Re: Congratulation

[Angelica Dragotas]

Good morning everyone,

 

I want to thank Fahad for his assistance in clarifying terms and concepts for me prior to taking the test.  I took the practice tests the day before from the 2 links he emailed me.

 

I had taken a PMP prep course on line 3 months ago and it was overwhelming.  The information was "overwhelmingly huge" that it was difficult for me to follow.  I took 4 mock tests and I could not get passed 60% which was very discouraging.

 

After Christmas I bought the Rita's Book & Guide for PMP preparation - What a difference!!! 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1932735410/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=20139878484&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=23162515925973532&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_7tx0dje4qe_b

 

The book explains the concepts and the sequence of activities and processes in a way that I understood. 

 

 It provided materials for me to create flashcards - inputs, outputs and tools & techniques for each process as well as activities for each phase in project management and I practiced with my flashcards every day for the last 3 weeks.  I started my reading wtih the flashcards laying them out on our long kitchen idland and walking through the project management process and activities for each project face - initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & control, and closure.  It would take me at least 40 minutes every morning and I would say it out loud!!!

I read so many comments from people who say you do not need to memorize the inputs, outputs and tools & techniques - I STRONGLY DISAREE!!!  FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!  If you are planning on passing the PMP exam the first time, PLEASE memorize the inputs, outputs and tools & techniques because I found that 50% of the questions on the exam required the memorization!  Even Rita's books says you do not need to memorize but, again I disagree.  Rita's book has mock tests on the back of each section and in order to pass you need to know.  I scored 78-85% on all the mock tests prior to taking the PMP exam.

 

I studied with the book 3 weeks - 8 hours a day inlcuding weekends!  I went through the book at least 3 times.  I created a word document with concepts that I had a hard time understanding such as the difference between quality assurance and quality control, cost aggregation, run & control charts, etc. 

 

I had 2 half hour sessions with Faha on line via SKYPE and we reviewed the concepts that I need clarification.  I am glad I did.  It was very helpful and I went to take the test with confidence.  I took the test knowing inputs, outputs, tools & techniques and when to use them and the resutls that I would get if I used the particular technique.  This is a must to pass the test. 

 

EARNED VALUE - math was never my subject at school - my husband helped me and we practiced earned value - YOU HAVE TO MEMORIZE THE FORMULAS!!!!  The test had at least 10 earned value problems, 3 network diagram problems, many questions on quality control, audit and quality assurance, conduct and administer procurement, and questions regarding the closing process and sequence of activities during the closing phase.

 

Recommendation:

1. Buy RITA'S book

2. Create flashcards of processes and activities - you will find them in the book - I cut them out and made flashcards

3. Memorize inputs, outputs, tooks and techniques,

4. Memorize formulas,

5. Learn earned value

6. Practice the sequence of activities that the PM has to do in each phase!!!!  They are all on the book.

7. Take advantage of Fahad's knowledge and ask questions - make sure you know when and why you would chose each technique - what is the end result.

 

The test asks questions such as "what should the PM do next?"  and it refers either acitvity or process.  So, you need to know the sequence of activities and sequence of processes.  This is not common sense since the PMI organization has a particular order of daily activities that the PM has to do in each phase.

 

Finally, take advantage of Faha's knowledge to explain terms and help you clarify questions prior to taking the test!!!!

 

You will do fine! 

 

I wish you all God's very best!!!

 

Sincerely,

 

Angelica

 

On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 8:11 AM, Fahad Ahmed, PMP <fahad...@gmail.com> wrote:

Congratulations to both Angelica Dragotas and Srinivas Kunapareddy on passing the PMP Exam today. Please do share your lessons learned.

regards,

Fahad

--
The richest person is not who owns the most, but who needs the least.

--

Angelica D

Project Manager

(954) 605 2011

LinkedIn Profile - www.linkedin.com/in/angelicadragotas

[Srinivas Kunapareddy]

Hello guys,

I completed my PMP on 1st Feb.

Till yesterday, I was travelling on some work. Today only I came back to office.

I'll share my LL this evening.

-Srini

With Regards

Srinivas Kunapareddy

[Fahad Ahmed, PMP]

[Syed Kamran Afzal Hashmi]

Congartulations

Do you like to share which online course you took?

Thanks

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Syed Kamran Afzal Hashmi

[Jawed Khan]

Hi Congrates to both of you on passing your PMP exam!

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Jawed Khan, ITIL®,PMP® & C2F®

Vice President Certification Training

Qaizen Management & Consulting Services

TEAM:Together Everyone Achieves More..

Mob:+91-99874 83440 / 93242 06752

Skype: jawed.khan87/ Gtalk: jawed....@gmail.com

Web Profile: http://in.linkedin.com/in/jawedkhan

 

 

[Angelica Dragotas]

I took a course via ESI International.  I took all the courses for the PMI certification and I found them very helpful.  Their PMP course was overwhelming with information.  I found Rita's book more helpful in summarizing the information and structuring in a way to pass the test.

 

Angelica

[Srinivas Kunapareddy]

Hello all,

I cleared my PMP on 1st Feb.

Following is my experience.

Preparation time: 2 to 2.5 months continuously. Every evening – nearly 2 hrs and weekends & holidays – full day

Books followed: Headfirst, Rita’s & PMBOK

After completing one chapter in HF, I read the corresponding chapter in Rita’s. This provides continuity for the chapters. After completing each chapter, I answered all the chapter end questions and reviewed the questions that were answered wrongly. 

In the first round, I read HF & Rita’s fully. 

Then, I registered for online training (recorded videos) from Simplilearn. The training gives you access to their videos and mock tests for 30 days or 60 days or more depending on the course you select. As this is time restricted, you need to time this properly. If you take this training too early, the access may be cut off by the time you start doing the mock tests. This happened with me. So, please plan before you enroll for the training. 

Once I gained the mandatory 35 hours of training, I applied for the exam. My application was accepted without audit. So, I scheduled my exam to be on 1st Feb at Prometric, Mumbai.

I took the mock test from HeadFirst to see where I stand. I got 80%.

I felt that the chapter end tests and mock test from HF are somewhat easier than other sources. But, the questions are good.

In planned the second round of prep as below.

Read chapters from:

1. HF

2. Rita’s

3. Online training video

4. PMBOK

Chapterwise (Knowledge area wise) tests

1. HF

2. Rita’s

3. Online training (Simplilearn had 6 questions at the end of each chapter)

4. Farndale’s (Procept) (http://procept.com/farndales_guide.pdf)

5. PreparePM.com (http://www.preparepm.com/pmp/questions.html)

6. Talkfinanceonline.com (http://talkfinanceonline.com/pmp-chapterwise-mock-questions-2012/) – I felt that most of these questions are from Rita’s book. Only a couple of them are new in each chapter. So, you can do this if you have time. 

The following two books are available in eReads & References section of PMI account.

7. PMP Exam Prep: Questions, Answers & Explanations, by Christopher Scordo (Book id:45515)

8. Q & As for PMBOK Guide by Frank T Anbari (Book id: 35841)

Depending on how much you learnt, you can either move to mock / overall tests or go for a third round of study. 

During the second round, read the processes in the order of process groups. Start with “Initiating”. Read Develop Project Charter & Identify Stakeholders. Then, all the processes in “Planning”. This is quite logical. You are studying in the same order as you will do your work. This was suggested by Fahad. This really made sense.

As we already know, nobody’s sure about pass percentage. So, aim for more than 75% in mock tests. This should keep you in good shape.

Just as I was moving from chapterwise tests to mocks, I got tensed and that when I contacted Fahad for suggestions. He helped me a lot by taking online sessions over skype. He motivated me and cleared the doubts I had. Thanks Fahad once again. Your timely help was critical for me.

What to learn and how to learn:

1. Learn all the Process Groups, Knowledge Areas & Processes.

2. Process Groups – the order is quite logical.

3. Knowledge Areas – may need to memorize as the order didn’t seem to be quite logical. But, not difficult to learn.

4. Processes – the order in each KA is quite logical. No need to memorize. Understand the logic.

5. Inputs, Tools & Techniques, Outputs – most of them are logical. Try to understand rather than memorizing. 

6. All formulas.

As you browse various web sites, forums etc, you will come to know about many sources of info. RESIST the temptation to study everything from every source.

Choose a couple of GOOD sources and learn EVERYTHING from them. This will be more useful than learning bits and pieces from various sources.

During the exam: 

On the scrap sheets, write down the EVM and other formulas and Page 43 of PMBOK. This really helps. While answering the questions, because of the stress, you may be unable to recall the formulas immediately. Or, in some cases, the questions are not straight. You will have to use 2-3 EVM formulas to get the answer. So, having the formulas in front of your eyes helps you to use the right formula.

It is possible that you get tensed during the exam. Then take a break. Go out, have some water and spend a few minutes outside till you calm down. This will help you to concentrate on the exam. At the same time see that you don’t get diverted from the exam mood. 

The table below gives sources for chapterwise and mock tests. I used only some of them. Please browse them before concluding whether they are useful for you or not.

S. No	URL	Contents	No of ques	Remarks
1	http://talkfinanceonline.com/pmp-chapterwise-mock-questions-2012/	Chapterwise		Not so good. Repetition of Rita's
2	http://www.preparepm.com/pmp/questions.html	Chapterwise		Good questions
4	http://procept.com/farndales_guide.pdf	Chapterwise		Good questions
5	http://www.certchamp.com/pmp-sample-questions.jsp	Mocktest	200
6	http://www.headfirstlabs.com/PMP/free_exam/	Mocktest	200
7	Oliver F Lehmann -- pdf downloaded	Mocktest	175
8	http://www.pmstudy.com/enroll.asp#CAPM	Mocktest
9	http://www.simplilearn.com/slportal/test/list.do	Mocktest		Tough stuff. Good.
10	http://www.examcentral.net/pmp/practice-exam	Mocktest
11	http://www.oliverlehmann.com/pmp-self-test/75-free-questions.htm	Overall	75
12	Simplilearn	Mocktest	4	Part of training
13	http://pmzilla.com/	Overall	155	I didn't do these tests. So, no idea about the quality.
14	http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/Free_PMI-SP_Questions.html	Overall	30
15	http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/Free_CAPM_Questions_1.html	Overall	25
16	http://www.preparepm.com/mock1.html	Overall	70
17	http://www.preparepm.com/mock2.html	Overall	28
18	http://www.ajithn.com/exammain.html	Overall / Mock	208
19	https://sites.google.com/site/pgmpguide/Home/pmp-1-20	Overall / Mock	480
20	http://www.voightps.com/Default.asp#	Overall / Mock	500
21	https://sites.google.com/site/pmpbank/	Overall / Mock	300
22	http://www.certgear.com/products/preview/pmp_certification/index.html	Overall	6
23	http://certification.about.com/od/projectmanagement/a/pmp_test_whiz_2.htm	Overall	20
24	http://www.edwelprograms.com/Default.aspx	Mocktest
25	http://www.tutorialspoint.com/pmp-exams/pmp_mock_exams.htm	Mocktest

Hope this will be of some use.

Please feel free to contact me for any help. I'll do my bit.

With Regards

Srinivas Kunapareddy

[Jawed Khan]

Hi Srinivas,

 

Congrates! for clearing your PMP exam.

 

do keep in touch. Rgd, Jawed, PMP, ITIL & C2F

[Gurumoorthy Paulraj]

Many thanks srini for the detailed email, this is very useful and thanks a ton again!