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As the date of your PMP exam draws near, the pressure starts to build up. But instead of letting that pressure consume you, you must use that instead as a trigger that fuels you to learn more about the things that will help you during the actual PMP certification exam. There are several PMP exam preparation tips and tricks that you can employ so you can land your dream project management job!
PMP Exam Preparation Online Courses
Today's modern setting, you can utilize the internet as a source of just about any type of information. So, it should not come as a surprise that there are several online PMP exam preparation courses available. They work the way any other types of preparation methods does, only it is done online. However, there are a few entailing benefits to opting for this method of PMP exam preparation.
Convenience
This is an apparent benefit. With the convenience of staying right at home, turning on your computer, logging online, and accessing the materials and modules you need for your study, it has provided a flexible means to acquire all the necessary training to prepare you for the PMP exam. This enables even those employed individuals to squeeze in their training for the PMP certification exam without giving up their job, and yet opening up more opportunities to advance one's career.
Comprehensive
Due to the advancements in the method used, most online PMP exam preparation courses are quite extensive in scope. In fact, there are a few training programs that are specifically catered for a specific area in project management, in case you want to make a concentrated approach. It works basically as a person-to-person or lecture type of discussion, but with an added benefit of gaining access to online database.
Cost-Efficient
Since you would have to stay at home, enrolling in an online PMP exam preparation course is more cost efficient because you have reduced the traveling costs, miscellaneous, and material purchases. Most of the modules and reading materials provided in an online course are downloadable, so there is no need to secure an actual copy of the book. And yet, the trainings for the PMP certification exam are just as intense and thorough as an actual PMP exam preparation course.
Software For PMP Exam Preparation
Tied up to your online courses in preparation for your PMP certification exam are software tools that will aid your learning. These software tools are available in different methods and forms, so you can choose one that suits your PMP exam preparation schedule best and your approach at learning.
*Training Manuals This is an important tool if you use software in preparation for your PMP exam. It includes a wide scope of project management topics including the nine basic knowledge areas concerned with project management, process inputs and outputs, tools and techniques, among others.
*Performance Analysis If you use PMP exam preparation software, you get the added benefit of having to monitor your progress. It utilizes tools provided within the training manual that assesses how much of it you have learned. It also specifies problem areas in your study, so you can focus on which you need to improve on.
*Sample Tests and Questions This one offers the same benefits as the one above since the main objective is to assess how much you already know and how much you still need to learn. This is also focused on a given area so you are aware what aspect of your project management knowledge needs to be improved.
Taking the PMP exam is no longer as troublesome as it used to be. With several PMP exam preparation tools available online, all the information you need is practically right at your fingertips.
At some point in your professional life, you might want to secure a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Your reasons for doing so might include career advancement, employer requirements, or new knowledge. Whatever your reason, you have to assess your educational and experience history even before you think about engaging in a PMP exam preparation course.
Educational Requirements
You can take the PMP examination, and engage in a PMP exam preparation course for that matter, if you possess either a high school diploma or a baccalaureate degree, or their international equivalents. In a sense, being a successful and certified project manager does not only boil down to higher education, but more importantly to higher motivation.
A high school diploma is generally defined as the certificate evidencing that you have completed high school. As you well know, it is the minimum educational requirement for government jobs and higher education. For PMP exam preparation course purposes, the successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) tests is its international equivalent. If you have a GED certification, you are deemed a high school graduate in the United States and in Canada.
A baccalaureate degree (or a bachelor's degree) pertains to two things: first, it is an undergraduate degree usually designated as either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, with majors in specific areas; second, it is a postgraduate degree like Bachelor of Civil Law.
Indeed, securing a PMP certification is very liberal. Well, at least where educational requirements are concerned. The experience requirements are another, and more stringent, matter.
Experience Requirements
Since there are two types of educational thresholds, there are also two corresponding experience requirements that you have to acquire before you even think about embarking on a PMP exam preparation course.
If you have a high school diploma or its international equivalent, you will need a minimum of five years' (60 months) experience working as a professional project manager. During this time, you should have worked a minimum of 7,500 hours on leading and directing the projects' tasks. These hours must be logged up to eight years' from the time your application for certification is filed.
If you have a bachelor's degree or its international equivalent, you will only need a minimum of three year's (36 months) professional project management experience. You will also need lesser hours logged - 4,500 hours only - on leading and directing project tasks.
However, you have to note that for both instances, the working experience should be unique and non-overlapping projects. If you have two projects going on at once in the same six months, you can only add on six months' experience towards the total.
However, the hours spent directing and leading project tasks work inversely to the months logged. If you have multiple projects going on at the same time, you can recognize the number of hours worked for each project and add them to the total number of hours required.
Contact Hours of Formal Education
There is also an additional requirement for 35 contact hours of formal education, which you can secure from various sources. The easiest way is through a PMI Registered Education Provider through its PMP exam preparation course, but you can also avail of employer sponsored programs and other sources to get your PDUs.
Indeed, these requirements are the professions' assurance that not every Tom, Dick and Harry can cash in on a PMP exam preparation course, take the PMP examination, and subsequently besmirch the profession's reputation through ineptitude.