Get PMP certification

How I did it: I took a 3 month prep course offered by a local PMI chapter through UC Berkeley Extension. 

I consider myself a good test taker and found the exam challenging. PMI uses a vocabulary that is unique to its own methodology. Even seasoned project managers will find the concepts in the PMBOK different from the way they have applied project management throughout their careers.

This certification is a must if you are or plan to be a contract project manager. Many state agencies now have the PMP as a mandatory requirement for project management contracts. I hope this information is helpful.

Lessons & tips: I have known several people who have taken this exam with mixed results.

The persons I know who have passed have done one of the following:
- Participated in their local PMI chapter study group/prep class offering
- Attended the Cheetah 4-day prep class followed by the exam on the 5th day

The persons I know who have taken the exam and failed have did one of the following:
- Self studied
- Taken the Rita M. 3 day prep course, followed by self-study then the exam (2 people)

Resources: I did this several years ago, so the course may have changed:

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/course350.html

Everyone I know that took this course passed (most expensive):

http://www.cheetahlearning.com/

Example of local PMI chapter offering (least expensive):
http://www.pmi-svc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=20

Jan 03, 2009, 07:50AM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer