TOPIC: I plan on taking the PMP Exam by the end of 2017, Register for exam now?

I just purchased the PM PrepCast yesterday and started going through the introductory videos. I read the first few chapters this last month while on vacation as well.

My question is, do you recommend registering for the exam now? I plan on taking the exam before the year's end (2017), so it will be the same content as the PMBOK 5th edition. Is this recommended that I get the registration going ASAP? Or should I wait closer to when I'm ready to take the exam. I thought Cornelius say in a slide that you have a year to take the exam after you register.

I have already reached out to my employers who will vouch for me regarding the hours needed. Now I just need to study, study, study, and go through all of the PMP prepcasts. I plan on reading the chapters while simultaneously doing the prepcasts. Along with other study guides. Then doing some simulators when I feel that I'm nearing my PMP exam date.

Which comes to my last question, I read that Rita Mulcahy's book is a great study guide (amazon.com/PMP-Exam-Prep-Eighth-Updated/dp/1932735658). Any other necessary books that I should buy?

Thanks for all the assistance!

Hi Matt,

So, have you completed and submitted your application to PMI? This is the first step and one that I would not delay on. Once you have had your application approved you will be able to schedule the exam date. How far in advance to set the date is entirely up to you and your schedule. There is not necessarily a need to schedule way in advance but that may depend on whether the testing center you will use is real busy all the time or not. Once you have your code to be able to schedule the exam you will be able to go online and determine availability at the testing center.

A typical preparation time, based on my personal experience and reading many lessons learned posts on this forum, is 3 - 4 months and anywhere from 100-200 total prep hours.

Best of luck to you.

Cheers,

Mark

As far as other books, I suggest you review some of the lessons learned on the forum. But, Rita's book is often cited as a great resource. I would caution against too many different resources. The most critical book is the unfortunately very dry PMBOK guide. It was a slog but I read it cover to cover several times.

Mark

Thanks for the insight. So your saying register with the PMI, or register for the exam. I still have another 6 months before end of the year. So your saying become a member first. I still haven't passed the 35 hour contacts hours (test)

Could you please guide/share the steps, in order enroll for the PMI PMP exam, my preparation is just started. I got Andy Crowe 4th Edition Book, is there any document on the changes in 5th edition. Thanks in Advance.

Matt,
Sorry for not responding sooner. Yes, I meant that you should register with PMI and get the application process started. It was a lot more involved that I thought when I did it. I can take quite a bit of time to gather all of the details for the application. It's ok if you haven't completed the 35 hours yet. You can complete the other part of the application now and save it on the PMI web site and then once you have completed the 35 hours you can just add that and then submit for approval.

Mark