The core strategy I had was to learn the material on my own using resources that I had researched and read were effective for others. While I wanted to take the exam as soon as possible, there were no time restraints other than taking and passing the exam before it changed in March 2018. My study plan began in May 2017, with a loose goal of sitting for the exam in the 3rd or 4th quarter of the year. I left some flexibility for myself in the unfortunate event that my application was audited (read my application tips here), or my score was inadequate.  Neither of which happened.

After reading numerous forums and book reviews on how other aspiring PM’s had prepped and studied, I had decided to move forward with the system recommended in Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep Book. The plan sounded good and came highly recommended. It wasn’t long before I realized that I needed to use the plan as a guideline and add in what I thought would work best for my study habits, thus creating the plan I detail later in this article.

My initial pass was the most time-consuming round of learning the material, getting familiar with the types of exam questions and understanding more about the areas that weren’t heavily practiced in my workplace, so I could give those chapters more attention. Since the book was lengthy and I realistically knew I couldn’t dedicate much time a day, I decided to allot myself a maximum of 2/weeks per chapter (see the schedule below under “Initial Plan”).

Understanding my learning style, I chose a combination of approaches to learn the material.

I bought several 5-star notebooks and dedicated a section to each chapter. Starting in chapter one, I wrote down any terms that I wasn’t familiar with after reading them in the book. The simple act of reading, then writing helped me.

Within the workbook itself, I flagged pages that had good information I wanted to refer to. I also highlighted material that I wanted to re-read during the second round of studying. Some of these details I included in my notes, others I just left highlighted within the book.

After my first full exam simulation, which consisted of completing all chapter end questions in one sitting, I was scoring in the mid 60’s. This is 100% normal during the first pass! I didn’t care, because it made me feel very discouraged already being 7 months in.

I decided I needed help and motivation.

On a whim, I signed up for a 3-day PMP® Exam Prep through RMC Learning solutions, (Rita Mulcahy’s company). The platform was an online all-day prep with other tools for learning. I then decided to focus all my attention on the exam prep, and chose to take a week off of work to take the course, which ran from November 14th – 16th, and set my exam date for November 25th.

I wanted the information as fresh in my mind as possible and I knew that with time off and a holiday the following week, I could get a lot of dedicated studying done. And well — I had been putting off setting a date. There…I said it.

My second pass through was quite the sprint! It moved fast, but the more I read and followed my plan, the more I noticed all the pieces come together.

Days prior to the scheduled 3-day PMP® Exam Prep, I had some pre-work to complete. I did the work that was required and was anxious to get started and fill the gaps that my scores reflected. The course was fast paced, and I learned a few tricks of the trade to understand formulas and ITTO’s (Inputs, Tools, Techniques & Outputs) a little better. This was about the only time I leveraged the PMBOK. (Remember, you can do this with or without the PMBOK.)

While I was completing the Exam Prep, I also went through the entire book again. This time it was a much easier read than before. I completed the first timed exam and was scoring much better. I enjoyed the exam simulator because it told which process groups I was falling behind in, which is how the exam is scored. This was a huge help for me! I was able to go back and make sure I understood those areas better and brush up on the associated knowledge area if needed.

In addition to the exam simulator, I went through key flash cards for certain topics and referenced exercises in Rita’s book for exercises in the areas that I didn’t have complete confidence in.

My final exam simulation was the day prior to the exam. I scored in the mid- 70’s, where I needed to be. I said to myself, “if you aren’t ready now, no amount of cramming the day before is going to help.” So I took it easy and tried to relax before the big day.

The exam was early in the morning, so I stopped by Starbucks and got some food, and most importantly caffeine. I drove to the exam location, arrived early and sat in the car reviewing some notes and listening to music. Then, I went in to take the exam.

After the sign in and instruction process I was seated. At the facility, while the tutorial was playing, you couldn’t use the time to write on your scratch paper, which is known as “the brain dump.” I thought about what I would write once the tutorial was over. Turns out, there wasn’t anything I could come up with. I had committed everything to memory for the past 7 months, and at this point, I either knew it…or I didn’t. The tutorial ended. Go time!

Right from the start I found myself marking questions for review. Stress began to settle in. I reached a point where I was reading the questions I had marked for review and picking the first answer based on gut feeling alone. This couldn’t be good.

After nearly 7 months of studying I was going to embarrass myself and everyone who believed in me by completely blowing it. I never did well on exams like this, but I figured with the amount of studying and preparation I had done, I hoped to offset my poor test taking streak. I decided to just answer the questions quickly and submitted the exam with 20 minutes to spare. At this point, I had been in the exam room for just over 3 ½ hours and I was completely over it. And I was hungry.

Then I had to sit there for a few dreaded moments waiting for it to calculate my score.

“Here we go” I thought.

Up on the screen the words “CONGRATULATIONS” appeared.

OMG, I PASSED!!  My first thought was, “how the f*** did I pull this off?”

I was thrown off guard so much I didn’t even complete the remaining screens to review the exam scoring on process groups.  Whoops. The onsite personnel asked me to go back in and complete that piece before I could leave. I was still shaking.

Leaving the exam, I texted my boyfriend, who was my biggest supporter, and anxiously wondered what was taking so long. I called my parents, who were in the middle of moving, to tell them the good news.

I then immediately updated my LinkedIn profile to read Echo A. Woolf, MBA, PMP because I was so excited!

All the studying after long days at work was WORTH IT!

I think it’s always important to reflect on these kinds of things. In fact, if it wasn’t for so many others sharing their experiences, it may have changed the tools I used, the strategy I followed, or the exam prep I factored into my schedule. It’s my hope that these takeaways help you in some way so you too can pass the PMP exam.

The PMP exam preparation is not a walk in the park. In fact, it is probably one of the hardest exams I’ve had to take. Being someone who never had to study much, it was also a huge adjustment. If you’re a project manager, or have experience working on projects and are looking to have global recognition, with a potential for more income, it’s worth it.

I always told myself I would get my PMP. And I finally did.

What are your thoughts? Any suggestions for upcoming material? If so, let me know in the comments below!