When preparing for PMI-ACP exam myself, I was looking for some materials and found a post published by @Gabor Stramb on LinkedIn. Having read it I decided to share my experience instead of just publishing a certification on LinkedIn. And here we are…
I had plenty of other, more important topics to be covered in this period, probably like everyone so it took me a whole year to prepare for this exam and pass it. However step by step…
Registration and eligibility assessment by PMI for the exam was straight forward first step, probably since:
(1) I have PMP certification since 2013, extended every 3 years.
(2) aimed to extend my certification, I everyone need to collect 60 points what also supported the assessment by PMI.
The next step is paying for the exam. Here I want to thank you, Citibank, who sponsored it.
And time clocking started, only 365 days left to pass the exam…
In the 3rd step, I started looking for good preparation course, like I did when preparing for PMP. Fortunately, Citibank offers to employees Udemy courses where few such courses are available. I’ve decided to complete PMI-ACP Exam Prep Success by @Joseph Phillips. It’s 13 hour course covering all topics required by PMI. Unfortunately, it took me 3 months to start learning…
What was a positive surprise when completing the course – Joseph proposed a study strategy. What does it mean in this case – all 9 modules/ domains covered twice, prepare a project plan by when will complete every module and use flashcards every day? Did it help me? First 2 – absolutely yes. Before each module and after it, I was completing a knowledge check and was documenting it to track progress. Having completed all modules first time, I have taken the practice exam with 60% questions correct. The whole cycle took me 152 days, I was not happy with that and decided that need significant improvement especially that only 115 days left. Having completed all modules 2nd time, again I have taken the practice exam with 80% questions correct.
And still 57 days left. In this phase, I’ve decided to schedule the exam. Decided to schedule it 2 weeks before the deadline to be on safe side in case failed in first attempt.
Next step was to study terms. I believe they are key to pass the exam.
Next I practiced other prep exams which I was able to find in Udemy. I made sure I was doing it every day as the final exam was so close. To my surprise I was not able to meet 80% correct answers. Since every question was a case study type and there was no simple questions e.g. verifying your understanding of terms. That motivated me to study even more.
On the day of the exam I took a day off. I walked to the exam centre as it’s really close to my apartment so I can get a clear head. During the exam I made sure I use up all the time for it and double check every answer and just before the time elapsed I was not sure whether I will succeed. Fortunately, all my preparations were successful. I not only passed the exam but reached the maximum scores, according to PMI rates in 6 out of 7 domains were above target.
What’s next? I do plan to repeat all above steps when preparing for PMI-PgM exam.
Any changes in my approach to improve? Yes!!! Majorly few changes from planning/ steps sequence perspective:
1.Initiate learning, cover prep course once and verify knowledge taking practice exam
2.Schedule the exam in 150 days
3.Prep course 2nd time and verify knowledge taking practice exam
4.Take few additional practice exams
5.Take the exam
6.Celebrate
Let me know if you want to share your experience or comment.