Fellow PMs,

My organization has agreed to pay for my PMP certification.  I have been doing some research on the web and I am overwhelmed with all of the different companies out there offering PMP certification/prep classes.  I’m not sure which ones are reputable or have the best success rate.  I’m in the Los Angeles area and would prefer to do my studying in a classroom setting.  

Could y’all please recommend some places out there that I could contact regarding PMP certification classes.  I am open to any advice or info you may have regarding this subject.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Rashida Purifoy
Retail Operations Manager
Green Dot Corporation

Rashida,

I teach the PMP Prep for the local PMI chapter.  It isn't as expensive as these, so you may want to check with your local chapter.  These are very good classes and most guarantee passing the exam. 

International Institute of Learning (http://www.iil.com)

PMP Preparation

Course Price: $2,895.00

# of Course Days:7

Dates:  8/7/2006-8/8/2006

City:  Los Angeles, CA

Rita Mulcahy (http://www.rmcproject.com/class/prep/prep.htm)

PMP Exam Preparation

Los Angeles,CA

Aug 7-8 , 2006

$1450.00

Cheetah Learning (http://www.cheetahlearning.com/)

PMP Prep

Jul 17-21 , 2006

Los Angeles-El Segundo, CA

$3,350

Rashida,

I agree with the other response to your question. I, too, teach PMP prep courses, and mentor project managers to pass the exam. If you want to take a class, I suggest Rita Mulcahy's class as listed in John Filicetti's response. Her class is to pass the exam, not to enhance general project management knowledge. If you want to study on your own, purchase a copy of Rita's book (make sure it's the current version for the PMBOK 3rd edition), read every page and complete each exercise. Rita's materials stay on point and are an asset to passing the exam. Either way, participate in a study group with other project managers, and take the exam within a couple of weeks after completing the course or self-study sessions.

Rita Mulcahy's web site: (http://www.rmcproject.com/class/prep/prep.htm)

Could you let us all know which class you ended up taking, and what your impression was?  And if you feel comfortable sharing, did it help you pass the exam?

Thanks,

Brian