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The PMP exam: What NOT to do

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By Jennifer Seifert

The PMP exam can be overwhelming, especially if you are taking it for the first time. There is so much information and the difficulty of the exam is far beyond intermediate. In order to succeed, you must study... that is a no-brainer. Up to this point, you have been bombarded with things you MUST do in order to succeed on the exam, but what about the things you should avoid?

The following are some things you should NOT do regarding the PMP exam:

DON'T 
study on your own
How many times have teachers (from elementary school to university) told you that studying with a group is the best way to remember the material? They were not just yanking your chain, it is true. Studies have shown that people who study with a small group are more likely to score higher on an exam than those who study alone. The group dynamic also encourages and provides moral support before exam time.   

The best way to learn the material is by taking a PMP course, whether it is a beginners course with only a few modules; a boot camp that covers all of the modules within 4-5 days; or a refresher course that will provide an overview of the material that you've been studying.  Another great way to understand the content is through mentoring and coaching.  Study groups work for some people, but for others, the best way to really grasp the material is through one-to-one or one-to-few mentoring sessions.  

DON'T
spend time on lengthy formula questions
We don't mean just give your answer without thinking it through, we mean do not dwell on these questions for too long. If it is taking you longer than four or five minutes to answer a question, it is better to leave it alone and move on to the next one. Return to the question later if you have time, but don't sacrifice the rest of your exam because you are stuck on one question.
DON'T
study in excess
Avoid unnecessary materials, books, forums, etc. Going the extra mile and utilizing outside resources is good, but don't overdo it. When people over study, recalling specific pieces of information can become more difficult. Imagine a swimming pool and you fill that pool with only the information that is required. Now, imagine that same pool filled with the required information and also a bunch of other information from other sources are swimming around with them. Which scenario do you think would be easier to recall information?

DON'T
disregard the mock questions
Everyone tends to think that mock, or practice, questions for an exam are not relevant because the exam questions will be totally different. This is not true. Those mock questions are there for a purpose and they are one of the best ways to know how much time it might take you answering the real questions on the exam. Of course they aren't going to be the exact questions on the exam, but completed mock questions will allow you to judge how much time it will take you to complete a question set... and on a timed test, that is a crucial advantage!

DON'T 
just skim through the PMBOK
The PMBOK is your bible! Read it, learn it, love it, BE it. You must have a firm grasp of the concepts in the PMBOK, at least if you want to ace the exam. Out of all the study materials you receive for the exam, the PMBOK is the most important manual you will ever need and it is designed to guide you to PMP success.


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