How I Spot the Right PMP Answer in Seconds (After Solving Thousands of Questions)

Summary

In this video, Muhammad, a personal PMP coach from Certified with Ease, explains key keywords for the PMP exam that can guide candidates toward correct answers. He emphasizes the importance of understanding principles and logic over memorization, highlighting keywords like 'engage,' 'collaborate,' and 'analyze' that align with project management concepts. Muhammad also covers common incorrect answer indicators, such as 'delay' and 'escalate,' and stresses the importance of servant leadership, planning, and strategic thinking in project management. The video encourages PMP exam candidates to approach questions methodically, using a logical, principle-based approach.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand the importance of keywords in the PMP exam – they can often lead you directly to the correct answer.
• 😀 The PMP exam follows a pattern, and focusing on principles and logic is more effective than memorization.
• 😀 The PMP Accelerator course is designed for busy professionals (like parents or 9-to-5 workers) to get certified in just 30 days by studying 30 minutes a day.
• 😀 Collaboration and engagement are crucial keywords to look out for, indicating a need for involving and discussing with stakeholders and the team.
• 😀 Key keywords related to collaboration include 'engage', 'discuss', 'consult', and 'involve', which all align with principle number one: take a step back, assess the situation, and engage.
• 😀 'Analyze', 'evaluate', 'assess', and 'investigate' are critical keywords for scenarios requiring evaluation and information gathering, linking back to principle number one.
• 😀 Adaptability and flexibility are vital in project management, with the keyword 'align' being central for ensuring stakeholders and objectives are on the same page.
• 😀 Servant leadership is a core concept, focusing on supporting, guiding, and coaching the team rather than micromanaging or demanding results.
• 😀 In planning and strategic thinking, identifying, defining, and prioritizing issues are essential to effectively solve problems in the project.
• 😀 Avoid keywords like 'delay', 'postpone', or 'wait' as they signal issues that should be handled promptly to avoid project setbacks.
• 😀 Inappropriate keywords like 'demand', 'replace', or 'fire' should be avoided, as the focus should always be on support, assessment, and servant leadership, not micromanaging or firing team members.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video presented by Muhammad?

The main focus of the video is to discuss fundamental keywords that could appear in the PMP exam, which will help candidates to better understand and approach questions during the exam.

What is the significance of principle number one in the PMP exam?

Principle number one emphasizes the importance of taking a step back to assess a situation before jumping to conclusions. It helps project managers analyze and evaluate problems, engage stakeholders, and collect necessary information before moving forward.

How does the PMP exam focus on logic and principles instead of memorization?

The PMP exam focuses on understanding concepts, logic, and principles rather than rote memorization. By applying these principles in a logical, step-by-step manner, candidates can effectively solve problems and answer questions.

Why is stakeholder engagement an important keyword in the PMP exam?

Stakeholder engagement is crucial because it involves actively participating with stakeholders, understanding their needs, and ensuring their alignment with the project objectives. Keywords like 'engage', 'collaborate', 'involve', and 'consult' are often associated with this concept in the exam.

What is the role of analysis and evaluation in PMP exam questions?

Analysis and evaluation are key to understanding problems in the PMP exam. Keywords like 'assess', 'analyze', 'evaluate', and 'investigate' indicate situations where the project manager must analyze the situation, gather more information, and make informed decisions.

What are the common keywords associated with adaptability and flexibility in the PMP exam?

The most common keyword associated with adaptability and flexibility in the PMP exam is 'align'. Other keywords that might appear are 'adapt' and 'tailor', which indicate the need to adjust strategies or plans based on the situation.

What are the keywords associated with servant leadership in the PMP exam?

Keywords related to servant leadership include 'support', 'guide', 'coach', and 'listen'. These keywords reflect the project manager's role in nurturing and motivating their team to grow and perform to the best of their ability.

How do planning and strategic thinking apply to the PMP exam?

Planning and strategic thinking are reflected in keywords like 'identify', 'define', and 'prioritize'. These indicate the project manager's role in identifying root causes, defining problems, and prioritizing tasks, especially in agile projects.

What should a project manager avoid when dealing with delays in the PMP exam?

A project manager should avoid keywords that suggest delays, such as 'wait', 'postpone', and 'delay'. The PMP exam emphasizes proactive problem-solving, so delays should not be seen as an acceptable answer unless there is a valid reason and it is properly managed.

Why is the keyword 'escalate' typically not the best choice in the PMP exam?

'Escalate' is generally not recommended in the PMP exam, as the exam encourages project managers to handle problems at the appropriate level, rather than escalating them prematurely. Escalation is considered a last resort after all other options have been explored.