What To Memorize For The PMP Exam

If you are preparing for your PMP (Project Management Professional) exam then you might be wondering if there is a secret success formula. Like any test, preparation is key and will help to equip you with the knowledge needed to successfully pass.

The project management professional exam is no easy feat and unfortunately requires hard work and dedication to achieve the desired result. There are however a few tips and tricks that will help you to study faster and ultimately give you the best chance of passing.

The PMP exam is notoriously difficult, even for those that have many years of experience. It's sometimes easier to go back to basics and unlearn previous habits in order to succeed. Preparation is undoubtedly the best way to pass the PMP exam. Entering into the study phase with a fresh mindset will allow you to soak up new information and forget any bad habits.

Aspiring project managers who wish to take the PMP exam need to understand and be able to recall vast amounts of information from the top of their heads. There are several equations, process groups, knowledge areas and ITTOs that the test taker needs to know.

In this article, we will equip you with all of the essential information that you need to successfully pass the PMP exam.

Good Luck!

Develop A PMP Exam Study Strategy

All of the smartest people will tell you that developing a study strategy is one of the most important aspects of passing exams. You'll want to write down what you want to achieve and set yourself clear goals and objectives. These objectives can be measured in intervals to give you the best idea about any problem areas that you may be having.

Your study strategy should be clearly written and it should help you to determine your expectations. It also provides you with the necessary skills needed to structure your routine in a way that will maximise results. It's easy to get overwhelmed whilst studying towards the PMP exam, so building a roadmap is a surefire way to make sure that you have clearly defined goals that are both measurable and realistic.

Remember that having a sufficient plan in place doesn't guarantee your success. In fact, a lot of people tend to stop studying days or even weeks before the exam because they feel like they are fully prepared. Don't be fooled by a false sense of security. There is always more to learn and it never hurts to better prepare yourself for what will be one of the biggest professional exams you'll ever take.

How Long Do You Need To Study For The PMP Exam?

Time is key when it comes to figuring out how long you need to study for. All of the below questions need to be answered to determine your specific needs.

How many months do you have to prepare for your exams?

How many hours can you dedicate to the exam daily?

Can you study in the mornings before you go to work or do you prefer studying in the evening?

The reason why the PMP exam is thought to be extremely difficult is because experience levels differ. You might have one employee that has many years of experience in the project management field and another who has much less practical experience, but a degree in business management. All of these things need to be taken into account when determining how long you need to prepare for.

As a rule of thumb, you should give yourself at least 2-3 months of study time before attempting the PMP exam. Doing so will ensure that you have enough time to fully understand and develop your knowledge base. Working out how many hours you can comfortably devote to studying will give you a clear idea about any time commitments.

PMP Exam Pattern

The PMP exam lasts for four hours, during which over 200 questions need to be answered in full. These are generally multiple-choice questions that PMI uses to evaluate your knowledge and experience. Your ability to concentrate, analyze, and attempt the questions are all measured using clever algorithms.

One of these types is PMP formula-based questions. PMP Test Takers should go into the test having memorized the following:

Equations

PMP formulas are a huge part of the exam. In order to pass the mathematical portion of the PMP exam, you need to be familiar with the equations that we've set out below. It's a good idea to find out some information about the overall pattern and all of the different types of questions that contribute to the exam.

It's important to note that questions aren't broken down into specific types like the project management domains of process groups. You are instead urged to practise how to use your common sense to tackle multiple-choice questions.

These are the most important and widely used PMP formulas that you should get acquainted with before taking your exam:

PERT Distribution

Program Evaluation and Review Technique or (PERT) is an advanced project schedule planning and management system that was developed by United States Navy during the mid to late 1950s. In the PMP exam, PERT is used as an additional technique to the Critical Path Method for planning activities.

A bell-shaped curve is used to transform the three-point estimate. Its primary function is to allow access to determinable probabilities of ranges and predicted values. The three-point estimate refers to Optimistic estimate (O), Most likely estimate (M), and Pessimistic estimate(P).

Triangular Distribution

This type of formula is extremely widespread and is one of the simplest. It contains the average of the three estimated values.

The PMP formula of this triangular distribution is: E = (O + M + P) / 3

This formula is used to calculate and define the time and cost of specific projects. If you are using time as a parameter then you'll get the expected time whereas if you are using cost as a parameter you will determine the expected expense.

The Beta Distribution

The PERT Beta distribution uses predictability to ascertain the 'most likely' scenario. In beta distribution, the more likely something is going to happen the more weight it receives. More weightage means that outlier impact is lessened which in turn reduces the effect of the risk in the calculation. This calculation can be used as an alternative to the triangular distribution for cost and time estimates.

The PMP formula for Beta Distribution is: E = (O + 4*M + P) / 6

There are two main differences in this formula from the triangular distribution method. The first difference is the most likely (M) estimate value is multiplied by 4. This increases the overall divisor to 6.

The Standard Deviation

Standard deviation is an easily understood statistical theory, that works to measure the 'spread' of values of a random variable. It uses distribution equations to measure the rate of standard deviation.

A low standard deviation means that data points are averaging out whereas the opposite happens for high standard deviation leaving data points to display a large range of spread.

The following PMP formula is used to calculate Standard Deviation of the PERT distribution: Standard Deviation = (P – O) / 6

Estimating entire oaths can be achieved through the analogues crucial paths method where a similar concept is applied by using a combined standard deviation for all activities.

Process Groups

There are three traditional process groups that relate to the PMP exam. These are generally referred to as Initiating, Planning and Executing.

These processes are used to help us establish an organisational background to plan, execute and manage a successful project.

Initiating - This is an important process that helps to determine vision and accomplishment. It's generally the first stage and it's at this point that the project receives authorisation from a sponsor. The scope is defined as well as the stakeholders and is a great time to iron out any kinks by correctly identifying the best-suited stakeholders. This process is used to make sure that projects aren't sanctioned by sponsoring entities and helps the projects strategic objectives to form.

Planning - The total scope of a project needs to be defined before any project officially starts. Scope, risks and milestones are also defined during this stage and allow for project managers to use much more complex planning techniques. These are called progressive elaboration and enable project documents to be developed in much more detail over time.

Executing - This is the process group where all of the heavy lifting is done. The project management team work to keep the project on track whilst creating deliverables. The project manager then evaluates and coordinates those resources.

Knowledge Areas

Project management knowledge areas will tell you all you need to know about effective project management.

Project Integration Management is the most fundamental knowledge area that you'll use in your project management career. It's the glue that holds all of the other knowledge areas together and combines individual processes into a defined project with clear goals and deliverables.

Project Scope Management must be well defined throughout the entire process. Once the score process groups are completed, you'll end up creating a management plan that validates, defines and controls scope. These processes are essential in helping you stay on target whilst making sure that the project manager and the requester both understand the deliverables of the project.

Project Time Management can be difficult if it's not organised with structure and intent. You need to make sure that all team members understand the scope of the project whilst adjusting resources as needed to better understand what tasks can be adjusted to save time or meet deadlines.

ITTOs

ITTO stands for Input, Tools & Techniques, and Output. Aspiring project management professionals are inherently scared of these questions popping up in the PMP exam.

Unfortunately, there isn't a shortcut when it comes to solving these types of questions. The PMBOK Guide is divided into areas of proficiency. Each has several different processes and each process has numerous inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs.

There will be around 10 ITTO related questions in your PMP exam although each exam is unique and the precise number is always going to be impossible to determine. Using memory maps are a great way of visualising process flow and finding internal errors. Repeating this process in the weeks leading up to your PMP exam will greatly enhance your knowledge and understanding of these complicated processes.

What Resources Are Available To Help Test Takers Remember Important Concepts?

Several resources are available to help you ace the PMP exam and remember the most important concepts.

Head First PMP is an informal study resource that is very popular with aspirants. They lrovide100% coverage of principles and certification objectives in a unique and easy to understand way.

The Project Management Body Of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide is an industry-leading book that reflects the state of the industry. It's a critically acclaimed study guide that's packed with essential tools and tips for budding project management professionals.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) Study Guide is an industry-standard handbook that provides you with everything you need to successfully pass your exams. It's the most comprehensive guidebook on the market and can even be used after exams for future reference.

What Are The Most Difficult Concepts Test Takers Struggle With?

The most difficult part of the PMP exam is the formulas and equations. You will of course need to have passed basic maths and science to take the PMP exam in the first place but the test can prove difficult for even seasoned professionals.

Formulas and equations are finicky and sometimes drawn out but are important nonetheless. It's these equations that you'll be using to define processes within your project and when done correctly can have tremendous advantages.

The best way to familiarise yourself with these concepts is to study them aggressively. It might sound like common sense but a lot of people that take the PMP exam have expressed difficulty in remembering vital equations. It could be as simple as forgetting a formula, but you'll be marked down nonetheless.

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Conclusion

The PMP exam is a notoriously hard test to pass the first time. It's even harder for those that haven't studied enough or haven't taken the time to familiarise themselves with the more academic portions of the exam.

There is no easy way to pass the PMP exam and it's probably for good reason. Project managers need to be effective, diligent and industrious to successfully regulate the internal and external operations within a project. Taking the time to understand the PMP exam from a clients point of view is essential to developing the required skill set. It allows you to ask fundamentally important questions that will give you a much deeper understanding of any projects you manage in the future.