Tips for Passing the PMP and CAPM Project Management Exams

June 13, 2009 | By Sandy England, PMP In PMP and CAPM Project Management Exams |

As a good Project Manager, you definitely know the value of having a good plan. So, if you are preparing for the PMP or CAPM exam, what’s the first step? To build a great plan towards taking the exam

If you find yourself procrastinating, or you are having trouble finding the time to study and practice, you will want to find ways to keep yourself focused. Be a planner, and practice good project management in the process.

Here is the basic plan of action for passing the PMP or CAPM exam.

  1. Commit to at least 40 hours of self-study over a three week period before the exam (though I highly recommend doubling that, especially if you are not feeling confident about either your memory retention or your test-taking skills. I put in about 100 hours in the weeks over six weeks before I took my exam to give myself an extra edge).
  2. Go through the training in no more than 2-4 months at the most, so that the bulk of the information will be fresh in your brain at exam time. Set a schedule, and stick to it. Review for familiarity the appropriate section of the PMBOK after you cover topic in the training.
  3. If you are on a tough topic, print out the study aids that are part of the particular online training module. Spend extra time going through the flash cards on that section, and study the practice questions over and over. Take your PMP exam flash cards to the gym with you, ask your friends to quiz you.
  4. Practice doing a “dump” of all the PMP formulas and important facts and terms over and over so that when it comes time to take the test, you will already have developed a method of doing this braindump onto paper at the start of the exam.
  5. Practice taking the test using a PMP or CAPM exam simulation, either using an online simulation or a DVD-based simulation. See how you do, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. This will make you a little sharper and alert for information.
  6. Take a full PMP or CAPM exam simulation every 2 weeks. Adjust your study plan based on results.
  7. In the last month leading to the exam, focus work with the simulations on your trouble areas by using the PMP exam flash cards and topic specific study mode.
  8. Shoot for 80-90% scores on the tests as you get close to the test. This will give you confidence that you are ready to pass, and if the scores are lower, will give you more impetus to work harder.
  9. If you need to, read books, online materials, free templates, PMP podcasts, and any other materials that you fit your learning style to see things from different angles and approaches.

The key really is practice good project management – what you are learning – and to have a plan, and to follow it! You can and will succeed. Increase your chances of project management and exam success with a plan.

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6 Comments so far

  1. RodneyB (1 comments.) on June 15th, 2009

    Item number 2 is probably one of the most critical for me. My short term memory is near 100%, but give me more time to forget, and those cobwebs in my brain do a great job :P

    Great Tips, not just in project management but any test you may need to prepare for.

  2. Fiona (2 comments.) on June 15th, 2009

    Some valuable pieces of advice. It is easy to lose focus if you do not have a clear plan about how to approach things.
    .-= Fiona´s last blog ..Market Samurai Review =-.

  3. Luca (2 comments.) on June 16th, 2009

    Well I always hated exams. They were always stressful for me. Your points are well take, focus, practice and study close to the exam for best retention of the materials
    .-= Luca´s last blog ..Cool Blogging Tool I Use: PLR To WordPress =-.

  4. Rocque (3 comments.) on June 16th, 2009

    I am thinking of taking another test to add an area to my teaching credential. I know I can pass one part and maybe with a little luck (or spending a year to study) I can pass the second part. However the exam is all math and the third part is an area of math I have not used or taught in years. Your points that you gave above seem applicable even though they are not the same exams. I hope anyone having to face the exams you mention here will come to this blog for support.

  5. Mike Riley (1 comments.) on June 16th, 2009

    Stay focused and avoid distractions while studying! These are some very good tips and a great post, thank you!
    .-= Mike Riley´s last blog ..FHA Streamline Refinance: What You Need to Know =-.

  6. Alex (2 comments.) on June 17th, 2009

    Thanks for the action steps. always helps to have it in plain format
    .-= Alex´s last blog ..Traffic, List Building And Ads Offer By Phil Basten =-.

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