It seems counterintuitive, but I’ve seen seasoned PMs with 15 years of experience fail while juniors pass on their first try. Is it because our real-world experience contradicts the PMBOK? How should a veteran adjust their PMP exam preparation to avoid this trap? It’s frustrating to think that my years in the field might actually be a disadvantage.
3 answers
ou hit the nail on the head, Bradley. In the real world, we often take shortcuts or follow company-specific policies that don't align with PMI’s "perfect world" scenarios. When you start your PMP exam preparation, you have to check your experience at the door. On the exam, you have an unlimited budget, full authority, and perfect communication unless the question states otherwise. Veterans often answer based on what they would do at their current job, rather than what the PMBOK says a project manager should do.
Deborah, do you think it's also because veterans are less used to "academic" testing formats? It’s been a long time since many of us sat for a 4-hour exam.
The exam tests PMI's standards, not your company's. You have to learn the "PMI-way" of thinking to get those 'Above Target' ratings.
Spot on, Melissa. I had to unlearn several "efficient" habits from my construction days during my PMP exam preparation to pass.
That’s definitely a factor, Gary. Endurance is a skill itself. For a veteran’s PMP exam preparation, I highly recommend doing at least two full 180-question sittings to build that mental muscle. You have to learn to maintain focus for that entire window, or you'll start misreading the situational prompts by the third hour.