Memory Dump or Brain Dump

As we all know that if planning is done properly the execution will be perfect. So I will request to use first 10 - 15 minutes for the Memory Dump or Brain Dump of the concepts on the provided scratch paper.

What is Memory Dump?
 Jotting down the concepts formulas on the scratch paper before you begin your exam, which you feel may confuse you during the exam or points which you felt difficult and hard to remember.  All short notes which can be covered during 10 – 15 minutes of time can be part of dump.

Why Memory Dump or Brain Dump?
Once we start the exam, we are so engrossed in the questions that many a times it is hard to remember even simplest thing like for float it is LS – ES or ES – LS. Making a small note of points which you feel important just before your begin the exam will be very helpful while you are taking the exam. This practice I am following it since my school days and has always proved helpful for me.

Some Tips on what can go in Memory Dump
As PMP is a not a speed exam but application of concepts and learning’s and if you are not a very slow reader you will have ample time to complete the exam (including review).

-         formula’s for numerical
-         list of 42 process ( if possible, I wrote it down during my exam)
-         HR theory 2 words
-         Risk mitigation ways
-         Sigma values for 1, 2,3 ,6
-         Etc …

Have attached a sample memory dump which is from one of my practice sessions before the exam. Hope this post will be helpful. Please share your comments and keep visiting I will keep posting topics regularly.

 

Disclaimer :  The opinion expressed is author's personal opinion and which was felt helpful. If to be considered by anyone in future in any form shall be at his or her own risk :) 

Passed PMP

Summarizing my experience on the PMP exam below, hope it will be helpful to new aspirants

Though I was planning to take the exam from last one year but serious preparations started only after I sent my PMP application and made the fee payment and scheduled the exam for 24th Jan in October. The fee payment and scheduling the exam brought lots of seriousness and Discipline in my preparations.I prepared for 2.5 months and below are some inputs

1. Read PMBOK 4, at least 4 times, 2 serious readings and 2 just skimming the high level marked concepts. Every time i read I got more understanding and I feel it is the finest Book I have ever read & imbibed ...
2. Thoroughly understand the process on Page 43 of PMBOK, there is a PMIism that if someone wakes you up from sleep and ask you the process you should be able to tell them otherwise you are not ready for the exam. There is no need to memorize them just logically try to understand which i did and used to recall them while driving to office, just before bed or after waking up ..
3. Went through Rita's book twice (one thorough and one high level reading) and Andy Crowe's book just once along with Practice questions in both books.
4. 1.5 month before taking the exam I made a habit to take sample test regularly of 10, 50, 100 or many times 200 questions from the question bank which i got as part of 35 contact hours training or Rita's book, by purchasing Andy Crowe's book or this link http://pmp.groupsite.com/discussion/topic/show/37414
5. I maintained the score sheet to review my performance and I was consistently scoring between 72% - 90%. Taking exam just boost your confidence that you understand PMBOK process before you take the exam. I used to take the exam many times when television was on, just to simulate and be ready for a noisy situation during the exam (this little risk mitigation helped as One Hour after the exam the AC in the center started making lots of noise) but as I was accustomed this made no difference ...
6. Subscribed to pmprecast news letter which sends some very nice tips and questions daily..
7. Limited my resources to just PMBOK 4, Rita 6th edition and practice tests ... 
8. Lots of focus and discipline ...

Just before the exam 

1. 3 -4 days before the exam I confirmed my appointment with Prometric center, asked them directions, traffic conditions during day time near center ( as in Bangalore it is located between very busy place), parking space availability, what to bring in for identity etc ..
2. 3 days before the exam I just went through the highlighted points in PMBOK and Rita
3. Reviewed the formulas & concepts which i was planning to write during memory dump.
4. Tried to get some good sleep before the exam (which i could hardly get due to nervousness) 
5. I was scheduled for 2nd Half from 1 PM (it doesn't matter you take the exam in which shift it shall be totally as per your convenience). I left early and reached the center after driving for 1.5 hours around 11:30 AM .. then relaxed myself a bit
6. I entered the center at around 12:15, identity was verified and I have to submit all the items in the provided locker including mobile, watch, wallet, bag and even Jacket. Pockets have been emptied. Only thing allowed inside was the Passport. 
7. I was handed over the scratch paper with two pencils, made an entry in the exam hall. 
8. First 15 minutes is given to familiarize your self with the system, of which I used the 10 minutes to take the memory dump on the provided rest five minutes to know how to use the system. moment you complete the tutorial the exam will start. 
9. Took a deep breath and God's name and started the exam .... i was going through the questions steadily and completed the first 120 questions in 1 hour 40 minutes. Then took a 2 minutes break and then again completed remaining 60 questions and then again 2 min break. Then completed the exam and started reviewing the questions which i had marked. I completed the 200 questions in 2 hours 40 minutes, then reviewed the questions in another 20 minutes, marked questions were not more than 15. I had this habit of not reviewing all questions so as not to change the options which i practiced during the practice test session. (you can develop your own style during your practice sessions) 
10. Then finally I submitted the exam with my hands folded then the survey appeared which i finished in couple of seconds and then re-submitted for seeing the results. I just praying with hands folded and the those 2 - 3 seconds were appearing like hours. Finally I saw a page appeared with result as PASS  .. for first couple of seconds I could not understand the result and then realized that effort gone into preparations have paid off. I passed with "Proficient" rating and moderately Proficient in all the 6 process.  
11. During the exam lots of things were coming in mind but i tried to make sure that i remain focused. Did not try to take breaks more than 2 minutes so as not to loose tempo of the exam. It's a personal call depending on individual. (if required you can take more than 2 minutes)
12. Then Prometric guys gave me my pass letter in another 2 minutes .. 

Keep Visiting as I will be posting more on PMP and my leanings, topics which i found difficult, how I dealt with them and you can subscribe or follow the blog as well. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading 

All the Best !!

 

Regards, 

Hardesh Singh, PMP 

Disclaimer : All the Lesson learned mentioned above is as per the project (Read Passing PMP Exam) which I managed and learning's if any to be imbibed in future similar projects shall be at your own risk :)