TOPIC: Using My Statistics (By Knowledge Area and Domain) to address weak areas?

HI Everyone,

For any of the mock exams taken, I have gone back in an attempt to review and document notes on each question that was missed (or were marked) in order to learn from the mistakes and understand the answers.

In review of My Statistics today, I visited the tabs for the Knowledge Area and Domain which provided a ranking of top and bottom areas. This is very high level, and doesn't provide a further drill down into which processes may be under performing within the Knowledge Areas or Domains.

What recommendation(s) would you provide in trying to close my weak areas as indicated by the simulator that you found helpful toward passing your PMP exam?

As a thought, would it be worthwhile for me to take some time to go back through all of my exams, and note specifically what process group (since the PMBOK page numbers are listed as references in the answers), I kept encountering wrong answers with ( by keeping a tally count)? I know this would take some effort to do, so before I take the time to do it, I wanted to seek some input. Once I have the #s, I can review back on those processes that are the weakest, review the information missed on the exam, and re-read over those sections in books. I am trying to really zero in where I need to focus. Right now, the indication is very high level in those weaker areas , and the hole could be anywhere within a Knowledge Area or Domain. Thoughts or advice on how to approach studying/identifying further the weak areas based on the stats from the Exam Simulator?

Thank you!
Steven

Being curious, I did the exercise of roughly about 3 hours time, and went through all of my Exams taken where I had incorrect questions, any question specifically ITTO missed or marked, and any others that were marked due to uncertainty or from being questionable. Through the review, I documented down key words of topics encountered in those questions from each exam to see a trend of topics or things to review . I was able to isolate down to specific processes where I need to focus my attention which in some cases match back to the ranking of Knowledge Areas. What influences this to not match the Exam statistics is because I count anything marked as a potential problem area (where the system just counts only the wrong questions). I was able to identify a refined Top 10 list of processes:

(Red Areas)
1) Direct & Manage Project Work
2) Perform Integrated Change Control
3) Close Project or Phase
4) Develop Schedule
5) Control Costs
6) Plan Quality Management
7) Perform Quality Assurance
8- Manage Project Team
9) Conduct Procurements
10) Close Procurements

Outside of that was some areas in Organizational Influences & Life Cycle.
Any other suggestions for approaching where to focus, I would like to considerate so I can optimize time remaining.

Thanks...
Steven

Steve, I recommend primarily to all forum participants in questions about advice, that they should study their own way as they had in the past for any college final exam. I don't think I've come across one PMP who studied the same way. As such I think you laid out a good action plan for yourself. In the end, you need to balance between studying too much chafe which distracts you and PMBOK-related type information. Several PMPs have recommended Rita McCauley's books to help study where the PMBOK is a little confusing. If you are interested, others also recommended Cornelius Fichtner's products, which you might be familiar with since you are on this forum.

Hi Steven,

Great approach and excellent job so far! You're definitely on the right track. Let me share a bit of advice from my own experience preparing for the PMP exam and from guiding others successfully
through this process:

Deep Dive into Identified Weaknesses:
You've already done an impressive job pinpointing the processes that challenge you the most. This targeted approach is precise and focuses on your identified Top 10 processes.
I recommend zeroing in on specific processes rather than generalizing across entire knowledge areas or domains. This will yield a higher return on your study investment.

Root Cause Analysis of Mistakes:
Each time you revisit a question you got wrong, ask yourself what the correct answer is and why you initially selected the incorrect answer. This 'why' helps uncover the underlying misconceptions,
assumptions, or knowledge gaps.

Study the Interconnections (Beyond ITTOs):
It's essential to understand not only the Inputs, Tools & Techniques, and Outputs (ITTOs) but especially how and why processes interact and influence each other. For example, how does
"Direct & Manage Project Work" feed into "Perform Integrated Change Control," and how does that subsequently impact "Close Project or Phase"? Seeing these connections clearly can
significantly boost comprehension and retention.

Active Learning Methods:
Consider using active learning methods such as:

Drawing your own process flows or diagrams.

Explaining challenging concepts aloud (teaching them to someone or yourself).

Writing brief summaries in your own words.

Custom Practice Sessions:
Create focused quizzes or mock exams centered solely around these challenging areas. The focused repetition and specific scenario-based questions will reinforce your understanding and
sharpen your test-taking strategies.

Prioritize Real-World Application:
Try linking each challenging concept or process to real-world examples or experiences you've had. This helps anchor theoretical concepts practically, greatly aiding recall during the exam.

Regular, Short Reviews:
Rather than marathon study sessions, incorporate frequent, short review sessions into your schedule. Regular exposure to challenging material increases retention and reduces cognitive overload.


You're already demonstrating strategic insight by isolating your challenge areas and tackling them head-on. Stay focused and consistent, and you'll be well on your way to PMP success.
You've got this!
BR

Hey Steven,

You are pretty much right on track man! You're approach is nearly identical to the path I took (see below)

1) I would mark questions I was completely unsure about on the test for follow up after the exam is completed. If i got the answers wrong, I would track down the pages provided in PMBOK to review
2) any process areas I did bad on I would quiz over that specific area for 2-3 (30 question quizzes).
3) I would always ask the exam to show me new Question ( I have a very good photographic memory, so needed variety and there are tons!)
4) I would take all the answers I got wrong on an exam and look not only at the right answer, but i would do my best to study the wrong answer(s) I selected or would have selected. I do this to make sure I understand why that selection was NOT the right answer, which helped to avoid confusion and provided clarity in future (this was my favorite part about Prep Cast)

I would rinse and repeat the above for all my quizzes. I only took the Exams in Prepcast (2) times a piece, but i quizzed HARD (2-3 a day for 2 months). What worked for me was taking quizzes in batches of 30 and would shoot to finish the exam as close as I can to 30 minutes. I did not time myself until 4 weeks from exam. (I'm fairly good with exam timing from my past, but could time right away for practice ).

good luck on your journey!!