Tips for preparing PMI series of exams.

Some important points you need to notice when applying PMP, and others.

(KJH) Kuan-Jung, Huang
7 min readDec 23, 2023
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The first question: Are you Eligible?

Take PMP for example, according to PMP exam content on pmi.org, to prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam, you should first make sure you are eligible to take the exam. To be eligible, you must have either a bachelor’s degree and at least 4,500 hours of project management experience, or a high school diploma and at least 7,500 hours of project management experience.

What should I read before I start the journey?

Once you have determined that you are eligible, you should review the PMP Exam Content Outline to understand the topics that will be covered on the exam. This outline can be found on the Project Management Institute (PMI) website. https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp

Next, you should obtain a copy of the PMP Exam Study Guide, which is also available on the PMI website. This guide provides an overview of the exam format and content, as well as tips for studying and preparing for the exam.

Another thing I need to do?

In addition to studying the material, it is important to make sure you are familiar with the exam format and timing. The PMP exam is a computer-based exam consisting of 180 multiple-choice questions, and you will have almost four hours(230 minutes) to complete it. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format and practicing with sample questions can help you feel more confident and prepared on exam day.

Practicing with sample questions is an important part of preparing for the PMP exam because it can help you become familiar with the exam format and content. It can also help you identify any areas where you may need to focus your study efforts.

When you practice with sample questions, you can simulate the exam experience and get a feel for the types of questions that will be asked on the actual exam. This can help you manage your time effectively and avoid surprises on exam day.

In addition, practicing with sample questions can help you assess your knowledge and identify any gaps in your understanding of the material. This can help you focus your studying on the areas where you need the most improvement, and increase your confidence in your ability to pass the exam.

It is important to simulate the actual exam experience as closely as possible. This means timing yourself and trying to answer the questions within the allotted time limit. This can help you manage your time effectively on the actual exam and avoid running out of time.

Overall, practicing with sample questions is an important part of preparing for the PMP exam because it can help you become familiar with the exam format, assess your knowledge, and identify areas for improvement. This can ultimately increase your chances of success on the exam.

But I feel that there has a lot of question banks, how do I choose?

When choosing a question bank or practice exam, it is important to consider factors such as the quality of the questions, the coverage of the exam content, and the availability of explanations and feedback. You should also consider the cost of the question bank and whether it includes any additional resources or study aids.

One way to evaluate the quality of a question bank is to look for reviews or ratings from other students who have used it. You can also try a free trial or sample of the question bank to see if the questions and explanations are clear and useful.

Another way to choose a question bank is to compare it to the PMP Exam Content Outline, which outlines the topics that will be covered on the exam. You should make sure that the question bank covers all of the topics on the outline, and that the questions are similar in style and format to the actual exam.

It is not necessary to study every single mock or sample question available, it is generally a good idea to practice with as many questions as you can. This will give you a better idea of the types of questions that will be on the exam and help you become more familiar with the exam format.

How do I correct the wrong concepts?

If you are practicing with sample questions and you get an answer wrong, it is important to take the time to understand why your answer was incorrect. This will help you learn from your mistakes and avoid making the same mistake on the actual exam.

To correct your answer, first carefully read the explanation for the correct answer. This should explain why the correct answer is correct and why your answer is incorrect. Pay attention to any key concepts or principles that are discussed in the explanation, as these may be important for answering similar questions on the exam. You can also use a gap analysis to identify areas where you need to improve your knowledge or understanding of the material.

A gap analysis is a process of identifying the difference between your current level of knowledge or skill and the desired level of knowledge or skill.

So, try to identify any gaps in your knowledge or understanding that may have led to your incorrect answer. For example, you may not have fully understood the question, or you may not have been familiar with the relevant concepts or principles. By identifying these gaps, you can focus your studying on the areas where you need the most improvement.

Finally, taking notes on the questions when you learnt from the questions you answered wrong. Taking notes is always a useful way to learn from your mistakes and improve your chances of success on the PMP exam.

Overall, if you get a sample question wrong, it is important to carefully read the explanation for the correct answer, identify any mistakes you made, and come up with a better approach for answering the question. This can help you learn from your mistakes and improve your chances of success on the exam.

Should I slef-packed or take a course for the exam?

It is important to consider factors such as the course format, cost, and instructor experience when you decide to take a course or preparing exam youself.

Self-paced preparation for the PMP exam involves creating a study plan and working through the material on your own, without the guidance of a teacher or instructor. This can be an effective way to prepare for the exam if you are a self-motivated learner and are able to stay on track with your studying.

Based on this information, you can create a study plan that outlines the topics you need to study and the resources you will use to study them. Your study plan should include a schedule for studying and completing practice questions, as well as regular review sessions to ensure that you are retaining the material.

You may also want to consider taking a PMP certification course, either online or in person, to help you study and prepare for the exam. These courses can provide a structured study plan and access to practice exams, which can help you prepare for the real exam.

Once you have selected a course, you should carefully review the course materials and schedule to understand what will be covered and how much time you will need to dedicate to studying. You should also take advantage of any opportunities to ask questions or seek help from the instructors or other students.

Most of the training providers have provide their own sample questions, they are also worth and you should also continue to study on your own and practice with sample questions.

Summary

To prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam, you should first make sure you are eligible to take the exam. To be eligible, you must have either a bachelor’s degree and at least 4,500 hours of project management experience, or a high school diploma and at least 7,500 hours of project management experience.

Next, you should review the PMP Exam Content Outline to understand the topics that will be covered on the exam. This outline can be found on the Project Management Institute (PMI) website. You should also obtain a copy of the PMP Exam Study Guide, which provides an overview of the exam format and content, as well as tips for studying and preparing for the exam.

To study for the exam, you can create a study plan and work through the material on your own, or you can enroll in a PMP certification course. These courses can provide a structured study plan, access to practice exams, and guidance from experienced instructors.

In addition to studying the material, it is important to make sure you are familiar with the exam format and timing. The PMP exam is a computer-based exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions, and you will have four hours to complete it. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format and practicing with sample questions can help you feel more confident and prepared on exam day.

In short, to prepare for the PMP exam, you should review the exam content outline, study the material, and practice with sample questions. By following a structured study plan and practicing with sample questions, you can increase your chances of success on the exam.

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(KJH) Kuan-Jung, Huang
(KJH) Kuan-Jung, Huang

Written by (KJH) Kuan-Jung, Huang

CTO at Metablox.co, Founder of AI Users Community in Taiwan

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