.

This week, Kelly Rodriguez reveals the process she used and passed PMP exam with Above Target score.

Kelly is a Petroleum Engineer and lives in Houston, Texas.

Kelly’s preparation was simple and effective, a perfect remedy if you are feeling the enormity of study content (rightly so!).

She narrated an interesting development, that tells you how effective her simple process was.

All she got was 3 days lead time for the exam, and she took it. And passed with AT in all 3 domains.

I highly recommend you follow her easy study strategy for at least 2-3 weeks and see the results you are getting.

I was pleasantly surprised with some of her insights and advice, and I think these will help you.

Let’s get started!

What made you take up PMP?

Ever since I started working in Projects in the Energy Industry, I felt that I had to get certified in a good project management certification exam.

PMP opens doors for many opportunities out there.

According to you, what is the one thing a PMP aspirant should have to prepare well?

First of all, focus.

Without focus, it is hard to make study progress. Especially for PMP.

The important thing to understand with PMP preparation is that it is a long-term game.

With so much of content to study—Predictive (50%), Agile & Hybrid (other 50% syllabus), and now PMBOK7 (few questions at least)—one has a lot to study.

Which means, it is quite easy to feel overwhelmed.

The challenge is to avoid the overwhelm and make regular progress.

Click to discover how to choose PMP resources based on your learning style

And being focussed on one’s study makes it much easier.

The other aspect that helped me was setting up a daily study schedule.

Being able to dedicate an hour of study, every day, preferably at the same time of the day, is key to turn your prep effort into a routine.

Once it becomes a routine, it would not hurt as much.

Anything you set as a daily routine will assist to make quick progress. The compounding effect will kick in about 3 weeks, and you will see yourself growing in confidence.

Thus, I’d recommend to set up a fixed time to study. I studied for an hour or so daily. And on the weekends, for about 3-5 hours.

There is no need to study for 4-8hrs at a stretch and all that, in my experience just an hour of study per day also works just great.

Also read:

• Subscribe for free, brain-friendly PMP videos
• “I passed PMP with 3-step process, got AT!”, shares Rob
• Use only research based resources for your PMP prep, says Vijay
• Elena shares the 3 CORE areas you should focus for a great PMP result

[continue reading…]

If you simply follow his 3-step PMP approach, you will cover 100% of what is needed for the exam.

Robert passed the PMP exam recently.

With an impressive ‘Above Target’ score in all the 3 domains – People, Process, Business environment.

Robert lives in Munich, Germany, and has been working in the field of semiconductor chip development for the past 15 years.

In this week’s PMP Lessons Learned series, Robert shares his exact process and insights.

Why take up PMP, and not any other?

As a Project Management practitioner, PMP certification gives me the right tools to exercise the profession at a higher level of confidence and performance. Best way to grow my career. 🙂

The worldwide recognition of PMP certification turns the balance while comparing to different certification options in the industry.

The need for maintaining PMP credentials using CCRS ensures that I keep myself updated with the latest knowledge of the project management world. This considerably reinforces my knowledge base about the art and science of project management.

I am now in a better position to link the big picture of the PM profession to the detailed processes, tools & techniques required to generate added value for my organization.

Can you share the study resources used for your preparation?

I love reading books, but video courses help quicker learning. Thus, I chose one of each in these categories.

Then I added simulators, so I practice mock tests and prepare for the real exam much better.

• Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep, 10th edition
• PMP Exam Prep Seminar by Joseph Phillips (Udemy course)
• PrepCast Exam Simulator
• PMP Mock Practice Tests by Yassine Tounsi (Udemy course)

How did you approach the exam?

After deciding on taking the exam, I’ve set up a simple PMP approach consisting of 3 steps – [continue reading…]

8 year long PMP dream.

4 rounds of study using books.

2 hours of study per day during weekdays + 8 hours of study during weekends.

1 mock test after completing every chapter.

Failed PMP exam.

Replaced one of the study resources with a video course.

Worked through health issues.

Took the second attempt.

Passed the PMP exam!

PMP exam can be full of surprises. That’s why it is recommended to understand how successful PMPs are doing it.

And replicate the strategies that resonate with you.

This week, Vijaybabu reveals his strategies.

Vijayababu has over 13 years of professional experience as an Engineer in the Medical Devices, Food Processing & Defense industries. He is an avid reader and practitioner of principles of self-development, Business Strategies, Finance, & Spiritual domains.

Let’s find out how Vijayababu did it.

What made you take up PMP?

In 2011 May, I completed my first 4 years of professional journey as an Engineer.

This experience had enabled me to get my hands on a complete project life cycle, some spanning a few weeks to more than 10 months.

As I joined my next company I decided to pursue my studies towards Business Administration & took up my MBA in Project Management.

During this time I came across information about the PMP certification exam on pmi.org. The details provided there were not much help to me as I could not understand the basic requirements mentioned for PMP certification, honestly, I had never heard of it till then.

In 2015, I played a major role in one of the flagship projects for my company, during which time, one of my colleagues suggested that I take up the PMP exam to pursue a Project Management career.

Then I began to watch YouTube videos on Project Management.

All the processes explained there looked the same to me & frankly, I got bored listening to the same words for different processes per PMBOK. PMBOK guide was not so helpful for me to continue my studies.

In 2018, I decided to change my career as I moved to a different city, with one simple goal: getting PMP certified within the next couple of years.

Now that I am PMP certified, I am considering PgMP certification in near future from PMI.

Now that you are certified, what benefits do you see now?

I have started to implement processes of PMP in managing projects based on project needs in a small way to good effect.

My Project Management fundamentals are stronger.

I have a clear understanding of project phases from initiation to closing. I actively focus on stakeholders, risks & communication needs identification in the early stages of the project.

All these have been giving me better results at work. I wonder how much better it could have been if I’d done PMP much earlier!.

My PMP certification has invoked confidence in me by my new employer and clients alike.

I can say that PMP has made me a better project manager at work, given validation of my project management skills, and recognition among my hiring managers and customers.

Which study resources did you use?

I initially started with YouTube videos, PDF books from different authors, and finally PMBOK guide.

Then I enrolled in InfoCareerIndia for their 35-hours of classroom training.

Next, I took up Rita Mulcahy’s book.

As part of the training, we were provided course material, video recordings, and weekly online training. Also, utilized question banks based on level of difficulty – basic, medium, and high (more free PMP question banks here).

During my second attempt, I used PM PrepCast by Cornelius Fichtner. [continue reading…]

Elena Stepura lives in Kiev Ukraine. She is a freelance Project Manager. She is also a Personal Brand and Remote work Mentor.

Elena’s challenge lied in the management of PMP preparation along with freelancing work, kids,  pet, AND a day job.

Pretty much like most of us. Juggling multiple responsibilities.

And she did it with aplomb, as you’ll see soon.

As we got into the New Year, I could not help but recall my excitement 8 years ago on the evening of the last day of the year – 31st December, when I passed the exam.

Even today, recalling that moment makes my heart skip a beat. 🙂

If you are yet to make up your mind about PMP, or finding it hard to prepare for, I would recommend this approach –

1. First, simply make up your mind that you will take up PMP before the year ends. Accepting this opens up your mind to opportunities to learn about, and, prepare for this exam.
2. Next, understand what it takes to be ready for PMP, and make a note of eligibility criteria. You need to work on fulfilling this first.
3. Research and find 1-2 study resources based on your learning style (use this 3-minute 3-step guide to find more).
4. In the process of fulfilling eligibility criteria, you would complete at least the first round of study!
5. Submit the application at PMI
6. Continue the studies, and practice with good simulators, and build exam confidence
7. Book and take the exam
8. Celebrate!

If you are still not clear, book a free 30-minute consult call with me here.

Ah, I digressed.

Back to Elena’s PMP preparation, I found her unique approach to preparation quite helpful and her sense of humor enjoyable.

And based on her own experience, she has a very strong message in the end.

Let’s hear from her.

What made you take up PMP?

My husband promised to take a tour over Europe if I pass it with the first attempt. That became a perfect motivation. Joking. 🙂

Getting PMP certification within the year: I set this career goal for myself at the beginning of 2021.

All I kept in mind then was that PMP could bring me up to another league, open new career doors.

Also, I was sure that the exam would be extremely difficult. So, I prepared myself to do the grind.

Did I consider any other Project Management certification?

No, only Project Management Professional.

Perhaps it is the most challenging exam, but you will never be the same after getting this certification.

However, if English is not your native language, like me, the level of language expertise is a crucial factor for your career.

Also read:

• How to learn entire process chart in 7 minutes
• This week’s top PMP offers
• How to learn ITTOs, the simple guide
• Rare collection of tough questions about PMP topics and answers

Now that you are certified, how do you see PMP helping you?

There are no questions about my Project Management education or qualifications anymore. 🙂

“Oh, you are PMP certified. Got it. That’s what we need.”

I feel so proud of myself, and I’ve become more self-confident since I passed it. It is like a driving license or IELTS. You don’t need to explain this.

People from all over the professional world understand this certificate and value it.

Which study resources did you use?

[continue reading…]

“You can cut PMP preparation time by half, simply by being strategic about the preparation approach you take”, says Madhusmita Mohapatra. 

She should know because she passed it with Above Target score recently.

She had interesting experiences along the way. For instance,

What would you do if, during the online PMP exam, you lose internet connectivity?

It can get a bit crazy, the uncertainties of the exam. 🙂

Madhusmita Mohapatra works as a Capability manager in a Health Services and Innovation company. With over 13 years of IT leadership experience, she owns the strategic program management functions.

She loves cycling, reading novels, and writing articles.

In this no-holds-barred interview, Madhusmita shares the exact strategies and tactics she used to get all 3 Above Target score. 

Simply follow the ones that resonate with you, and fast-track your study.

Get a pen and paper, and a cup of hot freshly brewed coffee (or your fav bev), let’s get started.

What made you take up PMP?

Over the years, I did certifications in Agile, design thinking, and Cloud technology.

A change in my role, from Engineering manager to Capability manager, added new business scenarios and challenges. I realized that PMP would outline all aspects of project management that are necessary to do a better job in my new role.

The rigorous PMP preparation phase itself is a transformational journey. This has brought loads of changes in my leadership style, strategical mindset, and stakeholder management outlook.

According to you, what is the one thing a PMP aspirant should have/do/use, to prepare well and pass the exam?

I would say, a strategic approach.

For instance, one of the strategies I followed is to treat PMP exam preparation itself as a project.

Accordingly, I developed my preparation roadmap and delivery milestones.

This approach certainly made me feel that PMP is an additional project I am handling, rather than something outside of my work responsibility for which I have to carve out time.

I realized that just by being mindful and strategic we can cut down PMP preparation time by as much as 50%. For each of the hurdles along the way, I applied certain strategies to get past them.

What is the core benefit did you get as PMP certified professional?

PMP certification establishes credibility about our project management skills. The core benefit I consider is the change in my perspective and skill set as a leader, in addition to being an effective project manager.

I notice myself being mindful of the must-have practices and principles while strategizing and planning for the projects.

I also have learned a better approach to monitoring and controlling the associated risks in my job.

With the newfound confidence, I look forward to taking up challenging leadership roles and opportunities.

Also read:

• Stefan’s 8-week 3-part plan to Above Target score
• Sharma found 2 critical factors to reduce PMP preparation time
• Love free PMP resource? Here’s a free simulator for you
• Here’s Jessica’s shortcut to PMP success

Which study resources did you use for your exam preparation?

[continue reading…]