Which PMP exam simulator is the best?

[GARNET]

I want to buy a Question bank / Exam simulator to aid my preparation for PMP examination. I want to know which one is best of all.
The criteria can be, which of them presents questions closer to the actual examination in terms of complexity.

I hear that there are some straight forward definition type questions and some are with a case study (What do you do, if..) type questions.

PMBOK being at a higher level of presentation, what is the depth of knowledge expected in the exam? Eample: Are there questions on sampling from Quality management?. If the exam simulator presents questions of adequate complexity and in all areas, it would help me know where I stand and how much extra effort is required from me.

Here are the choices.

1. RMC Fast track
2. PMP challenge from PMI
3. Project Management IQ From IIL.com
4. Any other one.

Your advice is much appreciated.

 

[jbaugh]

Garnet,

How in depth a particular knowledge area will be covered really depends on the luck of the draw for your question set from the PMI pool. Most of the objective questions, EVM, critical path, etc. are well served with prep exam SW, but the bulk of my draw were situational questions that practical experience and knowledge of the PMI guidelines helped me to work out. Without violating the NDA, I can't be more specific than that. I took the RMC prep class and used the RMC prep exam CD, but only after some extensive self-study and plenty of OJT. The RMC package was effective for me to help concentrate my final preparation time before the exam, but be aware that due to the limited number of questions in just about every prep exam that I have seen, and I have seen a lot of them for different certs, the rote factor will creep in pretty quick, and can give you a false sense of complacency.

Good Luck,

Joe

Joseph B. Baugh, PMP, CCSE, CUE, CCDA, CCNA
Network Services Manager
Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services, Inc.
phone: 520.586.5111 fax: 520.586.5332

 

[e1]

Pls read the discussion files of PMPcert@yahoogroups.com.
This has been discussed again and again.

 

[ponderworks]

Totally agree with Jbaugh. RMC is good as is IIL though IIL is much more expensive. Just don't become lulled into thinking you'll do well because you are scoring well on the practice exams. I highly recommend taking a full practice exam several times prior to going to sit for the real one. But as was said, your test will not be the same as someone elses. I also went to a Bill Duncan prep class and found it quite helpful as well.

Good luck!

 

[GARNET]

Thank you folks. I am buying RMC Fast Track. I am scheduling my exam date for May 10th. Planning to take a week off just before the examination. Hope everything goes well.

I have read PMBOK couple of times. I have identified my week areas such as HR. I have to put some extra effort between now and the exam date.
Thanks again.

 

[GARNET]

I purchased RMC Fast Track. It has a great collection of questions. It is making me think about concepts in addition to just reading just concepts in PMBOK.

I am not able to accept some answers. Intuitively, the explanation does not sound correct. I am learning many new things no doubt. But, some answers are difficult to accept without a proper reason. I am not trying to be rigid. I do not know how better to explain this problem.

There seems tobe a confidentiality issue as to publish the exact question and debate the answer. RMC does not have forum to support those who have bought their CD.
I am sure many of you may have gone through this issue. I am studying alone. What is best way around?

 

[ponderworks]

As you may be aware, there are a great many PM forums around. RMC herself occaisionally comes in to Tek Tips. You can always start a thread here if you want or start a more generic one on PM Practices. In truth, I experienced the same thing. Rita herself will tell you at the beginning of the book that to pass the exam, it helps to understand and stick with the PMI philosophy. We all know that in the real world, "it all depends".

So don't get too thrown by the stuff that you can't always reason out. Your own experiences will interact with what you learn to give you the right answer in real life. But for the exam, stick with the PMI gospel.

 

[elizabeth]

Personally I see no value in debating the answer. You get points on the exam for getting what the exam-writers consider the right answer, not for debating.

In RMC's prep class she mentioned that she only missed one question when she took the exam, and she's been involved with writing exam questions, so she knows how the exam-writers are viewing these things. I found the most helpful studying approach was to accept her answer and then try to figure out why it was considered the best answer by re-reading the appropriate sections in the book. This is a useful exercise because a PM does need to be able to backwards-engineer other people's mental frames to figure out what works for a given group or environment.

On the other hand, some excellent study guides I've seen (not for PMP Prep) have included material that explained why each possible answer was right or wrong. If RMC's prep material had that feature, it would have saved me even more study time.

 

[jbaugh]

Elizabeth,

Did you get the recent survey from RMC? Rita was asking for improvements that she could make to the Prep Course and I couldn't think of anything to add to it. Your idea about having some explanatory material, i.e.: "On the other hand, some excellent study guides I've seen (not for PMP Prep) have included material that explained why each possible answer was right or wrong. If RMC's prep material had that feature, it would have saved me even more study time." is a great one.
I am fairly sure (+- 20%) that the situational questions I missed were because I filtered them through my personal real-world experience and did not consider them adequately through the application of the PMBOK concepts. Elizabeth makes a good point, so keep this in mind, Garnet, when you are taking your test on May 10. Don't let your real world filters lead you astray, as they so easily can.

Joe

Joseph B. Baugh, PMP, CCSE, CUE, CCNP, CCDA
Network Services Manager
Sierra Southwest Cooperative Services, Inc.

 

[GARNET]

I Passed the PMP exam. Thank you Elizabeth, Joseph Baugh, Ponderworks and others. It is finally over and it is a great relief. As you know, I bought the RMC material (full set).

The material gave me a good base. The practising the tests helped a lot. Most important part is sittng for 4 hours at a stretch.

Some questions were very tough. They make you really think through the concepts. Some EVM questions were very easy. On the whole, you need more knowledge than experience and PMBOK together to pass the exam.

 

[elizabeth]

Joe, yes I did respond to RMC. I'm practically incapable of letting an opportunity for feedback pass me by! (-: