It's not easy to pass an exam - more so if it is a PMP exam. To be a project management professional (PMP) is not easy and getting a certification needs a lot of preparation. And since getting a PMP course is expensive enough, it's but proper that you religiously prepare for it when you are qualified and ready to get a certification.
Why Take the Exam?
One of the straightforward reasons of getting certified is money. It is said that those who have PMP certification will get a salary that's on the average, 14% higher than those without the title. Truly, this benefit goes beyond yourself as your loved ones can also take advantage of your bigger salary - more eat-outs, more quality time with them, and of course, more travel opportunities.
Getting the title is a benefit in itself. It's nice to have PMP beside your name. It gives your credentials a boost, and your personality an added attractiveness.
How to Prepare
No one beats a prepared soldier, so they say. Thus, you must devote a substantial amount of time for your PMP exam preparation. Here are a few tips that you can take:
1. Don't get too excited.
The trouble with some people is that they get too excited at the thought of being certified. Of course, it's but natural to feel elated at the thought of having a PMP beside your name. But this you must do without compromising your PMP exam preparation schedule. Stay away from too much thinking. Instead, focus on your study habits, your review materials, and of course, your schedule. Perhaps, the best technique in passing this test is by creating a workable PMP exam preparation schedule and sticking to it. Study first, do the celebrating later.
2. Practice.
The PMP exam is computer-based. Therefore, you must include in your PMP exam preparation checklist the task of doing a simulation. This will not only familiarize you with the method, but this will also expose you to the "actual testing environment." Psychologists contend that you will be able to remember things better if put yourself in the same environment as when you were reviewing your materials. Thus, if you do the simulation exam on the computer, you will be able to do better come actual testing.
3. Read, read, read.
How will you be able to answer your exam if you don't read? This PMP exam preparation technique even ceases to be a strategy, as this is a necessity.
Turn to online resources. The worldwide web has tons of articles and materials regarding project management. Use it. It's for free - mostly.
Refer to the PMP bible - the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK). This is the item that gets you acquainted - and deeply involved - with the nine areas of knowledge on project management.
Just like a soldier, you need to prepare before going into battle. You must be fully equipped before you sit on that computer and take that PMP exam. This, you can do, by taking the three simple suggestions discussed above.
