Student Profile: Angela Moll, PMP

I am Angela Moll, I work in the technology industry and have been a PM for over 6 years. My work experience has had me working with projects that range from $2 million to $200 million.

The 1st thing I would suggest students read is the PMBOK Glossary, so you become familiar with the terms before reading the PMBOK Guide.  Then I would suggest reading the PMBOK and then move forward to the PM PrepCast – I was able to review the podcasts when it was convenient for me. It’s critical to have a plan and I would suggest giving at least 2 to 3 months of dedicated study time.

I did a TON of the PM PrepCast simulation tests (20 questions each) and took notes in an A – Z folder I made so I could quickly recall areas I needed to review.  Then studied a LOT – I probably studied at least 8 hours each of those days just before the test.  The night before the test, I confirmed what time my appointment was so I knew what time I had to leave the next day.

The day of the test I did the following:

Before I started studying, I made sure I knew what time I needed to leave and ensured I had:

·        My appointment confirmation/documentation (you need this to take the test)

·        A photo id (you need this to take the test)

·        EAR PLUGS - They offered over your ear ones at the location I went to but allowed me to use my own.  MUCH better… super quiet that way. (it is a very quiet room, but chairs do make noises and when people leave etc… it makes noises.)

·        Good directions to the test location (As Cornelius says, it is a GREAT idea to drive to the test location so you are familiar before the actual day of the test)

·        A healthy snack to eat just before going in the building (so I wouldn’t get hungry during the test)

I did NOT drink anything 2 hours before the test start time so I could use every second taking the test.

Then I started my studying…  (NOTE: I did NOT do any simulations the day of the test—so I wouldn’t get discouraged if I didn’t do as good as I thought I should)

1st) I practiced writing my ”Brain Dump” sheet for 30 minutes (the “Brain Dump” sheet is a sheet of all the things you may need to write down (to get it out of your brain) before the test starts, like formulas etc.)

2nd) I studied all the areas I missed while doing the simulations for 2 hours

3rd) Re practiced my ”Brain Dump” sheet for 30 minutes

4th) Studied the PMBOK process chart one last time for 30 min

5th) Re studied the areas I missed again along with some math problems for 2 hours

6th) Re practiced my ”Brain Dump” sheet

7th) packed my study folder and my previous ”Brain Dump” sheet into the car with my documentation, directions, my snack, my ear plugs and my ID and was off to the test location.

I arrived at the test location 1 hour early so I was able to:

·        Practice writing my ”Brain Dump” sheet a couple of times. (I must say, it’s much easier at home without knowing you’re about to go in and take this IMPORTANT test.  I ended up forgetting things and had my main dump sheet still handy so I could refer to it real quick—which helped.)

·        Then I QUICKLY reviewed my notes of the items I knew I struggled with in the simulation tests (in my notebook)

·        Then went in 15 minutes early and signed in to take the test.

Once they took me back to my testing area, I started the tutorial for how the test works… (This is just basic computer training 101…)

Instead of watching the tutorial I went straight into writing down my “Brain Dump” items… (It took me probably 10 minutes under pressure)

Then I reviewed the tutorial in the last 5 minutes… and then pressed the button to start the test.

As I worked through each question, I marked any I had the least bit of doubt on so I could go back review them later… and if one seemed to be taking me WAYYY too long, I just marked it and moved on…

I did NOT rush and was able to finish with 30 minutes left to review the ones I had marked.  I started reviewing them and on most of them, I ended up leaving the originally marked answer.  I can only recall 2 where I changed the answer.  After re-reading those two questions, something clicked that I missed the 1st time so it was good that I marked them and I was able to re-adjust and move on to the next one.  This only took maybe 10 minutes and then I hit the submit button.  Then I had to take a brief survey (while the test was being scored) and then the wonderful words of “Congratulations…” came up on the screen.  

Then it was done… I stood up, left the testing room, signed out and they gave me my document showing I had passed.

If you find the tools that work for you, and study everything you can get your hands on and re study the areas you struggle with, you can do it!

Good luck to all of you! J

Angela Moll, PMP