Materials to help you pass the 4th Edition PMI certification exams for PMP or CAPM.

If you would like to see additional content hosted here for the benefit of others, e-mail Brad at bradford.a.peyton@gmail.com


This guy is here to remind you to sign up at PMI.org and book your exam with Prometric.com before you go any further.

Remember, you won't be able to pass until you've booked your exam!

- Brad Peyton, PMP

Worked Examples



Critical Path Method (CPM)


Earned Value Management (EVM)


Self-Study Tools



Study Utilities (MS Excel 2003):

Training Course - Flip Chart Notes



PMBOK Knowledge Areas:
Miscellaneous Class Notes:
Procurement-Specific (Ch. 12) Notes:

Brad's Tips



CPM tips:
  • When working through a network, start by working from left to right, logically, from node to node, checking any dependencies. Nodes with more than 1 input require all pre-requisite nodes to have been evaluated before they themselves can be evaluated. Working through the network is like a game of solitaire. You need to progress evenly across the entire network to succeed.

    • "Free" Slack = Early Start (successor) - Early Finish (predecessor)

  • This calculation is relative to 2 nodes. I recommend writing the answer on the arrow connecting the respective 2 activites as you solve the network.

Fundamental EVM calculation rules:
  • PV = Add up all the PV values up to the date threshold given, adding any PV values on activities bridging the threshold; do not include any future PV values.

  • AC = Sum all AC values irrespective of percent complete or position relative to threshold.

  • EV = Sum all PV values, taking into account the percentage complete.

    • Example:
    Work on Activity E has begun, but was originally planned to be completed in the future.

    Answer:
    Add 50% of the PV value, abiding by the "0-50-100" a.k.a. "50-50" rule.



Useful Links & Resources



Links:
  • PMI.org - Official Website for the Project Management Institute

    • It is recommended to become a PMI member within 1 year prior to applying for PMP/CAPM certification, to get a discounted exam price.

  • Prometric.com - Official Website for PMI's chosen exam booking vendor

    • You will need to verify your project managment experience on the PMI website before you are given a code to use to book an exam.

  • FASTrack Exam Simulator - by Rita Mulcahy, PMP

    • Handy demo versions for both the PMP & CAPM exam simulators available by the author of PMP Exam Prep. These contain 24 trial questions each. A full software license is $199, but you get high quality software and questions that mimic the real exam.

  • Exam Simulation Software - by PMLearn.com

    • Some relatively inexpensive PMP & CAPM exam simulator options ($49 and $24, respectively). The English mistakes in the questions are often frustrating and misleading, but the price point is right if you're on a budget. I used this to prepare for the CAPM exam in Oct '08.


Books:
  • PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy, PMP

    • A thick volume, full of example test questions, exam tips, and a fresh perspective on the PMBOK. A very useful reference text. Available on Amazon.co.uk for £45.


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