My PMP JOURNEY
With over 20 years of experience in Project/Order Management, to catch up on my career, the best thing I decided was getting myself certified. After researching the pros and cons of all the certifications that would suit me over the internet, I zeroed in on PMP. I got introduced to Kailash Upadhyay during my PMP training with PMBOK5 at PMI Mumbai Chapter. Due to my professional commitments, unfortunately I could not attempt for PMP exam with PMBOK5 version. Almost after 11 months of training, Addon Skills (Kailash Upadhyay) encouraged me to take PMP exam with PMBOK6 version. Finally, with great determination, I decided to take exam with PMBOK6 version. I determined that if I was to be successful in passing the exam, I needed to learn and to start thinking of project management according to the PMBOK standards. I committed to learning and understanding the material, and also focused on what approach to use to prepare and pass the exam.

There are so many suggested approaches to preparing for the PMP exam. How do you determine what is the best method to select? Understanding that my preferred learning style is a blend of visual, verbal, and social learning helped me identify and select education components that would facilitate my exam preparation.

After evaluating many options, I developed and utilized the following PMP preparation approach:

A.     Exam Preparation
1.      Addon Skills (Kailash Upadhyay) helped me to chalk out correct study plan and also not to prolong exam date beyond 45 days which I was planning for 65 days.

2.      Considering professional commitments, I studied for 4 hours daily and almost 12-14 hours weekend.

3.      As suggested by Kailash Upadhyay, I studied with enjoyment without taking much pressure or burden and got deeper understanding on various topics.

4.      Studied only Rita Mulcahy and PMBOK6

5.      Read Rita in depth twice and PMBOK6 once

6.      Prepared my own 100-page PMP-Notes (small version of PMBOK6)

7.      Last 5 days around 12 hours study with revision of Rita.

8.      Day before exam relax. No study only recollection of what you have study.

9.      Addon Skills offered me around 5 mock test each of 200 questions with exam simulator which really helped me face tricky scenario-based questions in real exam.

10.  Additionally, I also appeared almost 1500 questions. Mainly free online PMP exam simulators. Including those of Rita Mulcahy, Udemy Discounted (Adel Mansour and Leithy Mohammed)

11.  Addon Skills (Kailash Upadhyay) extended special and extra-ordinary support to clear my all doubts regarding various topics and improved my in-depth understanding of all process groups.

12.  I also would like to thank PMI Mumbai Chapter, Sharad Harale and Adel Mansour also extending help and effort to achieve this milestone.

B.     Exam Tips
1.      Please note, brain dump is strictly not allowed during first 15 mins of tutorials. Prometric centre are giving strict instructions before start of exam.

2.      Most of the questions were scenario based. Only 2 problems. 1-EVM and 1-CPM.

3.      Almost 50-60 questions on Risk and change management with various scenarios and almost in all process groups.

4.      Risk and change management questions were related whether to address risk first or address change first.

5.      Change related questions were with various scenario like only one of the constraints were evaluated instead of all project constraint then what next, CCB approved change request then what next etc.

6.      Risk related questions were like how to deal with minor risk just before project closure, Risk workaround, risk review, risk audit, risk mitigation etc.

7.      There were around 3-4 questions related to Tornedo. Around 2 questions of Simulation/Monte Carlo etc. 1 question on Decision Tree Analysis.

8.      Many questions on Procurement, Stakeholder and Communication management

9.      Most of the Quality questions were related Tools & Techniques

10.  Questions related initiation and closure were related combined of ITTO

11.  Few questions on Project Scope statement, Scope creep, WBS/WBS Dictionary etc.

12.  3 questions on reserve analysis (contingency and management)

13.  8-10 questions on schedule management including few ITTO

14.  10 question on cost estimate, cost budget including few ITTO

15.  7-8 question on Agile

16.   5-6 questions on conflict management

17.  3 questions on Kick-off Meeting

18.  2-3 questions on cost of quality

Finally, amidst all the juggling between work, home, traveling and studies; the goal of becoming a PMP certified professional was achieved with Above Target Score! One of the greatest milestones of my life.

Super Thanks to Addon Skills, especially Mr. Kailash Upadhyay for imparting excellent training! Special thanks to my wife and 2 childrens for their extraordinary support without which this wasn’t possible!

C.     To All PMP Aspirants:
·        Make sure all your concepts are clear. If concepts are clear, the questions won’t confuse you.

·        You have to make time for studies. Plan and execute as per plan!

·        I only referred the Rita and PMBOK6. It is enough to clear the exam.

·        Do not confuse yourself with any other online tutorials or any other books.

·        Try linking the concepts and using them in your day to day life… helps to grasp them better and makes you more efficient as well. Personal Experience!

·        Most important – Enjoy the whole process of studying! I felt I was back in college again!

Thanks

Ganesh Vishwasrao