How can I best prep for the PMP exam?

June 8, 2017 5:07 PM

I'm currently studying to take the PMI PMP exam and am wondering what is the most efficient way to study.

I'm currently studying for my PMP exam. To help me study, I made flash cards and took notes from my study sessions. However, I found when I took a practice test that the exam is more practical implementation rather than straight memorization.

What is the best way to use study notes / flash cards / flowcharts / what-have-you to help me not just learn concepts but how to apply them?

posted by jaybeans to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Best answer: I used the Rita Mulchly books, and found them to be very helpful, however, the best information I can give you is that the test is hard. especially if you haven't been in a "school" environment in a while (I was well past school age when I took mine :) ) I found that the practice tests didn't really help me with the actual test - they give you an idea of what it's like, but the questions were much different on the actual test.

You'll be able to cross off two answers pretty quickly, but the other two will be very close. Make sure you are answering the question as it is written. Personally, I failed the first time by about 5 questions, but was able to reschedule for the next week, and had a much better idea of what I needed to study for the second time.
posted by niteHawk at 7:31 PM on June 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

I just passed the CAPM exam, but I used PMP prep materials. I used Rita Mulcahey's PMP Exam Prep book (easier to digest than the PMBOK, but still rigorous), a subscription to Brainbok (flashcards, quizzes, and practice exams), and an app called Pocket Prep (daily q's/short quizzes that analyze your weak and strong points by PMBOK chapter).

The most helpful thing for me was to apply each concept to a real life project that had failed, or had been less than successful - a past project, not a present or future one. Even though the CAPM (from my understanding) is much more about memorization, it helped me make better decisions about what was the BEST answer.

Good luck!
posted by sm1tten at 8:12 PM on June 8, 2017

Rita book is where it is at.
posted by jasondigitized at 10:58 AM on June 9, 2017

Not sure if you are interested in an exam prep course, but thought I'd throw this out there: https://online.odu.edu/programs/non-credit/pmp-exam-prep.
posted by poppunkcat at 6:09 AM on June 11, 2017