Appendix A: Critical Exam Information | PMP Project Management Professional Study Guide, Third Edition (Certification Press)

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Exam candidates want to pass their PMP exam on the first attempt. Why bother sitting for an exam if you know you're not prepared? In this appendix, you'll find the details that you must know to pass the exam. These facts won't be everything you need to know to pass the PMP exam-but you can bet you won't pass the exam if you do not know the critical information in this appendix.

Exam Test-Passing Tips

For starters, don't think of this process as preparing to take an exam, but think of it as 'preparing to pass an exam.' Anyone can prepare to take an exam: just show up. Preparing to take the PMP exam requires project management experience, diligence, and a commitment to study.

Days Before the Exam

In the days leading up to your scheduled exam, here are some basics you should do to prepare yourself for success:

Get some moderate exercise. Find time to go for a jog, lift weights, take a swim, or do whatever workout routine works best for you.
Eat smart and healthy. If you eat healthy food you'll feel good-and feel better about yourself. Be certain to drink plenty of water and don't overdo the caffeine.
Get your sleep. A well-rested brain is a sharp brain. You don't want to sit for your exam feeling tired, sluggish, and worn-out.
Time your study sessions. Don't overdo your study sessions-long, crash study sessions aren't that profitable. In addition, try to study at the same time every day at the time your exam is scheduled.

Practice the Testing Process

If you could take one page of notes into the exam what information would you like on this one page document? Of course you absolutely cannot take any notes or reference materials into the exam area. However, if you can create and memorize one sheet of notes, you absolutely may re-create this once you're seated in the exam area.

Practice creating a reference sheet so you can immediately, and legally, re-create this document once your exam has begun. You'll be supplied with several sheets of blank paper and a couple of pencils. Once your exam process begins, re-create your reference sheet. The following are key pieces of information you'd be wise to include on your reference sheet (you'll find all of this key information in this appendix):

Activities within each process groups
Estimating formulas
Communication formula
Normal distribution values
Earned Value Management formulas
Project management theories

Testing Tips

The questions on the PMP exam are fairly direct and not too verbose, but they may offer a few red herrings. For example, you may face questions that state, 'All of the following are correct options expect for which one?' The question wants you to find the incorrect option, or the option that would not be appropriate for the scenario described. Be sure to understand what the question is asking for. It's easy to focus on the scenario presented in a question and then see a suitable option for that scenario in the answer. The trouble is, if the question is asking you to identify an option that is not suitable, then you just missed the question. Carefully read the question to understand what is expected for an answer.

Here's a tip that can work with many of the questions: identify what the question wants for an answer and then look for an option that doesn't belong with the other possible answers. In other words, find the answer that doesn't fit with the other three options. Find the 'odd man out.' Here's an example: EVM is used during the _________________.

Controlling phase
Executing phase
Closing phase
Entire project

Notice how options A, B, and C are exclusive? If you choose A, the controlling phase, it implies that EVM is not used anywhere else in the project. The odd man out here is D, the entire project; it's considered the 'odd' choice because it, by itself, is not an actual process group. Of course, this tip won't work with every question-but it's handy to keep in mind.

For some answer choices, it may seem like two of the four options are both possible correct answers. However, because you may only choose one answer, you must discern which answer is the best choice. Within the question, there will usually be some hint describing the progress of the project, the requirements of the stakeholders, or some other clue that can help you determine which answer is the best for the question.

Answer Every Question-Once

The PMP exam has 200 questions-you need to answer 137 questions correctly within four hours to pass. Do not leave any question blank-even if you don't know the answer to the question. A blank question is the same as a wrong answer. As you move through the exam and you find questions that stump you, use the 'mark question' option in the exam software, choose an answer you suspect may be correct, and then move on. When you have answered all of the questions, you are given the option to review your marked answers.

Some questions in the exam may prompt your memory to come up with answers to questions you have marked for review. However, resist the temptation to review those questions you've already answered with confidence and haven't marked. More often than not, your first instinct is the correct choice. When you completed the exams at the end of each chapter, did you change correct answers to wrong answers? If you did in practice, you'll do it on the actual exam.

Use the Process of Elimination

When you're stumped on a question, use the process of elimination. For each question, there'll be four choices. On your scratch paper, write down 'ABCD.' If you can safely rule out 'A,' cross it out of the ABCD you've written on your paper. Now focus on which of the other answers won't work. If you determine that 'C' won't work, cross it off your list. Now you've got a fifty-fifty chance of finding the correct choice.

If you cannot determine which answer is best, 'B' or 'D' in this instance, here's the best approach:

Choose an answer in the exam (no blank answers, remember?).
Mark the question in the exam software for later review.
Circle the 'ABCD' on your scratch paper, jot any relevant notes, and then record the question number next to the notes.
During the review, or from a later question, you may realize which choice is the better of the two answers. Return to the question and confirm that the best answer is selected.

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