.

“To succeed, PMP mindset and Strategy are key”, said Kelly when I asked about how she did it.

Kelly Heyrman moved to Chicago about 7 years ago from Malaysia to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health. She worked in Continuous Improvement area and managed projects for almost 3 years before she decided to take up PMP.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys baking and painting. She loves going on long walks and thinking about stuff. 

What made you take up PMP?

I became CAPM certified 5 years ago and had worked in project management for almost 3 years.

Instead of renewing the CAPM certificate, which was of little importance compared to PMP, I decided to take a leap and pursue PMP. Also, the fact that with CAPM I didn’t need 35-hr contact education cert for PMP, helped.

Initially I thought I should take PMI-ACP because of its higher relevance and applicability. I even started reading some materials.

But eventually I changed my mind because PMP is more widely known, and it’s better to take a certificate that more people are familiar with.

Plus, the comprehensive knowledge it provides about all aspects of project management is unmatched.

Now that I am PMP certified, I feel great about the confidence I have gained to manage any project in any domain, of any complexity.

More importantly, with the addition of Agile elements in the PMP, I believe I gain more transferable knowledge than a very strict PM approach that’s more common in industries such as construction.

It’s a win-win.

Learn from other PMP toppers: 

• How Wawan cracked PMP on first try
• How Melissa scored AT with Process Chart Game
• Sonali’s simple 4-step strategy that got her all 3 Above Target

According to you, what’s most critical for PMP success?

Mock tests. Definitely.

I have realized that taking a lot of practice test questions and,

• spending time to really understand what the questions are asking for and
• understanding clearly why a selected answer IS the answer

..is key to succeed.

What is important to understand in approaching questions is that it’s a combination of PMP mindset and strategy.

What I mean by this is:

While reading the question, you put yourself in the shoes of a project manager. And while going through the answer options, think how would PMI expect you to answer.

Usually, any extremes are not likely to be the answer.

For example, [continue reading…]

Completely Free PMP Study Resource Kit – 8 resources to pass your PMP exam!

 

Free PMP Resource #1 – You’d need Examination Content Outline (PMP syllabus), PMP Handbook, and PMBOK (you’ll get PMBOK for free as PMI member) >> Download the first 2 from here

Free PMP Resource #2 – The PMP Beginner’s Guide >> Get it for free here

Free PMP Resource #3 – Free course to build foundation with top-down approach >> Sign up for free here

Free PMP Resource #4 – Free PM PrepCast helped over 53000+ people, sign up for free here

Free PMP Resource #5 – A Simulator is a must! >> Grab this free simulator

Free PMP Resource #6 – Steal PMP strategies from successful PMPs >> Over 324+ here!

Free PMP Resource #7 – Join free PMP support group on LinkedIn here  and on Facebook here

Free PMP Resource #8 – Want to get free PMP support by Shiv? Reach Shiv now.

“How to pass PMP exam on first try” is probably the most googled term.

What better way than to learn from someone that got PMP with Above Target score!

Wawan Ridwan has deep project management experience, with a decade spent in the Airline Industry.

He manages projects in business solutions, digital product development, and technology enhancement in large-scale projects to support sustainable business.

Wawan works out of Indonesia, and manages projects across the globe.

When he told me that he actually crushed his PMP exam, I *had* to get his secrets out of him. 🙂

Here they are for you!

During our conversation, I found Wawan to be quite frank and open, and it was obvious in his helpful answers to the questions I asked.

As I discovered, PMP wasn’t easy for him. Even laziness and self-doubts troubled a lot. And he somehow figured his way around them, and more.

This talk covers resources, study techniques, and mindset hacks.

Wawan also shares his actual exam experience.

Make sure to take notes of his insightful study tips towards the end of the interview. They resonated with me quite a bit.

After all, following these he passed his PMP with Above Target in all 3 domains, and with 37 minutes remaining on the clock!

Before we jump in… if you think this information can help a friend or colleague, consider sharing this page socially!

What made you take up PMP?

My present position is a project manager for the business solutions department in the Airline Industry.

Being a constant learner, I was looking for opportunities to upgrade my knowledge, so I can develop the necessary abilities to do my job better and open myself up for new opportunities in the future.

After some research, I came across PMP as a comprehensive certification opportunity.

The major draw is that PMP certification is universally recognized.

Many certification programs focus only on a specific domain or geography. PMP, on the other hand, is global and works with any industry and in any location. So, regardless of the professional background and industry.

PMP has consistently been the highest-paid IT certification. Also, the trends indicated that PMP salaries have been growing and will continue to grow in the future.

Apart from higher-income, PMP certification improves job security.

Some companies were found to value the core competencies learned through certification during downtime. Hence, a PMP credential helps fight a potential layoff better than not having one.

Also read:

• Get a free PMP strategy session with Shiv, here’s how.
• “Prepare for PMP with process chart game”, says Melissa revealing how to pass PMP exam on first try
• Here’s Sonali’s 4-step strategy for Above Target PMP score

If you are just thinking of taking up PMP..

[continue reading…]

This is just the beginning of November.

It is almost unbelievable that we have approached the end of 2021 so quickly.

We have just about 7-8 weeks remaining in this year, out of about 52 weeks.

Here is an interesting fact: On an average my students take about 6 weeks to get PMP certified.

What does this mean for you, as someone that’s preparing for the PMP exam?

This means that whether you are,

..just thinking of taking up PMP exam

..have been thinking about it for a looong time, and then the new exam rolled in

..have begun and put the preparation on back burner due to other higher priority work

..or, took the exam and failed it, unfortunately

.. now is a GREAT time to take up PMP preparation and..

GET PMP CERTIFIED AROUND CHRISTMAS!

..Definitely before the 2021 ends.

That reminds me..

I passed my PMP, years ago, on the evening of 31st December.

Well, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine how my New Year celebration was!

Enough to say that, for a shy & introvert person, I did raise few eyebrows of our neighbors with my erratic dance move around the community campfire that night! 😀

I remember the feeling so vividly..

Getting certified after close to 3 years of deciding to take up PMP.

Finally, doing it on the very last day of the year.

It felt as if starting the New Year with the New Year Resolution already fulfilled!

Truly.

A feeling of relief of a burden lifted off my shoulder, a self-appreciation of meeting a tough goal, and the excitement of opportunities in store of the future!

And PMP did open up a LOT of opportunities for me.

One of which is..

..to be able to help other people like me, struggling with the uncertainties and load of preparing for one of the toughest career-boosting certification exams – PMP.

And from that point onwards, I have been, with your love & support, been able to help over 5235 people, directly through my PMP courses and coaching, pass the PMP exam.

..and tens of thousands of more through my study note blog posts, prep-experience interviews of hundreds of successful PMPs, and 15 PMP books on Amazon.

This week, again with your love and support, we did something incredible.

12 out of 15 spots of Amazon Best Seller list, including number #1, taken by our PMP books!

Here it is –

That is an incredible feeling.

And it reminded me of the moment I had during my tough PMP exam preparation days.

It was past midnight.

I was sitting at my desk, feeling like I had hit the dead-end in my preparation. It felt like none of what I had studied for the past 6 months I was able to recall.

It was the 4th time I had seriously taken up PMP studies, with an intention of taking the exam, no matter what.

I’d reached a point where I was okay even if I failed, I would be happy just to take that attempt at the exam I had been postponing over the years.

But then the possibility of failure was even painful.

That meant I had to study all over again, all the while carrying the pain of missing an opportunity.

It felt like I was going crazy.

And at that moment I closed my eyes, lifted my face and said a silent prayer.

I made a promise to myself.

With folded hands I pleaded.

“God, please help me pass this exam. I promise to myself that I will help AS MANY people as I can pass this exam. Please.”

That seemed like the last resort.

That weekend,

..while cleaning my room, I chanced upon a mnemonic book that I had bought to help with my studies when I was in 10th standard. Literally decades ago.

It was a postal-order thing I had bought for a princely sum for a young 16yr old from his savings – by today’s measure, about $16!

As I sat at my desk with this book in hand, I could recall all the techniques.

A sense of relief and hope swept through me.

Soon, I began applying those techniques to my PMP studies,… and VOILA! I was able to recall the complex concepts and formulas quite effortlessly.

Once I passed the exam, I seriously began thinking of ways of helping other PMP students.

Maybe books and courses – to teach PMP using these techniques, I thought.

Helping others became my top priority.

I sought out people on the forums to help, without a sense of time or effort.

In fact I had spent over 8 months converting all my study notes in a way that is easily consumable on the blog.

That is how PMExamSmartNotes.com, this blog, became one of the top blogs offering end-to-end solution for PMP students, for free.

I poured months of long hours into creating books first, and then courses where I could share my mnemonic based, brain-friendly ways of learning complex PMP material.

Learn in a way that makes it easy to recall at will.

Not just on the exam, but also on the job, whenever needed.

And today, a combination of these books, courses, and coaching have helped tens of thousands of PMP students across the globe prepare for the exam effortlessly and pass it with ease.

While enjoying the whole process.

The best thing?

As a result, they naturally become better project managers – to be able to recall what to do when in a specific situation and try it out. See the results. Improvise. Be better.

And today, to celebrate the Amazon Best Seller list, I am doing something I haven’t done earlier.

I’m going to help you pass your PMP exam

To the buyers of my Ace Your PMP Exam series book, I will give 20 minutes of 1-1 call to strategize your PMP exam.

We will talk about –

• The blockers you are facing right now
• How to get past them
• How to come up with a study plan according to your time frame
• I will also give a free study plan template, so you can track your progress against it

How to schedule the free PMP strategy call with me?

It’s pretty simple.

Step 1: Click this link to go to the Amazon page of Ace Your PMP Exam series book

Step 2: Go ahead with the purchase. You will get access instantly!

Step 3: Send your Amazon’s confirmation email to shiv@pmexamsmartnotes.com And I will send you the calendar to book your free 1-1 PMP Strategy discussion call.

That’s it.

If you are still feeling hesitant about PMP, I understand it.

But here is something to understand.

PMP – with the addition of Agile and Hybrid content at the beginning of Jan-2021 – has become the #1 Project Management Certification In the World.

PMI’s latest Salary Survey has shown that PMP certified Project Managers earn 25% more on an average than non-PMPs.

Many organizations are including PMP as a qualification at the resume-filtering level itself.

Quite a lot of my students, and those I have interviewed on my blog after they passed PMP, have got better opportunities in their career.

A promotion.

Change of Profile.

Change of industry.

A new, better job.

The scope for growth is incredible!

There is no better way to move ahead in the project management career – both from the perspective of recognition as well as knowledge to improve the skills – than PMP.

So, go ahead and take that plunge.

Get PMP certified in next 6-8 weeks.

Aim to end 2021 with the 3 magic letters next to your name – P. M. P.

It will be worth all the sweat, blood, and tears you would have poured into the preparation.

And I am here to ensure you pour the least amount of it, or maybe none :-), with my books, course, and coaching.

So, here it is again –

Step 1: Click this link to go to the Amazon page of Ace Your PMP Exam series book

Step 2: Go ahead with the purchase. You will get access instantly!

Step 3: Send your Amazon’s confirmation email to shiv@pmexamsmartnotes.com And I will send you the calendar to book your free 1-1 PMP Strategy discussion call.

Take this baby step towards the worthy PMP goal today.

I will talk to you soon!

Shiv Shenoy, PMP

 

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“I pressed on and took the exam in December and failed just below the line.

It was not unexpected, but at the same time I was shocked I had come so close to passing and was encouraged by that.

I considered it as a good trial run for me.

That day I rescheduled to take it again prior to the end of December, the deadline under the old exam rules.

I joined a study group locally, bought books, signed up for a guided course and devoted the next five days to full immersion studying.

I sat down to take the exam on December 21st, feeling really good, only to be told the exam could not be delivered.”

Definitely not a great experience, but what got Melissa through is absolute determination and perseverance.

Yes, sometimes our goals take more than simply our ability to achieve them. 

Today, Melissa Mehring shares how she went to ace PMP exam with Above Target score few weeks ago, in spite of so many hurdles.

Unlike many earlier interviews, this was an eye-opener for me. If you are preparing for your PMP exam, there is much you can learn from Melissa’s experience.

Please make sure you read all the way through to the end, where Melissa shares her study tips to ace this exam.

Let’s dive in.

What made you take up PMP?

In August last year, a Master’s Degree in Project Management was conferred to me from USC.

To add to my years of experience managing projects and programs, it was important to prove my ability and knowledge with the PMI PMP certification.

This certification assures employers that I have the tools and knowledge to manage projects effectively.

Did you consider other exams?

Initially I considered taking the CAPM exam.

I changed my focus to prepare for PMP rather, because of the incredible body of knowledge USC imparted to me during my degree pursuit.

The courses of study were inclusive of all the leading material on project management, including the PMBOK Guide and the Agile Manifesto.

Much of the material consumed was from PMI itself, along with material published by thought leaders serving in this realm.

A peer asked me, “why are you not going for the PMP?”

He felt my experience, knowledge, and education lent itself to taking the PMP. In reflection, he was right.

What was the core benefit you expected? And now that you are certified how do you see PMP helping you?

One of the key benefits I hoped for was to alleviate the chance a perspective employer might say, “you have the degree and the experience, so why aren’t you certified?”

It was important to me to check all the boxes, so a perspective employer could feel good that I had done everything possible to master my craft and stay engaged with our collective professional association.

In 2016 the Program Management Improvement Accountability Act (PMIAA) passed into law.

And as a result many government employers are phasing in new hires that are PMP certified and training existing PM’s to become PMP certified. [continue reading…]