PMP®& CAPM Exam Preparation and Review

There are three different types of courses available for taking a Certification Exam preparation and review. Each of the course types will have its own set of advantages depending on what works best for the student. Considerations such as work or personal schedules, commutes, and time constraints to get done are a few. Also very important are those variables related to learning comfort and learning style of the student. And another import factor that the student must consider: how much content is expected to be fairly new, and how much is an aggressive review? Those are some things to think about as you look at the course types below.
What works best for you and your goals?

Weeknights & Saturday

2 nights per week (4 weeks) & 1 Saturday

Considerations:
  • Individual does not have the luxury of taking time off from their daily work
  • Works well with evening commute just two nights a week
  • One Saturday is manageable
  • Material may be new to the student
  • Additional time between sessions will aid in deeper learning and memory recall

How it works:
  • Identify the course from list and sign up
  • Meets two evenings a week for three weeks
  • Last course session on Saturday involves practice exams and review
  • Each student will develop a specific individualized Plan of Action (POA) to go "from application to examination

Materials:
  • Project Management Text
  • PMBOK® Guide (5th edition)
  • Instructional presentation materials
  • PMP® Examination Content Outline
  • Additional experience-based PM documents/materials 
Weekends (Two)

Two weekends (plus bonus day)

Considerations:
    • Individual does not have the luxury of taking time off from their daily work
    • Works well with commute
    • One bonus Saturday is optional but also manageable
    • Material may be new to the student
    • Additional time between sessions will aid in deeper learning and memory recall
    • Already prepared, including application in to PMI, and this is final prep before exam
    • Personal schedule in evenings or weekdays won't permit other considerations
    • Material expected to be somewhat familiar from previous training and/or experience

    How it works:
    • Identify the course desired
    • Sign up
    • Course meets two consecutive weekends (both days)
    • Additional Saturday bonus option concentrates on practice exams and review
    • Each student will develop a specific individualized Plan of Action (POA) to go "from application to examination

    Materials:
    • Project Management Text
    • PMBOK® Guide (5th edition)
    • Instructional presentation materials
    • PMP® Examination Content Outline
    • Additional experience-based PM documents/materials

    Five Weekdays

    5 consecutive weekdays


    Considerations:
    • Usually workplace sponsored
    • Time purposely allotted by organization for student training
    • Already prepared, including application in to PMI, and this is final prep before exam
    • Personal schedule in evenings or weekend won't permit other considerations
    • Material expected to be somewhat familiar from previous training and/or experience

    How it works:
    • Identify the course from list and sign up
    • Course meets five weekdays for a single week
    • Last course session on Friday involves practice exams and review
    • Each student will develop a specific individualized Plan of Action (POA) to go "from application to examination

    Materials:
    • Project Management Text
    • PMBOK® Guide (5th edition)
    • Instructional presentation materials
    • PMP® Examination Content Outline
    • Additional experience-based PM documents/materials

    CohortPM

    Semester Schedules with Group-focus


    Considerations:
    • Flexible arrangements works well with work and personal schedule
    • Materials and approach allow for timely approach toward mastery
    • Interest in learning approach involving individual and group learning modes
    • Mutual support and accountability are useful in helping get things done
    • The cohort experience will provide an extended networking opportunity

    How it works:
    • Identify the course from list, sign up
    • Course begins with kickoff meeting in locality designated in course description
    • CohortPM™ members unable to be present will join via online/teleconference option
    • Four specific Saturday sessions with focus on effective and authentic learning 
    • Establishment of cohort expectations and rules of engagement with instructor/group
    • Review study/reading assignment outlines, pacing, and deliverables
    • Establish mutual accountability guidelines to maximize learning opportunity
    • Each student will develop a specific individualized Plan of Action (POA) to go "from application to examination"
    • Final session is a practice question-fest and celebration of accomplished learning

    Materials:
    • Project Management Text
    • PMBOK® Guide (5th edition)
    • Specifically designed instructional handouts
    • PMP® Examination Content Outline
    • Additional experience-based PM documents/materials

    Additional Benefits:
    • Post-course Cohort network
    • CohortPM™ alumni will have ongoing discount privileges within the NCG offerings

    Frequent Questions:

    1. Which course approach is better? 
      The answer depends upon each individual's own personal goals and circumstances. Someone who has the certification application completed, turned in and approved, and who has mastered the material already, will find the five-day compressed time frame probably best for their purposes. However, those who have not mastered the material will be wise to consider what works best with respect to really learning the material and mastering content over the extra period of time that several weeks has to offer. "Too much, too fast, won't last!" is a saying consistent with how our brains really work in the area of learning. Brutal memorization efforts and the reliance on "tricks" usually do not have a lasting effect beyond the immediate.
    2. Is there a price difference? 
      No. But there could ultimately be a value-realization difference, if the student candidate does not seriously consider what their best option is for the purpose of authentic learning and meeting the expectation of practical application back in their work place.
    3. How does the instructor's role differ between options? 
      The instructor's role is to provide quality instruction, adapt to the dynamic that each group of students inevitably bring to their instructional group, and work to enable each student in their learning. Treating students as though part of a production line process is part of the industrial model of education from last century. To respect each student in view of their individual learning strengths and styles, necessitates some degree of acknowledgement and adaptability on the part of the instructor.
    Some important small print:
    The designations “PMP®”, “CAPM®”, “PMBOK® Guide”, or “PMI®” are cited as needed throughout the session. Please note that the designations PMI, PMP, CAPM, and PMBOK as cited are registered marks of the Project Management Institute Inc.

    The designations “BasicPM” and  “CohortPM” are trademarks of Northpoint Consulting Group, LLC.

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