Lessons from My PMP Journey

I started my PMP prep in 2015. It was a requirement for my company. I started preparation in early-2016 when I enrolled myself in Ciel Consulting PMP Preparation class for 35 contact hours.

How I began my PMP prep

I read PMBOK once during mid-2015 and found it very difficult to understand. I decided to use it only as a reference guide as the name suggests.
I read Rita’s Book thrice as suggested by my trainer. I highlighted important things during first two readings and read all those highlighted material twice during last week of my study.
Initially I thought of how I could remember the processes, process groups and knowledge areas. I searched and found some tips for remembering Process Group & Knowledge Area Mapping Table and Formulas. Later I realized that there is no need for these; if you read Rita three times you will automatically memorize these things.
I attempted Rita’s, Andy Crowe‘s and HeadFirst‘s chapter end questions 5 times and kept a record of the result for comparison. The results gradually improved and I was able to score 85% to 100% in 4th and 5th attempt. Also attempted HeadFirst’s and Andy Crowe’s Mock Exam 5 times and able to score 90%+.
Attempted all 1000 questions given in “PMP Prep – Question & Answers 2013 Christopher Scordo“.

 I also tried to attempt questions from some other sources but realized that many were substandard. It is good to take care about the materials you use. Rita Updated Eighth edition, Head First PMP and Andy Crowe still remains the standard. Above mentioned sources are enough for preparation.

I did the Paper Based Based Test at JKK Ikorodu Road Lagos.

Two Days Before the PMP Exam

On Thursday and Friday before the exam, I was at Ciel Consulting for the exam prep class, Obalim shared some PMP past questions. I scored 70% in the 4 different exams administered during the Exam Prep class.

Exam Day

On exam day, I was scared I could fail the exams. I Went to Exam Center, after the formalities, they showed me my seat. I was given the scratch Paper, a Pencil, Calculator and Eraser. Then they served us the question papers and answer scripts. At exactly 9am we were asked to start. To my amazement, the questions were so familiar. I had done some or similar in the past. It was like I was still doing practice. I finished in 3 hours, thirty minutes. Record time. I used the remiaining time to glance through questions again. I submitted afterwards.

It took exactly 10 days for my result to be released. I was happy when I saw the congratulatory message. I am now a PMP. Quite exciting.