I “Passed” the PMP exam on October 22, 2024. Here is my journey to success, including the tools I used and the two test simulators.
1. PrepCast Deluxe series. (Self-paced video lessons following PMI ECO, unlimited test simulator, full detailed explanations for all answered questions
– Correct and incorrect.
2. PrepCast PM StudyCoach Guidebook.
3. PrepCast PM Formulas.
4. PMI ECO (Examine Content Outline).
5. Weekly MeetUp Groups: PMP Questions and Tucson Online PMP/CAPM Study Group
6. PMI Study Hall PMP Plus. (Content, Flashcards, and access to unlimited Practice Questions and Practice exams)
7. Books. (Agile Practice Guide, PMBOK 7, Process Group: A Practice Guide, Essential Scrum, Scrum Guide, and Agile Manifesto)
8. Journaled weekly lessons learned and tailored study techniques. I was actively practicing Agile methodology.
9. Glossary review.
10. PMI/PMP Mindset videos.
It all started in the second week of July when I started preparing for the PMP exam. I was attempting to study on my own without any direction. It
was going well, so I thought, but I became distracted as other things became more critical, so I could and did not focus on studying specifically for the PMP
exam. After discussing my issues with a few people, I decided I needed a few tools to help me research and stay focused on the goal—passing the PMP exam.
This PMP Exam truly has to have your complete attention and focus.
I contacted PrepCast and obtained the StudyCoach guidebook, the PM Formula guide, and the PrepCast Elite exam simulator. I also accessed the PMI
Study Hall PMP Plus, the books listed as references on the PMI site for the PMP exam, and the PMI Examine Content Outline (ECO). Cornelius Fichtner and
the entire staff at OSP International (PrepCast) were very helpful in answering my questions and offered many words of encouragement during my
journey to success.
My PMI PMP test application was accepted in early August, yet I did not schedule my PMP exam right away because of fear and the mental belief that
the test was too hard. So, I convinced myself that I would just study independently and schedule the PMP exam when I felt more secure with my
studying – never really happened.
A week later, after failing my first full-length PM simulator exam, I became discouraged and felt like I did not know where to start – “I Failed – so where
do I go from here.” I did what anybody would have done: I scheduled my PMP Exam for October 22, 2024, at 8:00 AM. After scheduling my PMP exam, I
realized “I had just become accountable for my studies, and with that came a deadline.” This was the missing part for me – my vision, especially my goal
of becoming a certified PMP, was now a step closer to becoming a reality.
A seven-day vacation was planned, which I almost canceled (feeling like I did not have enough time to study), but I am glad I did not. I listen to PrepCast
Podcasts during my free time while resting during my vacation. I also read the lessons provided by the PMI Study Hall program, which coincided with the
PrepCast video lessons and the ECO. When I returned from the holiday in early September, I changed how I would study. I had seven weeks until my exam,
and I was excited, afraid, and felt like I was not ready for the exam.
I opened the PrepCast StudyCoach guide and tailored a 7-week schedule that worked for me using an XL template. While taking notes, I watched
the video lessons from L00:00 to L05:62 and all other recommended videos. I even listened to the lessons I felt I was solid in or the ones that sounded
boring by the title. I also integrated PMI Study Hall lessons that coincided with the PrepCast video lessons – both programs followed the ECO as a
guideline for the PMP Exam training they provided.
I began working with both test simulators. The reasoning behind this thought process was that I did not want to get used to answering one specific
type of question philosophy. Using both simulators offered a variety of questions and different kinds of question philosophies. I had already failed
Exam 1 with 52.2% and was not feeling well about my testing skills.
Five weeks before my PMP exam, I began taking 10 to 15-question timed exams for the first week and increased the number of questions weekly. I
failed many of these exams on both simulators, with an average score on one simulator of 48.9% and the other of 53.8%. Not getting discouraged, I
stayed on my path even though my percentages did not go up as fast as I wanted. I could not figure out why I failed my exams even though I knew
the material. And then it hit me: My mindset was not right during the exam. I will talk about Mindset later.
I took on another recommendation that PrepCast and others made get involved with a study group. So, I did. On Wednesday night, Arizona Time,
I contacted two weekly Meetup Groups: the PMP Questions Meetup and the Tucson Online PMP/CAPM Study Group Meetup. These two groups did
wonders for me. The culture was inviting, and the people were friendly. We supported, encouraged, listened to, learned from each other,
demonstrated empathy as needed (PMP test failures) and respected each other – all relating to one subject – Our shared goal of passing the PMP Exam.
As I actively listened to others in these groups, I could hear and learn how others processed the PM questions and the philosophy behind their
reasoning. We were never to get far off track because the instructor, Kevin A., was a phenomenal facilitator who always guided us back to the
correct answer. He never just gave us the answer; he helped us to understand why the other answers were incorrect and directed us through his
extensive experience and outstanding coaching(teaching) skills.
I took the PMI Mindset for granted. I had studied, and I thought I knew the PM information. However, the questions and answers did not make sense
during my quizzes and exams. They were confusing, ambiguous, and scenario-based, with some of the answers so similar that I frequently chose
the incorrect ones.
What changed? I watched three important videos: PMI/PMP Mindset 1, 2, and 3. These videos improved my test scores and percentages, boosting
my confidence. They demonstrated and taught me how to break down the questions into functional parts, allowing me to eliminate many incorrect
answers quickly.
A week before my exam, I focused on my weak areas and tested those areas. I took two full-length exams, failing both—mid-sixties—and did not feel
good about myself, my confidence shaken. The main intention for taking these full-length exams was to get my timing down, a critical responsibility
of yours while taking the PMP exam. Still, in my head, I was doomed to fail the PMP exam. So, I began making plans for failure with some hope of
passing. I wanted to be ready for both outcomes.
The day before my exam, I listened to the PMI/PMP mindset video, relaxed, ate good meals, and slept well. I had scheduled a ride to the exam, got
there, completed the required tasks to get in, and took my exam. I went into this exam with an average percentage from both simulators of 62.8%,
and I passed my PMP exam. The People Domain was just below AT, yet in the Target range; the Process Domain was just below AT, yet in the
Target range, and the Business Domain was AT (Above Target).
The things that worked for me:
1. Set a study schedule, shared it with my family, and followed it to the exam date. I only modified or tailored the schedule to improve my study
processes moving forward.
2. Journaling and weekly Lessons Learned allowed me to stay focused and affirm why I was doing all this work. It also made me examine what I
learned and needed to work on.
3. Followed PrepCast video lessons from the beginning to the end and took notes.
4. Read the PMI Study Hall content documentation coinciding with the PrepCast video lessons.
5. I followed and studied the information recommended by the PMI ECO, nothing else.
6. I used both exam simulators and began testing with the PMI mindset.
7. I reviewed every correct and incorrect quiz and test question I took, approximately 800 questions. This was probably one of the most important
aspects of my studying, reviewing the correct answers and why the other answers were incorrect. After practicing this technique for a while, I realized I
was becoming more aware of the given scenario within each question, allowing me to eliminate choices quickly.
8. Two group weekly study halls attended on Wednesday nights.
a. Tucson Online PMP/CAPM Study Group | Meetup
b. PMP Questions, Wed, Nov 6, 2024, 5:30 PM | Meetup
9. I visited the test center to become familiar with the testing site.
10. Glossary work: I typed out 10 words a day on an XL sheet until I completed the whole glossary.
11. Read reference books as needed and for fun. HA!HA!.
12. One of the most important things I did was to: “Give myself a break”.
The day before and on exam day:
1. I did not study anything the day before, except I watched/listened to the PMI/PMP Mindset videos again.
2. Got a good night’s sleep.
3. Good hearty breakfast and protein smoothy drink.
4. Before taking the PMP exam, I took two deep breaths and told myself, “I got this.”
a. I took two ten–minute breaks to breathe and refocus.
b. Drank a protein drink from my locker.
5. When I was done with the exam and shortly after completing the exam, I was apprehensive yet was not surprised that I had passed the exam. It
seemed a bit easier than I expected, or was I prepared? I do not know. I was just happy that all my dedicated hard work had paid off.
I enjoyed using both (PrepCast and PMI Study Hall) study materials and platforms, though I preferred the PrepCast platform. The video lessons were
easy to follow, yet the exams were much harder and more ambiguous. The explanations for the answers to the questions were more detailed, and the
ECO and PMI resources were referenced more fluently. The key factor for me was that I could read the explanations for each exam question or watch
a video lesson (PrepCast only) to understand what material the question originated from.
I thank Cornelius Fichtner, Jonathon H., Marie S., Yazmine D., and Kevin A. for being strong, encouraging mentors and pushing me to become a better
Certified Project Manager. As a friendly reminder: “No one ever feels ready to take the PMP exam—so just go and take it. You got this!”
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Cornelius Fichtner and the whole staff at OSP International, aka PrepCast, for putting together and supporting
a well-established, successful PMP Exam study platform that has been proven time and time again by the success of their students — I followed the PrepCast
program, and it worked for me.
Rich R.
