If you are looking to opt your profession into Project Management then PMP is indeed the most recognized certification in the world. However, it could be a challenge to get the PMP Certification, in particular, if you are a worker. Because most people who work full time have difficulty finding time to study PMP. Is there any perfect study plan for the PMP certification? What PMP is going to fit me for? How does a PMP exam preparation plan work? These are the questions mostly asked by the professionals whenever they want to receive the PMP certification.
In this blog, you will get to know the process for creating your own PMP exam preparation plan once you fill the PMP application form. The three major ingredients in this plan are Scope, Time, and the Cost (Budget). In this post, you will find all three details. A structured PMP program helps you in preparing the examination and passes the PMP certification test successfully in the first attempt.
A Study Plan for PMP Certification
PMP certification is indeed a project and you are a project manager. And what does a project manager most need to succeed in a project? A plan for a project. Likewise, for passing the PMP exam, you require the study plan.
The PMP exam is based on all the contents of an examination. The fields, tasks, knowledge, and abilities tested during the PMP exam are described. It is similar to the curriculum for the exam of the certificate.
The PMBOK Guide mostly consists of the study goals that are described in the content. The main part of the test is provided by the Guide. So your main source of study should be the Guide.
A PMBOK Guide, however, does not cover the entire content for the examination. For many other things that are part of the curriculum but not covered by a PMBOK guide, you will need to refer to the reference book, other study material, and training notes.
Too much content is available to study. But don’t worry about that. Once all the work is divided into smaller pieces, things get easy.
How one should study?
The PMBOK Guide contains a total of 13 chapters. These chapters will be the subject of your study. You are required to study each chapter at a time from various sources. The training notes and videos from your selected PMP course should begin with your chapter studies.
You need to study your selected book as well as the PMBOK Guide after you complete your training material. You must also start reading the books by examining the other study material.
After having completed each chapter, you will have to ask some questions. This validates your study and increases your trust.
It takes approximately 1-2 hours to view training, and approximately 3-4 hours to read chapters. Depending on the chapter length, this duration may change. You ‘d also need approximately 1-2 hours each to pass the other study material and perform chapter-end mock tests.
For each chapter, it would take approximately 7-9 hours. To complete your studies, you must practice complete tests. It will take you another 20-30 hours depending on the count of questions you have.
Schedule your time accordingly
It takes approximately 150 hours to take the examination. If you already know the PMP examination and have good management experience, it could be less. On either hand, if you’re not the native English speaker, you might need 200 hours of study.
The amount of time depends on how many hours people can study each day. Look at a case in point.
Suppose you can steal from your busy schedule 3 hours a day on a weekday. And you can spend 5 hours on both days of school on weekends. It would mean 25 hours each week of study.
Let us do mathematics – 150 hours of study & preparation divided by 25 hours per week. The exam can be completed in 6 weeks, provided you can spend three hours a week and five hours a weekend study day.
Let’s see a few scenarios in which the exam can be passed:
- With two hours of study on a weekday and five hours on a weekend, less than eight weeks.
- Approximately two months with 2 study hours on a weekday and 3 hours on a weekend.
- Approximately 3 months with 1 weekday study period and 3 weekend study hours.
- The total number of days depends entirely on how much you can spare every day for the studies. On weekdays you should cover it on weekends if you have a limited time.
Plan your Budget
The budget is yet another key part of your overall curriculum. How much you are willing to invest in preparing the exam should be decided.
Opt for Study Leave
Many employers will let you get PMP certification by taking a study vacation. Some people might even offer to pay for your training. Employers encourage ongoing learning as they know they’re going to learn from your additional knowledge and abilities.
Plan your study schedule along with your daily work by opting for study leave. Discuss with either the manager or the HR staff to check if you can opt for study leave and if yes, then you can surely get extra time to your PMP study plan. If you can take some time off your work, save yourself a day off for the examination.
Prioritize your work
There is a way when there is a will. The correct attitude is the key to the PMP examination.
You might well devote more time to study and schedule your other obligations around it when you make it a priority. It usually takes only one to three months to obtain Project Management Professional certification. This PMP certification is a piece of cake in comparison with receiving a project management degree.
You just have to study for several short months, perhaps you have to give up on several social commitments, and you’re going to be certified for life.
Final Words
For your success in getting PMP certification, a detailed PMP exam preparation plan is essential. Just follow the timetable you have prepared and you will make your first attempt on the way to PMP. How long do you spend on the examination? How important is a PMP timetable to pass the test?