A key component of prepping for the PMP exam is developing your dump sheet. Because the PMP exam is testing the application of knowledge, the information on your dump sheet should generally contain formulas and not much more. We frequently see students who are intent on memorizing the entire framework and extensive mnemonics for their dump sheet. Unfortunately, this approach has yet to prove successful. Because the time is being spent on memorizing the names of the processes and perhaps the ITTOs, the concepts and applications behind the framework are not well understood.

Our recommendation for your dump sheet? Earned value formulas, PERT formula, and the communication channels formula. Based on your preparation, you may have identified other areas that trouble you. Feel free to make some notes on these areas as well, for example, contract types.

Our recommended dump sheet:
EV = BAC X % Complete
SV = EV - PV
SPI = EV / PV
CV = EV - AC
CPI = EV / AC
TCPI = (BAC - EV) / (BAC - AC) or (BAC - EV) / (EAC - AC)

Bottom-up forecasting:
ETC = New Estimate
EAC = AC + ETC

Forecasting for atypical variance:
EAC = AC + (BAC - EV)
ETC = EAC - AC

Forecasting for typical variance:
EAC = BAC / CPI
ETC = EAC - AC

Communication channels:
N(N-1)/2

PERT/3-Point:
(O+4(M)+P)/6

When do you do your dump sheet? The exam proctor will escort you to your testing station at the Prometric site. Upon logging into the computer, you will be prompted to do a tutorial. Before beginning the tutorial, dump your formulas onto the paper provided by the test center.

Good luck!