While speaking with aspiring PMPs, one of the big concerns that I came to know recently is the difficulty in writing the 49 processes cutting across the 5 process groups and 10 knowledge areas.
The PMP® exam has gone online since April, 2020. You can read the more about online proctored exam in the below two posts.
Many candidate PMPs write down the 49 processes while giving the exam. But they use the pen/pencil with paper and eraser - usally the case for the traditional center-based exam. Of course, with pen and scratch paper it’s easy to write. Because that’s how we all have learned and practiced throughout our lives. But you can do as easily, if not more, with the online board. The 49 processes set the heartbeat of the PMBOK® Guide, 6th edition and an aspiring PMP needs to have a very good understanding of how they interact with each other. While preparing for the PMP exam in a short duration, it’s difficult to remember all of them and becomes more difficult when you try to answer the situational questions by recalling the processes. It’s natural. Hence, many write it down, revisit and recollect these processes, while answering the questions. In this post you will learn how to write down the processes in just 7 minutes. This video is taken from PMP Live Lessons course. Exhaustive set of videos, e.g., how to write down the formulas, how to solve formula based questions on the whiteboard, how to use the calculator, how to solve critical path questions, among many others, are part of this course. With more practice, you can do it even in 5 minutes. This video explains how to write down all the following ones in 7 minutes:
All 5 process groups,
All 10 knowledge areas,
All 49 processes.
Video: How to Write Down the PMBOK 49 Processes in 7 minutes? In this video, I’m showing how to draw the 49 processes in 7 minutes. When you do it the first time, it may take you 15 minutes or more. With subsequent practices, it will easily come down to 7 minutes. Of course, you have to know what the processes are! [Video duration - 10m:24s]
Few Tips and Notes Below are some of the tips and notes. Exhaustive sets of tips and notes - all in video format - are part of PMP Live Lessons.
Don’t use the “Clear” button given in the bottom of the board. This will wipe-out everything you have written on the board. This command button is shown in the below image. If mistakenly you have hit this icon/button, then use the “Undo” button, placed just above, to reverse your action.
Don’t use the “Undo” and/or “Redo” button if you have a chain of commands used sequentially. In such a case, it will remove all the items you have drawn or written on the board. If it's a single command you have entered, then yes, you can use the commands. You can see both these command buttons in the below image.
Be very familiar with all the command buttons. Check each and every icon button on the whiteboard and know what they do.
While using the “Pan” button, have a single strategy and stick to it. The pan command button is shown in the below image. One of the buttons that you are going to use a lot on the whiteboard is the “Pan” button. While using it – have a strategy on its movement, i.e., either left to right or top to bottom. Whichever you want to pan, stick to that approach. Otherwise, you will be confused in the exam.
I believe this post, the video and tips, will help you to prepare the PMP Online Proctored Exam. If you are reading this post, wish you all the best for your exam. References:
This article is in continuation of the previous one: PMI Online Proctored Exams - How to Take it Step by Step? You need to go through the set of steps, notes and tips mentioned in the above linked article, before going through the videos. These videos are primarily taken from PMP Live Lessons – Guaranteed Pass. Exhaustive set of videos on how to take the online procotored exam, how to use the whiteboard, how to use the calculator, a number of tips (including the ones which can completely wipe-out your notes!), among many others, are available in PMP Live Lessons course. Though these videos are primarily a subset of videos from PMP Live Lessons, the content of these videos will be applicable for all PMI related exams - PMP, CAPM, ACP and PBA, which can now be taken in online protored mode. The reason I decided to publish the videos are noted below.
There is still a lot of fear in taking the online proctored test, the main reason being there are few such experiences available.
In some countries one may never have a reliable power connection. The connection can go down at any time and this may last for hours and sometimes the entire day or days. India has this problem - even in big cities. You have to make arrangement(s) to circumvent this problem. Because, without a realiable power connection, you can't have a reliable internet/online connection.
Unfamiliarity with the tools such as Whiteboard. In the proctored exam, you can’t use any pen, pencil or paper. You have to write down everything digitally. Of course, writing on pen and paper is somewhat easier compared to whiteboard. But with sufficient practice, you won’t feel the difference at all.
The videos explain the steps needed for the PMI related exam in a sequence of simplified eleven steps. There are three videos in this post.
PMI Online Proctored Exam in 11 Steps (Overview).wmv [Duration: 5m:09s]
Video - 1: Overview of PMI Online Proctored Exam This video gives the overview of the proctored exam in 11 steps. These steps entail - payment for the exam, scheduling your exam, having proper system and settings, running a system test, having familiarity with the online tools, the process of self-check-in till you complete the exam and see the result as a successful PMP, CAPM, ACP or PBA. First go through this video to have the overview on what you are going to know [Duration: 5m:09s]. For best experience, you may want to go full screen in HD mode and plug-in your earphones or headphones.
Video - 2: Simplified Steps for PMI Online Proctored Exam – Part 1 This video explains the first six steps in a plain way. I’ve considered myself and what I would do, if I were to take the exam. The steps are:
Step – 1: Make your payment to PMI.
Step – 2: Schedule your exam.
Step – 3: Ensure to have a proper system and settings.
Step – 4: Run a System Test few days before the exam.
Step – 5: Be familiar with the tools such as Calculator, White Board.
Step – 6: Self check-in 30 minutes before the exam day.
Do go through this video [Duration: 14m:08s], before you proceed to the next video.
Video - 3: Simplified Steps for PMI Online Proctored Exam – Part 2 This video explains the final five steps in a plain way. Again, I’ve considered what I would do, if I were to take the exam. The steps are:
Step – 7: Begin the Exam.
Step – 8: Take the 10 minutes Break. (in 3 sub-steps)
Step – 9: Continue with the exam after the break. And Complete the exam.
Step – 10: Exit from the exam.
Step – 11: Celebrate your success.
Important:A mid-exam break is NOT available for shorter duration exams such as CAPM and ACP examinations. This break is ONLY applicable for longer duration exams such as PMP and PBA. Hence, if you are going for the ACP or CAPM exam, then you can skip this step, i.e., skip the above "Step – 8: Take the 10 minutes Break". As you go through this video [Duration: 14m:03s], and also the previous videos, pay particular attention to the behaviors which are not considered acceptable and may result in your exam termination. It may also result in invalidating your exam score, even though you have passed the exam.
The online proctored exam is here to stay as the world continues to grapple with the Covid19 virus crisis. In other words, you can continue to take the exam this year and in future years. Hence, it’s a good idea to know the steps – applicable for all the PMI related certifications such as PMP, CAPM, ACP and PBA. I believe with these videos, you will get a much better understanding on how to take the exam in Online Proctored Mode and feel more confident to go with this mode. If you are taking any of the above exams, good luck and wish you all the very best.
The Project Management Institute (PMI®) has started offering the online proctored exams over a couple of months before. Hence, you can go for either:
Traditional Center Based examination, or
Online Proctored examination
A proctor is an individual who actively monitors test-takers during exams. The proctor does it via the webcam and microphone. Specifically, the online proctored version for the PMP exam has been introduced since April, 2020. The below steps for the online proctored exams are applicable (so far) for:
Project Management Professional (PMP®) examination
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) examination
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP®) examination
Professional in Business Analysis (PBA®) examination
The steps are divided into three broad levels.
Before PMI Online Proctored Exam
During PMI Online Proctored Exam
After PMI Online Proctored Exam
Since 2008, whenever I speak at an event related to the exams or take management classes, I’ve divided the exams into the above three sections. Hence, in this case too, I'm taking the same approach. If you are going for the online proctored exams, go through all the ones mentioned below. The content of this article is primarily taken from PMP Live Lessons, PMP 35 Contact Hours Online Course, and Various PMI Exam Prep Books. While preparing the content, I’ve referred to the resources from PMI, PearsonVUE® and feedback from successful PMPs, ACPs, CAPMs. Also, as I speak with many aspiring credential holders, their inputs and pain-points have been considered. Thank you everyone for giving your inputs. Without your inputs and feedback, it would not have been possible. Now, let's check the details in each of the above broad level steps. I. Before PMI Online Proctored Exam 1.Take the pre-requisite training related to PMP, CAPM, ACP or PBA exam. 2.Make your payment to PMI. PMI emphasizes it. Without payment you can’t schedule the exam or seat in the exam. Also, without payment, you are unlikely to be serious for the exam. 3.Schedule your exam. You can schedule your exam by going to: Login to “https://pmi.org” site and go to "Review Application Status" under “myPMI” tab. Click "Schedule Exam". It will direct you to PearsonVUE site for the online exam. You can also directly login from PearsonVUE site to schedule your exam. 4. Ensure to have a proper system and settings. Ensure to have proper Windows OS (10, 8.1) or MacOS (10.13 or above). Do NOT use Windows Vista, XP, or 7 or Linux/Unix. 5. Use the latest Chrome, Safari, Mozilla, Edge or any other browser. Enable internet cookies. Many forget to do so. 6. You must have these:
A reliable internet connection.
A reliable webcam with microphone.
A mouse. Use a USB connector mouse. Do NOT use an optical mouse.
Reliable power connection.
A quiet and undisturbed place. No one should enter your room during the exam, else the exam will be terminated.
7. Run a System Test a few days before the exam. Download the OnVUE online proctoring software from PearsonVUE. As you run the software, it will ask you to kill the non-essential applications. 8. Be familiar with the Calculator, White Board etc. These are available on the exam screen. Most likely they will be on the upper part of your exam screen. A whiteboard overview is available at: https://home.pearsonvue.com/op/online-proctored-whiteboard-overview 9. Online calculators may not be similar to the digital calculators available in your operating systems such as Windows or Mac. They may be different. Calculator Guide: https://home.pearsonvue.com/Clients/ASNT/ASNT_Calculator_Guide.aspx 10. The online exam asks for a self-check-in process, which happens just before beginning the exam. 11. Self-check-in 30 minutes before the exam day. To self-check-in, go to: “https://pmi.org” -- “Certifications” tab -- “Apply Now”. This will show you the "Certification Program Overview" page. Here you will have to click "Begin Exam". The "Begin Exam" link - available 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. 12. During self-check-in, you will be prompted to take: your headshot photo, photo of your identification or ID (such as driving license, passport, national ID card etc.; these should be original documents), photos of your surroundings, i.e., front, back, left, and right. 13. Ensure to take a photo for the "access code", a numeric code. This code is the only way for you to get back in the exam if you are logged out, computer crashes, freezes etc. 14. Self-check-in typically takes 15 minutes,ONLY ifyou have completed your system test before. 15. A tutorial will be there at the beginning to know the functionalities available on your screen such as Calculator, White Board. If you want, go through it. 16. Don’t take anything into the room. Don't take pen, pencils, paper, writing material or equipment, mobile phones, and watch. 17. Don't eat, drink, chew, or speak during the exam. Your exam may be terminated due to it. 18. You can have water with you. However, just confirm it with the proctor. 19. Before entering the exam space (room), you can have a look at “PMP/CAPM/ACP Formula Gold Cards”. This you can download and take a print-out. These formula gold cards are part of all my courses and books – PMP, CAPM, ACP or other. II. During PMI Online Proctored Exam The below notes are to be followed while you are during the exam, i.e., within the four-hour duration. 1. After self-check-in and the tutorial, the exam will begin. You have to confirm that you are ready to start the exam. The proctor will initiate the exam. 2. Write down the formulas that you couldn’t remember, only after the exam starts. This you can do on the whiteboard and drag to your left or your right (i.e., panning) so that you have enough space to write further. You are unlikely to forget everything, but some you may not remember. Write only those down. It will take a few minutes of your time. 3. If you need to write down the process sequence flows, you can also write them down with shortened words on the exam whiteboard. Again, you should do this only after the exam starts. It will take a few minutes of your time, if you can afford it. 4. As your exam begins, all your actions will be recorded henceforth. Your system (laptop or desktop) will be locked in. 5. During the exam, don't make sounds or noises. Don't cover your face with your hands. Don't move your head away from the webcam. 6. After 89-90 questions, you will be prompted to take the break. The break is optional. ***Important Note***: This break is NOT available for shorter duration exams such as CAPM and ACP examinations. This break is ONLY applicable for longer duration exams such as PMP and PBA. 7. Before taking the break, review all the questions you have marked and submit. You won’t get a second chance to review. So, do not think about it later. 8. During the break, go out, stretch your legs, have your food and/or drink. Come back before the completion of the 10 minutes break or your exam will be terminated. Inform the proctor and proceed with the next part of your exam. 9. Complete from the exam. Take all questions. There is no negative marking. 10. You can use both the calculator and white-board together during the exam. 11. Review the remaining questions before completing or submitting your selected choices. If you have marked any questions, you can decide to select those only to be reviewed. 12. After you have completed your exam, you will be asked to take an optional survey. Next, your result will flash on the screen. It will say “CONGRATULATIONS…”. 13. Close the application and ONLY THEN leave the webcam. Don’t leave the application and webcam till you have completed your work. Your exam will be considered invalid, even though you have completed the exam. 14.After the exam is over, you may be somewhat exhausted or tired. It’s natural. You have been sitting at one place for around or over 4 hours now. Relax and take a small rest.
III. After PMI Online Proctored Exam 1. Check various sites on your result. It will be available on the PMI’s online registry. You may receive congratulation emails from PMI. 2. You are certified PMP, CAPM, ACP or PBA now. Celebrate your success. Reward yourself. 3. Follow the other tips and notes mentioned for the “Traditional Center-Based” Exam, except the ones which are solely applicable to online. They are clearly noted in my previusly mentioned book and courses. Finally, as mentioned earlier, these steps, notes and tips are based on inputs from many test takers. I had taken the exams long back in traditional center-based mode. There may be small variations in aforementioned steps for online proctored mode. So, while I expect the steps to be similar, the final exam experience will be yours. References: [1] PMP Live Lessons - Guaranteed Pass or Your Money Back, by Satya Narayan Dash [2] PMP Online 35 Contact Hours with MoneyBack Guarantee, by Satya Narayan Dash [3] I Want To Be A PMP - The Plain and Simple Way, 2nd Edition, by Satya Narayan Dash
