|
In this issue... |
|
 Hello ,
One of the best sources of information you currently have
at your disposal is the use of an internet forum. The opinions and
information available on these forums can be extremely valuable and they
often provide specific examples and personal experiences to help guide
you in your quest for knowledge and instruction. Read on and learn more about how participating in PM exam preparation forums can help boost you PMP exam studies.
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Cornelius Fichtner, PMP
President, OSP International LLC
|
Recommended Study Materials
|
 Head First PMP: A Learner's Companion to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam by: Jennifer Greene PSE
The Head First PMP: A Learners Companion to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam (Disclosure: Compensated Affiliate) offers a fresh perspective on preparing for the PMP Exam certification. Not the typical, dry PMP preparation book, this one explains the current principles and certification objectives in The PMBOK Guide, 4th Edition in a clever and entertaining way.
Instead of simply loading yourself with heavy words and formulas to memorize, Head First PMP works with the brain by using a very engaging, visually rich format: mental games, stories, questions, answers and graphics. The author uses the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory to simplify the difficult four-hour PMP exam. The multi-sensory approach makes it very easy for you to retain the information that you need for the exam.
This book will help you:
- Pass the certification exam with flying colors. It has a strategy on the underlying concepts that make The PMBOK Guide principles more manageable to understand.
- Learn everything you need to know for the exam. It has one hundred percent coverage of the latest principles and certification objectives in The PMBOK Guide, 4th Edition.
- Test yourself thoroughly and effectively. It has hundreds of practice questions and exam strategies that will gauge your readiness to take the exam.
- Explore the material through puzzles, games, problems, and exercises that make learning easy and entertaining. It has all these fun and witty methods designed for you not to get bored!
With Head First PMP: A Learners Companion to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam, you can apply the principles not only to the exam, but also to your everyday work life.
For more information and customer reviews, click here!
Full Disclosure: Head First PMP: A Learners Companion to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam is an affiliate product. If you click and choose to purchase the book, we will earn a commission.
Source: http://www.project-management-exam-guide.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9
|
|
Boost your PMP Studies - Join PMP Exam Prep Internet Forums |
 One of the best sources of information you currently have at your disposal is the use of an internet forum. The opinions and information available on these forums can be extremely valuable and they often provide specific examples and personal experiences to help guide you in your quest for knowledge and instruction. PMP Exam prep internet forums are no exception.
You may be wondering why it would beneficial for you to spend your precious study time reading materials on internet forums. This is because these forums can actually help you prepare for your exam. If you are having trouble understanding a specific project management concept, there is probably someone on these forums who can explain it in such a way that you can better understand it. Chances are that they ran into the same problem during the course of their own studies. This will save you time and frustration and you will understand the concept, instead of just memorizing it.
There are many ways that you can use these internet forums. The method you use will depend on the specific type of information you are looking for. This information may include asking specific questions, using a 'search and scan' technique for more detailed information, or soliciting advice on specific PMP Exam Prep topics. Many project managers (who are Project Management Professionals in their own right) are active participants in these types of forums. They are usually open to answering your specific questions, willing to provide you with information search tips, and also enjoy sharing their experiences from their own journeys to PMP certification.
If you have a specific question that you want to ask concerning preparation for the exam, most online forums have a detailed and easy-to-follow process for you to submit your question. The beauty of this is that you will most likely receive answers to your question from many different project managers, who will offer a variety of perspectives and experiences. This will help you choose the best answer as it pertains to your specific question and/or situation.
On the other hand, if you are a self-starter and you prefer to do your own research, internet forums can also make this very easy. Almost all of these forums include a very strong search engine so that you can quickly 'search and scan' the forum content to find the information that you are looking for. And since you will be reviewing internet forums specific to PMP Exam Prep, your search will be that much more targeted.
Most importantly, you will find participants on these forums who have already completed the entire study process for the exam, and who have successfully passed the exam. One of the main reasons these PMPs spend their time on these forums is to help aspiring PMPs become successful so that they too can use these skills to give back to their local communities. You will also find expert advice on how to properly complete the PMP application process. This can be very tedious and time-consuming and is probably the most difficult part of the entire certification. Forum members will give advice on the best way to complete the application, sometimes even providing templates and tools to make this process as easy and as painless as possible.
You will also find advice on how to study for the PMP exam. There is a wealth of information on these forums about specific study tools such as PMP Exam Prep courses, books and guides, audio/visual aids, tips and tricks, and the all-important exam simulation practice questions. You will learn exactly what happens from the moment you walk into the exam room until you leave it from the point of view of someone who has actually been there. PMPs will also suggest the best time to take the exam, as well as letting you know the specific "Do's" and "Don'ts" of effective exam preparation.
As you can see, there are many benefits to participating in PMP Exam Prep internet forums that will help you prepare for the exam, take the exam and successfully pass the exam. But how can these forums help you after you successfully pass the exam and obtain your PMP certificate from the Project Management Institute (PMI)? Well, by participating in these forums during the exam preparation stage, you will have established and grown your project management network base, which will lead to many opportunities for both your personal and professional growth in the discipline of Project Management.
There are many internet forums available that provide all the information you need to get you on your way to becoming a PMP. Following are some recommended choices:
I am certain it is obvious that by joining a PMP Exam Prep internet forum you will save both time and money, avoid frustration and counter-productive study habits, and be thoroughly prepared for successfully passing the PMP Exam. Then it will be your turn as a PMP and an internet forum participant to pass on your knowledge and experience to future generations of aspiring project managers.
|
|
The PMP Exam is a test of project management practices
|
|
 Most of the questions in the PMP exam revolve around real scenarios that will test how you understand the principles of project management. Do you have what it takes to be a Certified Project Manager?
|
|
Sample PMP Exam Question
|
|
This PMP exam sample question is taken from http://www.free-pm-exam-
questions.com:
You a re managing a construction project. You are currently estimating the duration of a very critical activity. You have gathered the following information from the experts:
Best case scenario: Activity can take 3 days to complete.
Worst case scenario: Activity may take up to 12 days to complete.
Expected scenario: On average it takes up to 6 days to complete such activities.
What will be standard deviation of the activity?
A. 1.25 days
B. 1.5 days
C. 1 day
D. Cannot be determined by the data given
HINT: Use PERT to find standard deviation. |
|
|
Exam Tip: Be a planner and practice project management in the process |
 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
key really is to practice good project management and you will succeed.
Increase your chances of project management exam success with a plan. |
|
Solution
|
|
The correct answer is: B
Reference: PMP Study Guide 5ed - Sybex - pg:170
Explanation: Standard deviation formula for PERT
(triangular distribution) is (Pessimistic-Optimistic)/6. The standard
deviation of the given data, according to this formula, is 1.5 days.
Hence choice B is the correct answer.
|
|
|
Lessons Learned From Grant Madden |
|
I passed the PMP exam in July 2011 and found the Prepcast tool invaluable in "topping up" my base knowledge, and reinforcing key knowledge areas. My study repertoire included Rita Mulcahy's RMC PMP exam prep system - this was my initial and base building source - and I also added the PM Prepcast toward the middle-back end of my study period, to act as a supplementary resource.
The easily digestable content, structure and learning style suited me and my study plan perfectly, and found I was listening to podcasts on my commute to and from the office on most days. I also used travelling time in the car as a listening period.
I allocated a study block of 7 weeks to preparing for the PMP exam. Wks 1-4 were spent reading & digesting the RMC PMP exam prep system, and I added The PM Prepcast in Wk 5 - which basically gave me 3 clear weeks to focus on this.
To borrow a sporting term, I focussed on the "1 percenters". Even if I only had 10 minutes available, I listened to a portion of a podcast, as I figured this was better than nothing! At the end of the period, the "1 percenters" quickly added up to a significant chunk of quality listening & digesting time.
So my best advice is to capitalise on the available time you have, even if it's just 10 minutes. The PM Prepcast is a perfect solution for these times!
Read more success stories here..
|
|
|
|
