Hello

We keep our promises so this week, you are getting videos 2 to 4 of the brand new and more in depth 8 videos on "How to Prepare for the PMP Exam". Please feel free to share these videos to people who will find value to it.

Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC

Filling out the application for the PMP exam can be a project in itself. In this second part of The PM PrepCast's video series on preparing for the PMP exam, you'll get some tools and learn some best practices that will help you fill out the application efficiently--thus inching you closer to your goal of earning PMP certification. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/pmpstep2

Studying for the PMP exam toward your PMP certification will be a much less daunting task if you apply your project management skills to it and create a project plan. In this third video you'll learn the essential elements to include in your project study plan.
http://bit.ly/pmpstep3

Most certified project management professionals (PMPs) will tell you that passing the PMP certification exam requires a considerable amount of studying. Here's a list of essential study materials you'll need to be successful. http://bit.ly/pmpstep4

The PMP Exam is changing on August 31st 2011. If you are taking the exam on or after this date, then your 200 questions will be based on the new PMP Exam Content Outline. To learn more about the detailed changes to the exam, please read my article "The PMP Exam Changes on 31 August 2011. What This Means For You".

In addition to what you can find in that article, PMI recently announced the following: If you are taking the PMP Exam on or after 31 August 2011, then - for a limited time only - PMI will not immediately tell you if you have passed or failed your exam.

Let me explain: If you take your PMP Exam today, then "pass" or "fail" will immediately be displayed on your screen and printed on your examination report. But because PMI is changing the exam, they require some time to validate the new structure. They also need to make sure that the percentage of people passing/failing the new exam is in line with the percentages of the old exam. In this way, they can make certain that the new exam is just as fair as the old exam. And all of this means that in the first 4-6 weeks after the new exam is in place, they cannot immediately give you your result. You will have to wait.

Here is PMI's original statement on this:

"As we transition to the new examination, PMI must update its examination reporting processes. This means for a short period of time examination results will not be available immediately following the examination. There will be a 4-6 week period between taking the examination and receiving the results via email. We know this will be disappointing to candidates, but please let them know the delay is necessary any time an exam changes to validate the new examination structure."

Here is what this means for you as a PMP candidate:

1. If you are taking the computer-based PMP exam on or after 31 August you will not receive immediate results (pass/fail) at the Prometric testing center.
2. If you are taking the paper-based examination there will also be a delay in receiving your examination results.
3. PMI will notify you (via email) when your results are available at PMI.org.
   

PMI expects that the new examination structure is validated by mid-October. Once this has happened, exam takers will once again receive their results immediately at the Prometric testing center.

Here are my recommendations for those planning to take the exam between 31 August 2011 and about mid-October:

• Don't be disappointed: If you are planning to take your PMP Exam between August 31 and mid-October, then don't be disappointed that you won't receive your results immediately.
• Smile: Yes! Smile with the knowledge that you are helping PMI to assess the new exam. You have just done a great service to PMI and all other PMP exam takers coming after you. Thank you.
• Be patient: Even though PMI says that you should receive your results within 4-6 weeks we are all project managers and we know about deadlines. Allow PMI to do their due diligence and ensure that the new exam structure works. 
• Reschedule: If you cannot take the suspense of having to wait for up to six weeks, then reschedule your exam for around the end of October 2011.
• Don't leave without a receipt: After you have taken your PMP exam at the Prometric test center you will very likely still receive a printed document. It confirms that you have taken the exam but won't have your result. Don't leave without it.
  

My final recommendation to all PMP candidates is that you should simply relax. If your scheduled exam falls into this "no immediate results" window and you cannot change it... take it easy. There is nothing you can do about it. PMI is doing everything to ensure that the new exam works for you and everyone else. And this process is just part of that. Stay positive and focus your energy on your studies.

If you are preparing for the PMP or CAPM exam, you need to have a study plan. As an experienced project manager you know the value of a project plan. So practice what you preach as you prepare for the exam. Be a planner, and apply good project management in the process.

An example of a study plan for the PMP Certification is as follows:

• Go through the training in no more than 2-4 months. Set a schedule, and stick to it. Review the appropriate section of the PMBOK with every topic in the training.
• Purchase a PMP exam prep course and include it into your plan. Print out study aids that are part of the particular training module, especially if these cover topics that you find difficult. After finishing the course, take simulated exams.
• Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. This will make you a little sharper and alert for information as you continue the training. You can take another full PMP or CAPM exam simulation every 2-4 weeks, and adjust your study plan based on results.
• In the last month leading to the exam, focus work with the simulations on your trouble areas by using the flash cards and other training materials. Aim for 80-90% scores during your simulated tests as you get close to the actual exam. This will give you confidence that you are ready to pass, and if the scores are lower, will give you more impetus to work harder.
• Read books, online materials, free templates, listen to podcasts, and any other materials that fit your learning style to see things from different angles and approaches.

The Correct Answer is C.


All our questions are updated to the latest PMBOK Guide standard.  We are a PMI Registered Education Provider.      
                          

• The PM PrepCast as my main study material. This is the BEST thing I have done to prepare for my PMP Exam.
• Took a lot of hand-notes about 200 pages while using PM PrepCast. Writing what I understand helped me a lot. Also, this step helped me improve my hand-writing and note-taking skills, since I almost lost them due to using the computer almost for everything.
• PMBOK guide which I was able to read thoroughly only the first 3 chapters. During work, being engaged with family...etc., it was nearly impossible for me to read PMBOK Guide and understand. I guess everyone knows why.
• Internet Search: Google. Find more about concepts which are not provided in PMBOK.
• Google Bookmarks and Google Docs: To keep a record of important concepts, other resources, and Huge Sample PMP Exams Questions I found in PDF files. This helped me locate related concepts quickly every time I want to remember or recall anything or find related questions/answers. When I search for any PMP Related concept, Google does a great job locating related information, based on my record.
• Google Group "PMP Cert Online Study Group ": was truly if a great value discussing with others any ideas not clear, exchanging ideas, and solving questions.
• Sample Simulated Exams total 6 with 1200 questions. See details below.
• What I should have used for my study also: Rita PMP Exam Prep. You must get this book.
• Time/effort spent for Study: From June-2011, 4 weeks during work with 1-2 hours per day and 4 weeks during my annual vacation in Cardiff, UK, with 6-8 hour per day.