10 simple ways to crack PM Certification Examination - PRINCE2 / PMP

I have come up with the 10 simple steps to pass any PM certification examination like PRINCE2 2009 Foundation examination or PMP Certification with my experience as base.

I have classified the stages as Pre-Preparation, Preparation and on the day of examination. Happy reading.

Pre-Preparation

1. Understand what the PRINCE2/PMP is and what PRINCE2/PMP certification could offer you for your project management career. If you see a value in getting certified then please go for it else it is not worth. Reason for this step is to make sure you realize the real importance of your getting certified. I feel that more you realize more you become more serious about it and the probability of clearing the PRINCE2/PMP examination would be high.
2. Apply VedicSecret mind programming principles and start with a positive note.

Preparation

1. Buy the Official PRINCE2 2009 edition manual. I know many people who tend to use cheaper materials, books and end up on a sorry note. It is very important to choose the right book and for me it is always the official PRINCE2 manual. It costs around £60 - £65 but still worth it. For PMP - I suggest you also strick with PMBOK correct edition.
2. Read the manual thoroughly from cover to cover in an organized sequential manner. I know many people who though read the PRINCE2/PMBOK manual 3 or 4 times but end up in sorry note. I realized when I discussed with them that they don’t go deep into the concepts but instead they just give glance to the manual. Unless you go to grass root level of the concept it would not work.
3. MindMap whatever you have read in a paper or use MindMap software tools. It would really help you to refresh your understanding of the PRINCE2/PMBOK concepts discussed in the book. You need to spend more time understanding the concepts which you could not be able to MindMap.
4. Use “Relate Principle” during your study. During your study, always make sure you relate the PRINCE2/PMBOK concept/key points with some real life example of yours or some abbreviations or some words. For example, I always remember PRINCE2 principles as CLRMMFT and as I expand I get the list of PRINCE2 seven principles.
5. Another effective technique is FLASH CARD technique. You can prepare PRINCE2/PMP Flash cards or buy some from the market. Flash cards are the most effective learning medium. You can contact me to understand this more.
6. Take up PRINCE2 sample exam. It would help you to get a feel of PRINCE2 examination in terms of complexity, question patterns, sticking to the time, etc., You can try out some here. Similarly you can take up some online CBT examination for PMP.

On the day of examination

1.  Once you read the question, don’t see the list of answers instead you think of an answer and check whether it is available in the list of options provided. It is a unique technique as many of us usually read the questions, read the multiple choice answers and choose the right answers. But sometimes more than one answer would look like right answer and it would confuse you. To avoid it, I always practice this procedure. 
2. If you don’t know the answer, immediate skip the question and go to the next question. Once you complete all the questions, come back to the missed questions and attend those using the traditional method.

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