Often touted as “ideal targeted training” for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, many people find PMP boot camps are an attractive option for exam preparation.

While boot camps are designed to deliver noticeable results with a high-output of effort in a short period of time, the drawbacks of choosing this path for exam preparation often outweigh the benefits.

Bootcamps may work for some because the instructors are usually highly qualified with master’s degrees, prior training, and years of industry experience. Most also offer a pass guarantee and will assume financial risk if you fail. They may offer to pay for your exam re-take or provide custom coaching and feedback.

Quoting high first- and second-time pass rates, boot camp programs claim to be the ideal package for exam preparation, often including the PMBOK® Guide, a prep guide, test-style prep questions, and meals during classroom sessions. If you would like a surefire way to pass the PMP Exam in a short period of time, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for.

However, PMP boot camps definitely have their share of drawbacks and these drawbacks are the reason why I never recommend a bootcamp to any of my students.


Reason #1: Boot camps are expensive.

Designed to be the ideal all-in-one exam preparation experience, the sheer cost of boot camps make them less-than-ideal for those of us on a budget. An intensive 4-day course can cost you several thousand dollars, depending on your location, whether it’s a busy time of year, and the availability of included amenities. While the up-front cost may seem astronomical, check to see if it includes the actual PMP exam fee and comes backed with a pass guarantee. Most boot camp companies will offer to cover tailored tutoring and re-take exam fees if you fail the first or second time. If you fail a third time, they may even offer to let you take the entire 4-day course over again for free.

But all of this comes at a cost. Essentially a pay-to-pass program, boot camps pump a large amount of students through a short-term, high-yield course. Boot camps may only be a viable option if time is more valuable to you than money.

Reason #2: Boot camps are inconvenient.

Unless you live in a large urban area where a course is offered, the 4-day boot camp will usually require travel and hotel accommodations. For most project managers with jobs and families, dropping their responsibilities for four days is not only inconvenient, it’s impossible. Work and life does not stand still (or even slow down!) just because you have an important exam to pass. Most project managers require – and work best with – a study schedule that fits with their lifestyle instead of interrupting it.

Reason #3: Boot camps focus on memorization.

As you are already aware, the PMP Exam is based on concepts from the PMBOK® Guide. Specific principles include communication, cost management, human resources, integration, procurement, quality, risk, scope, and time management. The material is broad and the data is often in-depth. So, how do boot camps ensure you thoroughly master and understand these concepts in a mere four days? They don’t.

There is absolutely not enough time in four days to extensively cover concepts and in-depth data. Instead, boot camps focus on rote memorization of high-yield material. While they may be able to guarantee a “first-time pass”, boot camps cannot and do not offer an education that will help you with project management beyond the exam.


Reason #4: Boot camps have limited schedules and openings.

As noted above, the inconvenience of boot camps is often rooted in their location and need for travel away from home. On top of that, many boot camps have limited space and are only able to offer sessions at certain times of the year. If you thought taking time off from work and your family would be difficult, try doing it around their schedule instead of your own. The only available times may be during a busy work crunch or stressful family situation. At best, this may be inconvenient. Often, it is impossible. Project managers with home and work commitments will usually have better success with a study schedule or workshop that still allows them to fulfill their home and work responsibilities.

Reason #5: Boot camp training focuses on passing the exam instead of teaching concepts.

The material on the PMP exam is broad and in-depth. If you are not already familiar with concepts covered in the PMBOK Guide, boot camps will not be able to help you in a mere four days. As noted in their “guarantee”, boot camps only promise to help you pass the exam. They do not offer an education that will guide or assist you through your career.

One of the secret ingredients to doing well on the PMP exam is understanding of project management principles, both individually and how they work together. Instead of focusing on competency, boot camps rely on rote memorization of high-yield material. While this may result in a high first-time pass rate, it does not ensure that the project manager has learned any skills or gained experience that will help their career beyond exam day.

In conclusion, if your goal is to simply pass the PMP exam without learning new techniques to improve your project management skills, then a boot camp may be just what you’re looking for. If you are unemployed, single without familial commitments, have more money than you know what to do with, and are simply looking to add credentials to your CV, then a 4-day PMP boot camp will probably serve you well. However, if you are genuinely interested in becoming a better project manager on the road to excelling on the PMP exam, then a more in-depth study approach is what you want.

Successfully passing the PMP Exam and achieving lasting and positive effects on your project management skills involves daily study time for 10 to 12 weeks. Individuals that choose to study on their own should read the PMBOK® Guide twice, utilize an additional PMP self-study preparation book, listen to a PMP Exam Podcast, and tackle as many sample exam questions as possible. Individuals that prefer the structure of a classroom schedule should select a training class that meets for several weeks. Self-study at home will complement the in-class lectures and further solidify the information. Following this approach will ensure that you not only pass the exam, but become a superior project manager along the way.

This is a nice tip , that PMEA would like to share it with you. This tips is a small guide about How/ what you will do in the PMP exam day.

• Arrive early on exam day , at least 2 hours
• Make sure to have ( PMP Mind Map , PMP Process Group , PMP ITTO , PMP exam formula  ) with you. This will help you as quick review.
• Bring 2 forms of ID.
• Print  letter from PMI.
• You will be assigned a small locker in the exam center.
• They will give you sheets of paper, 3 pencils and a calculator
• They will escort you to your seat
• You will walk through instructions for taking the exam
• You have 15 minutes to complete the instructions ( you can use this time to right down the PMP formula in the sheet paper which they gave it to you )
• You have 60 seconds to start the online test after completing the instructions
• Once you begin the test, you have 4 hours. The clock does not stop if you take a break
• This advice from PMEA on taken the exam

•  
  1. Answer 75 Questions  
  2. Break  for 2 To 3 min.
  3. Answer 75 Questions
  4.  Break 2 To 3 min.
  5. 50 Questions
  6. Review and close.

  
  

  • No talking
  • People will come and go, but don’t let this shake you.
  • Read the answers from the bottom up.
  • If you are unsure of an answer, do not guess on the first pass. Simply mark the question for review
  • Do not struggle too long on one question. Mark it for review and come back to it at the end.
  • Once you get to the end, you can then review the questions you previously marked. Many of these answers will now come quickly
  • After completing the questions marked for review, you can now click on “Complete “
  • It will prompt you “are you sure”
  • Once you choose yes or ok, the system will take around 2 to 3 min to calculate the result.
  • Once complete the words “Congratulation You passed” appear on the screen.
  • Your test results are then printed with the attendant.
  • The attendant will give you a certified copy of your test results
  • You will receive certification via mail

 
 Good Luck,

PMP Exam

The PMP certification is managed by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and reflects the PMI’s project management processes as published in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide. Since 1984, the PMP certification has become one of the most sought after internationally recognized management credentials available. The average salary of a PMP certified manager is 14% higher than individuals without the PMP certification.

The PMP certification is a globally recognized credential, and individuals are encouraged to remain active via PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs). Only individuals who maintain active PMP credentials may refer to themselves as Project Management Professionals. Individuals do not need to be a member of PMI to earn a PMP credential.

The minimum requirements in attaining the PMP certification:

• Education: At a minimum, A high school diploma is required
• Project management experience:
  • 36 months and 4500 hours of professional experience for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree or global equivalent (within the past 8 years).
  • 60 months and 7500 hours of professional experience for individuals without a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (within the past 8 years).
• Project Management Education: 35 contact hours of formal education.
• Ethics: Agree to PMI’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
• Pass the PMP Exam.

To learn more , visit : www.pmeassociation.com

PMEA Team,