In each issue, Cheetah News features an individual who shares his or her ideas, insight, and experience with Cheetah Learning's Methodology.

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24/7 Online Access Leads to PMP^® Certification
When Naj Ansari was looking to get his PMP^® certification, having 24/7 access to exam prep information was an important factor. “Due to my current schedule and family responsibilities, I liked the options that Cheetah’s online exam prep class provided.”

Naj, who is in the information technology industry in Tennessee, wanted to earn a credential that would add value to his background as a project manager. “Continuous learning is important to me, as well as having the ability to communicate with other project managers and stakeholders using a common set of values and processes,” Naj says. “For me, the PMP^® became the next logical career milestone to conquer.”

Prior to enrolling in Cheetah’s Exam Prep^® for the PMP^® online class, Naj took a different online course and in-class instruction. “None of those had the personalized attention, commitment or quality of instruction that Cheetah does. Nor did they refer to a documented student pass rate.”

Naj found that breaking the chapters in The PMBOK^® Guide into “manageable chunks” took a lot of the anxiety out of the exam prep process. The emphasis on positive lifestyle changes also helped him. “I was somewhat skeptical of this initially, but every aspect helped,” he explains. “I now have my PMP^®, and I’ve learned to manage stress and eat healthier, too.”

The structure and pace of the online course was well organized, and Naj never found it to be overwhelming. Practical anecdotes from his instructor about exam dos and don’ts along with the memory map were the most helpful tools for him to pass the exam.

“My biggest challenge was feeling confident enough that I could pass the PMP^® exam after the four-week course,” Naj says. “I know people who have been studying on and off for a few years, so at first I thought I’d need more time to be fully prepared. But I soon gained a lot of confidence, especially when I saw my consecutively higher baseline exam scores. My online instructor’s timely feedback really boosted my confidence and helped me stay on track as well.”

Naj is very interested in employment opportunities as a project manager overseas. Based on his research, he knows his PMP^® is a valued commodity both here in the United States as well as internationally. “In addition to my work experience, I now have an industry-valued certification that will enable me to be more competitive in today’s difficult job market.”