7 Tips on How to Prepare for the PMP Certification Exam
Testing isn't a walk in the park. Whether you're taking the SAT or a driver's test,
sitting down to go through a process that reveals whether you've mastered material
can be a challenge.
This can be even more so with a professional certification exam. The pressure of
remembering industry best practices and doing well so that you can earn the certification
to move up in your career can be overwhelming.
However, doing so can pay dividends. According to the Project Management Institute's (PMI)
2021 Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey
that took data from over 30,000 project management professionals, survey respondents with
a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification reported higher median salaries than
those without one.
The PMP certification is an excellent way to increase your value as a PMP, especially
if you're looking to change jobs, increase your salary, or move up in your current company.
Can you increase your odds of passing and gaining this valuable certification? Yes!
Test-taking doesn't have to be a challenging experience, and it helps when you have PMP
certification preparation and exam tips. Here are some PMP exam tips to prepare
for the PMP certification to ensure that you not only pass but feel confident along the way.
Understand How You Study
Yes, we are taking it back to the basics. Think about how you prepared for tests during
your time as a student. What worked? What didn't? Has how you process information changed?
Start to think about the best ways that you learn and study. For example, do you retain
information better when you see it explained in a video? Then, you may want to focus on
video workshops or lessons.
On the other hand, if you excel in processing information after reading it and researching it,
then manuals and workshops could be better. Find out how you study best, and then hone in on
that to learn and retain the information effectively.
Manage Test-Taking Anxiety
If tests throw you off, don't feel bad! According to the American Test Anxieties Association,
16 to 20% of students
have high test anxiety. Feeling like you have to retain and communicate the information you've
learned quickly can be challenging.
According to them
,
there are three “Domains”, People, Process, and Business Environment. PMI’s Exam Content
Outline (ECO) goes into detail on each section, including the topics that will be covered and
the qualifications needed to apply to take the exam.
This step is a great place to begin your study planning for the PMP certification examination's content,
as you can quickly see what topics are familiar.
Take Practice Exams
Now that you have an idea of what to expect with the exam, it's now time to start testing what you know.
Taking a practice exam
is one of the cheapest ways to prepare for and get a feel for the actual exam. You can see what you know
and what you need to take another look at and take advantage of the opportunity to increase your
familiarity with the material.
At PMTraining, we offer over 1,100 realistic exam questions for $68. Our practice exam bundle
also includes video tutorials and personalized reports to help you further prepare for the exam.
If you identify a section you are struggling in, the bundle comes with focus area tests so you
can zero in on where you need to increase your knowledge. Also, if you're getting accredited
training somewhere, this could be an excellent addition to that program.
Consider Live Online Classes
Do you find that you grasp concepts better when you have a live person to walk you through
various lessons? If so, then a live online class may be the answer. PMTraining facilitates
live classes
taught by certified PMP instructors. They are expert professionals who bring their real-world
experience to their work.
It includes all necessary contact hours and
PMP requirements
that are needed to take the PMP exams,
so not only are you learning what you need to pass, but you're also meeting the criteria to
move forward in the certification process.
All our live online classes are accredited and offer scheduling flexibility. If you need
some practical advice on how to pass the exam and guidance on handling project management
frameworks like predictive, agile, and hybrid, this is a viable option.
Take Advantage of On-Demand Courses
Need even more training and studying flexibility? Well, PMTraining offers on-demand courses
that can be accessed at any time. While it is not an exam prep activity, it's a great way
to complement the live classes as it offers an overview of the PMP certification exam.
If you want to solidify your foundational knowledge of PMP concepts, and would like to get
PDU credits if you're already certified, then
on-demand courses
with PMTraining are worth a look.
Plan for After the Exam with PDU Courses
What if you've already gotten certified and want to maintain it? Well, you can refresh your
knowledge with
PDU courses
.
At PMTraining, the PDU courses cover project quality management, SCRUM Immersion, PMO Basics,
Project Management Foundations, and other relevant topics.
It's important to understand that the PMP certification process doesn't end once you're
certified. You have to maintain your certification once you receive it. So, be sure you
create a plan for keeping current on relevant project management information once you
pass the test.
Prepare, Practice, and Plan Ahead
The best way to prepare for the PMP certification is to practice. The more you practice, the
more comfortable you'll feel with the PMP certification exam.
It's normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed, but there are many things you can do to
enhance your knowledge and ace the test.
First, deal with any testing anxiety you have, and further your knowledge by finding the
right resources. Once you take the time to understand the concepts and test out your knowledge,
you can give yourself the best chance to pass and receive your certification.
Sources:
Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Twelfth Edition,
https://www.pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey
Project Management Professional (PMP)® Examination Content Outline,
https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/pmp-examination-content-outline.pdf?v=ef41743a-9156-4137-a9a6-fd31e19a9668&sc_lang_temp=en
Test anxiety may leave some students unable to achieve on exams,
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/life/wellness/2017/11/21/test-anxiety-performance-anxiety-students-finals/800902001/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20American%20Test,by%20moderately%20high%20test%20anxiety