PMP Exam Prep with Scott Payne

Most PMP students are solving questions the wrong way. They think the goal is to take 1,000 practice questions. It's not. In this episode, I go deep — really deep — into how you should actually be approaching PMP questions. This isn't surface-level explanation. This is about perspective. When you solve a question, you shouldn't just be trying to "get it right." You should be testing your logic. You should be experimenting with structure. You should be asking yourself: Why does this answer feel right? What assumption did I make? Where did my thinking break down? That's how you improve. The goal is not volume. The goal is clarity. You don't need more questions. You need better thinking. If you're struggling, don't stay stuck. Call or text me directly: 📱 757-759-5282 The PMP exam changes on July 1st. Let's get you across the finish line before that.

PMP success doesn't happen in isolation.  It happens every week, in bunches, when people follow the right process. In this episode, I sit down with two recently certified PMPs, Heather and Vicky, during one of our live coaching calls. Different backgrounds. Different experiences. Different challenges. Same result. They both passed the PMP exam — and more importantly, they share exceptional insights about what actually worked, what finally clicked, and how they approached the exam with confidence instead of panic. These live success interviews happen almost every week inside our coaching calls. They're not hype sessions — they're real conversations designed to give students clarity, calm, and the kind of insight that makes exam day feel… manageable. If you're preparing for the PMP and want to hear what success really sounds like — listen in. And if you want this level of guidance, support, and real-world perspective in your own prep, reach out to me. I'm here for you — and I'd love to help you get there.  Call me directly 757-759-5282.  (we are exclusive and only let in the folks that reach out! That way we can understand your situation and provide you the customized help you need)

In this episode, I'm breaking down the force that overrides everything else on the PMP exam: Business Environment. Sometimes people aren't the problem. Sometimes the process isn't the problem. Sometimes the context changes the rules completely. I walk through: What a business-environment–dominant situation actually looks like on the PMP How to recognize when external constraints shape what's possible on a project Why PMI's default instinct is compliance before optimization The three most common business environment traps candidates fall into How PMI expects you to think about value, risk, and constraints before worrying about people or process This episode isn't about memorizing policies or governance terms. It's about understanding how PMI tests judgment when regulation, contracts, strategy, or market forces are in control. I also give you a simple drill you can use immediately to start spotting business environment forces in your PMP questions. This episode completes a three-part series on People, Process, and Business Environment—not as categories to memorize, but as forces competing inside every PMP question.

In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the most common reasons strong PMP candidates miss questions: they react to symptoms instead of fixing the system. In the last episode, we talked about why adding more process to people problems usually makes things worse. This time, I flip the lens. Sometimes people feel like the problem — and they're not. Sometimes the real issue is how the work is structured. I walk through: What a process-dominant situation actually looks like on the PMP How to recognize when structure, flow, and clarity are the real risks Why PMI's default instinct is clarity before correction The three most common process traps candidates fall into How PMI expects you to think about systems instead of reacting to outcomes This episode isn't about memorizing tools or adding more steps. It's about learning how PMI tests judgment when the system itself is the problem. I also give you a simple drill you can use right away to start diagnosing process issues more clearly in your PMP questions. This is part of an ongoing series on People, Process, and Business Environment — not as categories to memorize, but as forces competing inside every PMP question.

In this episode, I'm going deep into one of the most misunderstood areas of the PMP exam: People.  (If you need any help in preparing for the PMP exam or want to join my Invite Only PMP Cohorts - Reach out to me 757-759-5282 scott@allinpmprep.com) If you keep adding more process to people problems, you're going to keep missing questions — not because your answers are technically wrong, but because they're the wrong first move. I break down: What a people-dominant situation actually looks like on the PMP How to spot human risk quickly in exam questions Why PMI usually rewards alignment before control The most common traps candidates fall into (escalating too early, adding process, enforcing plans) A simple "first-move ladder" you can use when people are the dominant force This episode isn't about memorizing tools or exam tricks. It's about learning how PMI tests judgment — especially when behavior, trust, communication, and alignment are the real issues. I also give you a practical drill you can use immediately to start seeing PMP questions differently. This is part of an ongoing series breaking down People, Process, and Business Environment as forces competing inside PMP questions, so you can stop guessing and start diagnosing situations the way PMI expects.

Most PMP candidates think they're struggling because they're "bad at people questions," "bad at process," or confused by business environment. That's not the real problem. In this episode, Scott breaks down how the PMP actually tests judgment — and why treating People, Process, and Business Environment as study categories is holding you back. You'll learn: Why there are almost no "pure" people or process questions on the PMP How PMI blends people issues, process constraints, and business pressures into the same question The difference between memorizing frameworks and diagnosing situations Why more practice questions won't fix the problem if you're solving the wrong thing A new way to read PMP questions using a force-based decision lens This episode isn't about tactics or memorization. It's about learning how PMI thinks — and how to recognize which force matters most right now. By the end, you'll have a clear "light-bulb" moment and a practical challenge you can apply immediately to your next set of PMP questions. This is the foundation for an upcoming series diving deeper into: People • Process • Business Environment — the right way.

If you keep missing PMP questions that feel easy, the problem probably isn't knowledge — it's how fast you're trying to act. In this episode, Scott breaks down a hidden pattern that hurts a lot of capable PMP candidates: action bias. The instinct to jump straight into fixing, escalating, or documenting feels responsible — but on the PMP exam, it often leads to the wrong answer. You'll learn: Why PMI punishes premature action on PMP questions How aggressiveness shows up subtly in answer choices What the PMP exam actually rewards instead A simple thinking model to slow down and choose better answers This episode is about shifting from reactive thinking to disciplined decision-making — the mindset PMI is really testing. If you want to improve your accuracy without memorizing more content, this episode is for you.

Oksana was a podcast listener just like you!  She was confused and lost before she found the podcast and she reached out to me to join our course.  6 weeks later she was a PMP who aced the exam with 3 Above Targets!   Listen to the approach she followed so that you can achieve your goals too! If you want me to help you - Reach out - 757-759-5282 (this is my personal number - I will answer!)

I Built Something Awesome for you - listen to this podcast - I'll explain. It is my new PMP Exam Prep Quick Reference Guide.  I brings everything that matters into one spot that is super easy to read, learn, and reference at anytime!!! If you want an advanced copy - email me directly (scott@allinpmprep.com) or call/text me 757-759-5282.

There will be tons of vague questions on the PMP exam.  Let me talk you through an approach to solving them.  In this podcast we will use LIVE pmp question solving to build up your skills in solving those questions that leave you scratching your head. If you want more help - Reach out to me - 757-759-5282. I will help you.

In this episode, I'm going to challenge you with a different question: Can you recognize the real problem type before you react? Because on the PMP exam, you're not dealing with random scenarios. You're dealing with a small set of recurring project problems — the same breakdowns PMI tests again and again. In this episode, you'll learn: Why PMP questions aren't random (even when they feel that way) How PMI expects you to diagnose a situation before choosing an answer The 8 core problem types that appear across the exam Why each problem type has predictable "good paths" and "bad paths" How identifying the problem first makes wrong answers collapse fast If you've ever felt like you knew the material but still struggled to pick the right answer, this episode will give you a clearer way to see what's really being tested.

Nacho had a problem. She had to get the PMP in 6-weeks for a job interview. We partnered together to guide her to her PMP success before she stepped into the interview. This interview tells that story.  You will be able to use the lessons learned to refine your PMP skills and get ready faster. If you want me to guide you - I am one call away - 757-759-5282. Call or text me.  I will help you! Scott 

If the PMP exam feels random, frustrating, or harder than it should be — this episode will change how you see it. In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mistakes PMP candidates make: they try to solve every question instead of understanding what PMI is actually testing. Here's the truth most people miss: The PMP exam is not random. It uses the same few problems over and over — just dressed up in different words, industries, and scenarios. You'll learn: Why PMP questions feel chaotic (and why that's intentional) How PMI really evaluates your answers The PMO mental model that makes questions predictable The 3 decision lenses PMI consistently rewards — and why using them changes everything This episode isn't about memorizing more content or grinding harder. It's about learning how to think the way PMI wants you to think — before you ever choose an answer. If you've ever said, "I knew the material, but the questions got me," this episode is for you. 🎧 In the next episode, I'll show you how to identify the one dominant issue every PMP question is testing — and how that makes bad answers fall apart fast.

How long are you planning to study for the PMP? Most people don't have a real answer — they just keep grinding and hope they'll feel "ready" someday. In this episode, Scott Payne breaks down the real reason some PMP candidates pass in weeks while others struggle for a year or more — and it has nothing to do with intelligence, experience, or effort. You'll learn: The four levels of PMP study most people never realize they're stuck in Why working harder can actually slow you down The single biggest indicator of how long the PMP will take you How to move from memorization to judgment — the skill the PMP actually tests This episode will help you: Study smarter, not longer Build real confidence instead of burnout Become a better project manager while preparing for the exam If you've been putting in the hours but not seeing progress, this episode will change how you think about PMP prep.

Questions that compare the Project Manager role and the Project Lead role are some of the easiest places to get stuck on the PMP exam — especially when both answers sound reasonable. In this episode, I walk you through a simple 2-step decision framework you can use to solve these questions consistently: • Where does the problem live — inside the team system or outside of it? • Can it be handled at that level, or does it need to be escalated? We'll apply this thinking to practical scenarios and break down how PMI expects you to approach execution issues, authority decisions, and escalation — without memorizing job titles or overanalyzing org charts. This episode is about learning how to think, not what to memorize, so you can walk into exam day calm, confident, and in control.

If you've ever thought… "I can do the job, but I can't learn all this broad PMP stuff." "I read it twice and it still doesn't click." "I'm falling behind… so maybe I'm not cut out for this." "Agile vocabulary feels like another language." …this episode is for you. Chad CashDollar is a shipyard foreman who works long hours, has a chaotic schedule, and openly admits that reading comprehension and test endurance have always been his biggest hurdles. The PMP felt like a monster: 180 questions, 4 hours, and a ton of terminology. And then he passed. Not with perfect scores. Not with Above Target across the board. He passed with a mindset shift and a simple method that struggling students can actually copy: Start with what the question is asking Highlight only what matters Work it down to 50/50 Pick your answer and commit Don't treat "wrong" like a crisis—treat it like reps Keep moving forward (because there's no failure until you stop) This is the episode for the student who's tough at work… but doubting themselves at the desk.

If you want to ace the PMP exam, you have to master emotional intelligence — whether you realize it or not. The PMP exam doesn't just test processes and formulas. It tests how you lead when people, conflict, and pressure are involved. And emotional intelligence is often the hidden factor that decides between two answers that both look right. In this episode, I break emotional intelligence down in plain English — what it actually is, where it shows up on the PMP Exam Content Outline, and how PMI tests it inside real exam scenarios. I'll walk you through exactly how emotional intelligence becomes the tie-breaker in People Domain questions involving conflict, stakeholder resistance, motivation, and team performance. This isn't about being soft or emotional. It's about judgment, leadership, and choosing the best response when the situation isn't clear. If PMP questions sometimes feel unpredictable or frustrating, this episode will give you a powerful new lens to see what the exam is really asking — and start choosing better answers with confidence. Listen in, and learn how PMI tests leadership… not empathy.

Want me to coach you to your PMP? Join my 10-week PMP Cohort starting February 2nd. You'll get a dynamite, focused study schedule, two high-impact 1.5-hour evening Zoom coaching sessions with me each week, and full access to everything you need inside my online portal — videos, simulator, tools, games, and live support until you pass. Call or text me 757-759-5282 or email me at scott@allinpmprep.com  If the PMP exam feels confusing… If the questions feel vague… If you keep getting stuck between two answers that both sound right… This episode is for you. In this podcast, I break down how PMI actually expects you to think — not what most prep courses say the exam is testing, but what it's really grading underneath the questions. I walk you through the seven core thinking rules that drive almost every PMP question, across Agile, Predictive, and Hybrid scenarios. These aren't tricks or hacks. They're the patterns PMI uses when they design questions — and once you start seeing them, the exam slows down. We'll talk about: Why context matters more than tools Why there are no perfect answers — only the best decision right now Why PMI consistently rewards people before process Why fixing the system matters more than reacting to symptoms Why leadership beats authority Why long-term thinking beats fast action And why the PMP rewards judgment, not memorization Think of these rules like lenses. When you use the wrong one, the question feels blurry. When you use the right one, the answer becomes clear. If you've been studying hard but still don't trust your thinking yet, this episode will help you understand why — and how to fix it. And if you want to go deeper, this is exactly how I coach students inside my live cohorts: learning how to think through situations, not just memorize content.

Most PMP candidates don't fail because they lack knowledge. They fail because of something far more subtle—and far more dangerous: negative self-talk and second-guessing under pressure. In this episode, Scott Payne breaks down why even smart, well-prepared PMP candidates sabotage themselves during studying, quizzes, and the exam itself. Drawing from Agile thinking, Scott reframes negative self-talk as a mental anti-pattern—an action that feels helpful in the moment but actually hurts performance. You'll learn: Why fear and imposter syndrome show up specifically during PMP prep How stress hijacks decision-making, even when you know the material The difference between the threat voice and the operator voice in your head Why confidence is built during the study process—not after How to interrupt negative self-talk in real time The four pillars of the All-In PMP Success Mantra System: Control, Confidence, Consistency, and Support This isn't a motivational pep talk. It's a practical mental framework for staying steady, confident, and focused while preparing for—and taking—the PMP exam. If you've ever frozen on a question, changed an answer you originally knew, or walked away from a quiz feeling worse than when you started, this episode is for you. 🎯 Text or Call me and I will give you my All-In PMP Success Mantra System PDF so you can start replacing mental anti-patterns with habits that actually help you pass.

In this episode, I'm taking you inside a real All In PM Prep Accountability Call — a full 56-minute live coaching session where Waterfall finally clicked for a group of new PMP students. We break down Agile vs Predictive in plain English, simplify the entire Waterfall process, teach students how to read questions the right way, and walk through several PMP exam scenarios step-by-step. If you've ever felt confused about charters, business cases, stakeholders, matching questions, or baselines — this session will clear the fog fast. Here's what you'll hear: 🔷 Agile vs Waterfall — Explained the Way It Should Be I walk students through simple, real-world examples (apps vs bridges) to help them finally understand when to use Agile and when a predictive approach is the only smart choice. 🔷 Waterfall, Simplified We break down the entire predictive lifecycle: Why charters matter How stakeholder analysis actually works What the triple constraints really represent Why detailed planning gives you control How executing & monitoring go hand-in-hand This is the version of Waterfall every new PMP student wishes they had first. 🔷 Matching Questions — The Strategy PMI Never Taught You I teach students a faster, cleaner method for matching questions using a "long-to-short" approach that eliminates 80% of the reading. We solve a real matching set live so you can see the method in action. 🔷 Real PMP Situational Coaching We work through multiple PMP-style questions together: Handling concerns raised mid-execution Managing a new team member with "rumor-based" performance issues Responding to new compliance requirements after the charter is signed Understanding business case vs charter Applying servant leadership and escalation correctly You'll hear new students reason through their answers — and how I coach them toward exam-ready thinking. 🔷 How to Use My System I close the session by showing students how to use: The glossary The video library The course structure And how to stay confident as you hit the natural learning curve dips If you want to understand PMP foundations in a deeper, more intuitive way — this coaching call will accelerate your learning.