everywhere you go so that you can open them up at any moment. Enter a research group with PMP exams to get you motivated to study harder and ace the test.
