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I am Prasad Bhat, and I am currently working as a Senior Program Manager at Amazon. Before joining Amazon in 2022, I had 5 years of experience in different Supply Chain functions at General Electric’s different business segments viz. Transportation, Power, Renewables, and Aviation. I am a Mechanical Engineer and hold an MBA from BITS, Pilani. I’m a certified LSS Green Belt holder and have completed Micromasters in Supply Chain Management and Logistics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US.
Start of My PMP Journey
It all began in November, 2021. I was talking to one of my cousins who was about to appear for the PMP Exam that month. As I got to know more about the PMP Certification, it really got me interested. I started digging more into it and soon realized the benefits of earning the certification in terms of knowledge enhancement and its extraordinary network (just to name a few) all around the globe. Within a week of research, I decided to acquire the PMP Certification. My cousin also informed me that he just completed the required training a couple of months ago from ProThoughts. He recommended me to book my seat for their next training session. For me, this was my first solid step in earning the Project Management Professional Certification.
PMP Certification Requirements
To attempt the PMP Exam, one has to take the compulsory PMP training of 36 hours which earns 35 PDUs (Professional Development Unit). The next challenge for me was to select a training institute that would be suitable for completing my PMP training. I am someone who likes to research extensively before making any decision, only choosing options that I see as a real value proposition. After spending a week looking online at various options, I decided to approach ProThoughts for the training.
Mr. Vidyesh Alve, our instructor, was extremely knowledgeable and had hands-on industry experience. He explained all the concepts in a simple and clear manner, making it easy to grasp even complex topics. He was always open to questions and flexible with lesson timing, ensuring everyone had the support they needed. I also had the chance to interact with other participants from diverse fields like manufacturing, insurance, IT, and banking, which showed me that PMP is applicable across industries. Our sessions were divided into two weekends over two weeks.
Completing My PMP Application
After completing the 35 PDUs, the next step was to fill out the PMP application on the PMI portal. This required detailing your industry experience and qualifications in the prescribed format. I thoroughly reviewed the application instructions before submitting my application. Vidyesh helped me by reviewing it a couple of times before I finalized it. My application was approved by PMI within a few days, and I was ready to book my exam slot.
Due to my regular work schedule, it’s easy to lose motivation to dedicate time to studying for the PMP exam unless set a fixed date.
Tip: Book your exam slot first! I scheduled my exam for May 20, 2022, at 6:30 AM IST. Since I am a morning person, I believe that early mornings are the best time for an exam, though I would recommend that each candidate choose a time that works best for them.
Preparation Time
This is the most important step. I studied consistently for 5-6 hours a day over the next 3-4 weeks. I started by going through the Rita Mulcahy material a couple of times to build a solid foundation. Apart from that, I also referred to the 6th edition PMBOK Guide and the PMP ECO for additional preparation. Mock tests are essential. The more mock tests you take, the more clarity you will gain. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and give you confidence in areas where you’re strong. Make sure to attempt at least one full four-hour mock exam to simulate the real test environment. I recommend dedicating 7-10 days before your exam to focus on mock tests. I completed 4 full mocks, covering more than 3000 questions in total.
The Final Call
The day before the exam, I suggest reviewing the online examination preparation tips and instructions provided by Pearson VUE after you book your exam. Don’t overdo it with mock tests the day before. Focus only on key areas where you still feel uncertain. Minimal preparation and focus on being as fresh and active as possible is the ‘Mantra’!
My Tips for The PMP Exam
Although you can find many tips online, here are some personal favorites that worked for me:
- Real-life experience helps you understand the concepts. Simply reading theory won’t be enough.
- Take time to understand the concepts deeply.
- Consistency is key during the preparation phase.
- Once you’ve reviewed the book twice, attempt questions from different forums and applications. Make sure to review the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for incorrect answers and clear all doubts. Never skip any questions.
- I recommend taking 4-5 mock tests under exam conditions – no formula sheets, time constraints, etc.
I hope these tips help you in your own PMP journey!
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