TOPIC: New To PrepCast

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Hi Lekecia,

I saw your support request in our helpdesk and have reached out to you in order to resolve your access issue.

Let me also say that I'm really sorry that you didn't pass your exam yet. In order to really put you on the right path, please help us understand how you study the material for the exam. Here are a few questions for you:
- Have you flipped through the PMP Exam Content Outline to understand the topics that the exam is testing you on?
- Have you downloaded/purchased The PMBOK Guide SIXTH Edition and are you studying it?
- Have you purchased any other PMP Prep Books?
- What type of exam prep training (online course, classroom course) have you or are you taking, and is it based on the most current 2018 exam?

I'm asking these questions because while it's great that you have a simulator, I think it is also important to understand the quality and quantity of training that you have for the exam itself.

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I also would like to add that my memory and brain dump is insane --- all of the 49 processes, I have memorized all variations of the EVM formulas, motivational theories, Sigmas, estimation formulas, Cost of quality chart, and project selection formulas.

Where I struggle is the schedule plan management with float and PDM

Hi Lekecia,

Looks like you have done a lot of work in regards to preparation. Let's dig deeper so that we can tailor a study strategy for you in the next 90 days.

The next time you do a mock exam, I want you to pay attention to the following:
1. Do you have sufficient time to read every questions carefully?
2. How is your stress level?
3. When you're finish with the mock exam and checking for wrong answers, categorize them as

• You got it wrong because you never came across this concept when studying
• You studied this concept before, but you remembered the details wrong and thus causing you to answered incorrectly
• You know that concept perfectly, however you made a careless mistake (reading the answers wrong)

4. Marked questions: Do you feel that you got most of them correct without going back to change answers? Or you feel the need to revisit the questions the second time in order to get them right?

Mr. Pang,

Thank you! For my 1st prepcast mock exam, I will use your strategy to identify the root cause to missed questions and concepts and report back Friday 10/26.

Lekecia,

I think that Joe's advice is spot on.

You have already taken a lot of exam prep training. From where I am looking at this, it seems that your issue might be that you have trouble applying all your knowledge correctly to exam questions. So Joe's suggestion of taking an exam and then critically looking not only at your performance but also looking at how you feel, what your stress level is, of how much the countdown clock stresses you is a good approach.

I would like to add the suggestion that you spend at least the same amount of time reviewing the questions as it took you to take the exam.

So if it takes you 3.5 hours to go through a full 200-question exam, then spend at least another 3.5 hours going through the questions again afterward. Look at all the general explanations for the questions and pay particular attention to those that you got wrong. We now have 'per choice explanations' which tell you exactly why each of the four answer choices is / is not correct. In that way, you can learn from your mistakes and take another step forward.

Please feel free to reply as I love feedback. Since I started this thread as a cry for help (LOL) to which I received two awesome life jackets, I will continue the thread to update my progress. Hopefully my journey can help motivate others to be press forward even after failing 2 times. Anyway....

So, let me tell you, I was pumped to finally get access to PrepCast. I'm kinda kicking my hinney for not using the course and exam simulator the first time I attempted to take the exam. In mere excitement I rushed home after work (around 7pm EST) and went straight into mock exam 1. LOL Who cares about a bedtime?! Surprisingly, I was able to concentrate through the entire exam and finished around midnight with minutes to spare. Now, because I was ready for bed, I didn't even bother going back and reviewing (aka second guessing) my "marked" questions.

Score 71%
Initiating - 80.77% (AT)
Planning - 60.87% (BT)
Executing - 75% (AT)
MC - 72.55% (T)
Closing - 61.54% (BT)

Tonight I will spend as recommended 3 hours reviewing and studying the wrong answers. Then I will make mock exam 2 a Friday night date with a review Saturday.

So again, I very much appreciate Cornelius and Joe for leaning in and providing valuable advice. To be continued....

Hi,

I just wanted to wish you good luck. Cornelius's simulator is really helpful -- use it and you will pass the 3rd time!!
FYI, I used Joseph Phillips UDEMY materials and I feel they are good for basic information but they way he phrased his questions wasn't helpful and I stopped using them.

You can do it!!!

Lekecia
Flashcards, simulator and a cup of tea!
Best Wishes,
jfw