Last Friday I took the PMI test and passed.

My experience was very similar to those that have been provided in the past and which are shared on the w3.project.ibm.com/gs/ intranet site. However, let me confirm my experiences that generally coincide with the general information. I had 6-10 questions that involved formulas; most were of the most basic type of Earned Value questions - schedule and cost variance and schedule and cost performance. These were really simple questions and required the most basic application of the formulas. I also had 2 very basic questions on Present Value (again I stress basic) and one question on the number of communication channels. As several others have reported, the application of formulas were very basic and the associated questions were actually a breath of fresh air in the exam since the answers were clear-cut.

I had about 25 situational questions. As others have suggested, the "correct" answer always included my past experiences combined with the PMI slant on the correct answer.

I had a few (3-4) questions that required creating a CPM path but it was a very simple example and were very simple to handle.

Of the other questions, most were very simple if one has studied the PMI documentation and viewpoints. I had about 6 questions that I did not really have a clue. I think that I studied more that I would have needed to pass the test (I spent about 90 hours in the the couple of weeks just prior to the test and probably another 100 hours over the several months prior to the concentrated study time. I took the PMI Prep class about a month prior to the exam.) However, you need to really review the PMI documentation and understand the PMI viewpoint. Each time I reviewed the PMBOK, I gained another level of understanding. As others have said, you need to know PMI's view of an issue - study is required!!

I strongly encourage study of the PMBOK and associated material (e.g. the PMBOK Q&A, PMP Challenge, Sample Test booklet from the PMI Exam Prep class) because, as many others have said, you have to understand what PMI says is the correct answer ( e.g. What is the most important leadership attribute - several good answers - what does PMI day?). A sound understanding of PMI's view is important and the aforementioned references were key to understanding this viewpoint. I also studied the Lotus test bed of sample questions and the "Certify" diskettes of test questions. The latter provided a variety of sample test questions and were an invaluable study tool but they raised my anxiety level when terminology was raised that I had not encountered in my past experiences or in my basic PMI study plan. I spent time researching these items but none of them appeared in my test so I'm not sure that I would recommend spending time on these items based on my test experience.

I read several PMI texts that were recommended by those who provided information on the intranet sites. The most valuable source was Principles of PM by John Adams; however, most of the topics covered in this text were summarized in the study materials from the PMI Prep Exam class so I am not sure that the original text would be required reading.

I would be happy to assist any candidates prepping for the exam. Let me know how I can help.

Becky Sklarew
IBM Global Services, Project Executive, Integration Services
Office Phone: 770-644-6015 or tie line 237/6015
Visit the IGSI Website at w3.IBM.COM/SERVICES/INSTITUTE