Goal Accomplished

As some of you know, I have spent the last 8 months studying to take the exam to get my PMP certification. It was a pretty rigorous process between applying to the Project Management Institute to even be accepted as eligible to take the test, as well as the prep class and studying on my own. Not that taking 8 months to take the test is the recommended path, but between getting pregnant and being extremely busy with a huge project at work, some of the studying fell to the wayside. Actually I don't think I even looked at my study materials in October and November because I felt so sick from the beginning of the pregnancy! I cut myself a break and decided to give myself until the end of March to take the exam.

Point being, I finally bit the bullet and took the exam last night. I so badly wanted to take and pass the test before baby #2 arrived. I knew I was cutting it close but better to try and at least know one way or the other if I needed to study more or if I was good to go. (And yes, I suppose I cheated a bit by being out of the house to take the exam when I am supposed to be on bed rest but I only have one week left of bed rest so cut me a little slack!) The exam was, well, interesting... I don't know if I would say it was tough from the perspective of knowing the terminology, process, and material. I felt like I knew what they were talking about in almost all of the questions. What made the test so hard was that almost every single question had 2-3 answers that seemed right and you have to know how to pick the BEST answer. Or none of the answers sounded right and you just have to make an educated guess based on material studied or real world experience. There were also a couple questions where I was just like, "what the heck is this...." and you guess and move on. But don't underestimate how grueling 200 multiple choice questions can be. After about 125 questions, it was hard to focus on the question being asked. I really felt like I never wanted to think about project management again!!

So I finished the 200 questions and reviewed my answers and hit the button to 'end exam' and immediately my heart started beating through my chest and I got a little shaky... and what screen pops up?!? One asking if I want to take a dang survey on my testing experience. WHAT?!? No, skip that please. Take me to my results! So after another painfully slow 30 seconds, I get the best screen in the whole world..... one that says CONGRATULATIONS, you passed!