Passing the PMP Exam: From Distress to Success

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About UsElaine T. Jackson, PMP

CEO, Holistic Project Management Consulting

Elaine Jackson is a highly proficient and dedicated Project Management Coach who enjoys teaching project managers techniques that lead to passing the Project Management Certification Exam with total confidence!

Elaine Jackson achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in 2008. Elaine has perfected the PMP Exam study process and has a closing rate of 95%. Elaine Jackson’s mission is to assist Project Managers world-wide, in virtual and face-to-face environments, to be most ready for the PMP Certification Exam

She holds a BS in Biology from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY and is a graduate from the Entrepreneurial Business Training Program in Andover, MA.

About UsCarla Fair-Wright, PMP, ASQ CSQE, MCP

Executive Director, Optimal Consulting LLC

Carla is an ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer and Microsoft Certified Professional with a BS in Computer Science, and Associate Degrees in Electronic Technology and Technical Management.

She has more than 20 years' experience as a project manager and software professional in the computer industry. Carla achieved her PMP certification in 2009 and is a longtime member of the Project Management Institute (PMI). She is a founding member of the Project Managers of Houston (PMOH), a non profit organization that assists nonprofits to provide greater social impact.

• Studying for the PMP exam is very demanding.

• We offer some great suggestions on how to make the process

easier, fun, and complete.

• Our technique goes one step further than most PMP Preps because

we also teach you how to manage your emotional well-being during the exam.

From Distress to Success 15 Exceptional Study Techniques

for passing the PMP Exam

PMP Roadmap

• Determine Your Approach• Set Your Calendars

Preparation

• What, When, Where• 360 Strategy

Study Plan

• Before the Exam• During the Exam

Test

Session OutlineTip 01 - Not All PMP Programs Are The Same Tip 02 - Choosing Your PMP Exam Date Tip 03 - Master Time Management Tip 04 - Study Hours Tip 05 - Cheat Sheets Really Do Work Tip 06 - Develop A Positive Mental Attitude Tip 07 - Exercise -The Easy Way Tip 08 - Mindmapping Tip 09 - Mock Exams - Take Or Don't Take Tip 10 - Nutrition And Brain Power Tip 11 - Stop Telling Everyone Your PMP Business Tip 12 - Studying With Music Tip 13 - The Power Of Sleep Tip 14 - Test Taking Strategies Tip 15 - Control Stress

Are All PMP Programs Equal?

Which program is best for your studying needs?

Compare schools and programs!

Which program agrees with study style? Should you just look at cost?

Graphic design from collection of Oliver Lehmann

Get Correct Information

Graphic design from collection of Oliver Lehmann

Study Hours

• How much studying is enough?

• When are you ready to take the PMP Exam?

• What if you are not ready to take the exam?

• Strange feelings I get when I think of the PMP Exam?

Mindmapping

•Prepare to expand your memory•Test day acrobatics•Mental acquisition of your cheat sheet

•What learning material stimulates for greater learning: schematics / graphs/ charts/ text / colors

Start smallExpand to more intense areas of training material "How do you eat an Elephant ? one-bite-at-a-time!”

Memorization based on colors in the long and mid wavelength ranges of the color spectrum.

Cheat Sheets Do Work

• Are you studying to your best advantage?

• Are you stuck on some topics?

• How to understand everything for the exam?

• Approaches to an intense test.

Mock Exams

How To Validate Mock Exam Sources?

Are Mock Exams Prior PMP Exams?

How Many Mock Exams are needed?

Mock test scores to measure exam readiness

Should you be talking?

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Your PMP Business

• Limit information sharing

• Don’t allow others to interfere with your study time

• Add study time onto your calendar as an event

• Only cancel study for really urgent issues

• Announce test date when ready

Your PMP Exam Date

• Choose training program based on end date

• Don't be afraid to change your PMP test date

• Schedule time off from work before your exam date

PMP Roadmap

• Not All PMP Programs Are The Same• Choosing Your PMP Exam Date• Master Time Management• Study Hours

Preparation

PMP Roadmap

• Cheat Sheets Really Do Work• Develop A Positive Mental Attitude• Exercise -The Easy Way • Mindmapping• Mock Exams - Take Or Don't Take• Nutrition And Brain Power• Stop Telling Everyone Your PMP

Business• Studying With Music• The Power Of Sleep

PMP Study Tips

Positive Mental Attitude

• Emotions are tied in with memory

• Negative thinking can impact your ability to recall

• Being positive causes sharpens your focus and you think clearer.

Positive Mental Attitude

Positive Thinking Techniques:

1. Write It Down

2. Replacement

5. Use A Vision Board

6. Circle of Encouragement

3. Positive Affirmations

4. Visualization

7. Celebrate The Small Steps

Exercise -The Easy Way

• What is the best remedy for any fears or anxiety about taking the PMP Exam: EXERCISE.

• Aim for Aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling for 30-60 minutes every day.

• Aerobic exercise helps improve blood flow which transports oxygen and glucose to your brain.

Nutrition And Brain Power

• What you eat can affect how well you study.

• A diet rich in essential fatty acids, fruits and vegetables does wonders for your brain power.

• Relationship of Glucose and cognitive performance

Master Time Management

• Studying for the PMP is really about time -management, discipline, and perspective

• These are things within your control.

• Develop a long-range study plan

Studying With Music

• Studies have found that music can:

• Reduce Stress

• Aid Relaxation

• Alleviate Depression

• Help you store and recall information

The Power Of Sleep

• Sleep is crucial for your Brain

• Sleep Hygiene Tips

• Maintain A Regular Sleep Routine• Avoid naps if possible• Don’t stay in bed awake for more than 5-10 minutes.• Exercise regularly

PMP Roadmap

• Test Strategies that Work• Controlling Stress

Taking The Test

Test Strategies

• Are you prepared mentally?

• Things to bring with you.

• How to take the test.

Control Stress

• Stress is Good?

• Your goal should be "Stress management" and not stress elimination.

• Techniques for Controlling Stress• Breathe• Stretch• Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

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Questions

Focus Group Like to part of our focus group for our book?

Send your name, email address, phone# to carla.fair@hotmail.com

In the subject line: FDTS Focus Group