TOPIC: Building Stamina and Focus

I have been studying for PMP for awhile and have no started using on-line exam simulators. I find that after about 100 questions I am losing focus, Any suggestions for how to build the stamina to get through all 200 questions?

Lila-Mae - I run Marathons and to train for them I run anywhere from 3-15 miles in a single run. I don't run 26.2 miles except on the day of the race. Don't try to do 200 questions all at once until you have done 25-50-75-100-125-150....on a regular bases. Mix them up too. Find a day and place to do the long ones when you have cleared everything else around you. Breath! You'll do fine. jfw

Taking practice exams helped me build my test taking muscles.

Also make sure you are well fed and have the caffeine you are used to having --- if any...

you will build stamina naturally by taking more and more practice tests. I was the same at the start of the PMP journey, but I got used to it after going through at least 1 simulated test each day for a few weeks before the real test.

Also no harm in taking a small break at the 100 question mark if it helps to get back into focus. In the exam you'll be able to take breaks but you should go in with a clear time-management approach.

It is crucial that you answer all questions in the exam, even if you have to guess some

The testing is, for sure, grueling. However, as others have shared, it becomes less so with practice.

For myself, I felt that a test every day was a bit much. I preferred to take the test on one day and then spend the next day reviewing/analyzing my results. This maximized my learning from the simulated test AND gave a bit of a break before taking the next one.

Keep practicing. This IS doable!

I was also fatigued somewhere between question 85-110. Push through and answer all 200 - this is how you must condition yourself to make it through the exam when you take it at the testing center. You'll have other stress that day, so having fatigue is something you can train your brain to work through.

Lila-Mae,

In addition to the helpful tips already suggested, I recommend that you eat a balanced diet and get a lot of sleep the night before test day. And don't stress your brain too much the night before; knock off practice questions and studying a few hours before you go to bed. Meditate, read, relax. It will all help keep you fresh for the exam.

- Steven

Knowing when you loose focus is very important - you can plan you approach built on that. For myself I did the test in batches of 75-75-50 questions, with short breaks in between (not leaving the room, but closing my eyes for a couple of minutes, taking some deep breaths). After finishing the 200 I left the room for a drink of water and some snacks, returned and reviewed (note that leaving the room is very time consuming, since you have to do the full security check when returning).
When you have this rhythm you should practice full 4 hour practice exams as often as possible.
Concentration is key since the answer could hang on a single word in the sentence, so you have to keep concentration up over all 200 questions.