Thread tracking my PMP study plan

A little history, some of you already know.I took the exam the 1st time in November I believe and failed. Not by a whole lot it seems, but failed nonetheless. So I have revised my study plan.I originally just read Rita's PMP Exam Prep. That helped out a ton, but wasn't enough. Now my strategy has changedSo currently under my belt I have the video from CBT nuggets [PMP] and one run through of Rita's book now.I am currently reading the PMBOK guide fourth edition. I am finding that linking the knowledge groups with the processes and Inputs Outputs and Tools and Techniques is making more sense. Over the last month I have be slow to get through the PMBOK, but hopefully with this outlet I can track my progress and maybe uncover some new strategies to studying along the way. Tonight I read chapter 5 and made it through the Scope Management Process. [Gather requirements, define scope, create WBS, verify scope, control scope].Tomorrow I am hoping to get through chapter 6 Time Management. I should be able to get through all of the Time Management processes. There are 6 [Define activites, sequence activites, estimate activity resources, estimate activity duration, control schedule]
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2019 Goals: Azure Architect
Brought my book to work so I am hoping to finish up Chapter 6 and start going through Chapter 7. My plan is to read this book and retain maybe 20-30% and then later going back through again and retaining 60-75%. The second time through should really help. It will be nice to get into the study guides they are a lot more interesting.
More too come.
I am debating on reading all these books twice or just revisiting some and rereading the one I enjoy the most. Hard to tell, but off to finish chapter 7
By far the most interesting chapter in the PMBOK so far. Went over Earned value management principals and techniques. Strategies and forecasting I found to be pleasenty interesting. Covered all 3 process groups in cost management. [Estimate Cost, Determine Budget, Control Cost]
Chapter 8 tomorrow. [Quality Management]
I plan on getting through 8 this weekend. In a perfect world I would get through 9, but that might be asking to much so I'll set my goals at one chapter this weekend
Hopefully I can finish this out today. That will leave me with 3 more chapters and a small appendix. I'll be moving back to Rita's book and then the head first PMP guide.
I took a practice exam today about 50 questions and scored a 70 on it. Not to impressive, but I flew threw it and didn't doublecheck my answers.
Next is communication management, I might bang it out tonight. It all depends if the misses wants to watch a movie and if I pop some melatonia (sp)
My plan is to wrap this book up this week and start on either Rita's book or Head First PMP. I'm leaning towards Head First PMP. I want to take a crack at the visual format. One thing about the book I hate though is the small text. I like larger font it's easier on my eyes.
On page 273 in the PMBOK I should finish up by the weekend. Still debating on my study strategy.
1. Read Rita's PMP exam guide again and then read the same knowledge area in the PMBOK and do that straight through both books or
2. Read the PMP Head Start and do knowledge area specific exams while reading the book. There could be a 3rd option I am not really sure yet.
I'll resume tomorrow need sleep
Still on track to finish before the weekend. I'd like to take a day off after finishing the PMBOK. I was thinking about doing a 200 question exam provided by PMP HeadStart, to see where I stand in the framework, this is after my day off
On a side note I joined PMI La Crosse chapter. It's closer than the MN St Paul chapter so I went with that. Besides one of the contributing members I have spoken with on the phone. She is a very nice lady and a super knowledgable PM. Looking to really get into the culture and make some connections. One never knows!
Tomorrow I am going to take the 200 question practice exam through head start PMP. I heard it wasn't as hard as the PMI exam, but if you score an 80% on it you are in reallllllly good shape. I don't expect to hit that high, but 65% would be a good goal for me now.
Very well organized scheduled to learn from different sources.
I hope u do well.
Thanks a lot I really appreciate that
344 pages of pure fun
I am either going to start on the PMP Head Start book to the practice exam. I have a cigar and a pint of Jameson, so I think it might be just the first chapter. They are usually high level enough to understand hung over
I'll keep you posted as I move forward.
This book is gigantic so it might take me a month to complete. Hopefully not, but I wouldn't be surprised
I think it's best that I go ahead and go through the book first then hit the 200 question exam. That will have given me 2 different looks at study guides and lessons/test and the CBT Nugget PMP studying guide and then of course the PMBOK V4.
What I'll end up doing is going back through and rereading the PMBOK, Rita's book, and the PMP Head First book. Then I will get crazy with the practice exams. If I fail this damn thing I will burn all my course material
So far this book is pretty high level which concerns me, but it does drill in some of the basic terminology which I find very helpful.
Talk about some serious control issues. My 56 score and 68 where based off of 25 questioned exams and the 90 off of a 10 questions exam.
I did a sumproduct function in excel to calculate the weighted averages and came up with a 67% out of 60 questions. Good times!
Anyway I am going to keep battling on, but this **** is sucking the life out of me in some regards. I think I am more cut out for data analysis it comes so much more easy than remembering process after process. Hell half of them I use in my lead position.
Anyway Cest La Vie (SP)
I'll keep it going and see where this gets me. I'm about to just schedule the test and take it. Roll the freaking dice and see what happens. I can always take it a 3rd time
The way things are going I have 1374 pages left to read. I already have read over 1,000 pages on the PMP material alone. If I average 50 pages a day, which I did 65 today, I should be able to complete in ~27-28 days one month.
Then I can spend one more month taking practice exams and studying. If I fail this bastard after that I am going to disown PMI and get my certificate from Villanova or another school in Business Analysis, revolved around the BABOK.
That's my freaking contigency plan
I've covered ~10 pages and did 1 practice exam it was only 10 questions
Good progress. How are you finding juggling these study hours with your work?
So far so good. I am waiting till they go to bed usually unless the misses takes them out and then I can use that free time for studying. At work it's usually about 30 mins tops of study time. Thanks for checking in, hopefully I bring techexams a winner!