I unfortunately failed my first try last month. I was 'Below Target' in Process. I’m terrified of failing again. Does anyone know what mistakes people usually make when they retake the test? I want to overhaul my <PMP exam preparation> but I’m not sure if I should just re-read everything or focus only on my weak areas. Any advice for a second-timer?
3 answers
The biggest mistake on a retake is "memorization fatigue." People think they failed because they didn't know enough facts, so they study the same notes even harder. In reality, you likely failed because of how you interpreted the questions. For your second PMP exam preparation round, you need to change your source of practice questions. If you used one simulator, switch to another. You need to see the concepts presented in a different way to break the habit of just recognizing terms rather than understanding the application.
Angela, should she focus exclusively on the 'Process' domain since that's where she was low, or keep the other domains fresh too?
Don't rush back into it. Take a few weeks to really digest the feedback report PMI gave you. It tells you exactly where you were weak.
That's solid advice, Diane. I spent too much time panicking and not enough time actually analyzing my report during my PMP exam preparation.
She should definitely prioritize 'Process', but never ignore the others, Ronald. The domains overlap constantly. In a good plan, you’d spend 70% of your time on the weak areas, but still do mixed mock exams to ensure your 'Above Target' scores in People don't slip while you're focused on processes.