What is the Best Way to Learn PMP Formulas?
Careful!
The PMBOK® Guide does not contain all mathematical formulas, acronyms and values that you must know for the exam. Consider purchasing a PMP Formula Guide.
The three most important words in real estate are location, location, location.
And similarly, the three most important words when it comes to studying a PMP formula are practice, practice, practice.
This is because simply "knowing" a formula for your exam is not going to be enough. Many of the formulas required are actually quite valuable on most projects, and so PMI expects that you as an experienced project manager should be able to read a scenario and then be able to apply the correct formula to that scenario.
There are 49 PMP math formulas, about 30 acronyms and two dozen mathematical values that you need to know for the exam. It's obvious that only very few project managers have experience with all of these but they are required for the exam.
Furthermore, the PMBOK® Guide does not contain all the formulas that you will need for your exam -- so you are going to have to either invest your time into researching all the formulas you need, or you can go ahead and purchase a formula guide. And because purchasing is much more cost effective, here are some suggested criteria for your selection process:
Criteria to Help You Select A Guide for PMP Formulas:
- Developed by a Trusted Education Provider.
- Explains ALL the formulas needed
- Describes not only the formula itself, but also explains how and when it is used and lists any variations
- Describes how to interpret the formula result
- Explains all mathematical acronyms needed
- Explains all mathematical values needed
- Includes one-page PMP formulas cheat sheet
- Uses straightforward language to explain complex math concepts
- Includes sample questions to practice what you have learned
