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thoughts on the PMP exam (2012 edition)

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2012.04.26

I found the exam pretty tough; here are my thoughts on the experience and advice for exam takers.

The individuals questions weren't too bad in of themselves for the most part—the exam is fairly reasonable. But the sheer volume of them and their repetitive and occasionally contradictory nature was a bit wearing.

I'm a slow reader and found that after several dozen questions I was also losing concentration and I routinely had to get my mind back on the task. In the end, it took me nearly the entire 4 hours to write.

On the questions: as one veteran told me back in January, "Lots of questions were WEIRD, and impossible to study for." Thankfully, there was not one question like, "You've just done x. What's the next PMI process to enter?" In that sense, I guess the test was lest strict and structured than the PMBOK itself. I had four or five network map questions and at least that many PERT equation questions, to the point that I think I said aloud, "Again??" at one point. Three questions referenced the Delphi technique, and two Nominal Group technique. Most of the questions were reasonable, as I say; at one point I checked and saw that I'd flagged about 30-40 questions for review. In the end I had 8 minutes for review.

As for studying: almost none of my studying (or the exam content, as it turns out) was memorization work. I did all of the tests in "Rita" until I got a 90%. I used a spreadsheet that I made for tracking my progress (see http://emuu.net/tools-for-the-PMP-exam). I recommend that anyone preparing for the exam not redo a single test until you've gone around and have come back around, or you'll just be memorizing the questions and their answers. Learn the PMI way of thinking about things, and that will carry you.

Also, look up any unfamiliar industry terms like "X Theory / Y Theory". Put in 1-2 hours a day until it gets to be compulsive. And remember that a 35 question quiz that takes 25 minutes is a false idea of how long it takes to write 200 questions. I was starting to flag after 50. I took breaks at 75 and 150 and it wasn't enough. I lost a lot of time to re-reading questions because I was pushing it. But as I say, I'm a slow reader.

When I went to the Prometic site on Bloor St E. they were not only disinterested in any of the paperwork that PMI told me to bring (e.g. proof that you signed up for the exam), but I learned that I couldn't bring *anything* excepting my driver's license in. They give exam-takers a small locker for your possessions but you'll have to empty your pockets and pull up your sleeves every time you go in or out.

rand()m quote

I asked my doctor to give me something to stop me from aging, and he gave me a gun.

—Rodney Dangerfield