10 Tips to pass CAPM Exam

Huge sigh of relief. I passed my CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) yesterday, 22 August 2017.  Timeline:
1. Bought the PMBOK back in September 2016
2. Start initiating the online application on mid July and book the dates on 20-ish July 2017
3. Start preparation by end of July 2017 (I study full time)

Here are some tips:
1. PMBOK is such a dull book. But it is the mandatory reading material, so don't skip it.

2. Read one supplementary PMP exam book of any kind to support your preparation. Most of the time those books will show you some points that usually asked in exam, and that is usually true.

2. ITTO (Input, Tool/Technique, and Output) is a big part of the question.
   Is it worth it to memorize it? In a way- yes. If you have more time and your study type is usually with memorization technique (Sadly I am not)
   But most importantly try to understand it.  Just asked why is it there; some pattern, like "facilitation technique only used in Develop Project Charter and Create Project Management Plan" or Usually things end with "system" is a tool, etc.
  In the test you can use elimination technique, and the way that the test is designed is pretty good to spot on alien option so it is important to understand every single ITTO item characteristics.

3. I don't find any free practice test online that exactly depict the real thing. Some are really hard that it supposed to be! But it is really important to do it. Most of the time it strengthen your understanding of PMBOK, and point out things that you skip on the book.

4. Any mathematical formula needs to be memorized so that it can be ready to use. It is enough to feel nervous during exam, no need to play Newton finding F=m.a

5. The practice tests out there sometimes includes some new theory/topics. Check that in PMBOK index. If there's none, don't waste time on it.

6.You want to achieve 70-80% correct on practice tests. However the difficulty level is not the same, so try to get 65% minimum steady, and work on every single one you answered wrong.

7. On practice test, evaluate not only wrong answered ones, but also the one you are guessing.

8. The 3 hour is a looong time! So try not to overburden your brain 12 hour before the exam. By the time you are doing the exam, you can actually contemplate answer of question you are not sure of, if you are 100% focus.

9. Provide ample time upon the exam time. Go to the toilet, fulfill your hunger/thirst, turn off/ silence your phone. I even checked the test center location a week before (I need to check on the commute time). Dressed smart and most of all, comfortable.

10. If passed: check again address you filed for the certificate to be sent.
      When not passed: don't be discouraged, second test will be discounted.

Cheers!
Anna