How I Passed the PMP Exam - #4 Study Progress
November last year kicked off with a resounding success! I conquered the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, securing an 'Above Target' score (Yay, Alhamdulillah!) on my very first attempt after just four months of preparation. It's a journey that demanded strategic planning and dedication, especially while juggling a full-time job, like me.
As I reflect on my adventure, I realize that there was a careful strategy that I have planned and applied throughout my learning journey. So here’s my personal insights as we explore each chapter together.
To make this blogpost easier to digest, I am dividing this blogpost into few small chapters of 0-7 :
Chapter 0 : An Overview of PMP Journey (Read here)
Chapter 1 : Study Strategy (Read here)
Chapter 2 : Study Schedule (Read here)
Chapter 3 : Study Materials (Read here)
Chapter 4 : Study Progress (Current blogpost)
Chapter 5 : Study Tips (Read here)
Chapter 6 : Exam Prep (Read here)
Chapter 7 : Post Exam (Read here)
Now, let’s dive in to an overview of the PMP exam preparations.
Monitor and Measure
Tracking your progress is essential for staying on course and ensuring that your PMP preparation remains effective and efficient. In this chapter, I'll share my personal insights and tips on how to monitor and measure your study progress throughout your preparation journey.
Creating a Study Progress System:
To effectively monitor and measure your study progress, it's essential to establish a systematic approach. Here are some tips to help you stay organized and accountable:
#1 Create a Checklist of Your Study Routine:
My study checklist
Develop a checklist outlining your study routine and tasks to be completed. Centralize this information in a single location, such as a digital note-taking platform like Notion. Having a clear checklist helps you stay focused and ensures that no topic or task is overlooked.
#2 Improve Your Memory with a Memory Journal:
Maintain a memory journal to reinforce your learning and retention of key concepts. Summarize important points, formulas, and definitions in your journal, and review them regularly. This practice helps strengthen your memory and recall abilities over time.
I usually write in the memory journal after I finished learning / revising a topic. I will write everything that I could remember either through words, diagram, symbols etc and check it with my actual notes later. From doing so, I can spot what are the specific topics that I am still forgetting or weak at.
#3 Enhance Understanding with Summarization:
Summarizing your learning materials using techniques like mind maps or flashcards is essential for deepening understanding and facilitating easier recall during exam preparation.
Regularly condensing complex information into concise summaries, using tools like flow charts or mind mapping, helps reinforce your comprehension. I do this once every two weeks, first thing in the start of the week!
As the exam date approaches, I noticed my summarization skills improve, leading to a final A3 page that consolidates all my notes. This single page becomes my go-to reference, reviewed the night before the exam and carried with me on exam day.
Tips : Use color code, symbols, shortforms that you feel comfortable and can relate to. It helps with the memorisation
#4 Track Progress Regularly:
My study tracker on Google Spreadsheet
Set aside time on a weekly basis to track your progress and assess your performance. Review the topics you've covered, the tasks you've completed, and any challenges you've encountered.
Additionally, track your progress after completing practice exams or simulators to identify areas for improvement. monitoring your progress by noting the number of flashcards answered correctly provides valuable insight into your advancement. This dual approach allows you to identify weak areas and gauge your overall progress effectively.
Every Friday, I dedicate a brief 5-10 minutes to reviewing my progress using a Google spreadsheet that I've meticulously formulated. This spreadsheet tracks my weekly mock test scores, providing valuable insight into my progress trend. Analyzing this data allows me to reflect on what went well and what needs improvement throughout the week. It not only helps me identify areas for enhancement but also aids in planning a more effective learning experience for the following week.
In addition, I assess my progress in each phase of learning, as outlined in Chapter 1 and 2. This approach enables me to promptly identify any areas requiring additional attention. Whether it's allocating extra study hours, seeking guidance from a mentor, or considering extending my exam preparation to adjust my schedule, this assessment empowers me to make informed decisions tailored to my learning needs.
#5 Create and Review Lesson Learned Log:
I mentioned about this thoroughly in my previous blogpost (Chapter 3). Reviewing this log regularly helps reinforce learning and allows you to adapt your study approach accordingly.
My Tips:
Consistency is Key: Show up everyday! Make tracking your progress a regular part of your study routine. Consistent monitoring allows you to identify trends, track improvements, and address any areas of concern promptly.
Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your study plan based on your energy, progress and feedback from practice exams. Flexibility allows you to adapt your approach as needed to maximize your learning outcomes.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements and milestones along the way. Whether it's completing a challenging topic or achieving a certain score on a practice exam, celebrating milestones boosts morale and motivates you to keep moving forward.
By implementing these strategies and tips, you can effectively monitor and measure your study progress throughout your PMP preparation journey. Remember that consistent tracking and reflection are key to achieving success on exam day. Keep striving for improvement, stay resilient in the face of challenges, and trust in yourself!
That's it for this week, folks. Catch you in the next chapter of #WawaPMPJourney!
Catch you later, and remember, “Everything is Workable!”"
