I am Jai Krishnan, currently working as an IT Supervisor at Tenneco Automotive Pvt Ltd, a company specializing in automobile spare parts manufacturing. With over 20 years of experience, my career spans multiple industries, including publications, IT, and automobile sectors. Additionally, I have had the privilege of working at GAVS, a leading IT service company, and Macmillan India. Holding a Master’s degree in Computer Applications (MCA), I also possess various industry-specific certifications, such as Oracle and SAP security. In this blog, I share my journey of becoming a PMP holder and give details on what worked for me.
The Idea of Pursuing PMP Certification
The journey to pursuing PMP certification began in 2018 during a casual tea break with friends in our office canteen. One of my friends shared his experience of preparing for the PMP exam. This piqued my interest, as I was already considering a certification like PMP to further my career growth. However, due to time constraints, I couldn’t start earlier. The PMP certification requires not only a strong grasp of concepts but also the temperament to face a challenging exam lasting 3 hours and 50 minutes. The pandemic in 2022 finally provided me the opportunity to pursue PMP, and I immediately began searching for institutions offering relevant training. This led me to ProThoughts, and I decided to take the plunge.
How ProThoughts Helped Me?
To be eligible for the PMI PMP exam, candidates must complete a professional training course (36 hours) that provides 35 PDUs (Professional Development Units). ProThoughts offered several options, and I chose a weekday batch, spread across 20 days in February and March 2022. The online classes were conducted by Mr. Pritesh Shah, an expert in the PMP field with industrial experience. His approach to teaching was clear and engaging, making complex concepts easier to grasp. He was always available to answer our questions and was willing to extend lessons to accommodate our needs.
I also had the opportunity to interact with participants from diverse fields such as manufacturing, insurance, IT, and banking. This made me realize that PMP certification is applicable across industries, not just in one specific sector.
PMP Application and Preparation
Once I completed the 35 PDUs, the next step was submitting the PMP application through the PMI portal. The application requires a detailed description of your real-world experience and qualifications. It is crucial to follow the application instructions carefully.
Mr. Pritesh Shah assisted me by reviewing my application and providing valuable feedback before I submitted it. After submission, PMI approved my application within five days. With that hurdle cleared, I began preparing for the exam. Given the long gap since my last exam, I focused on getting back on track.
I studied materials provided by PMI ECO. Apart from that, I read Head First PMP, and Head First Agile, and also referred to YouTube for additional clarifications. I dedicated 4-5 hours daily to my studies. After reading the materials twice, I took mock tests and watched YouTube videos to further refine my understanding. The mock tests were critical in identifying gaps in my knowledge.
In my opinion, the PMP exam is not just about knowledge—it’s a psychometric test that assesses your ability to apply concepts within time constraints. It is important to practice answering questions under timed conditions to ensure you can manage the exam’s duration effectively.
Scheduling the PMP Exam and Final Preparation
I initially planned to take the PMP exam in July, but I was only able to secure a slot for August 2, 2022. With over a month to review and consolidate my knowledge, I continued taking mock tests and reviewing relevant material. I paid particular attention to understanding all the answer options during practice tests, as this helped me learn additional concepts beyond the individual question.
A couple of days before the exam, I focused on relaxing and only revisited the exam instructions provided by Pearson VUE. I made sure to keep my mind fresh for the big day.
My Tips for Success
- Read the PMP materials thoroughly.
- Take mock tests regularly – these are essential for preparation.
- During mock tests, read the question only once and try to understand it fully. Over-reading can cause you to lose valuable time.
- Pay attention to all answer options in the mock tests to learn more concepts.
- Time management is crucial. Practicing with timed mock tests is key to success.
I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey, especially ProThoughts for their invaluable training and guidance. My best wishes to all those planning to take the exam!
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