PMP Tips: Be Wary of Absolutes

You will find that the some answers to PMP or CAPM questions may contain absolutes such as always, completely or must. As you have studied for your exam you should have learned that in many cases project management is not clear cut. There are many factors to consider in each situation so an absolute in the answer should arouse your suspicions. Make sure that the absolute in the answer is appropriate for the answer you choose.

For instance, you may be given a hypothetical situation in which you as the project manager encounter a problem with scheduling. One of the choices might be that you must immediately inform management to ensure Real Time Issuers Disclosures. The use of an absolute might trigger a subconscious decision to choose that as the right answer, whether it is or not. When you see an absolute used in one of the answers be sure to think twice before choosing that answer. A PM must maintain his/her cool and avoid making snap decisions in a tight spot.

Many of the questions will also contain information that has no bearing on the problem posed. These are usually two paragraphs long and describe a scenario that might arise on a project. Rather than succinctly state the problem, you are given extraneous information that may make it difficult to ferret out the actual situation you're theoretically dealing with. Be careful to focus only on the facts of the case and not the noise surrounding it! These questions are not posed to frustrate you but to prepare you for the real world of project management where very few situations are crisp and clear.

Take many sample tests and/or collaborate with another candidate to create tests for each other. Seeing questions with such unnecessary information will prepare you for encountering them on the real exam and train your mind to focus on the problem and not the mitigating circumstances.

Thanks to Cornelius Fichtner of the PMPrepCast Fame for the above tips.