Like many other new PMPs, the PM PrepCast Exam Simulator was key to my success. I also found Cornelius' YouTube videos on the new 2021 exam very helpful as well.
Background:
Have been a project/program/portfolio manager my whole career (no formal training), but now needed the PMP for government contract work. Deadline was 8 weeks.
My study materials:
Joseph Phillips Udemy course; bought it on sale to get a head start, but found the whole thing to be well-done, particularly the Agile section.
Took a live tutored course, but learned later that it was not as updated on the 2021 test as I needed.
Rita Mulcahy's PMP 10th addition
Free online posts
My study plan:
Started with the Udemy course, stopped, but picked up again for Agile
Took the live tutored course
Read Rita's book twice
Took free online tests/quizes, but found many to be out of date; not enough Agile/Hybrid
Found PM Prepcast free test and realized I needed more up to date quizes and tests it provided
Signed up and over two weeks took numerous quizes and all four practice exams (76, 80, 80, 80) studied the answers, both right and wrong to learn.
Exam:
Took it at the Pearson Vue center
Mask restrictions still in place; fortunately I called ahead and practiced with several masks for one that would work with my glasses. Total 4-5 hours in a mask.
Did the tutorial to see how strike throughs, highlighting, and reviews worked. Decided right then not to use the clunky strike through or highlighting; PrepCast is much better here.
Did not do a brain dump per se, but I did write down my time splits so I could measure my time during the test. Used 75 minutes per 60 questions as a guide. Had targets at 30 question intervals as well.
Was ahead of schedule by 2 min at the first break; BTW, TAKE THE BREAKS!
Was 2 min behind schedule at the second break.
Finished with 3 min to spare.
Did no reviews, except to check that I answered all questions; trusted my first instinct, no second guessing.
Questions are nearly all situational, and shorter/more vague than PrepCast; well over 50% Agile/Hybrid. Sometimes Agile is mentioned, but doesn't always make a difference on the question.
Had 10-12 drag and drops; easier than PrepCast; Had 10-12 multiple answers; 1-2 graphs; and 1 fill in the blank.
No calculations (never used the calculator) but had a couple questions on SPI/CPI; no network diagrams, no ITTOs.
Alternated in first and second sections between reading question first and reading last line and answers first; kept me alert.
Last section I was getting tired, so almost exclusively read last line and answers first, which helped me focus and make up time.
Overall:
PrepCast was the final piece for me to understand the testing methodology, vague questions, question types, and helped me prep for the new 2021 test overall. It was the final tune up I needed.
Free PMP materials will likely catch up with the new 2021 exam, but right now, few are helpful; I couldn't wait for that since I had a firm deadline for passing.
Thanks PrepCast and good luck to all who are about to take the exam.
