PMP® Exam Lessons Learned #1

We are back with another episode of PMP Exam Lessons Learned. This time, Eng. Beauter Oindi, PE shares with us his own journey to becoming #pmpcertified. We hope you will enjoy this interview, and learn a few tips to help you in your #pmpexamprep.

Peak Point:

Please tell us a little about work. What does your normal day at work look like?

Beauter:

I am a registered electrical engineer working in the #building #construction and #solarenergy sector. I work closely with #architects, #contractors, and other building service #engineers to design and construct safe and energy-efficient facilities. Currently, I am working for the Kenya Revenue Authority as a #supervisor for electrical systems.

My typical workday consists of designing #electrical systems, #automating electro-mechanical systems, or creating #designs for solar systems. In addition, I am responsible for #managingprojects and #supervising electrical #teams performing maintenance on existing systems. I constantly give outstanding service while building sustainable and innovative electrical infrastructure.

Peak Point:

When did you pass the PMP exam?

Beauter:

I'm happy to announce that I passed the #pmpexam on March 15, 2023! I'm now prepared to tackle any project management task that comes my way.

Peak Point:

Please paint for us a picture of your journey to the PMP certification. What motivated you to get the PMP?

Beauter:

I was encouraged to pursue the PMP certification while working as an electrical building service engineer at the State Department for Public Works (SDPW). I worked on high-stakes #projects that made me realize the biggest challenge in delivering a successful project wasn't during the design stage but rather #management. I knew that to be a good #projectmanager, I needed to develop the necessary #skills and #expertise. As a result, I chose to pursue the PMP certification and expand my knowledge of project management principles.

Peak Point:

Were you self-sponsored or did your company sponsor you?

Beauter:

While I knew that my employer would have been willing to sponsor me if I had formally requested it, I decided to self-sponsor due to the limited time I had to attain the certification. Nonetheless, I was grateful to have the moral support of my employer in pursuing this endeavour.

Peak Point:

Tell us about your preparation. Did you dedicate daily study time for revision?

Beauter:

On July 28, 2022, I completed my 35-hour #pmpexamprep training with Peak Point Consulting Group. However, due to limited resources, particularly time, I did not begin studying for the #exam until early January 2023. While I didn't have a daily study plan, I did stick to a weekly schedule and carefully reviewed each PMP prep course module.

Peak Point:

What study materials did you find most useful?

Beauter:

PMP class module notes provided by Peak Point Consulting Group and the #pmbok 6th edition were among the most useful study materials I utilised while preparing for the exam. Additionally, I found YouTube to be a valuable resource in my exam preparation due to my preference for visual and auditory learning.

Peak Point:

Did you use a PMP exam simulator to prepare?

Beauter:

Yes, I used the #pmpexam simulator that Peak Point provided as a complimentary to prepare for the exam. Initially, I had planned to take the exam around the end of February. However, following my first simulated exam in mid-February, I noticed that my preparedness needed to be improved. The second simulated exam attempt gave me the confidence to proceed with the actual exam. Using an exam simulator, in my opinion, is a must before taking the actual exam, as there are many significant #lessonslearned from the experience.

Peak Point:

What key strategies can you say helped you to pass the exam?

Beauter:

Although my #pmptraining was six months ago, I spent around two and a half months specifically prepping for the exam. Linking the PMP ideas with my practical experience in #projectmanagement was a significant tactic that helped me pass. Moreover, I made an effort to attend nearly every class session during my training. Finally, I concentrated on cultivating the #pmp and #agilemindset.

Peak Point:

Did you take the exam at a test center?

Beauter:

Yes, I wanted to take the exam at home at first, but after reading the requirements, I decided to save myself the #stress and go to the test center instead.

Peak Point:

How was the experience at the test center?

Beauter:

I arrived 30 minutes earlier at the testing center and finished the registration process, including signing the exam guidelines. The examination room was nicely set up, with all the required equipment and resources.

Peak Point:

Were you anxious?

Beauter:

No matter how many tests you've taken in your life, anxieties and worry are always present. I was, however, able to calm my nerves.

Peak Point:

Did anything surprise you or was it all fairly as you had expected?

Beauter:

I will admit that there were a few questions that surprised me a bit, but overall, it was a fair representation of what I had studied for.

Peak Point:

Did you finish answering all the questions?

Beauter:

Yes, I managed to answer all the questions within the allotted time and even had 15 minutes to spare.

Peak Point:

In your estimation, what was the ratio of predictive vs agile/hybrid questions on the exam?

Beauter:

Approximately 60% of the exam questions were focused on #agile and #hybrid approaches, while the remaining 40% covered the #traditional or #predictive approach.

Peak Point:

Which type of questions did you find to be most challenging?

Beauter:

The predictive questions were the most challenging for me as I needed more time to understand the scenarios and select the best answer. I found #agile and #hybrid questions to be more straightforward, and that's how I was able to save some 15 minutes on the exam.

Peak Point:

What did you do when you saw the notification that you had passed?

Beauter:

When I saw the notification that I had passed, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.

Peak Point:

Whom did you call first to announce the good news?

Beauter:

I called my friend Eng. Linet Muthiora, PE, MIEK and my manager Abigail Kimosop - RQS , MIQSK first to share the good news with them. They both undertook the #pmptraining with Peak Point Consulting Group in September 2022 and January 2023 respectively, and we had been on this journey together. They closely followed my progress, so I was excited to share the news with them and encouraged them to pursue their #pmpcertification

Peak Point:

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do the same?

Beauter:

One thing I would do the same is to gauge my preparedness with the exam simulator. I would also consistently attend classes. I learned a lot from my instructors Ronald Kefa, PMP, PMD Pro and Eng.Kevin Onsongo. PE, MIEK ,MBA, PMP®, CPA(K)., who have practical experience in project management, and their guidance was invaluable in my preparation for the exam.

Peak Point:

What would you do differently to prepare for the exam?

"Waiting for a few months before starting to prepare made me 
lose momentum"

Beauter: I would have started my exam preparation immediately after completing the #training. Waiting for a few months made me lose momentum, and I had to spend extra time familiarising myself with the PMP concepts all over again.

Peak Point:

What advice and tips would you give aspiring PMP candidates?

Beauter:

My advice to aspiring PMP candidates would be to start their exam preparation as soon as possible after completing their training. Focus on understanding the concepts and how they apply to real-life projects, rather than memorising the content. The exam questions are scenario-based and require #criticalthinking and #problemsolving skills.

"Read all the answers before concluding, as there is usually a good 
answer and the best answer"

Practice with exam simulators to get familiar with different question formats and increase your speed in answering questions. Also, read all the answers before concluding, as there is usually a good answer and the best answer. Finally, stay confident and believe in yourself. With the right preparation and mindset, passing the PMP exam is achievable.

You can reach Beauter via email: beauttaho@gmail.com and connect with him on LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/in/eng-beauter-oindi-pe-a6a0a980



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