Ultimate PMP Study Plan 2023
PMP Journey
Step 1: Complete a 35-hour certification course:
The 35-hour certification course is a critical component of the PMP journey as it provides an in-depth understanding of the concepts and principles covered in the PMP exam.When selecting a course, it is important to consider your schedule and learning style.
PM Training School is a PMI certified provider and has expert instructors and offers flexible course schedules to accommodate the busy lives of working professional.
Step 2: Submit PMP eligibility application:
Criterion 1:
- 35 contact hours.
- A high school diploma or an associate’s degree (or global equivalent)
- 60 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training
Criterion 2:
- A four-year degree
- 36 months leading projects
- 35 hours of project management education/training
.
Step 3: Get PMI membership
PMI membership offers numerous benefits for individuals who are pursuing a career in project management.
How to become PMI Member?
To become a PMI member, follow these steps:
(1). Go to the PMI website: Visit the PMI website at www.pmi.org and click on the “Join” button.
(2). Select membership type: Select the membership type that best fits your needs. PMI offers different membership options, including individual, student, and retiree memberships.
(3). Create a PMI account: If you do not already have a PMI account, you will need to create one. This will allow you to access member-only resources and tools.
(4). Complete the application: Fill out the membership application, providing your personal and professional information. You will also need to pay the membership fee.
(5). Receive confirmation: Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access your member benefits.
Step 4: Self-study (study groups/coaching):
Self-study is an important aspect of the PMP journey, as it allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of project management concepts and prepare for the PMP exam at their own pace.
Here are some reasons why self-study is important:
(1). Flexibility: Self-study allows individuals to study at their own pace and on their own schedule. This is particularly beneficial for those who have busy work schedules or other commitments.
(2). Mastery of concepts: Self-study allows individuals to focus on specific areas where they may need additional support or understanding. By studying on their own, individuals can take the time to fully grasp complex concepts.
(3). Reinforcement of learning: Self-study allows individuals to reinforce their learning by reviewing concepts. This can help individuals retain information and improve their understanding of project management concepts.
PM Training School’s learning portal for PMP practice exams can offer several benefits to PMP aspirants, including:
Here are some benefits of joining PM Training School’s Learning portal:
Realistic Exam Experience
The learning portal provides PMP practice exams that are designed to simulate the actual PMP certification exam.
Flexibility
The learning portal allows learners to access PMP practice exams at their own convenience. Learners can choose the time and place.
Practice and Feedback
The learning portal allows learners to take multiple PMP practice exams and receive instant feedback on their performance.
Step 5: Pay and schedule for PMP exam:
The PMP exam fee structure varies depending on whether you are a PMI member or non-member. Here are the current exam fees (as of April 2023):
– PMI Member: $405 USD
– Non-Member: $555 USD
To schedule the exam, follow these steps:
(1). Create an account on the PMI website: If you don’t already have an account on the PMI website, you will need to create one.
(2). Submit your application: Once you have completed your 35 hours of project management education and meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit your PMP application for review.
(3). Wait for approval: PMI will review your application and confirm your eligibility to take the exam. This process can take up to 5 business days.
(4). Pay for the exam: Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay for the exam.
(5). Schedule the exam: After you have paid for the exam, you can schedule your exam appointment through the Prometric website. You will need to choose a testing center and a date and time that works for you.
Step 6: Continue self-study:
Here are some recommended study resources for the PMP exam:
PM Training School: PM Training School offers a comprehensive PMP exam preparation course that includes study materials, practice exams, and live online classes with certified instructors.
PMI’s PMP Exam Preparation: This is a self-paced online course offered by PMI that includes study materials, practice exams, and interactive exercises.
Step 7: Sit for exam and pass PMP exam:
When it comes to answering exam questions, here are some tips:
(1). Read the question carefully: Make sure you understand what the question is asking before answering it.
(2). Eliminate wrong answers: If you’re unsure of the answer, eliminate any obviously wrong answers first. This will increase your chances of guessing correctly.
(3). Use the process of elimination: If you’re unsure of the answer, use the process of elimination to narrow down the choices.
(4). Manage your time: The PMP exam is timed, so it’s important to manage your time wisely. Don’t spend too much time on one question.
Step 8: Continue professional development:
(Managing your PDUs: 60 PDUs over 3 years)
(1). Plan ahead:
Plan your professional development activities well in advance, so you have enough time to earn the required PDUs.
(2). Keep track of your PDUs:
Use a PDU tracking tool to keep track of your earned PDUs, and ensure that you submit your PDU claims on time.
(3). Prioritize your development:
Prioritize your professional development opportunities based on your career goals and areas of improvement.
(4). Utilize online resources:
Take advantage of online resources, such as PMI’s Resource Center, to find professional development opportunities that align with your career goals.
Step 9: Renew your PMP every 3 years
The PMP renewal process involves earning and reporting 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) every three years. Once you have earned the required PDUs, you can submit your PDU claims to PMI, which will then review and approve them. You can renew your PMP certification online by paying the renewal fee, which is currently $60 for PMI members and $150 for non-members.
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Comprehensive Study Material:
The study plan include comprehensive study material covering all the knowledge areas and process groups of the PMP exam including textbooks, online courses, and other resources to provide a well-rounded understanding of the exam.
Structured Learning Modules:
The study plan is broken down into structured learning modules that cover different topics and concepts. This can help learners to stay organized and on track with their studies.
Practice Exams:
The study plan provides access to a series of PMP practice exams that simulate the actual exam format, time constraints, and difficulty level. These practice exams help learners to gauge their exam readiness and identify areas where they need to improve.
Master the PMP Exam with Our Comprehensive Learning Portal
Identify your career goals:
What skills do you need to develop, do you need to develop and where do you want to be in the future?
Look for relevant opportunities:
This could be attending training programs, volunteering for a relevant project, or attending seminars.
Choose reputable providers:
Look for PMI-approved training providers or providers with a good reputation in the industry.
PMP Learning Resources
(R1): Student Workbook
(R2): Class handouts
(R3): PMBoK V7 (Reference only)
(R5): PMI Agile Practice Guide (Reference only)
(R4): PMI Standard+ (Reference only)
(R6): Any updated Practice Exam Simulator
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PMP EXAM PREP TRAINING – DELIVERY PLAN
Resource (R1): Student Workbook
Step 1:
Enroll in PMP Exam Prep Training course with a PMI Authorized Training Partner (PMI ATP).
Step 2:
Create a free PMI account at www.pmi.org.
Step 3:
Spend 35 hours to complete PMI- Certified Instructor Led Virtual or In Class course.
Participate in class discussion, breakouts groups and activities.
Use Learning Resource (R1) to take a lot of notes and ask instructor to clarify concepts.
Step 4:
Submit your PMP Exam eligibility application here. It will take 2-4 days by PMI to confirm your eligibility
Next Steps:
Get an updated Practice Exams Simulator (R6) and start practicing some exam questions. Keep reading to learn more about it
PMP PRACTICE EXAMS- PART 1 ( 8- 12 HOURS)
Resource (R6): Any Updates Exam Simulator OR Learning portal
Right after completing the course, Give it a go to some PMP Exam Prep Questions (at least
200 Qs). Please note, you have to do a lot more later.
Step 1: Mastery Builds
Attempt all the questions as given in Mastery Build, provided by PMI (Ask your trainer about Master Build) OR Reach to us through support detail as given below.
Step 2: Quizzes (150-200 Questions)
Attempt at least 150- 200 Question as available on your purchased exam simulator/ learning portal or free on Internet. These question can be in the form of one full exam or in
the forms of quizzes (e.g. Quiz 1- 7 at PM Training School Learning Portal)
Post Study Support and Coaching:
Consider joining a study group OR ask your trainer for post training coaching sessions.
Reach to us for options:
support@pmtrainingschool.com
+64211036356 (WhatsApp)
LESSON 1: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT(5-11 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- Lesson 1: Business Environment
LESSON 2: START THE PROJECT ( 5- 14 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- (Lesson 2: Start the Project)
Step 1:
Spend 1- 2 hours to complete reading of Lesson 0: Introduction to PMP and Exam.
Step 1:
Spend 5- 14 hours to complete Lesson 2 readings.
Step 2:
Spend 4- 9 hours to complete Lesson 1 reading
(Topics are given above).
Step 2:
For confusing concepts , consult with reference resources
(R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide).
Step 3:
For confusing concepts, consult with reference resources (R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide).
LESSON 3: PLAN THE PROJECT (6- 18 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- (Lesson 3: Plan the Project)
LESSON 4: LEAD THE PROJECT TEAM (4- 12 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- (Lesson 4: Lead the Project Team)
Step 1:
Spend 6- 18 hours to complete Lesson 3 readings.
Step 1:
Spend 4- 12 hours to complete “Lesson 4: Lead the Project Team” readings.
Step 2:
For confusing concepts, consult with reference resources (R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide)
Step 2:
For confusing concepts, consult with reference resources (R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI
Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide).
LESSON 5: PLAN THE PROJECT (6- 18 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- (Lesson 5: Support Project Team Performance)
LESSON 6: LEAD THE PROJECT TEAM (4- 12 HOURS)*
Resource (R2): Lesson Notes- (Lesson 2: Start the Project)
Step 1:
Spend 5- 16 hours to complete “Lesson 5” readings.
Step 1:
Spend 3- 6 hours to complete Lesson 6 readings.
Step 2:
For confusing concepts, consult with reference resources (R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide)
Step 2:
For confusing concepts , consult with reference resources ( R3: PMBoK V7, R4: PMI
Standard+, R5: PMI Agile Practitioners guide).
Brain Busters: Put Your Knowledge to the Test with Our Challenging Certification Practice Exams !
PMP PRACTICE EXAMS- PART 2 ( 80- 20 HOURS)
Resource (R6): Any Updated Exam Simulator OR Learning portal
After Completing the full reading of the course handouts, Start practicing Moc Exam/
practice questions:
Step 1: Practice Exam 1
Complete a full practice exam (180-200 Qs) in 4 hours. You should be getting at least 60% Marks.
Identify the Gaps and consult with suggested learning resources (R2- R5)
Step 2: Practice Exam N
Practice as many exams as possible (Minimum 600 Questions)
Identify the Gaps and consult with suggested learning resources (R2- R5)
Next Steps:
Keep reading for next steps.
Have questions about our certification courses?
Next Steps
Resources (R1- R6)
After Completing the full reading of the course handouts, Start practicing Moc Exam/
practice questions:
Step 1: Pay and Schedule your PMP Exam
Pay and Schedule your exam at www.pmi.org. You have 1 year after your exam
eligibility
You can schedule for your exam at nearby Pearson VUE center or from your
home/office. it’s recommended to sit for PMP exam at the center.
Book your exam at least two weeks before you want to sit for it.
Step 2: Keep Preparing
Keep preparing by reading learning resources (R2- R5)
Keep practicing high quality exam prep questions
Keep identifying gaps in your knowledge and concepts and clarify by consulting
learning resources or instructor or a posting a question on study group or Linkedin groups
Step 3: Sit for your exam and Become a PMP
Sleep Well
Reach at exam center at least 30 minutes before
Exam is 3 hrs. 40 mins long and include 180 questions. Once completed and passed
you will have the most authentic credential in project Management (PMP).
Pro Tips To Prepare for PMP Exam
PMP® Exam Prep Course
Pro Tips To Prepare for PMP Exam 2
PMP® Exam Prep Course
Tips & Tricks To Pass
PMP Exam In First Attempt
Get Familiar with PMP Exam Question types: MCQs, Multi answers, Hotspot, True/False and Drag and Drop
Pro Tip: Identify Root cause – Lesson Learned after solving Mock questions
Read the last answer option first and move upwards. (D, C, B and then A)
PMP® Exam Prep Course
TIP # 01: UNDERSTAND PMI-ISM
This tips focuses on understanding the “PMI way of doing things” and using this to spot the right answer to exam questions:
“Simply imagine you are a project manager in a “perfect” project
management world. Everything works as expected. A charter is created for every project! As the project manager, you are responsible for all aspects of the project. All risk management processes (and all others!) are always applied. This is a fully projectized world! Hurray!”
Therefore, for the PMP exam, think of a large organization that carries out its projects using proper project management practices. This is a model organization with established processes and procedures, experienced staff, and healthy culture.
The correct answer would typically reflect an action taken by a well-versed project manager working for such an organization. And furthermore, this well-versed project manager knows the importance of having and following these proper PM practices, the established processes, and the defined procedures. They help us to repeat our project successes.
However, when appropriate, it is absolutely OK (and it is a best practice) to tailor these processes for your project and adjust them as needed. But we never break them or simply throw them out of the window
PMP EXAM TIP#02 READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY
This is a very important step that I have to put at the top of my list. Most of the time, we try to read questions at a fast pace, which results in having to re-read questions multiple times.
you have 230 minutes in the #PMPexam, so time management is key. I recommend allocating 80 minutes for the first 60 questions, then taking a 10-minute break. After that, allocate 75 minutes for the next 60 questions, followed by another 10-minute break. Finally, allocate the last 75 minutes for the last 60 questions.
Time management can only be maintained if you slow down your brain to find and understand the context of the question. When you slow down, your brain will start looking for reasons to do so, and you will be able to focus. Practice it from today.
This is a very important step that I have to put at the top of my list. Most of the time, we try to read questions at a fast pace, which results in having to re-read questions multiple times. Please note that you have 230 minutes in the #PMPexam, so time management is key. I recommend allocating 80 minutes for the first 60 questions, then taking a 10-minute break. After that, allocate 75 minutes for the next 60 questions, followed by another 10-minute break. Finally, allocate the last 75 minutes for the last 60 questions.
Time management can only be maintained if you slow down your brain to find and understand the context of the question. When you slow down, your brain will start looking for reasons to do so, and you will be able to focu s.
Practice it from today.
PMP EXAM TIP # 03: READ THE LAST LINE OF QUESTION FIRST
This is most effective when you have a question with more than 3 lines; most of the time question is actually in the last line. This can help you save time when you are running out of time. Most of the time, the last line is something like this,
- What would the project manager do next?
- Should have done?
- How can this be avoided?
- Issue has occurred
- Best way
- Which plan to update?
- Which document to update
This helps you to master the question in a better way. Practice is needed to make it a habit
PMP EXAM TIP # 04: IDENTIFY THE KEYWORDS
If you can identify the keywords correctly. The question is yours. Some keywords are like
- Risk has occurred,
- Issue has occurred
- An unidentified event has occurred
- A stakeholder is added,
- A new stakeholder is identified
- You want to communicate
- The project is closed/ canceled
- Deliverable is rejected
- You are reviewing the project
- Change has been raised/ Approved
PMP EXAM TIP # 05 IDENTIFY CONTEXT OF THE QUESTION/ PROCESS GROUP
Knowing the context of the question and mastering where you are in a particular process group can help you to solve questions in a better way. These are some tips to know where you are
Initiation – Only the project charter, assumption log, and stakeholder register are made
Planning – All the plans are made in this process and most of the document, this step is all about HOW to do something not done.
Execution- Work is being done in this process group, issues are generated, the team comes here, conflicts happen, and communication occurs. Everything is done in the process. If the quesiton indicate happening you are here
Monitoring and control – Variance analysis, you are comparing the plan to the actual and raising change request, deliverables are verified
and accepted here
Closing – Project is ending, document and Lesson learned, Final report
team realize
PMP EXAM TIP # 06 IDENTIFY AND 05 SELECT LIFE CYCLE
In 2021, PMP exam included following
- 50% Predictive
- 27% Hybrid.
- 23% Agile
It is important to know the differences and use of all life cycle.
Predictive- Scope is fixed, and Delivery is single. Risk is less, project are known and less uncertain, to raise change request needs approval, make plan for everything example – a construction project.
Iterative – Single delivery; however, scope can be added or removed at any time Example prototype.
Incremental – Delivery in part, the scope is fixed, for example, E-learning, Series
Agile – Delivery can be part, scope is adjustable, the customer is king, the team is self organized, make progress visible, use information radiator, example- software
Hybrid – Can be a combination of any two
Please note in PMP exam if you cannot find the word agile or predictive written, assume its a hybrid question
PMP EXAM TIP # 07 UNDERSTAND ROLES IN WATERFALL CONTEXT
After you’ve identified the keyword, derived the lifecycle in question and realized the context of question, DETERMINE whose responsibility would it to be perform the duty asked.
For example, following are 4 critical roles associated with performing high level project management duties in PREDICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
1) Project Sponsor – Determines the budget, approves the project charter and signs off the project.
2) Project Manager – Determines the methodology used, resolves conflicts, negotiates with various project stakeholders and facilitates and integrates the overall project work
3) Change Control Board – Committee responsible for formally approving or rejecting the change requested.
4) Project Team – Contributes to overall project objectives, provides expertise, documents the process
PMP EXAM TIP # 08 UNDERSTAND THE ROLE IN AGILE CONTEXT
1) Scrum Master/ Servant leader / Team Coach/ Agile Coach:
Works to fulfill the needs of the teams, projects, and organization. Servant leaders facilitate, coach, and removes impediments for the development team.
2) Product Owner:
Also known as the voice of customer, works with stakeholders, customers,
and the teams to define the product direction. Responsible for creating
the product backlog.
3) Cross Functional Team:
Team members with all the skills necessary to produce a working product
PMP EXAM TIP # 09 USE ELIMINATIONTECHNQUIE TO SOLVE PMP
QUESTION
If you don’t follow the first 5 steps I have shared, follow this step religiously to get 80% of questions correct (provided you have mastered PMP material).
What is the elimination technique? You must justify each step of the question.
Let’s say you are on option A, and you believe it is the correct answer. You must justify to yourself why you think it’s the right answer,
but do not select it yet. Mark it and move on to the next option.
If option B seems incorrect, justify why you think it’s the wrong option. If option C seems correct, justify why and mark it. If option D seems incorrect, justify why it’s wrong.
This is a common scenario in the PMP exam where you are left with two options.
Please note that it’s possible you may have already selected option A and moved on, but this goes against the principles of the elimination technique. You must go through each option and never rush.
Now that you’re left with two options, use the same technique to justify which option makes more sense, and choose that option
PMP EXAM TIP#8 UNDERSTAND THE ROLE IN AGILE CONTEXT
Now that you have solved the question, should you move on to the next mock exam? No! Otherwise, you will make the same mistakes repeatedly. Please stop here and identify what you did wrong and why you made the mistake.What did you learn from this particular question?
Use an Excel file as a lesson learned template to review your mistakes and determine which topics you are struggling with the most. Then, work to improve your understanding of those topics. By consistently following this process, you will become a PMP.
Please note that this is considered the most important step by a certified PMP
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