Earning the 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.
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.
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.
Don’t memorize processes. Focus on how a good PM thinks. The exam rewards judgment, not rote learning.
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 — concepts I didn’t fully grasp, weak areas doubled down on.
I didn’t aim to study more. I aimed to study smarter.
Learn from mistakes, not just scores
My Study Hall scores weren’t impressive. I was consistently landing in the 65–70% range.
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: People — Target. Process — Above Target. Business Environment — Above Target.
Protect your energy to avoid burnout
At the time I was working as a Project Manager, supporting IT and operations for a bakery business, and trying to maintain personal interests like photography and gardening.
What helped: short study sessions (Pomodoro-style), power naps, saying no to unnecessary distractions, and taking full breaks when 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 — 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, and consistent focused effort.
You’re closer than you think.