Why you should read PMBOK Guide BEFORE the 35 PDUs Class!

Many PMP aspirants struggle with the same set of doubts. How much time do I really need to prepare, when should I attend the 35 contact hours class and in what order should I read the PMBOK Guide and other books. In this Lounge Access conversation, Shoaib answers these questions for a learner who wants to finish PMP before moving countries and is worried about forgetting concepts if the exam is pushed too far out.​​

Shoaib explains that a focused 50 day window is usually enough to complete the reading, formal training and other requirements if you approach it the right way. Instead of obsessing over exact daily study hours, he encourages you to think about consistent progress and your personal study style, whether you like detailed notes, underlining or a simple first read. He also clarifies that your first full reading of the PMBOK Guide and a good reference book should not even be counted inside those 50 days, since that first pass is more about getting familiar with the language and key ideas than about memorising anything.​​

A key message in this video is the value of reading the PMBOK Guide before stepping into a 5 day PMP boot camp or 35 PDUs class, especially if you are not already working as a project manager. Without that first exposure, many people feel lost in class, find the content overwhelming and sometimes never even go on to schedule the exam. By first dipping your feet into PMBOK, you can understand the basic concepts, judge your own comfort with project management topics and then use the classroom time to clarify and deepen what you have already seen once.​​

Shoaib also reminds viewers about the formal PMP eligibility criteria like a degree, three years of experience and the mandatory 35 hours of project management education. With that context in place, this Lounge Access session becomes a very practical guide on how to structure your preparation so you do not get discouraged, even if you are afraid of forgetting what you study. If you are unsure about your own timeline or study plan, you can use Lounge Access to speak directly with Shoaib and get specific guidance for your situation.