I passed the PMP certification in May after three months of focused study (February to May). Here's what worked.
Background
I had 4+ years as an Operations Manager before studying for the PMP, so I already understood project management in practice. The exam was about learning the framework and the PM mindset.
What I Used
Andrew Ramdayal's Course
This was my main learning resource. Clear explanations, practical examples, good pacing.
PMBOK Guide
The official PMI book. Dense but necessary for understanding the framework properly.
PMI Official Course
Required for eligibility. Useful but not enough on its own.
Practice Exams
This made the difference. Daily practice questions helped me understand the PM mindset—how PMI wants you to think about problems.
My Study Schedule
Daily: 1-2 hours
- 30 min: Video course
- 30 min: Practice questions
- Review wrong answers, understand why
Weekly: Review + longer practice tests
Total: 3 months (February to May)
What Actually Helped
1. Practice Tests Daily
Not just to memorize answers—to learn how PMI thinks. The questions teach you the mindset.
2. Consistent Daily Schedule
Better than cramming. 1-2 hours every day beats 8 hours on weekends.
3. Understanding PM Mindset
This was the biggest shift. It's not about what you'd do as a project manager—it's about what the PMI framework says you should do. Those are different things.
What I Wish I'd Known
The PM mindset matters more than memorizing processes.
I spent too much time memorizing formulas and process groups early on. The exam tests whether you think like PMI thinks. Practice questions teach you that faster than reading the PMBOK.
Operations experience helps—but can also trip you up.
Real-world PM work doesn't always match PMI's ideal framework. You have to learn to answer questions the "PMI way," not the "what I'd actually do" way.
Study Tools
I built a simple Notion template to track my study sessions, practice test scores, and notes. It kept me consistent and showed progress over the three months.
Includes:
- Daily study tracker
- Practice test score log
- Resources list
- PM mindset notes
- Weekly review structure
Bottom Line
Three months. Daily practice. Focus on mindset, not just memorization.
If you have PM experience already, the PMP is doable in 3 months with consistent study. Practice questions every day. Learn how PMI thinks. Stay consistent.
You've got this.