April 19, 2015
PMP Certification: Overview, Study process,
Lessons Learned
Irina Zaporozhets, PMP, CSM
Contents
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About the Project Management Institute (PMI.org)
PMI Certifications
Eligibility Criteria for PMP, Application Form
Exam content
Study process tips, Lessons Learned
My study process
Exam Day Hints
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Project Management Institute (PMI)
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Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading not-profit professional membership
association for the project, program and portfolio management profession
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Main direction - development of standards, research, education, publication, networkingopportunities in local chapters, hosting conferences and training seminars, and maintaining
multiple credentials in project management
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PMI's standards for project, program and portfolio management are the most widely
recognized standards in the profession
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The Project Management Professional (PMP)® is the most important globally-recognized and
independently validated credential for project managers, perfect if you have demonstrated
experience and competence in leading project teams.
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PMI Certifications
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PMP Eligibility Criteria
PMP handbook with exam details and requirements
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Application form
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Register at pmi.org and fill in the contact information
Spend some time to list all projects you want to
register (during the last 3 years)
Specify your role in the project (which can
be different from your job title, e.g. Project Leader,
Project Coordinator, Project Expeditor, etc.)
For each project specify name and contact info of
your supervisor
Provide a short description of the project, goals,
deliverables and your personal role
Fill in hours spent in each process group for the
project (Initiation, Planning, Execution, M&C, Closing)
Note: overlapping projects are not summarized
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Exam content
• Exam consists of 200 situational questions. Distribution between
Process groups:
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Initiating the project (13%)
Planning the project (24%)
Executing the project (30%)
Monitoring and controlling the project (25%)
Closing the project (8%)
• Average time to study PMBOK process groups, knowledge areas and
processes - 3-4 months
• 4 hours is given to answer 200 questions
• Passing score - 61 % (106 questions correct out of 175 scored
questions)
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Study process tips, Lessons Learned
• You need to clearly state WHY do you need to pass the exam to keep yourself
motivated – make a list of 3 why-items
• Treat it as a project!  with all the relevant phases – from initiation through closing
• Use a study book
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I used PMP® Exam Prep 8th Edition by Rita Mulcahy (http://www.rmcproject.com/ )
Register at pmi.org and download PMBOK 5th edition
Review PMBOK and Rita book for its content and sections overview
Review online course providers for the full exam simulation
Prepare a study plan, create a schedule of your study time and exam “dry runs”
Set milestones (yes, treat it as a project!)
Track your progress, evaluate your knowledge by answering test questions
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Rita book has a section with questions after each chapter
• Repeat sections (chapters) where you have poor results
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Study process tips, Lessons Learned
• Do no jump from topic to topic, spend some time to read the material fully (at least
in Rita book).
• Read PMBOK thoroughly, in each process try to logically remember what inputs,
tools &techniques and outputs are used
• Read PMI Code of Ethics, many questions refer to statements from it
• Appendix F in PMBOK contains Definitions list
• Use online materials (podcasts, online courses, mobile apps)
• Use exam simulators (desktop software or websites)
• Memorize and understand all formulas
• Many materials in internet are already outdated and refer to older versions of
PMBOK, make sure you use the latest ones referring to PMBOK 5th edition
• Use only Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.) listed on pmi.org register
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Study process tips, Lessons Learned
• Take full length exam simulations (ensure you score at least 75-80%)
• Analyze the results of your practice exams to identify where you need to focus your
study efforts.
• Get PMI membership. The cost of the exam is less for members. Also PMI provides a
great virtual library with PMP exam prep books available
• Exam questions are asked from the perspective of a large international projects
• There may be extra information in the question in order to confuse the applicant
• Be prepared for the calculations, many questions require to apply formulas
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My study process (3,5 months)
Read RITA
chapter by
chapter with the
reference to
PMBOK5
Evaluate
progress; the
test questions in
the end of each
chapter
Review
sections/subsections where
my answers
were wrong
Register at
pmi.org
Purchase a
membership in
pmi.org (review
of exam rules,
requirements,
experience, etc. PMP handbook
with all this info)
Purchase a
software for
gaining 30
contact hours
(learning hours)
+ exam
simulations
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My study process (3,5 months)
Mostly I
studied from
RITA , and
reviewed a
purchased
course
Test run for
full exam
simulation (4
hours)
Identify weak
areas and
review them
once again in
RITA and
PMBOK5
Review the
list of
available
exam
questions
(PMI library,
Internet)
Another test
run for full
length exam
simulation
Weak areas
identification
- review in
RITA and
PMBOK5
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My study process (3,5 months)
Review
questions
(1000+) on the
PMI.org library
(free access to
library for PMI
members)
Another full
length exam
(once I see that
the final score
is 75-85% I
think it is good
enough)
Fill in the
application at
pmi.org. 5
business days
for approval
Pay for the
exam
Schedule exam
date with
Prometric
Celebrate
joining PMP
community!
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R.E.P.s (Registered Education Providers) – My list
• Offers Free 200
Question Simulated
PMP®/CAPM® Exam
Practice Test
• Paid course provides
35 Contact hours +
exam simulator
• Paid course provides
35 Contact hours
• Paid full-length exam
simulator
• Paid course provides
35 Contact hours
• Many free resources
and podcasts
• Free exam questions
• Paid exam simulator
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Exam Day Hints
• Take a break before the exam day. Do NOT study!
• Sustain a positive feeling and a good health (have a good sleep, eat heathy food)
• Prepare your ID beforehand, prometric testing provider will identify you only by
passport
• You are not allowed to take anything to the exam room. Do not spend time
preparing notes
• You are allowed to request a language aid (should be requested during the
application at pmi.org)
• You can take a short break during 4 hours of the exam but timer is not stopped
• Revise formulas before going to the exam room. Write them down from your
memory after you review the tutorial of the exam (first 15 minutes)
• During the exam use paper notebook provided, use “mark for review” function in a
software
• Take short breaks for your eyes. After 30 minutes of constant reading you may feel
tired
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Questions
Feel free to
contact me! 
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Sample question
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Sample question
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