Taking the Stress Out of the PMP Exam
There are many benefits to becoming a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). However, the process of becoming certified can be stressful. In order to manage the stresses of taking the PMP exam, project managers should adhere to the following PMP exam tips:
- Review Information About the Exam
Project Management Institute (PMI) offers several resources to help project managers prepare for the PMP exam. The current PMP exam content outline explains the percentage of questions on the exam from each domain. Reviewing the outline will help you understand where you should focus your efforts when studying. The PMP Handbook includes information about applying to take the exam, exam policies and procedures, and certification policies and procedures. Learning as much as you can about the PMP exam and what to expect on exam day will help ease some stress the morning of the exam. - Study the PMBOK Guide
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) is an important resource for preparing for the PMP exam. The PMP exam was updated in the beginning of 2018 to align with the release of the sixth edition of the PMBOK Guide. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the project management concepts that are discussed in the PMBOK Guide and have this resource available as you are preparing for the exam. - Take Practice Exams
Knowing the types of questions that will appear on the PMP exam and being familiar with the format of the exam will help you to be better prepared and feel more confident when you are taking the actual exam. PMI provides PMP sample test questions. You can also find practice questions and exam simulators as part of select PMP prep courses. - Enroll in a PMP Prep Course
If you feel stressed about preparing on your own, you can sign up for an online PMP exam prep course. A good exam prep course should include lecture notes and PMP practice exam questions. Another benefit of taking a course is that it can count toward the 35 contact hours of formal project management education prerequisite, which PMI requires for PMP eligibility.
By knowing what to expect on exam day, reviewing the important concepts that will appear on the exam, practicing sample exam questions, and preparing for the exam with a prep course, you should feel confident about taking and passing the PMP exam.
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