Earning the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification was one of the most rewarding — and challenging — goals I set for myself.

Like many of you, I had a full-time job, was helping manage a family business on the side, and juggling personal responsibilities when I started my PMP journey in January 2024.

Fast forward to August 10th, I took the exam.
On Monday the 12th, I saw the result: Above Target overall.

Despite average practice exam scores, I delivered when it mattered.

Here’s how I did it — and how you can too.

🎯 Step 1: Know Your Why

Before you even open a book, get clear on why you want the PMP.

For me, it wasn’t just about adding another certification. I was already leading tech projects and managing teams. The PMP was about sharpening my thinking, strengthening my decision-making, and proving — to myself and the industry — that I was ready for bigger challenges.

When motivation dips (and it will), your why keeps you going.

📚 Step 2: Build a Focused Study Stack

There’s no shortage of PMP resources, which can quickly become overwhelming. Here’s the exact mix I used:

• Udemy – Andrew Ramdayal’s PMP Course
  Structured, PMI-aligned, and easy to follow. I watched most videos at 1.5x speed to save time.

• David McLachlan’s YouTube Videos
  Excellent for building the PMP mindset, especially for scenario-based questions.

• PMI Official Materials

  • PMBOK® Guide (7th Edition)
  • Agile Practice Guide
  • Process Groups: A Practice Guide

• PMI Study Hall
  More expensive than expected, but worth it. The questions were harder than the real exam, which made the actual test feel manageable.

🔑 Tip: Don’t memorize processes. Focus on how a good PM thinks. The exam rewards judgment, not rote learning.

📅 Step 3: Make a Realistic, Consistent Plan

I listed all chapters and modules and spread them across my calendar, committing to finishing at least one module per day.

• Weekdays: 1–2 hours after work
• Weekends: Review only

My weekend strategy was simple:

• Review notes from the week
• Revisit concepts I didn’t fully grasp
• Double down on weak areas

I didn’t aim to study more. I aimed to study smarter.

“It’s not about how long you study — it’s about how well you manage focus and feedback.”

🧠 Step 4: Learn From Mistakes, Not Just Scores

My Study Hall scores weren’t impressive. I was consistently landing in the 65–70% range.

Did it worry me? A little.

But instead of obsessing over scores, I analyzed every wrong answer:

• Did I misread the question?
• Was it a mindset issue?
• Did I jump to a solution too quickly?

That reflection paid off. In the real exam, I scored:

• People: Target
• Process: Above Target
• Business Environment: Above Target

💡 Step 5: Protect Your Energy to Avoid Burnout

Burnout is real — especially when you’re working full-time.

At the time, I was:

• Working as a Project Manager
• Supporting IT and operations for a bakery business
• Trying to maintain personal interests like photography and gardening

What helped me stay sane:

• Short study sessions (Pomodoro-style)
• Power naps
• Saying no to unnecessary distractions
• Taking full breaks when my energy dipped

You don’t need more time. You need better recovery.

🎉 Final Thoughts

If you’re working full-time and preparing for the PMP, know this: it’s absolutely doable.

You don’t need perfect mock scores.
You don’t need to study all day.

You need:

• A solid foundation
• The right mindset
• Consistent, focused effort

You’re closer than you think.

Got questions about the PMP journey?
Feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help others pass with confidence. Let’s connect:
adnanpm.com | LinkedIn | Whatsapp