PMP Exam: Part -1

Preparation Tips:
· Prepare handwritten/typed notes. It should certainly contain the terms that you see in PMHUB’s LL’s  forum. Add some notes to those terms (1/2 liners).
· Create a 1-page doc of all knowledge areas/processes (Matrix). Keep one copy at home and 1 copy at work next to your computer (if you are an IT professional). Every morning focus on 1 row (not columns) to start with. When you are familiar with at least 50% of the row/column intersections, move to columns. Make it a habit of looking at the chart whenever you have time. This page will not have ITTOs yet.
· Once you imbibe the main cross section, start adding IOs only; not all of them (If using Andy Crowe, just start with the ones he says are important.)
· Do not clutter the chart with IOs. Pick the important ones – LL’s usually indicate the focal points.
· IMHO, does not combine tools into this chart. This should be the chart you should be able to produce during the memory dump before the exam. If you feel you are forgetting, don’t panic. The reason for having the chart is to make us think logically.
· Remember that your brain knows more than you think you know! Read that sentence again and again till you find solace.
· Try to do some questions after you read a chapter. During the midpoint of your prep, do questions till that point at once. You will know your weak areas and you know what to do….
· Plan your game and Act on it. Continuous revision is the secret to success.
· If you are in IT, then you would understand Iterative Management. Your study plan needs to be iterative; else there are high chances that you will forget. Now here is the importance for your notes. When you are done with your chapter, note down the important points. After you are done with chapter 2, come back and revise your Chapter1 notes. That will give you more confidence and important points will be fresh in memory. To extend on this, you will be able to correlate knowledge areas/processes easily. Some books provide chapter summaries – you can include those as well in your notes to make them more comprehensive.
· Formulas are mandatory in the notes and revise them after each chapter. Some people have created a 1/2 page consolidated lists of formulas.
· If the examples are using more than +/-/%/*, I would skip them after understanding the concept. Future cash flow calculation is one such example.