Test-Passing Tips

For starters don’t think of this process as preparing to take an exam; think of it as “preparing to pass an exam.” Anyone can prepare to take an exam: just show up. Preparing to pass any exam, especially the IT Project+ exam, requires project management experience, diligence, and a commitment to study.

Days Before the Exam

In the days leading up to your scheduled exam, you should do these basics to prepare yourself for success:

Get some moderate exercise. Find time to go for a jog, lift weights, take a swim, or do whatever workout routine works best for you.
Eat healthfully and wisely. If you eat healthful food you’ll feel good—and feel better about yourself. Be certain to drink plenty of water and don’t overdo the caffeine.
Get your sleep. A well-rested brain is a sharp brain. You don’t want to sit for your exam feeling tired, sluggish, and worn-out.
Time your study sessions. Don’t overdo your study sessions—long, crash study sessions aren’t that profitable. In addition, try to study at the same time every day for the same amount of time your exam will last.

Practice the Testing Process

If you could take one page of notes into the exam, what information would you like on this one-page document? Of course, you absolutely cannot take any notes or reference materials into the exam area. However, if you can create and memorize one sheet of notes, you’re legally allowed to re-create it once you’re seated in the exam area.

You’ll be supplied with several sheets of blank paper and a couple of pencils. Once your exam process begins, immediately re-create your reference sheet. The following are key pieces of information you’d be wise to include on this sheet (you’ll find all of this key information in this appendix):

Activities within each process group
Estimating formulas
Communication formula
Normal distribution values
Earned Value Management (EVM) formulas
Project management theories

Testing Tips

The questions on the IT Project+ exam are fairly direct, not too verbose, but may include a few red herrings. For example, you may face questions that state: “All of the following are correct options expect for which one?” The question wants you to find the incorrect option, or the option that is not be appropriate for the scenario described. Use caution when reading what the question is asking for. It’s easy to read a question and then see a suitable option for the scenario in the answer. The trouble is if the question is asking you to identify an option that is not suitable, you just missed the question. Carefully read the question to understand what type of answer fits.

A tip that can work with many of the questions is to identify which answer matches the question and then look for an option that doesn’t fit with the other possible choices. In other words find the answer that doesn’t fit with the other three options. Find the “odd man out.” Here’s an example: EVM is used during the _______________.

Controlling
Executing
Closing
Entire project

Notice how options A, B, and C are now exclusive? If you choose A, controlling, it eliminates EVM from being used anywhere else in the project. The odd man out here is D, the entire project; it’s considered the odd choice because it, by itself, is not an actual process group. Of course, this tip won’t work with every question—but it’s handy to know.

Some answer choices may appear to have two of the four options as possibly correct answers. However, because you may only choose only one answer, you must discern which one is the best choice. Within the question there will usually be some hint describing the progress of the project, the requirements of the stakeholders, or some other clue that can help you determine which answer is the best for the question.

Answer Every Question–Once

The IT Project+ exam has 80 questions and you need to score at least 499 to pass. You’ll have 90 minutes to complete the exam. Do not leave any question blank— even if you don’t know the answer. A blank question is the same as a wrong answer. As you move through the exam and find questions that may stump you, use the “mark question” option in the exam software: choose an answer you suspect may be correct and then move on. When you have answered all of the questions, you are given the option to review your marked answers.

Some questions in the exam may reveal, or prompt your memory, answers to questions you have marked for review. However, resist the temptation to review questions you’ve already answered with confidence. More often than not your first instinct is the correct. When you completed the exams at the end of each chapter, did you change correct answers to wrong answers? If you do it in practice, you’ll do it on the actual exam.

Use the Process of Elimination

When you’re stumped on a question, use the process of elimination. For each question there’ll be four choices. On your scratch paper write down “ABCD.” If you can safely rule out a, mark it out of the ABCD you’ve written on your paper. Now focus on which other answer won’t work. If you determine C won’t work cross it off your list. Now you’ve got a fifty-fifty chance of selecting the correct choice.

If you cannot determine which answer is best, B or D in this instance, here’s the best approach:

Choose an answer in the exam (no blank answers, remember?)
Mark the question in the exam software for later review.
Circle the ABCD on your scratch paper, jot any relevant notes, and then record the question number next to the notes.
When you do your review, or answer questions further on in the exam, you may realize which choice is the better of the two. Return to the question and select the best answer.