Hello,

I just passed my PMP exam yesterday. To share with the group, I was very tight on time due to my work schedule (and coming close to expiry of my eligibility period). I basically registered for the exam on July 6^th and the exam was on July 29^th. I mainly had 3 weeks to study. My strategy was as follows:

-          I read first the PMP exam book by Andrew Crowe. I read all the book material, solved all the practice exams and the final exam. I studies afterwards the key answers and wrote down why I got wrong and why did I get it wrong. I believe the book is the first one that should be read as it is a good introduction. I did that reading during 7-8 days (in total spending about 40 hours on that)…

-          I then read Rita’s book (PMP exam perp). I read every word, marked key areas, and took all practice exams (and also looked at all that I did wrong. I did this in about 5-6 days (about 40-50 hours). Focused also on solving the exercises on Rita’s book (not just reading the answers)

-          I then spent 1-2 days reading the PMBOK guide (about 10-12 hours).

-          Finally I spent 2 day writing my study notes (listing all key inputs and processes, tools and outputs, and knowing all the equations in cost management process). This took easily 14 hours to complete, but it was crucial for me to put it together.

-          I spend a day skimming through all 3 books (inc. practice exams) and writing down in 2 papers what did I get wrong and why did I get it wrong in the practice exams.

-          I did not have time to do further mock tests (so, just used the practice questions in Rita’s and Andrew’s book). I would not recommend that if you have time (and would recommend doing 3-4 complete practice exams. e.g. in PM study)

-          I went to the exam and it took me all 4 hours to finish the test (I took 3 minutes break every hour). I finished exactly at 3:59 (with 1 min to spare). So did not have time to review the answers for the questions I marked for review. (probably because I have not practiced mock questions before)

-          I passed the test and I am now a PMP:).

-          Looking back at it today, I would strongly recommend to:

o   Read Rita’s book (after Andrew ones) and read every word of it. It may seem quite wordy but it was instrumental

o   Try to solve all the exercises in Rita’s book (and exam questions) and write down why you would get something wrong

o   Put all the ITTO together in study sheets (write them to solidify the material in mind)

o   If you have time, re skim through all 3 books once more at least

o   Solve 3-4 mock exams before taking the actual test.

o   Once you get to the exam, Perform a dump download (especially the equations) in a sheet of paper (after 3 hours of the exam, I was very tired that I would not have remembered the formulas, if I did not write them down in the beginning of the exam).

-          I wish you all the best in passing the exam:)