What is PMI

PMP exam preparation in an international expert and author of the book PMP ® Exam Prep - 4th Edition (RMC Publishing), focuses on the reasons why the applicant has difficulty to pass the exam:

• The questions are read hurriedly;
• Are not analyzed carefully all the possible answers;
• The level of preparation is often not enough to take the exam;
• Is often believed that the level of professional experience gained is sufficient to tackle the exam questions;
• The examination is dealt with nervousness due to inadequate preparation.

In this analysis we must add the consideration of different cultural approach between the Latin and Anglo-Saxon world and the point of view of the Project Manager. To answer the questions correctly you have to take the viewpoint that the questions they ask us what to do in a given situation, whether it is the FIRST thing to do, whether it is the BEST. But to understand the context of the question we have to single out the design phase and the group of project management processes.

This will allow us to immediately understand what are the documents that we have. Assuming that the project team did the best he could with the information available, we must also keep in mind, what has changed in the context of the project and beyond the control of the group. Finally, we analyze whether stakeholders were correctly identified.

To repeat what has been said above each examination question we need to have a clear framework of the methodology, the sequence of processes, and documents that are required to be produced.

The steps
To achieve any of the types of certification proposed by PMI ®
Warning you must follow a precise process as follows:
1) Decide which certification is suitable for your needs.
2) Depending on professional background possessed check if you are eligible to apply for the type of certification you want to achieve.
3) Make request to the PMI ® you want to achieve the kind of certification chosen. The request can be made through a paper form or through the website of the PMI ® filling in a form on the screen and bringing professional experience and the number of hours per area of knowledge. This second option is highly recommended.
4) If the request was made via the internet PMI ® will respond within 5 working days of notifying the successful verification of the declared requirements to support the type of certification chosen. The answer, Eligibility letter, is received by the applicant via e-mail and will have the following characteristics:
• Subject: Your PMP application Has Been Approved. Attached is your Eligibility Letter, containing important scheduling information. Please wait 72 hours before scheduling.

• Content:

• EXAM: CAPM, PMP, PgMP
• FIRST LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
• SECOND LANGUAGE: language support choice

5) Prepare for the exam.
A very useful technique to prepare the exam is to treat it as if it were a project and making a work plan with milestones and checkpoints. Then study the PMBOK ® and other documents that supplement the content.
And 'essential to the exam simulations and should make at least 3. The best scenario to simulate the conditions that you will face the day of the exam is to be locked in a room for 4 hours. Remember that during the exam, if you get up, time does not stop!

E 'useful answer questions periodically, or respond immediately to all those of which you are sure of the response and allow for subsequent cycles than those for which we need more time or are not sure of the answer. One technique might be the following:

• Remember that a question not answered corresponds to an incorrect answer. It should always respond even if you do not know the answer to. In this way you will always a 25% probability of giving the correct answer.
6) Book the exam through the parametric certification center. The PMI ® has given in concession to parametric management certification exams. The reservation can be made on line at 7) The PMI ®, a sample of candidates who have applied to take the exam, make sure that the requirements of the payment are valid. In this regard requires the successful candidate to document through the use of written references or certificates of participation in training courses, professional experience previously declared.
8) Support the exam. And wait for the result.
If the examination was taken in on-line mode, the candidate will receive the result immediately at the end of the examination session. If they have been reported in paper form the PMI reserves a few days before sending any reply.

The test is passed if the candidate:

• Correctly answers 88 questions about 135 for the CAPM ® certification
• Responds correctly to 106 of 175 questions for the PMP ® certification
• Obtains a mark, said proficency level of at least 325 points out of 150 questions for the PgMP ® certification  

How to Prepare
The logic

To undertake a method of study in order to pass the exam with confidence is helpful to understand what were the logic that led the Project Management Institute to formulate the question in the way it is today.
In May 1999 a group of 11 experts put together by the Project Management Institute met with representatives of a company specialized in developing tests to delineate the field of Project Management in terms of knowledge.

The logic used were grouped and are described in the text Role Delineation Study, available on the website of the PMI ®. It is the basis to ensure that the review is "a valid content". An examination of "a valid content" aims to appropriately assess the knowledge and skills contained in the profession that must be certified.
The steps used for the development of the examination were as follows:

1. analyze the responsibility of the Project Manager Professional;
2. specify a plan for testing;
3. write, revise, referencing and validation of applications;
4. put together the examination;
5. settle the score of passing the exam.

The main purpose of certification is to validate a trade that protect all who are involved in it or using the products and services resulting from it, is essential therefore, that a certificate is trustworthy. For this reason, the tests are designed to measure what currently happens in reality.

During the definition of the criteria for PMP ® certification the first step was to delineate the boundaries of the profession of Project Manager. First it was defined the scope of action by means of performance domains, and thereafter were identified and validated the responsibility of the Project Manager through a survey that involved the Project Manager of the United States and other nations.

For each domain through the survey were defined importance than the others, significant knowledge contained in it and the number of questions pertaining to each domain. To date, the distribution of applications for each domain is shown in the table below.
  
The PMBOK ® is recognized by the community of the Project Manager as the global standard. It 's the point of reference for anyone who approaches the profession of Project Management and should be used to understand the knowledge needed to carry the domains described in the Role Delineation Study.
The Role Delineation Study defines the profession in terms of domains of performances, activities that should be carried out within the domain, knowledge and skill necessary to perform the tasks.

The language

When you register, you can also choose to have the translation of the questions in Italian.
Performing this choice questions will be in English but would further build on the translation into Italian. Particularly for those who decide to take the exam online, it will be possible at any time, via the GUI, go to the window with the translation into Italian. But we must remember that, in case of uncertain interpretation, we must always refer to the original English version.

The context of the  examination must be addressed imagining being in a context of a project running and taking into account some assumptions:

• Are there any historical information.
• The costs and project schedule can not be finalized if you have not done the risk analysis.
• The Project Manager works in a system and in a corporate culture already formed (Enterprise environmental factors) policy supported by Project Management.
• The word task and the term Gantt Chart / PERT should not be used.
• The Project Manager has the authority and powers defined by a matrix organization balanced.
• The project plan is approved and shared by all.
• The stakeholders are identified and involved at the outset of the project.
• The roles and resolvability are clearly defined.
• The WBS is the foundation of the project.
• The change is made according to the dictates of a Change Management process.
• The constraints have to manage scope, time, cost, quality, risk and customer satisfaction.
• The Project Manager provides guidance to the organization in which it operates in relation to the improvement of standards, policies and processes.
•  The organizational context in which it operates is that of a matrix Balanced / strong.
• Self-certification and trust are the basis of the relationship between the PM and the stakeholders, if something changes is to be found in the context.
• The reports are TRUSTED.

The reference texts

• Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK® Guide), Fourth Edition, – PMI®
• Earned Value Project Management, Second Edition
• Project Procurement Management: Contracting, Subcontracting,
• Human Resource Skills for the Project Manager
• Principles of Project Management
• Project and Program Risk Management
• Project Management Experience and Knowledge Self-Assessment Manual – PMI®
• Project Management Professional PMP® Role Delineation Study – PMI®
• Project Management, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 9th Edition
• PMP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition
• PMP Exam Practice Test and Study Guide Fifth Edition