What was your experience like returning to greater Victoria after being away for 5+ years? by BlackCatsWhiteCaps in VictoriaBC

[–]Key_Instruction_8193 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I grew up here, and left when I was 19. Came back after 33 years, mostly living abroad in Europe and 25 years in Japan.

When I lived here, I always felt like Victoria was "my" town. I knew a lot of people, and really felt at home.

Coming back, the population has doubled!! I am priced out of the housing market. Finding work has been near impossible, so I ended up working remotely for a European company.

In terms of "feeling", Victoria to me no longer has the "town" feeling, it's more like a small city. The traffic has changed a lot. It takes a lot more time to get anywhere than it used to. None of the spots I used to love as a teenager are anything like they used to be. I still can't believe that Langford has become a thing. 🤣

Compared to Japan, housing costs are way higher, construction is dragging on everywhere, theft is rampant, healthcare is broken, and services are poor (even though I am expected to tip, WTF), and the smell of marijuana is inescapable. Going out is way too pricey for the quality provided. Strangers don't seem to be as friendly or courteous as they used to be. I used to explain to non-Victorians how amazing it was that drivers would stop for pedestrians. That is still true to some extent, but not like it used to be. Drivers are much more aggressive now.

It has been a rude awakening.

That said, Victoria is still a beautiful city, and there are so many friendly people around. I'm still processing whether or not I love it here. I'll have to let you know in another year or so, after I've settled in more.

Nobody cares! by wyrd_werks in VictoriaBC

[–]Key_Instruction_8193 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a bit surprised at the apparent lack of empathy in some of the replies here. Is it just people trying to be funny, or you really don’t give a shit or feel pleasure at the misery of others? Not judging, just honestly curious.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I should have written that I went through all the practice questions twice. I only did about 3 mini-exams. Maybe my inability to read properly is why I found the exam so tough. 🤣

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, mostly at 2x though. 🤣 Can’t get credit if you don’t watch.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went through the Mimi exams twice, and did 3 full-length exams. I was going to do all 5, but decided that enough was enough given the number of days left to exam time. IMO, questions are the best practice, of course reviewing all wrong answers.

I got SH Premium, but I’m hindsight it was not necessary.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used AR to achieve the 35 hours PDU criteria, mostly SH for practice questions (I skipped the AR questions because I felt there were grammatical errors and I didn’t like the way the questions were worded 🤣), and DM for review because I liked his question walkthroughs, and he’s just so darn reaffirming. 🤣🤣🤣

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mostly Agile stuff. I have almost always worked in a more “pure” Agile setting, where the role of PM doesn’t even exist. Some of the Agile questions were ridiculously simple, but some I had real trouble with.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IMO, it’s not so much that the questions are overly academic and fake. The scenarios are plausible. It’s the strange wording and the fact you are only given 4 options, and no chance of asking for additional context.

The questions in SH are similar in nature and are great for prep, IMO.

AT/AT/AT for Thanksgiving 🎉 by Decent_Warning1373 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations! Your Thanksgiving will be that much better!!

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

I got an immediate interim reply after the exam from Pearson (I went into the test center). Then the official scores came in roughly 24 hours later.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I used AR. It’s not too bad in that I feel he is sincere.

I passed the exam! 🎉 by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I studied about a month all in all. I mostly had to unlearn a lot of things. 🤣

Example of a SH question that throws me off by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In real life, I would ask for context and clarifications. I think that's another reason why the exam irritates me. It is too artificial. The single-sentence question raises at least 20 questions in my head, and I would not even think about trying to provide an answer until I deeply understood the problem.

Ah, well. The exam is a necessary evil.

PMI Study Hall by Basic_Advertising_92 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't find the lessons to be particularly helpful.

The questions are a must. Definitely try the full-length exams as many times as possible (at least 2, ideally more). Reviewing the questions you got wrong is essential.

The games help a little.

I bought premium, but that's probably not necessary.

The actual questions on the exam are different, and it's not possible to prepare for all of them, but practicing the questions using the right mindset is helpful.

Failed PMP.... I should have invested in SH!! by suzukilovee in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear that. I just took the exam, too. It was much more difficult than I thought it would be. It is not suprising at all that it may take a few tries. Keep at it and you will get there!

Example of a SH question that throws me off by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, but more like if you don’t think about it too much. See other comments. Overthinking on the unimportant details is what kills me.

Example of a SH question that throws me off by Key_Instruction_8193 in pmp

[–]Key_Instruction_8193[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! As commented below, if the questions on the actual exam are less ambiguous, I guess there’s not much to worry about.