Kerry MacNeal ⋅ Long Beach, CA U.S. Army Reserve, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 34 years served

An on-line training company Udemy.com is offering quite a few PMP test preparation courses now at a promotional cost of $11.99. Many are reduced from the original price of $199. each.
Each instructor sets their own prices. The costs range from free to about $200. My point being the published cost of a course may have much more to do with marketing strategy then actual value. Probably the star ratings and student testimonials and course hours are a better way to judge value.

Julie Russell ⋅ Fpo, AE U.S. Navy, Seaman Recruit ⋅ 1 years served

I found the book "PMP Exam Prep Simplified: Based on PMBOK® Guide Sixth Edition" by Andrew Ramdayal and the PMTraining question bank really helpful. The book helps you to find commonalities and differences between processes, so you can remember where these fall within the project management cycle.

Richard Valle ⋅ Edwards, CA AFTC - Range System Engineer/ACTFAST Technical PM ⋅ 30 years experience

Related Q &A.

https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/4231#answer-23170

Bruce Marks ⋅ Lewes, DE Center for Creative Leadership ⋅ 33 years experience

Sean, I am with the American Management Association and we would welcome you to attend any of our live or virutal PM and PMP programs and not cost. Please reach out to me at brucermarks@gmail.com if you have interest. The pass rate is very high of those that have attended. Regards, Bruce

Charles Rounds ⋅ Miami Beach, FL U.S. Army National Guard, Sergeant ⋅ 6 years served

Great Veteran's PMP training organization!
https://www.pm-prolearn.com/

Shaun Doheney ⋅ Mc Lean, VA JDSAT Operations Research and Data Science ⋅ 25 years experience

IVMF O2O (https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/onward-to-opportunity/) is an OUTSTANDING program and I highly encourage you to check it out if you haven't already. I used them for Lean Six Sigma training instead of PMP training, though. For me, I wanted to participate in an in-person exam prep course. I highly encourage you to check out https://www.pm-prolearn.com. PM-ProLearn offers a well-organized and quality Project Management curriculum that thoroughly prepared me to pass my PMP exam on the first attempt. Tim Dalhouse, a retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant, developed this proven curriculum and is an outstanding and exceptionally knowledgeable instructor. As part of the curriculum, Tim also provides a 16-day study plan, instructional videos, interactive exercises, flash quizzes, and application quizzes that are all available online. The ability to access all of this from just about anywhere was instrumental in helping to fully immerse myself in the material, retain the material, and be fully prepared for exam day. If your organization won't pay for the course, then PM-ProLearn offers a 40% discount for military (active and veterans) who are paying out of pocket. They also offer a free 30-day self-paced online course. Even if you decide to go with IVMF O2O, I recommend you check out the free 30-day self-paced online course before you take the exam. Finally, check out this LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-i-passed-my-pmp-exam-joshua-atkinson-pmp-dml/

Jeff Westling ⋅ Virginia Beach, VA Operation Blessing International ⋅ 3 years experience

I agree with those that already recommended the combination of Onward To Opportunity's (O2O) program and using Rita Mulchay's PMP Exam Prep materials. Based on the input I received from several PMPs I have worked with, they said after completing the O2O PMP coursework through Syracuse University, read through Rita's text and complete all the exercises. Once that is complete, take Rita's online test (additional cost), but once you pass it twice consecutively with a score of 80% or higher, you should have no problem passing the real PMP exam. I followed their guidance and scored above target in three of the areas and at target in the other two on my first attempt. Of course, you need to be thinking about your practical experience on large programs/projects when taking the practice and actual test to best account for the context of the questions.

Jo Prabhu ⋅ San Rafael, CA International Services Group ⋅ 20 years experience

My answer is different from the others in that the way I see it, if something does not work out, its not for me. I am not an exam person myself as my mind invariably blanks out when faced with those multiple choice questions that all seem right but throw me for a loop! So do I take it again or do I pursue something else that I will enjoy?

Marc Bernath ⋅ Burke, VA U.S. Navy, Commander ⋅ 23 years served

Hi,

I successfully passed the first time by finding every practice test available and making index cards of the questions. I had a couple hundred that I drilled for almost 2 months on. Good luck! Marc

Marc Bernath ⋅ Burke, VA U.S. Navy, Commander ⋅ 23 years served

Hi,

I successfully passed the first time by finding every practice test available and making index cards of the questions. I had a couple hundred that I drilled for almost 2 months on. Good luck! Marc

Kenneth Lewis ⋅ Colorado Springs, CO Lewis Leadership ⋅ 1 years experience

Sean,
Please add me on LinkedIn and let's chat. I have posted an article on my profile regarding the techniques I used to pass my exam this past June.

I also spend time speaking with anyone interested in pursuing the same. I am more than willing to schedule some time with you to discuss things in-depth if you like.

If interested, toss me a note.

Best Wishes,

Ken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethllewis/

Jody Miller ⋅ Lutz, FL U.S. Army, Colonel ⋅ 27 years served

Sean, I utilized the IVMF O2O program as well as a book from Rita Mulcahey for study. Passed on the first try. Combo of practice tests, flash cards and study did the trick. I would be happy to share my experience with you and pass along anything I can. You can reach me at jody.c.miller@me.com for more info.

Jennifer Liddle ⋅ Huntsville, AL Still Serving Veterans ⋅ 21 years experience

Hi, Sean! I've never taken the test, but have seen clients have success with the following resources. Good luck to you!

ONWARD TO OPPORTUNITY
https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/onward-to-opportunity/
Once accepted, this program will provide the training and funding for the PMP exam. If my memory serves me correctly, they will also pay for your PMI membership.

LINKEDIN LEARNING-Exam Tips: Project Management Professional (PMP)®
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/exam-tips-project-management-professional-pmp/welcome

James Threet ⋅ Manor, TX U.S. Army, Captain ⋅ 18 years served

If you can go to a prep course I'd would recommend it. If not use some of the materials mentioned in other's comments. There are apps that you can use on the iOS and Android market as well. I went from zero to PMP in 5 weeks. I would not recommend doing that. However, I will say to find as much practice tests that you can. Study, test, see your weeks spots, focus on those, test again. Repeat that until you feel comfortable. Also I took the exam just before the 6th editions, but I was able to pinpoint specific topic I needed help with on youtube. You got this!

Bob Farmer ⋅ Atlanta, GA Asset Preservation Advisors ⋅ 35 years experience

There should be several courses that help you prepare for the exam. This is money well
spent as they know the types of questions and can help you with test taking techniques.
I am sure it will pay off!
Best of luck.
Bob Farmer

Michael Del Vecchio ⋅ Killingworth, CT U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 3 years served

Hi Sean,

I took a course offered by a professional, passed first time. The VA will probably pick up the tab.

William Clark ⋅ Seattle, WA U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Commander ⋅ 20 years served

Purdue University (online) had a terrific PMP exam prep course and a very capable and responsive financial aid office that can handle your G.I. benefit for the tuition and fees. It's rigorous, but if you make the time you will pass the test.

David Daugerdas ⋅ Palatine, IL IBM ⋅ 36 years experience

The other suggestions listed here are some of the techniques I used: rote memorization of formulas and the process groups and inputs/outputs as defined by the PMBOK, and studying Rita Mulcahy's materials. Take as many practice exams as you can, and if you can enroll in a PMP "boot camp" intensive course that can also help. Happy to discuss further if you are interested. Thank you for your service.

Deborah Stadsklev ⋅ Colleyville, TX ⋅ 30 years experience

When I took the test I spent the first 20 minutes doing a 'brain dump'. For example, statistics/math are a weakness of mine, so wrote down every formula I could remember. Then, when I came to a question on that area, I could calmly look at my notes and determine the answer without stress. Additionally, I too used 3x5 cards for those items needing pure memorization. And finally, when studying, I separated those things that would make me a better project manager and those things I needed for the test. They are not necessarily the same.

Martha Boer ⋅ Berkley, MI Hewlett Packard ⋅ 15 years experience

There are 2 things that I think that helped me succeed. 1. Rita Mulcahy’s PMP exam book made a huge difference in my understanding....far easier to apply the principles than the pmbok book. 1 chapter a day and take the chapter quiz. Keep track of your score and study what you missed. And 2. Flash cards really helped me study. I had my teenagers quiz me while I was driving. Cannot cheat and drive at the same time. ????

There are a lot of online tests that are free once you hit about 70-75% you are ready.

Feel free to reach out...happy to help further

Kevin Pleiss ⋅ Atlanta, GA The Home Depot ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Sean. You are wise to add credentials such as a PMP certification to your CV. Note that a lot of organizations are moving toward Agile development so you may want to evaluate which credentials best fit with your objectives. When I prepared for the PMP exam, I took a Project Management course at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and implemented a project with my employer at the time so I was able to apply what I was learning to further reinforce the concepts. If you have the ability to apply PMBOK methodology to a project (past or present), it may help you memorize what is needed for the exam. This could even be a project at home that was complex enough to justify a more formal methodology. I have heard of others using flash cards to prepare and they were successful. There may also be Meet Ups near your location where others are preparing for the exam and looking for study partners. I hope this helps and wish you luck! - Kevin