Those who earn the PMP® certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) will handle real-world issues. For project managers, the PMP is generally accepted and related to several positive outcomes.
There are many ways project management training can help you improve your skills. These ten steps will help you manage your schedules so that you can clear the PMP® certification exam the first time around:
To get started, here’s everything you need to know.
Step #1: Select study material
Pay attention when choosing the material. You will have many options of books, courses, blogs, and specialized websites that will offer everything about the PMP certification.
- A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)
- The PMP Exam Prep textbook (Author: Rita Mulcahy)
- FASTrack PMP Exam simulation software
Step #2: Make a study schedule for the PMP exam
It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare for the PMP certification exam. It will help if you plan your path to earning a PMP like you would plan a project.
As a reminder, it’s essential to keep in mind that your ultimate goal is to pass the PMP exam. Determine how long you’ll devote to studying, how many chapters you’ll read or review, and how many sample questions you’ll answer each day.
Step #3: Become a member of PMI
Since joining the Project Management Institute is a wise financial decision, not only will you be given access to the PMBOK® Guide, but you will also be eligible for a significant discount on the PMP® exam.
Step #4: Register for the PMP certification exam
Begin by registering for certification. Afterward, you submit your details in the online PMP Credential Application, which PMI will review, and you will receive a confirmation number. Now you can schedule your PMP exam on the Prometric website at https://www.prometric.com/PMI.
Step #5: Try to download the PMBOK® Guide, Sixth Edition PDF
To answer questions on the PMP certification exam, the PMBOK® Guide is used as the primary source of information. If you want to pass the exam, you’ll need to know everything in the PMBOK® Guide. According to most trainers, about 75 percent of the PMP exam questions may be found in the PMBOK® Guide.
Step #6: Prepare for the PMP Exam with PMP Exam Prep Training
There are several helpful tools accessible to assist you in preparing for the PMP test. There are different options to opt from because everyone has a different learning style:
- PMP exam prep books: Preparation books aim to explain the PMBOK Guide in plain English, carefully walk you through its ideas, provide you advice on what to expect, and may even include some sample questions.
- Online PMP exam prep workshops: This is a more affordable choice than in-person training. While some online preparation courses allow students to set their speed, others take the form of a boot camp that moves at a breakneck rate.
- Downloadable PMP exam prep videocasts: Audio-visual training aids such as PMP test prep videocasts can be taken with you wherever you go. You may take them with you everywhere you go by saving them to your mobile device.
- Online PMP exam simulators: These mock exams give you an idea of what to expect when you sit down for the real thing. To help you get used to the stress and time constraints of the PMP test, they use the same types of questions that will appear on the real thing.
- Flashcards: Flashcards are proven, compact, and cost-effective. Flashcards have the advantage of allowing you to be tested on them by someone else. If you have a friend who is also studying for the exam and wants to test each other’s knowledge of the topic, these tools are ideal.
Step #7: Purchase a PMP Exam Simulator
An exam simulator gives you access to PMP exam questions – lots of them. Typically, a simulator comes with access to many PMP practice exams, and these are tests that mimic the questions and formatting you’ll see in the actual exam.
With the increasing difficulty of the PMP test, a simulator is practically a necessity for exam preparation. Many online training companies additionally provide access to an online simulator. As part of your PMP preparation, you may have access to a simulator. Exam simulators that offer a selection of full-length tests and that can imitate the online environment you’ll encounter on exam day should be sought after.
Step #8: Do your best to study!
The PMP Exam is a major undertaking that takes much personal effort. It would help if you manage the journey to becoming a PMP like a project, and you should create a PMP study plan. Be ready for highs and lows in your academic career. We know that you’ll enjoy some parts of the PMBOK® Guide. Because you’ve never done something before, some areas are more challenging.
Step #9: Prepare for PMP exam questions
For the most part, you’ll be asked questions that will test your ability to think critically and analyze circumstances. You’ll need to make quick, smart selections. As a result, you must get yourself ready to improve your strategic thinking, decision-making, and implementation skills. Make time for practice situations that will aid in the development of all of these abilities in addition to your coursework.
Step #10: Attempt the exam
Taking the exam is almost like the easy part after all the hard work you’ve put in. Ensure to get plenty of rest before the test day. Having a good night’s sleep and feeling rested are essential. You don’t need to stay up until 3 a.m. studying the night before the exam. Get some rest now that you’ve put in the time and effort necessary to prepare for this.
Final verdict
Don’t be terrified of the PMP certification exam! Even though there is a lot to learn and you may feel unprepared, you will succeed if you stick to your study schedule. It is good to choose a strategy to study that works best for you and stick to it. Having faith in oneself is the best thing you can do!
