I received an awesome message this afternoon, which read like this:
@Manickavel Arumugam Sir, I have passed the PMP certification today. Thanks a ton for your guidance without which it would not have been possible.
Can there be a better message to a trainer than the success of a candidate trained by him?
Archana attended my PMP training programme in Chennai about six months ago. She managed to pass the PMP exam on 28 Nov 2018 in her first attempt.
She shared her lessons learned in our WhatsApp group. In addition, I requested her to share her success story to our blog readers.
Continue to read to find out how Archana passed PMP in her first attempt …
Table of Contents
Personal Details
1. Your name
Archana V
2. Your Qualification
Degree in Engineering
3. Your Industry
Construction
4. Years of Experience
10-15 years
Details of Training Attended
5. Where did you attend PMP training?
iTechGurus Education Solutions, Chennai
6. What is the mode of your training?
Class room based
Details of Exam Preparation
7. How long did you prepare for the exam?
180-365 days
8. In your opinion, which is the best book for PMP exam preparation?
PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy
9. Did you take part in any online forum during the preparation?
- izenBridge PMP group on Facebook
- Whatsapp group by iTechGurus tutor
10. Most useful online resource for PMP exam preparation
- PMdrill.com articles, especially the ITTOs explanation and understanding
- Videos by Saket Bansal on YouTube
11. How did you prepare for the exam? What would you like to change if you would revisit the exam preparation period?
I would prepare more on studying process group wise instead of knowledge area wise. This was tested in the exam.
Opinion on the PMP Exam Content
12. Easiest knowledge area?
Integration Management
13. Most difficult knowledge area?
Stakeholder Management
During the Exam
14. Time taken to complete the exam?
Time was not a problem
Final Word
15. One last piece of advice for candidates preparing for the exam?
Please read the PMBOK Guide and Rita Mulcahy book twice.
Try to relate all processes and put them in a sequence as if you are managing a real project; many questions were combining more than one knowledge area or process group.
16. Do you have anything else to say?
Please do not memorize any ITTOs.
Try to understand why and how.
Try to take only standard mock tests which have quality and tough questions.
Try to know the exam conditions well before.
Try to take at least one exam which is simulated exactly like the real exam.
Vinod Anand’s Success Story
Additional inputs from Archana
The following are some of the inputs she shared in our WhatsApp group. I thought these would be useful to everyone. So, I am sharing them below:
- I took various mock tests including the ones provided by PM Prep Cast, Oliver Lehmann, Rita Mulcahy, Scott Payne’s PM Master Prep, Examsm.com and SimpliLearn.
- I made my own notes/ mind maps.
- ITTOs: I totally relied on the process flow diagram articles published in this blog.
- Do all the practice exams and the read the explanations for the right and wrong answers. This is the most important part – to read the explanation part. We might have got the answer right, but the underlying concept should also be clear.
Archana has done exceptionally well in the PMP exam, by achieving an overall grade of “Above Target“.
Here is a feedback about Archana’s success by her study partner: “I was witness to a good part of systematic study and hard work put up by her. Awesome!”.
Conclusion
Awesome to hear another success story, right?. When is your turn? I am sure the study tips shared by Archana gives you the confidence to take that final step.
It is not easy to pass the PMP exam. But, with a proper study plan, regular study and practice, you should be able to achieve the PMP credential in your first attempt.
Are you already a proud owner of the PMP Credential? Why don’t you share your success story?
Please use the PMP Lessons Learned form to share your lessons learned. It should take less than 5 minutes, but has the potential to motivate thousands of PMP aspirants.
Certified Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®
An enthusiastic project management practitioner and trainer.
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