The 12 Most Popular PMP Exam Preparation Tools

The 12 Most Popular PMP Exam Preparation Tools

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

 

If you are about to start studying for your Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, you’ll want to make sure your toolkit is bursting with things to help you on the journey to becoming a PMP. There are so many options to consider when looking at the study materials on the market that it can be difficult to know where to start.

 

First, don’t be overwhelmed by the choice. The tools that your colleagues and classmates are using may not be the right ones for you. How do you learn best? Choose study materials that will help you prepare for PMP certification in a way that best suits your learning style. You’ll also want to consider your budget. Don’t feel that you have to buy really expensive exam preparation tools. There are products on the market that are both efficient and cost effective. Reading what other students have to say about the study tools they use can also be helpful: check out independent review sites.

Still stuck for where to start? Here’s my guide to the top 12 most popular PMP exam preparation tools.

 

 1. PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)

The PMBOK Guide is the workbench of PMP exam preparation tools. It’s the foundation that everything else is built on. This is the most “popular” study material simply because everybody has to read it for the exam! Remember that PMI members get a PDF copy for free.

 

2. PMP Exam Study Guides

These are also known as PMP exam prep books. They cover the same materials as the PMBOK Guide but in more accessible language. They often explain the concepts in ways that are easier to understand and to learn.

3. PMP Exam Courses

Training courses come in many varieties. You could attend a course online or in a classroom. You could study at your own pace or with an instructor. You could choose a boot-camp or to study over many weeks. Look for a PMP exam course that will give you the required 35 contact hours.

 

4. Exam Simulators and Free Questions

These are the torch in your toolkit, helping you shine a light on your weaker areas. Taking sample exams via an exam simulator will help you assess your readiness for the real thing. You can find free questions online, but these only go so far, so be sure to sign up for a professionally created simulator from a PMI Registered Education Provider. Some PMP exam study guides also come with a CD or DVD which contain questions.

 

5. Podcasts

Podcasts can be in audio or video format. A PMP podcast is very easy to carry around with you and has the benefit that you can listen to or watch it wherever you are. Some of these are so elaborate that they actually fall into PMI’s Category F (“distance learning”) for PMP Exam preparation courses and even offer 35 contact hours.

 

6. Flash cards

Flash cards allow you to study and memorize the concepts that you need to know for the exam. You can make your own and carry them with you at all times, so you can test yourself in spare moments. Another alternative is electronic cards that you can use on your phone.

 

7. Apps

Apps are becoming more and more popular and there are lots to choose from. For example, there are games that teach you the ITTOs, there are apps that teach concepts with mnemonics and others that test you with questions. Check out the iTunes app store for additional ideas.

 

8. Formula study guides

Study guides for PMP formulas are a precision tool. They will help you review and learn the formulas required for the exam in a way that makes it easier to recall them under pressure.

 

9. Lessons Learned

Don’t underestimate what you can learn from others. Talking to colleagues who already have their PMP certification can be an invaluable resource. If you can’t talk to anyone, read what others have to say about how they studied, what they studied and what their experience was like. You could also get a mentor to help you prepare, and learn from his or her experiences too.

 

10. PMI Chapter

This is the spirit level of the toolkit, helping you stay centered and motivated. Tap into your colleagues at your local PMI Chapter. They may have a study group that you could join. At a minimum, you’ll be able to talk to PMPs about how they managed their journey to PMP certification.

 

11. Brain dump sheets

A brain dump sheet is a way to recall information under exam conditions. It’s a personal study tool that you can shape to fit the way you study best, and it’s becoming more popular. Create a sheet of paper with all the key information on and then practice writing it out until it’s second nature. Then you simply have to do that in the exam and all the key information will be at your fingertips!

 

12. Internet forums

There is lots of information on internet forums – and many of them are free. Chat to other students about how their exam preparation is going, or ask advice from seasoned PMPs.

 

Whatever tools you choose, it is important to study regularly. Try to spend some time on your PMP studies every day. The study materials you buy should reflect the fact that you’ll be using them on a daily basis, so that might influence what you invest in. Tools like electronic versions of flash cards, books and guides are very portable and can be used whenever you have a spare moment.

 

Finally, studying for your PMP is a difficult job, so choose PMP materials that you enjoy using and find fun! That will make your revision more enjoyable and the PMP credential an achievable target.

 

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 16,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast and offers one of the Best PMP Exam Simulators on the market.

Understanding the PDU Category Structure and Policies

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

(Tradução para o português através do Tradutor do Google)

If you are a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®, then you know that the acronym PDU stands for Professional Development Unit. Every PMP needs to earn 60 PDUs every 3 years in order to keep his or her certification. Why? The idea behind PDUs is simple: the Project Management Institute (PMI) wants every PMP to continuously learn. Just like doctors or pilots who have to take classes regularly and practice new skills in order to keep their license, PMI wants credential holders to learn new project management skills so that we can be the best project managers possible.

This article is based on an interview with Rory McCorkle, Product Manager Credentials, from PMI, and you can listen to the full interview for free at The Project Management Podcast website: http://bit.ly/pmpodcast204.

The rules around PDUs changed in March 2011, but many people are still confused about the new structure. Let’s look at the main changes.

One hour equals one PDU

When Rory and his team were benchmarking PMI against other organizations, they realized that it would be useful to standardize the amount of PDUs individuals get for the time they spend on activities. “We’re truly global and dealing with a global audience has challenges,” he said. “That was something we found an important learning: regardless of whether you are sitting in a classroom, giving a presentation or volunteering, we have rewarded you appropriately for the investment of your time and what you were getting out of that.”

As a result, nearly all activities are now credited on the basis of one hour of activity equaling one PDU.

PDU divisions and categories

The old system had 18 different PDU categories – not including the sub-categories. The new system divides PMI PDUs into two broad areas: education and giving back to the profession. This makes it much easier to understand, but there was another reason for the change too. “The other important thing division enabled us to do was to ensure that through their recertification cycle every practitioner had at least some hours in the education area,” Rory said. “That gave us the assurance that everyone would continue to invest in their lifelong learning.”

In the new structure both divisions have 3 categories.

THE EDUCATION DIVISION

Category A: Courses offered by a PMI Registered Education Provider (REP), Chapters or Communities. “Most of these activities are stored in the Continuing Certification Requirements System already,” said Rory, “so all you need to claim them is simply to enter that activity number and demonstrate that you were there if you’re audited.”

Category B: Continuing Education. This covers any training that you undertake at a college, university, or with any other training provider that is not a REP. Training in your workplace counts as Category B too. Rory advises that you keep proof of attendance in case you are audited. “That could be a certificate of completion,” he said.

Category C: Self-directed Learning. “This is really a great place for folks to be able to get learning that you don’t have to go to a classroom for,” Rory said. “It captures a lot of the things that I hope certainly that professionals are doing, if not on a daily basis, certainly monthly”. This includes being mentored, webinars, podcasts, reading and so on. You can only claim a maximum of 30 PDUs in this category.

THE GIVING BACK TO THE PROFESSION DIVISION

This division has a maximum of 45 PDUs. Any PDUs earned in the following 3 categories counts towards this cap.

Category D: Creating New Project Management Knowledge. “This is a whole number of different things that all are looking to create, develop, expand and communicate new project management knowledge or perhaps augment existing knowledge that might be out there in the field,” Rory said. It ranges from authoring a textbook to giving a presentation at your Chapter dinner about a topical issue in project management, and can include writing articles. “At PMI we have a lot of publications that you can get knowledge pieces produced in,” Rory said.

Category E: Volunteer Service. You don’t have to be a PMI Chapter officer to claim these PDUs. “This can be volunteer service for any project management organization,” explained Rory. “We know there are other project management organizations out there. They do have to be non-profit in order to count here, so volunteering for your company isn’t going to count because that could be your job.” Another opportunity to earn PMP PDUs in this category is by providing project management services to non-profit organizations.

Category F: Working as a Professional in Project Management. This is the only one of the 6 categories where the “1 hour of service equals 1 PDU” rule doesn’t apply. “This is essentially an amount we give for working as a professional project manager,” Rory said. “As on your original application for your certification, we recognize experience as part of the eligibility requirements.” As long as you work a minimum of 6 months within the 12 month period you can claim the PDUs relevant to your credential.

Learning more

“I’d encourage folks to look at the handbook for their certification,” said Rory. There is no longer a separate handbook just for continuing certification requirements, as the rules are embedded in the handbook for your credential. While the new guidelines are much clearer than the old system, Rory recommends asking for help if you are unsure.

“I would encourage folks if they have a question about specific activity to reach out to Customer Care,” he said. “We’ll make sure we get an answer for you because the categories can encompass a lot and sometimes can be a little confusing as to what counts and what might not.”

Earn PDUs regularly

Why not get started on your PDUs now via a subscription and get your PDUs regularly? The PDU Podcast (www.pducast.com) is a convenient way for you to earn unlimited PDUs in Category A, and you don’t have to go to a classroom. Get project management webinars delivered to your portable player like an iPod, Android phone or Blackberry and earn at least 1 PDU every month, which is a really convenient way for PMPs to earn PDUs for your renewal.

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 16,000 students prepare for the PMP exam with The Project Management PrepCast and he is the host of The PDU Podcast.

Can I Earn PDUs for Writing Project Management Articles?

Can I Earn PDUs for Writing Project Management Articles?

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

Yes you can! Ever since the Project Management Institute (PMI) published the new Category and Structure for Professional Development Units (PDUs) in March of 2011, earning PDUs has become much easier. This ease is especially visible in Category D “Creating New Project Management Knowledge”: Every hour that you spend creating and / or presenting new project management knowledge counts as 1 PDU.

This means that if you decide to write a project management related article and you invest 3 hours in writing it then you have just earned 3 PDUs. (Please note that there is a maximum of 45 PDUs that you can earn in Categories D, E and F, therefore these 3 hours would count toward that maximum).

Are you thinking that this way of earning PDUs isn’t for you because you have nothing to write about? Think again! Let me give you three simple ideas:

One: Write a white paper about your last project. Describe what and how you managed it, focusing on project management best practices.

Two: There isn’t one project meeting that I have attended where I don’t learn something new about being a PM. Think back to your last 3 meetings and describe what you have learned.

Three: Discuss a particularly difficult area on your project with one of your colleagues at work and then write an article about what the problem is and how you decided to do to solve it. And of course in one month down the road you can write another article describing how well / badly your actions worked.

But beware… there are some topics that won’t count toward earning you Professional Development Units. For example an article that talks about the latest and greatest features of a project management software won’t earn you any PDUs. Similarly, articles on how to prepare for the PMP exam or articles on earning PDUs like the one you are reading right now don’t count either. These three topics don’t count, because any article written about them isn’t creating new knowledge – it is just describes a “product”. So be safe and write about what you learned in your daily work as a PM managing your projects.

Once you have your first article completed you need to publish it. But where?

From my past discussions with PMI I have learned that they do not have a list of specific publication channels where you must publish. The important point to keep in mind is that the article must discuss project management topics and that it is published where other project managers are likely to find it.

Here are some ideas for where you could publish your PM articles:

• Send your article to your local PMI chapter for inclusion in their newsletter. PMI chapter newsletters usually welcome contributions from guest authors.
• Start your own blog at any of the free online blogging platforms. Having your own blog gives you credibility as a PM and it will also encourage you to write more and earn more PDUs.
• If you are not ready to start your own blog, then simply contact another blogger and ask her/him if they might be interested in publishing your article on their website as a guest blogger.
• Publish it on a Project Management Community website like Gantthead or The International Community for PMs.
• Send the article to the publishers of one of the many online PM newsletters for inclusion in the upcoming issue.
• Create an account at an article directory website like Ezinearticles and publish the article here.

Also remember to always keep records of your articles, so that you can show to PMI during an audit that you truly deserve to have earned these PDUs. As a best practice you should keep a copy of your original article, print out a screen shot of the website where your article was published and keep a copy of the magazine where your article was printed.

In my view, every project manager has something to say and share with others in our worldwide community. So pick up that pen… I mean keyboard… and start writing.

Why PMI Won’t Say If You Passed Or Failed Your PMP Exam

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP – Making the PMBOK® Guide fun.

The PMP Exam is changing on August 31st 2011. If you are taking the exam on or after this date, then your 200 questions will be based on the new PMP Exam Content Outline. To learn more about the detailed changes to the exam, please read my article “The PMP Exam Changes on 31 August 2011. What This Means For You”.

In addition to what you can find in that article, PMI recently announced the following: If you are taking the PMP Exam on or after 31 August 2011, then – for a limited time only – PMI will not immediately tell you if you have passed or failed your exam.

Let me explain: If you take your PMP Exam today, then “pass” or “fail” will immediately be displayed on your screen and printed on your examination report. But because PMI is changing the exam, they require some time to validate the new structure. They also need to make sure that the percentage of people passing/failing the new exam is in line with the percentages of the old exam. In this way, they can make certain that the new exam is just as fair as the old exam. And all of this means that in the first 4-6 weeks after the new exam is in place, they cannot immediately give you your result. You will have to wait.

Here is PMI’s original statement on this:

“As we transition to the new examination, PMI must update its examination reporting processes. This means for a short period of time examination results will not be available immediately following the examination. There will be a 4-6 week period between taking the examination and receiving the results via email. We know this will be disappointing to candidates, but please let them know the delay is necessary any time an exam changes to validate the new examination structure.”

Here is what this means for you as a PMP candidate:

1. If you are taking the computer-based PMP exam on or after 31 August you will not receive immediate results (pass/fail) at the Prometric testing center.
2. If you are taking the paper-based examination there will also be a delay in receiving your examination results.
3. PMI will notify you (via email) when your results are available at PMI.org.

PMI expects that the new examination structure is validated by mid-October. Once this has happened, exam takers will once again receive their results immediately at the Prometric testing center.

Here are my recommendations for those planning to take the exam between 31 August 2011 and about mid-October:

• Don’t be disappointed: If you are planning to take your PMP Exam between August 31 and mid-October, then don’t be disappointed that you won’t receive your results immediately.
• Smile: Yes! Smile with the knowledge that you are helping PMI to assess the new exam. You have just done a great service to PMI and all other PMP exam takers coming after you. Thank you.
• Be patient: Even though PMI says that you should receive your results within 4-6 weeks we are all project managers and we know about deadlines. Allow PMI to do their due diligence and ensure that the new exam structure works.
• Reschedule: If you cannot take the suspense of having to wait for up to six weeks, then reschedule your exam for around the end of October 2011.
• Don’t leave without a receipt: After you have taken your PMP exam at the Prometric test center you will very likely still receive a printed document. It confirms that you have taken the exam but won’t have your result. Don’t leave without it.

My final recommendation to all PMP candidates is that you should simply relax. If your scheduled exam falls into this “no immediate results” window and you cannot change it… take it easy. There is nothing you can do about it. PMI is doing everything to ensure that the new exam works for you and everyone else. And this process is just part of that. Stay positive and focus your energy on your studies.

@gerestrategico

Three Ways To Fail Your PMP Exam Audit

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP – Making the PMBOK® Guide fun.

The Project Management Institute’s (PMI)® Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential is a globally recognized certification of project management knowledge, skills and experience. So it’s not surprising that PMI takes great care to insure the quality of its certification process, from application through post certification.

When you apply to sit for PMI’s PMP Certification, you will submit a qualification of your education, quantification of your project management experience and classroom hours. If accepted, you can then take the PMP Exam. And if you pass, you’ll be added to the PMI list of certified Project Management Professionals with all its privileges.

You and every PMI certified professional deserves to know that their hard fought credential will retain its value and integrity year in and year out. PMI takes this responsibility very seriously. One of the ways they insure the integrity of your PMP certification is by auditing applicants as well as certified PMPs throughout their programs.

Your PMP application and, later, your PMP Status, can be audited at any time. There are a lot of rumors about PMI’s audit selection criteria, but the truth is that the audit selection process is completely random. There is no control chart of outliers or red flags.

So don’t focus on whether you might fit a truly non-existent profile of someone who gets audited. Focus on making sure your information and actions are aligned with passing an audit from the start! There is a positive and proactive way to approach your PMP application. Take these simple ideas to heart:

Your chances of being audited:

During the application process your chances of being audited are about 50/50 and drop dramatically after certification. Since the PMP Exam audit selection process is completely random, you shouldn’t waste your time listening to and worrying about the rumors of profiling or trigger conditions. Use your energy to properly study for the exam instead and take the time to make your application audit proof.

Being truthful means you don’t have to remember anything:

PMI takes its code of ethics very seriously and so should you. The more time you take to make sure your application is aligned with your experience, the better it will withstand an audit.

Document, Communicate, Align:

Take the time to document clearly your experience. Make sure you know where you stored your degree, training certificates, dates, documentation, contact names, addresses and phone numbers from your projects. Better yet, create a new project folder of all the background information that supports your application.

When you submit your Project Management experience application you will be asked to provide contact persons for each and every project. Be sure to confirm their current email address and phone numbers. These contact persons could be your managers, co-workers, vendors, clients and any other applicable stakeholders from your past projects. Let them know you’re applying to take the PMP Exam. Jog their memory of your projects by sharing with them what you’re submitting and ask them if they agree with what you’ve written. Make corrections if they disagree.

The Three Ways to Fail a PMP Exam Audit:

According to PMI’s Customer Care there are three ways that you can fail an audit: No Fault, Non-Compliance and Fraud. Let’s look at them in detail. First we’ll see what PMI writes for each, then we’ll give you an interpretation and our recommendations.

1.) No Fault: “Cannot verify education or experience through no fault of their own – No suspension period and cannot reapply until candidate can provide the experience hours and document them.”

You should be able to avoid this by making sure you have all your documentation before you submit your PMP Exam application. However, if for some reason, your education or experience cannot be confirmed, through no fault of your own, then PMI will still let you fail the audit. You may reapply as soon as you have your experience hours documented or confirmation of your degree.

2.) Non-Compliance: “Candidate chooses not to attempt audit – One year suspension period”

If you are audited and you simply have too much going on in your life to participate in the audit, then you can choose not to give any audit responses. Similar to pleading “no contest,” the candidate is subject to a one year suspension period before he/she can apply for the PMP Exam again.

3.) Fraud: “Providing False Information – Permanently suspended from sitting for PMI exams.

This should be obvious to you… Don’t lie! It’s not worth it! If you provide false information on your PMP application and you fail an audit because of it, you will be permanently suspended from sitting for any PMI exams. And they truly do mean forever.

If you’re concerned about not having enough contact hours, consider putting off your application until you do. If you’re looking for projects to fill in those hours, there are a lot of volunteer project management opportunities through community service and other non-profit organizations.

If you need a certification by a particular deadline and you’re short of hours, consider sitting for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® while you’re accumulating the hours you’ll need for the PMP. A CAPM certification requires only a high school (or equivalent) diploma and either 23 hours of project management education or 1,500 experience hours.

Although PMI can choose to change the PMP Audit process at any time, should you be audited, you’ll be asked to provide copies of your diplomas or equivalents, signatures from people that can verify your experience such as managers and supervisors, and copies of certificates and/or letters from training institutions for each educational course you’re claiming.

The PMP Exam audit process is a hiccup, but not a road block on your way to becoming certified. Take a little care up front, and you’ll come through it with flying colors.

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 15,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast and The PMP Exam Simulator.

Mais assuntos relacionados: Vou ser auditado pelo PMI, e agora?

@gerestrategico

Top 10 Features of a Great PMP Exam Simulator

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

You’ve read the PMBOK® Guide, you’ve studied hard and you feel that you are ready to take the PMP® exam. But understanding the topics isn’t the only thing you’ll need to make a success of the exam. Wouldn’t it be great to have the chance to take some sample questions, so you really know what the exam is going to be like?

You can use a PMP exam simulator to give you an insight into what sort of questions you’ll face during the exam. Here are 10 things to look for when choosing which PMP exam simulator to use:

1. Does it have full exam mode?

Choose a simulator that offers full exam mode. This will show you what the PMP exam is really like. With full exam mode, you can take a complete practice exam in your own home or office. It’s very realistic, and taking practice exams like this will help you understand what to expect on the day.

2. Does it have lots of questions?

You don’t want to be sitting at the computer after a day of studying and find that the same questions appear on the screen time and time again. Choose a PMP exam simulator that has lots of questions, preferably over 1,500. This will give you plenty of variety. Varied questions are more challenging, more interesting for you, and make your experience of the simulator more realistic.

3. Are the questions presented in the same proportion as in the exam?

Having lots of questions is only half the story: you also need to make sure that the questions presented on screen are shown in the same proportion as in the PMP exam itself. For example, in the real exam, 13% of the questions will come from Initiating a Project. If your PMP exam simulator shows too few or too many questions from this section, you won’t get a realistic view of what you’ll be presented with on your exam day.

4. Is the vendor a PMI Registered Education Provider?

A Registered Education Provider (R.E.P) is an organization approved by PMI to issue PDUs for its training materials. You might not have your PMP certification yet, but get into good habits now and make sure that you use a PMP exam simulator from a reputable, PMI approved company.

5. Who wrote the questions?

You want to know who is behind all these questions, don’t you? Try to find a PMP exam simulator that has questions written by a group of PMPs. That way, you know that behind the scenes the question writers have adapted a variety of styles, debated over the answers and the phrasing, and peer reviewed each others’ work.

6. Is there a ‘mark for review’ feature?

In the real exam, you’ll see the ‘mark for review’ feature. This enables you to put a question to one side for the moment and return to it at the end. Don’t let a difficult question take up all of your time. In the real exam, you’ll want to skip it and complete as many of the questions as possible, then go back to the ones you have marked for review. A good PMP exam simulator will let you do the same.

7. Does it have a learning mode?

There’s more to PMP exam preparation than just taking practice exams. You can also use a PMP simulator to help you learn. In learning mode, you can get hints for the questions, or you can see the answer to the question. This is useful if you want to consolidate what you have learned so far.

8. Does it explain why you got questions wrong?

You also need to know why you got questions wrong! It’s very frustrating to just see ‘Wrong’ on the screen without an explanation or a reference back to other materials so that you can revise your understanding of that concept. A good PMP exam simulator will explain the rationale and help you understand why you made a mistake.

9. Is it based on the most recent PMBOK® Guide?

This is an obvious one: you need to choose a simulator to help with your PMP exam prep that is based on the most recent PMBOK® Guide! If it isn’t, you can’t guarantee the relevance of the questions or the accuracy of the answers.

10. Will it let you take the tests multiple times?

A great simulator won’t limit the amount of times you can take the tests. Repeating the tests (especially if you got some of the answers wrong) is a good way to gain confidence and improve your exam results. Look for a PMP exam simulator that allows you to retake the tests as many times as you like.

Last but not least, your PMP exam simulator will not only help you prepare properly for the exam, but it will also help you approach the exam environment confidently. You’ll know what to expect, and prior knowledge is a great stress reliever! A great PMP simulator will give you an important edge in passing that all-important exam.

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 13,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com and The PM Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com

The Secret Of Creating Your PMP Exam Brain Dump Sheet

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

There’s no better catalyst for self realization than taking the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam. I’m kidding you, of course, but there is some truth in that the PMP exam day will illuminate that “you don’t know what you don’t know.”

The PMP Exam is a ‘closed’ book exam. That means the only reference material you are allowed to carry into the testing facility has to be contained in your brain. But during your exam, your brain is going to be very busy interpreting the exam questions and trying to apply all of the knowledge, skills and principles you’ve accumulated in your studies and work experience.

If you haven’t already, you should go for a visit to the local testing facility where you’ll take your exam and confirm what to expect. Most likely, on your exam day, the exam monitor will check you into the testing facility, hand you six or so sheets of scratch paper and two pencils, then show you to your seat and confirm that your PC is working. Then you’ll have about 15 minutes to go through a tutorial that really only takes about 5 minutes to do. Then you begin your exam.

During the test, recalling what you do know can be daunting. Quite frankly, some of your ability to access that knowledge is going to seem misplaced amongst your grey cells. So how do you create the best opportunities to pass the PMP Exam that day? You can use the 10 minutes you don’t need from the tutorial time to do a Brain Dump!

What is a Brain Dump?

A Brain Dump is a technique used by many students on closed book exams to create their personal mini reference table. Brain dumps are abbreviations of components and concepts, which you have committed to memory and are then spilled out on to sheets of paper prior to the exam for reference.

Brain dumps contain just enough key concepts, theories, formulas and content, which will jog your memory. By having the information on your Brain Dump, your mind can focus on the question at hand instead of trying to remember the formula needed to answer the question. It helps you to be in the right frame of mind specific to each question.

What goes into a Brain Dump?

Brain Dumps are only as good as the quality and quantity of information that you can spill out on the piece(s) of paper just before you begin your PMP Exam. They contain the formulas, theory, concepts and PMP-isms that you might otherwise forget for a moment at the very moment when you need it most.

Here is what you can generally find as part of a PMP Exam Brain Dump:

• Table 3-1 of the PMBOK® Guide 4^th Edition
• Formulas, such as earned value, PERT, communication channels, procurement, probability, project selection and depreciation
• Values, such as 1, 2 and 3 sigma and estimate ranges
• Acronyms, such as BAC or TCPI
• Powers of a project manager
• Conflict resolution (best to worst)
• Sources of conflict (order of priority)
• Herzberg’s motivators
• Project closing check list

And of course: you must include all the items that you personally have trouble remembering during your studies and that you feel need to go onto your sheet. The list above or using a Brain Dump that someone else created can be a good start but you really need to customize it to your needs. Don’t study what others are having trouble remembering. Instead, include what gives you the hiccups.

How do I Study a Brain Dump?

Brain Dumps are pure memorization. As part of your exam preparation, exercises and studying, go ahead and practice committing the content of your Brain Dump to memory and then writing them out onto a blank sheet of paper on a daily basis.

Every morning, practice your brain dump until you’re satisfied with your progress. By the end of the first week you should be able to write out your brain dump in its entirety on the first go.

Then continue dumping it on a regular basis, going back to the daily routine in the two weeks leading up to your exam.

So What *IS* The Secret of Creating My PMP Exam Brain Dump Sheet?

Creating and studying your very own, personalized PMP Exam Brain Dump Sheet is a means to an end in itself. It all begins with creating the content that goes into it by getting to know your weak areas as you prepare for the exam. Then you memorize, you dump and you repeat. Pretty soon what seemed too complex to remember is at the forefront of your knowledge.

So the secret is that you will accelerate your studies and knowledge simply by going through the motions of creating, studying and knowing what’s on your personalized Brain Dump.

Last but not least, your PMP Exam Brain Dump is a great tool not only to help you bring your reference material into the testing facility, but also providing stress relief knowing it’s there as you encounter questions that require it. You’ll help yourself to learn the material as you study for your PMP Exam and give yourself an important edge in passing.

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 10,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com and The PMP Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com

5 Reasons NOT to Take a PMP Exam Boot Camp

By Cornelius Fichtner, PMP

Often touted as “ideal targeted training” for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, many people find PMP boot camps are an attractive option for exam preparation.

While boot camps are designed to deliver noticeable results with a high-output of effort in a short period of time, the drawbacks of choosing this path for exam preparation often outweigh the benefits.

Bootcamps may work for some because the instructors are usually highly qualified with master’s degrees, prior training, and years of industry experience. Most also offer a pass guarantee and will assume financial risk if you fail. They may offer to pay for your exam re-take or provide custom coaching and feedback.

Quoting high first- and second-time pass rates, boot camp programs claim to be the ideal package for exam preparation, often including the PMBOK® Guide, a prep guide, test-style prep questions, and meals during classroom sessions. If you would like a surefire way to pass the PMP exam in a short period of time, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for.

However, PMP boot camps definitely have their share of drawbacks and these drawbacks are the reason why I never recommend a bootcamp to any of my students.

Reason #1: Boot camps are expensive.

Designed to be the ideal all-in-one exam preparation experience, the sheer cost of boot camps make them less-than-ideal for those of us on a budget. While the up-front cost may seem astronomical, check to see if it includes the actual PMP exam fee and comes backed with a pass guarantee. Most boot camp companies will offer to cover tailored tutoring and re-take exam fees if you fail the first or second time. If you fail a third time, they may even offer to let you take the entire 4-day course over again for free.

But all of this comes at a cost. Essentially a pay-to-pass program, boot camps pump a large amount of students through a short-term, high-yield course. Boot camps may only be a viable option if time is more valuable to you than money.

Reason #2: Boot camps are inconvenient.

Unless you live in a large urban area where a course is offered, the 4-day boot camp will usually require travel and hotel accommodations. For most project managers with jobs and families, dropping their responsibilities for four days is not only inconvenient, it’s impossible. Work and life does not stand still (or even slow down!) just because you have an important exam to pass. Most project managers require – and work best with – a study schedule that fits with their lifestyle instead of interrupting it.

Reason #3: Boot camps focus on memorization.

As you are already aware, the PMP exam is based on concepts from the PMBOK® Guide. Specific principles include communication, cost management, human resources, integration, procurement, quality, risk, scope, and time management. The material is broad and the data is often in-depth. So, how do boot camps ensure you thoroughly master and understand these concepts in a mere four days? They don’t.

There is absolutely not enough time in four days to extensively cover concepts and in-depth data. Instead, boot camps focus on rote memorization of high-yield material. While they may be able to guarantee a “first-time pass”, boot camps cannot and do not offer an education that will help you with project management beyond the exam.

Reason #4: Boot camps have limited schedules and openings.

As noted above, the inconvenience of boot camps is often rooted in their location and need for travel away from home. On top of that, many boot camps have limited space and are only able to offer sessions at certain times of the year. If you thought taking time off from work and your family would be difficult, try doing it around their schedule instead of your own. The only available times may be during a busy work crunch or stressful family situation. At best, this may be inconvenient. Often, it is impossible. Project managers with home and work commitments will usually have better success with a study schedule or workshop that still allows them to fulfill their home and work responsibilities.

Reason #5: Boot camp training focuses on passing the exam instead of teaching concepts.

The material on the PMP exam is broad and in-depth. If you are not already familiar with concepts covered in the PMBOK® Guide, boot camps will not be able to help you in a mere four days. As noted in their “guarantee”, boot camps only promise to help you pass the exam. They do not offer an education that will guide or assist you through your career.

One of the secret ingredients to doing well on the PMP exam is understanding of project management principles, both individually and how they work together. Instead of focusing on competency, boot camps rely on rote memorization of high-yield material. While this may result in a high first-time pass rate, it does not ensure that the project manager has learned any skills or gained experience that will help their career beyond exam day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if your goal is to simply pass the PMP exam without learning new techniques to improve your project management skills, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for. If you are unemployed, single without familial commitments, have more money than you know what to do with, and are simply looking to add credentials to your CV, then a 4-day PMP boot camp will probably serve you well. However, if you are genuinely interested in becoming a better project manager on the road to excelling on the PMP exam, then a more in-depth study approach is what you want.

Successfully passing the PMP Exam and achieving lasting and positive effects on your project management skills involves daily study time for 10 to 12 weeks. Individuals that choose to study on their own should read the PMBOK® Guide twice, utilize an additional PMP self-study preparation book, listen to a PMP Exam Podcast, and tackle as many sample exam questions as possible. Individuals that prefer the structure of a classroom schedule should select a training class that meets for several weeks. Self-study at home will complement the in-class lectures and further solidify the information. Following this approach will ensure that you not only pass the exam, but become a superior project manager along the way.

About the author: Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 10,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com/ and The PMP Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com/