Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam

[Baco Noir]

Hi all,

I am going to take the PMP Exam and am looking at the 4 day in-class training courses (boot camps) that are out there to help you prepare for the test. Anyone take one of these and like or hate the training provider? I can't find many reviews from the students of these course out there and would like to hear from people who've taken one and what they thought.

TIA

Roger

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Yellowdog

Hi all,

I am going to take the PMP Exam and am looking at the 4 day in-class training courses (boot camps) that are out there to help you prepare for the test. Anyone take one of these and like or hate the training provider? I can't find many reviews from the students of these course out there and would like to hear from people who've taken one and what they thought.

TIA

Roger

I took the test back in 06. I studied on my own with Rita Mulcahy's book, which I can recommend. I never took any other course.

[Baco Noir]

Thanks Serg. I've seen other reference to that book and think I may buy it as another reference.

[77T]

I sent many of my engineers to GWU for PMP training and after the full load we had them go to a local Global Knowledge boot camp also. All passed first time through but the key was the 200+ hours of GWU training.

Each 4-day boot camp session got different levels of feedback by my people. Mostly OK, but sometimes the boot camp leader just read questions lifted from exit polling that GKN did with previous test takers.

So my point is that the provider can have a good rep, but your personal experience will vary by the quality of the trainer they have for your class.

[wantonebad]

I've done boot camps for Cisco and Microsoft certifications, but you can't rely on any boot camp to teach you anything other than taking the test. They are no substitute for hands on practical experience. I'm sure you are aware of that I just state it for others and because I am the master of the obvious.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I've done boot camps for Cisco and Microsoft certifications, but you can't rely on any boot camp to teach you anything other than taking the test. They are no substitute for hands on practical experience. I'm sure you are aware of that I just state it for others and because I am the master of the obvious.

Yep, keep in mind that technically there is no learning for the exam, as the exam certifies that you have the experience. Note my use of the word "technically" ... In my case it was a matter of getting used to the type and presentation of questions more than any other thing, but I came to the exam with a bunch of years of PM experience. On the other hand, I've known PMPs with no experience and I will leave it at that.

Still, a good credential to have on the resume.

[Baco Noir]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have 20 years of experience with 7 of the last 10 being at the project management level, then got talked into doing business development for the last 3, and now just got a layoff notice in a round of overhead cuts. Thought this might be a good resume "add-on" to get while I'm home helping my wife recover from surgery and before I start the job search at the beginning on the year. I figured I'd get a couple of extra books for some self study, take advantage of the online learning that these Boot Camp providers offer before the training, hit the training a few weeks before the exam and then knock out the exam.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Yellowdog

Thanks for the comments guys. I have 20 years of experience with 7 of the last 10 being at the project management level, then got talked into doing business development for the last 3, and now just got a layoff notice in a round of overhead cuts. Thought this might be a good resume "add-on" to get while I'm home helping my wife recover from surgery and before I start the job search at the beginning on the year. I figured I'd get a couple of extra books for some self study, take advantage of the online learning that these Boot Camp providers offer before the training, hit the training a few weeks before the exam and then knock out the exam.

With your background you should be fine with Mulcahy's book (http://www.amazon.com/PMP-Exam-Prep-...s=rita+mulcahy).

Like I mentioned, you just need to get used to the type of questions and practice, practice, practice ... It took me a month or two of study if I remember correctly. If you apply yourself, I don't think you need anything else.

These were good too: http://www.amazon.com/Topics-Flashca...=mulcahy+cards

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by masterserg

With your background you should be fine with Mulcahy's book (http://www.amazon.com/PMP-Exam-Prep-...s=rita+mulcahy).

Like I mentioned, you just need to get used to the type of questions and practice, practice, practice ... It took me a month or two of study if I remember correctly. If you apply yourself, I don't think you need anything else.

I'm sure you are right, but I guess one other fact I left out is it's "free" for me since I talked my boss into paying for it as part of my separation package. They'll cover up to $2k for the course and materials. Might as well take one in addition to my self study just to help me get in the "testing" mode. From what I've heard this test is a lot of memorization and I haven't had to study for anything like that in quite a while.

[Pete17]

Sorry to hear the bad news mate. Good luck with the job hunt, I'm sure you'll be snapped up quickly.
Best to Laurie too.



Sent from my Droid.

[Baco Noir]

Originally Posted by Pete17

Sorry to hear the bad news mate. Good luck with the job hunt, I'm sure you'll be snapped up quickly.
Best to Laurie too.

Sent from my Droid.

Thanks Pete. I've already had one interview with a business partner who heard and asked for my resume. They have been thinking of opening a Denver office for several years and if the other partners decide it's time to make that move, I'll fly out for a second interview with the remaining partners. I'm hoping this comes through for several reasons:
1) The company is much like the one I work for now (size wise and culture) but all 300 employees are working in the environmental areas, where as that's only 25-30% of my current company, and
2) It would negate the pain of actually "searching" for a job since this opportunity found me.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Yellowdog

Thanks Pete. I've already had one interview with a business partner who heard and asked for my resume. They have been thinking of opening a Denver office for several years and if the other partners decide it's time to make that move, I'll fly out for a second interview with the remaining partners. I'm hoping this comes through for several reasons:
1) The company is much live the one I work for now (size wise and culture) but all 300 employees are working in the environmental areas, where as that's only 25-30% of my current company, and
2) It would negate the pain of actually "searching" for a job since this opportunity found me.

You will be just fine. You are showing the right positive attitude! Good luck anyway!

[Pete17]

Fingers crossed for you Roger.

[Baco Noir]

Just got an e-mail and they want me in CA on Oct 22nd for the second interview! Time to do some more research for the interview.

[East Bay Rider]

Excellent. Good luck.

[hdrazor251]

Best of luck Roger.

[mws222]

Good luck!!

[77T]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I've done boot camps for Cisco and Microsoft certifications, but you can't rely on any boot camp to teach you anything other than taking the test. They are no substitute for hands on practical experience. I'm sure you are aware of that I just state it for others and because I am the master of the obvious.

You are right on point there - the term "boot camp" has fooled some folks since it infers basic training.

Maybe "exam cram" would be better term for the 3 and 4 day cram sessions.

[A.Sharp]

Good luck!