Dear all PMZilla members,

I hearty thank you all PMZilla members for posting your informative lessons learned. 

I passed PMP exam yesterday at first try. Beyond studying, I was closely following PMZilla forums time to time to get the lessons learned, which I believe is wealth of knowledge. 

My preparation started in Oct 2012, and it was on/off throuh Dec 2012.

In mid-January 2013 started preparing in full bloom. Here is what I prepared.

• Skillsoft training modules - Provided by company
• Rita Book - Once cover to cover along with practice test at the end of each chapter. 
• PMBOK - Started reading it, but with Chapter 1, felt asleep, so put it aside. 
• Rita Book - Skimmed the second time. Did not had time to read again. Gave tests at end of chapter again - got better scores than the first time - Overall in 65% - 75% range. So, I was not super excited!
• PMZilla - Read forum lessons learned time to time - found this one interesting has most tests listed - http://pmzilla.com/just-another-ll-passed-pmp-my-first-attempt-01may2012
• PMZilla member notes: Rajesh Nair notes, Abhishek's version of Rajesh Nair notes and PMP cheat sheet by Anil Tanguturi.

Practice tests I gave:

• MY PMP EXAM PREP - got 65% - http://www.mypmpexamprep.com/freequiz
• Oliver 75 questions - 58.67%
• Oliver 175 questions - 65.14%
• PMP Study exam - 68%
• SkillPort - 73%
• Headfirst 200 questions - 76%
• Exam Central - 75%
• PMP for sure - 100 questions - 63%
• PMZilla 30 tough questions - 60%
• Wanted to give more practice tests listed here  and also on PMZilla but did not had time. 

Day before exam. 

• Headfirst book skimmed - gave a few practice test for few chapters where my knowledge area was low - Risk, quality, procurement.
• Rajesh Nair notes. 
• Lessons learned from PMZilla.

As you can see, I never got >80%, mostly in 55% - 76% max. I was reading people getting around 80% and then appearing for PMP exam. I was on the edge, but since I already took the date, I didn't wanted to spend more time for preparing and money to reschedule the test, so took my chance. 

I did not read PMBOK and I am NOT advising anyone to do so. I just did not feel any connection with PMBOK. I felt asleep. - Rajesh Nair's notes summarizes PMBOK in a very fine manner. Again, I was scared, people writing they read PMBOK for 2 - 5 times!!! I salute them! 

I read Rita's process table, but found it confusing with PMBOK process chart on Pg. 43. So just sticked myself with PMBOK chart. 

I wasn't doing good at any ITTOs. Did not memorize any. I understood, but couldn't recollect all ITTOs. I don't think I got many questions on ITTOs. 

I am glad, I made it through the journey of preparing, passing and I can't thank enough for the informative and supportive lessons learned from each of you PMZilla members. 

Thanks.

cnonline :)