7 Criteria for Selecting Your PMP Exam Simulator

The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a must-have for many project managers. It demonstrates your ability as a project manager to your current and prospective employers, and can help you take the next step up the corporate ladder. That said, it is not an easy road, and preparing for the exam can be a time-consuming and stressful business.

As adults, we don't take exams that often. Part of the nerves and stress relating to the PMP exam comes from not knowing what to expect. You can prepare for the exam by revising the material from the knowledge areas of the PMBOK® Guide, but that should be only part of your preparation. You can also practice what the exam will be like by working through sample questions in a realistic, online environment. A PMP exam simulator provides this. Sitting sample tests with an exam simulator will help you face the real exam confidently.

Here are the 7 steps to consider when selecting a PMP exam simulator to best suit your needs:

1. Select PMI Registered Education Providers only

One of the most important criteria is making sure you choose a PMP exam simulator from a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P). A R.E.P. is an organization approved by PMI, and the certification and logo shows you that the product meets established quality standards.

2. Compare the price to your budget

Studying for the PMP exam can be expensive when you include training materials, books and the exam fees. You will probably have a budget for your PMP journey, so compare the prices of PMP exam simulators and select one that provides the highest level of quality for a price you can afford.

3. Ensure that the simulator is based on the most recent PMBOK® Guide

Don't waste time using an exam simulator that isn't based on the most recent PMBOK® Guide! It sounds simple, but be sure to check that the PMP exam simulator you are looking at is actually based on the latest version. If it isn't, you could waste a lot of time on questions (and answers) that will not accurately reflect what the exam will be like.

4. Establish the simulator content

Select a PMP exam simulator that has lots of questions. Lots. After all, you'll be studying for 8-12 weeks, so you could be using the simulator often. It makes the exam prep too easy if the simulator presents you with same questions over again, so opt for a tool that offers you a great variety to test your abilities fully.

While you are looking into the questions find out who wrote them. Choose a simulator where the questions have been written by a group of PMPs. This ensures that you will be seeing questions from a variety of people, which have most likely been peer-reviewed to ensure quality.

5. Check it has full exam mode

The PMP exam simulator you choose should have a full exam mode. This means that you can take a practice exam in advance of the real thing. It should be very realistic, with the option to mark questions for review, as that is what you will be able to do during the actual exam. Ideally, you will want to choose a simulator that enables you to take the tests as many times as you like.

You'll also want to check that the questions are presented in the same proportion as in the real exam. For example, about a third of the questions in the real exam are from Executing a Project. Your choice of PMP exam simulator should do the same to make the practice exams as realistic as possible.

6. Check it offers learning mode

Learning mode in an exam simulator is a good option to support your day-to-day studies during your PMP exam preparation. You can use learning mode to review various areas of the syllabus. It offers you hints for questions if you are struggling, and will even show you the answer so you know what you need to review. A good PMP exam simulator will also explain the logic behind the questions, and point you in the right direction if you make a mistake.

7. Establish the level of technical support

PMP exam simulators can be web-based or available to download and install on your computer. Either way, find out what sort of technical support the company offers. Ideally, look for a company that provides help when things go wrong through a forum, FAQ on their website, or a 'contact us' page. In the worst case, you might want to return the product completely, so find out if they offer a full refund if you are not satisfied.

Work through these 7 steps for every PMP exam simulator that you are considering, and you will find a product that meets your needs. Having chosen a PMP exam simulator, you can use it to fully prepare for the exam, and you will enter the exam room knowing what to expect. Good luck!

Cornelius Fichtner, PMP is a noted PMP expert. He has helped over 13,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with The Project Management PrepCast at http://www.pm-prepcast.com and The PM Exam Simulator at http://www.pm-exam-simulator.com

7 Steps to select your online PMP exam preparation course

Professional (PMP) project management certification is a springboard for project managers climb the corporate ladder. It gives the most sought after recognition and visibility within your organization. Certification increases their chances of professional growth within the Organization and opens new avenues. It validates your skills as an efficient professional project management. It not only increases the income potential, but also provides it a competitive position in the labour market.

PMP certification confirms that it has the necessary knowledge to carry out projects on time and within budget. One certification is globally recognized and respected credentials in project management. Certification requires a rigorous and comprehensive preparation for the exam. Closer examination obtained, the tension will feel. The best response to this pressure is to be well prepared for weeks or even months of study.

The PMP exam contains questions from all areas of knowledge of the PMBOK Guide and can be difficult to work through all the material yourself. You need a course of preparation for the PMP exam. This will help to pass through the material in a structured and planned way. Will also provide instruction focused to deal with the most important topics and points of emphasis. This will help you to face with confidence the test.

These are the 7 steps to select the course that best suits your needs:

Step 1: Decide whether a course online or in person

PMP exam preparation courses are available online and in person. A workshop in person offers the advantage of live interaction. You will have a teacher in the classroom and also in the classroom to learn from other students.

On the other hand the classes online are convenient as you can stay at home and have access to all modules and materials of study at any time of the day. Some even can be downloaded to your iPod, Blackberry or another player. So that you can participate in training as you leads to and work every day.

Look for PMP exam in your favorite search engine to search the most popular courses.

Step 2: Compare the price your budget

Money is important for all of us and your available budget limits choices. Compare prices carefully. Many factors enter the price of courses such as the duration of instruction and materials.

In general terms, online courses are less expensive that the person. But don't think that a low price is a reflection of the quality. Complete and high-quality online courses are available for as little as $100, while to the classes in person have a teacher whose salary should be paid. Therefore expect to pay much more.

Ask your employer if they offer a choice of scholarships and also get in touch with your local chapter of PMI to know if there are reduced rates for members in courses offered by the chapter.

Step 3: Select education of PMI registered providers only

One of the determining criteria most important is that the course should be offered to you by a PMI registered education provider (r.b.p.). Courses are offered a variety of companies and the certification of r.b.p. and logo ensures that the course is still PMI established quality criteria.

Step 4: Verify that the Principal Instructor is PMP certification

Much will benefit the course if the main instructor is PMP certification. Ensures that the coach has the experience of preparing and taking the test himself or herself. In this way, the instructor will be more capable of helping to erase all the blocks on the road in preparation for the PMP exam.

Step 5: Make sure that the course is based on the most recent PMBOK Guide

You must also ensure that the course follows the latest edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). Review is largely based on the current version of this standard.

Step 6: Ensure that you will receive 35 contact hours for the purpose of the course evaluation

One of the PMI certification requirements is that all applicants should be at least 35 hours of project management education contact. Without this you may not take the examination. Make sure that the courses to consider of offer a certificate of completion, showing at least 35 contact hours.

PMI requires that all providers online course test your knowledge at the end of the course through an "end of the course evaluation". Therefore, if you select a class online and they are not tested before receiving your certificate, the certificate is useless.

Step 7: Review these criteria for each course and provider

Courses that consider, take into consideration also the following:

-What is the number of students?

Do-do not receive free sample course questions?

Do-not advice of PMP Exam & tricks?

-Does this provider offer any other material preparation of PMP that might be useful for you?

-It is an online forum where examination questions can do?

-What kind of technical assistance is available?

And most importantly: read testimonials from students and see what they have to say about the course. A good provider will offer a public way sellers for students feedback on the materials.

Through the application of these 7 steps for the selection process is a course through a a structured way in the selection of the course of PMP exam and will ensure that you purchase the course right inline, which best suits your needs. Once acquired, the real work begins: passing through the materials and the study of about 8-12 weeks until ready.

Cornelius Fichtner PMP is a noted expert of PMP. It has helped over 9,000 students prepare for the PMP Exam with PrepCast management in http://www.pm-prepcast.comproject.