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How I Passed the PMP Exam on My First Try — As a Working Woman in Tech

Passing the PMP exam isn’t for the faint of heart. It took me over 120 hours of focused study, a few mental breakdowns, and a whole lot of grit — but I passed on my first try, while working full time and starting a new job. Here’s exactly how I did it, what I used, and what I wish I knew before.

My Background and Starting Point

I started with the Google Project Management Certificate on Coursera — a great intro if you’re just starting out. It gave me the vocabulary and confidence to pursue the PMP. I had my previous employer pay for the course, which was a nice bonus. ✅

Once I met the experience and education requirements, I submitted my application to PMI. I was randomly audited, but after submitting the required documentation, I was approved within a week.

What I Used to Study (No Prep Courses)

I didn’t take a bootcamp or enroll in a PMP prep course. Instead, I self-studied using these three resources:

My actual study setup: three books, index cards, and a lot of coffee.

I also used physical flashcards I wrote myself and practiced a few YouTube question banks daily.

🧠 Pro Tip: David McLaughlin on Youtube has an optimistic, encouraging style that really helped. https://www.youtube.com/@davidmclachlanproject

My Study Schedule

I didn’t cram. I studied a little bit every day for several months.

Here’s what worked for me:

  1. Read all three books cover to cover – once through each.
  2. Wrote out every key definition onto flashcards.
  3. Took one full practice exam (brutal, but eye-opening).
  4. About a month before test day, I reread the PMP Exam Prep book one more time.
  5. Scheduled my exam at a Pearson test center (and I’m SO glad I did).

Exam Day: What You Should Know

The PMP exam was absolutely brutal. It’s not common sense. It’s not memorization. It tests how you think like a PMI-style project manager.

I stared at the screen for hours — took both breaks, walked, drank water, and honestly at some point would’ve paid $600 to not be there. The questions are long, scenario-based, and mentally draining.

At the end, the screen didn’t say if I passed. I was mad. Then the test center staff handed me a printout: “You Passed.”

Sort of anticlimactic — but a huge relief.

The Truth: The Test Isn’t Like the Practice Questions

The YouTube questions? The PMP book quizzes? Not even close to the real thing.

The real test presents ethical dilemmas, team conflicts, procurement choices, and prioritization decisions. It checks if you understand the mindset behind the PMBOK — not just the words.

When people say, “Forget what you know about real-life project management and think like the PMBOK,” they’re not kidding.

Final Thoughts + My Motivation

I never thought I’d need the PMP in my new job, but since my last employer had already paid for it, I wanted to finish what I started.

I plan to keep my certification active so I can do contract work in fun places once I have enough FU money saved up. That’s the dream, right?

This exam took commitment. I studied every day, gave up weekends, and worked through burnout. But I passed — and you can too.

Resources I Recommend

Jacqueline

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