PMP - Project Management Certification

[babysham]

Has anyone here done their PMP? Can anyone direct me to some links or information on what schools in the Toronto area offer this, how long it takes, how much it is?

For the people that have done it, what are your thoughts on it? Are some schools better than others, or are they all basically the same thing?

Thanks.

[bionicbadger]

The hours doing Project Management are the hardest thing about that qualification. If you have the hours or close to it, then write the test, otherwise its kind of pointless...

[babysham]

How many hours does it take?

[curtis]

Look up the Project Management Institute.

www.pmi.org or maybe it was pmi.com

It's all on their webpage. You won't be getting it if you're a fresh grad.

How many hours does it take?

[gnunn]

I did it back in March, like Curtis said they have specific requirements in that you must have 4500 hours of project management experience with at least 3 years of experience in the last six years. You also need 35 hours of project management training. This is if you have a university degree, the requirements are higher if you don't.

If you have the requisite experience then the PMP test is not that hard, I wouldn't waste my money on a prep class unless you need the 35 hours of training to meet the education requirement. Get the PMP handbook along with one or two of the other available books and work your way through them. You can sign up for simulated tests at a variety of sources and this is a good way to assess if your ready to write the main test.

The main test is done at a Prometric facility and consists of 200 multiple choice questions that you have four hours to answer. The passing grade is 67% I believe.

Finally, note the requirements and test are changing substantially after September and it will be more difficult to meet the eligibility criteria. The test will also require a higher passing grade as well.

The cost to do the test is between $600-$800 as I recall.

[commie]

This certification is another of those certs that while it looks good on your wall, practically its not much use if you don't have the industry experience.

don't even bother writing the exam if you do not have the prerequiste project management experience.
This is not one of those certs where you try to get and get a job in the field..
you should already be in the field before pursuing the cert.

[gravCY]

I'm curious as to how much a PM make nowadays?

Am i correct in saying that the skills one learn as a PM is transferable between different industries?

[HughG]

im curious to this as well.

anyone ?

[gnunn]

Well in IT, in my experience, PM's usually make between $70K to low six figures depending on experience and reputation. In theory PM knowledge is industry transferable but in practice once you gain the domain knowledge for a specific industry you tend to be much more valuable in that industry and able to work at higher levels. You won't see a a high level IT PM move over to a similar position in construction, rather he would probably be starting near the bottom again.

[MrDisco]

This is not one of those certs where you try to get and get a job in the field..
you should already be in the field before pursuing the cert.

due to the required hours needed for real world project experience it pretty much reduces if not eliminates the paper-mcse syndrome.

[mbg]

I think there is a new test coming in a month or so which will require more hours of experience.

Also, I don't think the hours worked have to be project MANAGEMENT experience. I think they can be hours worked within the context of an organized project (as a project team member).

And, if you don't have a UNIVERSITY degree (college diplomas not included), you need MORE than 4500 hours of experience. I think it's about 7500 hours.

[mbg]

Out of the PMP-certified project managers I have worked with (3), 2 were garbage and 1 was pretty good.

One of the PMP-certified project managers even told me that he does not believe in project plans!! Almost a year later, the project subsequently crashed and burned and was cancelled.

[sptembergurl]

Ok, I am currently just about to write my PMP exam so I can probably help you out a bit.

First off, I had to get 4500 in course credit hours to qualify. I took 7 online courses via ESI international. The company that I currently work for is affiliated with them, so I didn't have to pay a cent, however these courses are approximately 1000.00 US each. Try to get your current employer to pay for them if you can. If you take 7 courses, you get your Project Management Mastery Certificate. Taking all 7 is not a requirement to write your PMP though.

So yes, it's true, the exam regulations are changing. Currently, the pass rate is 70%. At the end of September this will be changed to 80%. The exam costs approx $500 US and contains 200 multiple choice questions. You have 4 hours to complete it via a computer in a PMI centre. They have one in Toronto.

Before you write the PMP exam, you must first fill out a lengthy application which makes you list a lot of your PM working history. It's a pain in the butt to fill out, but you have no choice.

If you have any further questions, please let me know. I will help you.
Wish me luck too ok?!

Good luck to you! It's worth getting if you can.

-Sptembergurl

[guest10586]

PMP -> Pimp Certification? :D

[mbg]

Ok, I am currently just about to write my PMP exam so I can probably help you out a bit.

First off, I had to get 4500 in course credit hours to qualify. I took 7 online courses via ESI international. The company that I currently work for is affiliated with them, so I didn't have to pay a cent, however these courses are approximately 1000.00 US each. Try to get your current employer to pay for them if you can. If you take 7 courses, you get your Project Management Mastery Certificate. Taking all 7 is not a requirement to write your PMP though.

So yes, it's true, the exam regulations are changing. Currently, the pass rate is 70%. At the end of September this will be changed to 80%. The exam costs approx $500 US and contains 200 multiple choice questions. You have 4 hours to complete it via a computer in a PMI centre. They have one in Toronto.

Before you write the PMP exam, you must first fill out a lengthy application which makes you list a lot of your PM working history. It's a pain in the butt to fill out, but you have no choice.

If you have any further questions, please let me know. I will help you.
Wish me luck too ok?!

Good luck to you! It's worth getting if you can.

-Sptembergurl

One approach some people are taking to avoid the new test requirements is to register to take the current test before the deadline with the expectation that they will fail. I think that upon failing you then have a year or so to rewrite the OLD test with the OLD requirements, thereby avoiding the new test and new requirements.

[Sylvestre]

in the engineering consulting & construction industry it's very very common to see PMPs. (along w/ P.Eng's who have CofAs). As others have said, it relies very very heavily on actual experience so if you aren't close, get that covered first and leave the tests etc.
Most of the ppl I've worked with who have it got it more because they qualified for it and letters usually help - not because it was something they aspired to.
It is quite well respected (don't remember which institute is which but between the two, it's recognized internationally).

[mbg]

in the engineering consulting & construction industry it's very very common to see PMPs. (along w/ P.Eng's who have CofAs). As others have said, it relies very very heavily on actual experience so if you aren't close, get that covered first and leave the tests etc.
Most of the ppl I've worked with who have it got it more because they qualified for it and letters usually help - not because it was something they aspired to.
It is quite well respected (don't remember which institute is which but between the two, it's recognized internationally).

Sptembergurl seems to indicate that you can replace the experience hours with classroom education, which doesn't make sense to me. You simply can't internalize enough about project management from a book alone.

[babysham]

Hey, thanks for all the info. There is a wealth of information on this forum.

I have recently graduated (been out of school for a year), and have nowhere close to the 4500 hours of project management experience. Although I work on large projects on a daily basis, I might as well wait a while and get some more experience under my belt before I decide to write the test. Based on some of the replies, it seems like I will get more value out of it that way.

To answer someone's question on how much PM's make; I guess it depends on the field/industry you work in. I work at the Marketing Department for a major financial institution and the PM's on my floor are making minimun 70K/year.

[sptembergurl]

Sptembergurl seems to indicate that you can replace the experience hours with classroom education, which doesn't make sense to me. You simply can't internalize enough about project management from a book alone.

No no, I have over 3 years experience working in PM. I did the extra education hours because it was free since my company paid for it. I definitely agree that books do not cover experience! I learned so much from hands-on experiences more than anything. The only thing is, to apply for the PM exam, it is a requirement that you have formal education in PM. So even if books do not help, you need some credits behind you prior to writing the exam. That's the rule.
Thanks,
Sptembergurl

[sptembergurl]

One approach some people are taking to avoid the new test requirements is to register to take the current test before the deadline with the expectation that they will fail. I think that upon failing you then have a year or so to rewrite the OLD test with the OLD requirements, thereby avoiding the new test and new requirements.

Unfortunatley, the future PMI exam writers took up almost all of the spots for September. I have to write mine in Hamilton b/c the Toronto locations have been booked.

Therefore, you are pretty much out of luck if you want to write in September for a 70%.

[Sylvestre]

from the bit I know as well (correct me if I'm wrong), the 4500 hrs usually equates to about 3 yrs of work experience. I remember talking to one guy who said that number came from the assumption that if someone works approx. 75% of their job doing PM stuff, they will get the 4500hrs in 3 yrs.

if it is something you are seriously interested in, don't worry about fast-tracking or anything. just go along and when you are ready, go for it. Getting some fancy letters without actual experience is worthless 90% of the time.

[sptembergurl]

Yes, I can't remember how many hours you need for education. It's definitely NOT 4500, that's the working portion. I think the education is approx 60 hours if I recall.

Yes, do NOT rush it. It's not a good idea. When you are ready, then take it. You won't want to blow 500 US just because you want to meet a deadline.

Cheers,

Sptembergurl

[Shaf]

I took and passed my PMP exam on June 25th. It's not that difficult. The hardest part I found was accumulating the hours, filling in the long application form and now earning PDU's to keep the certification.

The exam was 4 hours long, I was out in exactly 2. Some exam tips that helped me:

Read the PMBOK at least once.
I used the PMP Preb book by Rita Mulcahy (I highly recommend this book). I read it twice from cover to cover.
Write all your formulas and all 39 processes on a braindump sheet of paper. When you get to the exam write all this info first on the scrap paper provided so that you can feel relaxed and refer to it later.
Here's a link to a forum for PMP's - http://forums.pmpcert.net/

Good luck and let me know if you any specfic questions and I'll try and help.

[sptembergurl]

I just thought I'd follow-up on this as I am a happy camper today!

I passed my PMP exam yesterday!! Yippie!

I wouldn't say it's easy as I had never used formal PM processes in my job before so the content was new. Regardless, I passed and I also got a new job on Friday! Life is grand:)

If anyone here is thinking of doing their PMP and want advice on courses, requirements, the test, etc., please do not hesitate to ask.

-Sptembergurl

[wushumasterku]

seems like the next popular cert.
many coworkers are getting it.

[Bincent]

I'm going to be writing mine on Sept 18th.

Wish me luck everyone... I haven't hardly had enough to study as much as I would have liked to. Just crossing my fingers and hoping that all goes well. :)

[sammyman]

I did it back in March, like Curtis said they have specific requirements in that you must have 4500 hours of project management experience with at least 3 years of experience in the last six years. You also need 35 hours of project management training. This is if you have a university degree, the requirements are higher if you don't.

If you have the requisite experience then the PMP test is not that hard, I wouldn't waste my money on a prep class unless you need the 35 hours of training to meet the education requirement. Get the PMP handbook along with one or two of the other available books and work your way through them. You can sign up for simulated tests at a variety of sources and this is a good way to assess if your ready to write the main test.

The main test is done at a Prometric facility and consists of 200 multiple choice questions that you have four hours to answer. The passing grade is 67% I believe.

Finally, note the requirements and test are changing substantially after September and it will be more difficult to meet the eligibility criteria. The test will also require a higher passing grade as well.

The cost to do the test is between $600-$800 as I recall.


I believe a bechelor degree or international equivalent degree is required.
I am guessing those who graduated from High-school and worked as PM for many years still won't be eligible for PMP.

[Shaf]

I just thought I'd follow-up on this as I am a happy camper today!

I passed my PMP exam yesterday!! Yippie!

I wouldn't say it's easy as I had never used formal PM processes in my job before so the content was new. Regardless, I passed and I also got a new job on Friday! Life is grand:)

If anyone here is thinking of doing their PMP and want advice on courses, requirements, the test, etc., please do not hesitate to ask.

-Sptembergurl

Congratulations and welcome to the club!!

[Final Lazy]

A PM at Tridel or similar construction development firms makes around $140,000CAD per year.

You'll probably need at least 10 years of construction PM exp before you can see that kind of salary. The actual work can be stressful and your decisions will be critical, but then which highly paid/respected profession is not stressful and have no critical decisions to be made?

[sptembergurl]

A PM at Tridel or similar construction development firms makes around $140,000CAD per year.

You'll probably need at least 10 years of construction PM exp before you can see that kind of salary. The actual work can be stressful and your decisions will be critical, but then which highly paid/respected profession is not stressful and have no critical decisions to be made?

Yes, it's definitely a stressful job. I have done it for 3 years now and there are times when you want to just break down and cry but at the same time, it's so rewarding when things go well. It's not a thankless job at all, but you basically you are the one who everyone looks to when things go wrong so you need the right personality. I started off as a softie/pushover, but after a few years in the role, I have learned to become assertive. People take you more seriously. It's hard when you are the type of person who wants everyone to like you. I struggled with that.

[Bincent]

Just passed this Sunday :cheesygri

I have to say that was the most stressful 10 seconds of my life when the computer was processing my mark. :|

Anyways, now that I've got my PMP, what other designations can I go for - assuming that it is related to Project Management or the IT field?

[sptembergurl]

Just passed this Sunday :cheesygri

I have to say that was the most stressful 10 seconds of my life when the computer was processing my mark. :|

Anyways, now that I've got my PMP, what other designations can I go for - assuming that it is related to Project Management or the IT field?

Congratulations! Did you find it challenging?
God I know what you mean about waiting for the processing of the score to take place! I thought I was going to throw up!
Yay for us PMPs!

[Bincent]

Congratulations! Did you find it challenging?
God I know what you mean about waiting for the processing of the score to take place! I thought I was going to throw up!
Yay for us PMPs!

Yeah, it was definitely challenging - so much such that I was doubting if I even passed (haha.. although I ended up with an overall 83%).

Now it's time to upkeep those credits to maintain the designation b/c there is a pretty hefty penalty for not getting enough credits.

Not sure if you've looked at this, but this document was pretty handy.. http://www.pmi.org/info/PDC_CCRHandbook.pdf

[felix]

Isn't this certification pretty new. I wondering how it compares to Comptia Project+ (which i bought the book for but still haven't started studying yet ...)

[siriuskao]

Isn't this certification pretty new. I wondering how it compares to Comptia Project+ (which i bought the book for but still haven't started studying yet ...)

this one is probably way more valuable than comptia stuff. most if not all comptia stuff are very easy and entry-level.

[puff_daddy_58_99]

PMP -> Pimp Certification? :D

ok, good. i thought I was the only one who saw the topic and immediately thought of a PIMP certificate!

[Sylvestre]

congrats all who passed.