HI Everyone,

Since I have Visited this place regularly to seek knowledge (only) I feel i have a responsibility to participate now after i have passed the test on my first attempt (Thank God).

Results:-

Proficient in 4 fields and moderately proficient in one field.

Preparation Time:-

I think the appropriate number of studying hours for the PMP shhould not be less than 100 hours and not more than 200 hours depending on your experience in Project management. Generally 150 hours is adequate enough

Studying Material:-

Personally, i used Rita Mulachy - the 6th edition not the 7th -as the main studying book and referred to kim heldman and the PMBOK sometimes

Recommended Study Plan:-

1. Use Rita's book initially and SKIP the integration chapter which means you should study framework, process, skip integration and keep it to the end, then scope, time, cost, etc
2. answer the review questions after each chapter  to identify knowledge gaps
3. after studying a chapter answer the questions in the FASTRACK Software ( Versions 6 or 7 no gr8 difference)
4. TAKE NOTES for your  wrong questions. they will be very helpful in the near future
5. After finishing rita's book, take one PMP Exam and one Super PMP exam  and do not panic from your results i think its normal to have a low score in the beginning but be sure to take notes as well 
6. Read Rita's Book again, this will help you get a hang of the whole subject, then skim through the PMBOK for knowledge gaps
7. you might also skim through kim heldman which is a nice book because it is arranged by chapters not by process  groups 

tests:- 

1.  Generally I scored in the range of 70-80 % in most exams ( fastrack, exam central, lehman, headfirst etc) 
2. 2-There are a lot of free exams available - if u search well u'll find them)

10 Crucially Important TIPS :-

1- Solve as many questions and simulated exams as you can

2- TAKE NOTES

3- before u take the exam make sure u read all of the notes you took for your wrong answers

4- Do not use rita's process chart it is very complicated, I recommend that u use the chart in the PMBOK to create your own mind map. Having ur own mindmap for all of the processes together is crucial if u wanna pass the exam.

5- revisit topics more than once.

6- if there's a process that u did not practice in real life, dont panic its not that hard.

7- Use the definitions at the end of the PMBOK to ensure u know everything u need to know.

8- Make Sure that u understand why u got a question wrong and dont just memorize answers

9- Some answers are not convincing - thats normal just deal with it-

10- My personal knowledge gaps were handling changes, reserves, and closure

Exam Day:-

I have arrived at the test center early and i took my notes for wrongly answered  questions with me and my personal mind map. I have finished the exam in 3 hours and i took 3 eight minute breaks- lets hope ur not a smoker- and i marked each and every question that i have slightly doubted and they were alot. Generally the exam is relatively tough but not as tough as ppl generally say it is. Just keep focused and practice deep breathing and read all the questions carefully and thoroughly.

Two Cents:-

1- you must have your own personal mindmap for all the knowledge areas - do not use rita's process chart- and u should add important notes on the mindmap. this is a crucial step because it will help u alot in knowing which particular area is the question asking about and what should be the next or previous steps.

2- Practice, Practice, Practice. search this forum and google for all the free questions u can and answer all of them. note that most simulation softwares have a free trial, use them ALL one week before the exam. btw the PMP is hard but not that hard, always remember if more than 300000 ppl did it then u can do it