1. How to Prepare for the PMP Exam
Team 2: Azar Kazemi, Fernando Gonzalez, Kong Yew, Mussa Elzllawi, Susan Lee
UCSC Extension: Applied Project Management, Winter 2009 Mike Taylor

2. Why is the PMP important? [Susan] PMP Exam Basics [Azar] Requirements
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
Outline
Why is the PMP important? [Susan]
PMP Exam Basics [Azar]
Requirements
When & Where
Cost
How to Register [Kong]
IV. PMP Exam Preparation & Format[Fernando]
V. Study Materials/tips/references [Mussa]

3. WHY IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE PMP EXAM
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
WHY IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE PMP EXAM
Why is it important to take the PMP Exam?
To remain competitive in a PM career track
The facts :
PMI PMP Certification Fact File (as of Sept, 2008)
Total PMI Members – 280,264
Total Active PMP’s – 299,791 (~200,000 in 2006)
Susan’s slides:
Why is it important to take the PMP exam? Why can’t you simply just take the UCSC courses and be a great PM? Well the answer is that you don’t need a PMP to get a great PM but you will need it to remain competitive in the PM career track over the next 10, 20, 30 years
PMI statistics show an exponential increase in PMP certifications, almost 300,000 current .. A 50% increase from two years ago.
Also what is important to note is who is taking the exam. Statistics show most people taking the exam are in our age bracket 30-49, which is another reason that it is important to take the exam to remain competitive
Sources: , [ PMI Today Nov 2008

4. LOCAL SALARY INFORMATION
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
LOCAL SALARY INFORMATION
Source: March 2009
Project Manager I
May require a bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of experience in the field. Average salary is about $80k.
Project Manager II May require a bachelor's degree and 4-7 years of experience in the field. Average salary is about $100k
Project Manager III May require a bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of experience in the field. Average salary is about $120k.
Another related reason to take the PMP exam is your salary. To give you concrete financial example on the value of the PMP exam, I compiled some local salary information for PM. Here you can see that starting PM make around $80k and after 7 years of experience the average salary is about $120k. According PMI salary survey, PMP holders have salaries that are about 17% higher than the average.
PMI Project Management Salary Survey – fourth edition
PMP credential holders command salaries that are 17 percent higher than their non-credentialed counterparts.

5. WHY PEOPLE TAKE THE EXAM
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
WHY PEOPLE TAKE THE EXAM
PMI today did a survey recently and found that most people who currently take the exam do so for career advancement and if you plan on staying in PM for the long haul so should you.
The good news is that about 72% of people who take the PMP exam pass on their first attempt
Now that you know why you should take the exam, Azar will cover the requirements you need to fulfill to take the exam.
72% of the people taking the PMP exam pass on their first attempt !
Sources: , [ PMI Today Nov 2008

6. How to prepare for the PMP Exam
REQUIREMENTS
Requirements:
Certain educational and professional experiences are required in order to be eligible for PMP exam.
At least a high school diploma is required
35 contact hours of formal education on project management education is required
Project management experience requirements vary based on educational background.
Begin Azar’s Slides 6

7. How to prepare for the PMP Exam
REQUIREMENTS
If your educational background is high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent:
Professional project management experience for minimum 5 years (60 months) with at least 7,500 hours of leading and directing project tasks
If your educational background is at least Bachelor’s degree or global equivalent:
Professional project management experience for minimum 3 years (36 months) during which at least 4,500 hours were spent leading and directing project tasks
Source: 7

8. 2009 test dates (United States):
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
DATES & SOME LOCATIONS
2009 test dates (United States):
Some nearby test sites:
4030 MOORPARK AVE SUITE 280 SAN JOSE, CA 95117
48860 MILMONT DRIVE SUITE 103C FREMONT, CA 94538
Test Date
Application Deadline
4/22/09
3/6/09
7/11/09
6/5/09
11/7/09
10/2/09 8

9. SOME LOCATIONS 2412 CENTRAL AVE ALAMEDA, CA 94501
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
SOME LOCATIONS
2412 CENTRAL AVE ALAMEDA, CA 94501
400 OYSTER POINT BLVD SUITE 101 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
100 CALIFORNIA ST STE #105 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
222 KEARNY ST. SUITE 603 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 9

10. Cost: FEES Exam type PMI member status CBT (Computer Based Testing)
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
FEES
Cost:
Exam type
PMI member status
Fee
CBT (Computer Based Testing)
member
$405
no member
$555
PBT (Paper Based Testing)
$250
PBT (Paper Based Testing
$400
Reexamination CBT
$275
$375
Reexamination PBT
$150
$300

11. Sources: www.pmi.org www.prometric.com/pmi REFERENCES 11
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
REFERENCES
Sources: 11

12. How do I apply for the PMP exam?
Preparation for PMP Application
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
PMP Application
How do I apply for the PMP exam? 
1) Apply online for PMP certification at PMI (
2) Read the instructions in the in the PMP Handbook at PMI
3) Prepare your resume
4) Submit your application at 
Begin Kong’s Slides
Detailed Resume
Focus on Educational attainment and work experience.
Provide work experience pertaining to project management.
Time frame is important.
Submit your application at 
yet (e.g., education hours), you can start the application process, and come back to finish it 
later.  

13. 1. Wait for application approval
Preparation for PMP Application
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
PMP Application
What ‘s next?
1. Wait for application approval
 Once you apply, it may take up to 2 weeks for your application to get approved by PMI
If you apply online, the processing time is only 5 business days
2. Schedule your Exam
Contact a Prometric Learning Center 
You may be randomly selected for a verification audit. Your notification will come very shortly 
after you submit the application online. If selected, you must have your verification references 
sign forms, which you will need to submit along with a copy of your college transcripts (if 
applicable) and a certificate showing your educational hours.  

14. HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
Break Down Your Study Plan Into 3 Sections
Key Concepts by Knowledge Area
Contents by Process Groups
PMP exam questions
Begin Fernando’s slides 14

15. HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
Key Concepts by Knowledge Area
Management Framework
Integration Management
Scope Management
Time Management
Cost Management
Quality Management
HR Management
Communications Management
Risk Management
Procurement Management
Professional Responsibility 15

16. HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN

17. HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
HOW TO CREATE A STUDY PLAN
PMP Exam Prep - A Study Plan
1st, work through the 11 knowledge areas
2nd, study 11 knowledge areas in detail
3rd, working on weak areas
4th, work on the Process Groups
5th, first attempt at all full exams
6th, second attempt at all full exams
7th, Time yourself (4hours) during a practice exam

18. Recommended Study Materials
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
Recommended Study Materials
Description
Author
Publisher
A Guide to the Project Management body of knowledge (Latest Edition)
PMI
Q & As for the PMBOK Guide
PMP Exam Prep (Fifth Edition)
Rita Mulcahy
RMC
PMP Project Management Professional Study Guide (second Edition)
Joseph Phillips
McGraw Hill
Preparing For the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Exam
Michael W. Newell
AMACOM
PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide (Third Edition)
Kim Heldman
Sybex
Field Guide to Project Management (Second Edition)
David I. Cleland
Wiley
Project Planning, Scheduling and Control (Fourth Edition)
James P. Lewis
The Handbook of Project-Based Management (Second Edition)
J Rodney Turner
Mussa’s slides

19. Do Tips: Do prepare for 1 to 4 months study.
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
PMP EXAMINATION TIPS.
Do Tips:
Do prepare for 1 to 4 months study.
Do commit 2 to 3 hours per day.
Do understand the project management life cycle and PMBOK definitions.
Do more practice questions. 19

20. How to prepare for the PMP Exam
PMP EXAMINATION TIPS
Don’t Tips:
Don’t use too many references, a few good reference guides are sufficient.
Don’t leave any answer blank.
Don’t be tricked by short questions, read them carefully!
Don’t skip your meal before exam. 20

21. How to prepare for the PMP Exam
PMP EXAMINATION TIPS
Tips on Actual Day:
Bring along your non-expired (government issued) ID! If your registration name is not the same as the ID, you are in trouble.
The test room might be cold or you may feel colder struggling the 4 hours exam. Dress more.
Get use of the 4 hours exam, it can be exhausting.
Paper and pencil are provided, use them to write the formulas.
Use the MARK and ITEM REVIEW features for your unsure questions.
Don’t press the Exit button unless you are ending the exam. 21

22. More Information on These Web Sites.
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
References/Useful sources for PMP examination preparation:
* Go to for more tips and details.
* For Free Practice of PMP Exam, go to Head First Labs Web Site:
* Get a free PMP question & answer sent to your on a daily basis, from (Test
Prep Review):
* Get a PMP Exam Software from (Project Management Learning Bureau), 3 PMP exams,
200 questions each, designed as per the exam sections:
* On top of all of the above, you can enroll in UCSC Extension course ( PMP Examination Preparation).
More Information on These Web Sites.

23. Commit and Begin your PMP preparation
Preparation for PMP Application
How to prepare for the PMP Exam
Summary
Summary
PMP Application
Study Plan
Tips – Do and Don’t
 Commit and Begin your PMP preparation
Kong’s Summary