Well, the subject says it all.

About me: I think it’s important for you to know a little about my background, so that you can relate to what I am writing. I am actually a Business Analyst who has done some project management activities and have about 10 years of work ex. I have never been a good student, and my academic record has been far from impressive. I have never cracked any competitive exam in my life. I am poor in Maths, and an undisputed ‘P’ when it comes to procrastination. I have done a lot of certifications, but they happen to be easy ones. When I first heard about PMP exams, I was interested to appear, but later on I thought that it is ridiculous for someone like me to even think of attempting to crack an exam which is believed to be difficult by even successful professionals.

You search for notes and shortcut to success ENDS here!!: Did you ever notice that in PMZilla, usually the maximum responses/ replies that a person gets, is when he/she is offering some kind of addl. Study material or his / her own notes. Yes, we all seem to be looking for the magical 30 pager notes that will help us pass without much effort and without having to read PMBOK. Well, my search for the “magical notes or formula ended after almost 6 months, I hope you end your search too. What I found out is, that there are no magical formula to pass the exam. My notes or his notes will not benefit you, your own would. Most of us struggle to get a good hold on Rita and PMBOK, whereas some of us (incl. me at one point of time) are still searching for extra study material?

On my preparation: I will not reproduce my detailed study plan, as it is quite unlikely it’s the right formula, but, will put only those portions which I feel helped me pass the exam. By the way, in first iteration I put some 3 months of study but got the date changed as I was not confident. On the second one, I studied for exactly 7 weeks (less than 2 months) and cleared the exam.

(May 2013 to August 2013):
Yup, put 3 months of study back in May 2013, planned to appear in Aug, 2013. Just a week before the exam date, I chickened out, as I felt that I was not prepared well. Had read PMBOK thrice and Rita once.
Practice exams: Could barely complete Scordo 175 questions, one week before the exam. For most questions, I felt like referring to the book.

Bad moves –

1. I got swayed by and misinterpreted the lesson learned posted by PMZILLA members. Members mentioned how many times they read PMBOK and to follow the same, I also read it thrice, and that’s the issue. I simply ‘read’ it, not realizing that their advice also meant “understand each and every word of PMBOK”. The sooner you realize the significance of “understanding PMBOK”, better it is.
2. I kept studying long hours, was more interested in finishing the course and then attempting the mock exams. Relied only on books, no videos, no study group. I didn’t even stop to google to check on concepts that looked unfamiliar or complex.

Good moves:

1. Haha.. you are right, I postponed the date. I realized before appearing that this is not an exam you should leave to chance and also that it is one, that one needs to be really prepared well.

(March 2014 to May 2014):

Realized in March, 2014 that my exam eligibility period is about to expire. I just couldn’t digest the fact that I spent close to 50,000 INR on training and material and simply waste it. Maybe this was the tipping point, I felt guilty that I have already spent so much of money and was just about to waste all of it.

From 13th march, 2014 to 23rd March, I watched each and every video of Tamil Selvan (I know what you are thinking, the video is available for free in youtube) and even made notes out of it. Say one chapter represented by 1-2 pages of handwritten notes. It helped me immensely. You might want to do the same, but if you are not from India, you might face some issues with his accent. After watching some 60 odd videos, I felt that I am close to understanding of the concepts. Next, started with Rita Mulcahy again, after a gap of 7 months. I finished the entire book in 15 days, just one reading. But, wait!! I read it not to cover the book in 15 days, but to understand.

Cool moves:

1. I prepared a 2 big charts that had the entire 47 processes, divided in 5 knowledge areas and within each process each and every ITTO listed. this really helped me a lot
2. Watching videos turned out to be a very good idea. I could break the monotone of wading through hundreds of pages and I found a friend in Tamilselvan (his videos). I somehow always felt lonely while going through PMBOK.. its so cold!!
3. I didn’t get swayed by public opinion-on buying expensive mock exams or appearing for 1000s of questions. I just aimed at around 500 questions and ensured that they are from different sources. (Yup, different sources.. someone from PMZILLA was bang right on this)
4. Whenever I found any topic or phrase confusing, I googled, it helps you get more info.. of course and it also serves as a break. It helps you to understand certain topics…

Oh No’s!!

1. Just 5 days before the exam, I appeared for one “FlunkForSure” exam. (I am sorry, I cannot name the provider). The questions in that mock were framed as if it had the intent of mauling Eng. grammar (I am non-native English speaker, still I am stating so), convoluted questions seemed to be straight out of a crooked mind. I scored 54% in that.. I was so crestfallen that I started hating myself that after so much of careful preparation, I scored so dismally low. Thank god, I didn’t postpone the date yet again. So, you know what would be my advice.

Misc Info:

1. Studied PMBOK, Rita Mulcahy 8th edition notes, my own chart/notes, Raga’s notes (the 355 pointers), glossary (PMBOK), that’s it…
2. My scores: -
a. Rita chapter end – avg 80%- (lowest score was in Comm. & Risk Mngmt, these chapters are not as easy as you think)
b. Scordo – 1-94%, 13-80%, 14-82%, 15-76%
c. Oliver Lehman – 175 Qs- 77% and
d. Oliver Lehman – 75 Qs – online – 76%
e. PMStudy – Free- 77%
f. FlunkForSure – Free – 54%

General advice:

1. The folks at the center take their jobs too seriously. They will try to match your signature / face / etc etc with the ID that you provide. They rejected my Aadhar card, made faces seeing my PAN card (as it had an old pic), and not so happily accepted my Driving License, as ID.
2. Carry a light jacket. The air conditioners at the hall do not seem to come with a remote controller. It can get cold.
3. It really helps if you know all the tools and techniques, what they are and where they are used. I was beginning to mug the ITTO’s, that I realized that even when we memorize something, our brains continuously work towards finding some relation / pattern among the stuff that we mugged up. And yes, after sometime, you will find that the ITTOs are actually logical and do make sense…
4. Pls keep in mind that all 200 questions will not be tough. I had a harrowing time answering the first 100 questions. I wanted to simply end the exam and leave. I am glad that I didn’t do anything stupid.
5. Every question was a reminder to me, “have you understood what you have read or have you simply mugged up certain sections?”. Example, if you think you know Tuckman ladder too well, and you think “FSNPA” is all what you need to know.. You might be wrong.. You got to understand what it means and how it is applicable and more importantly, if you can visualize what kind of questions might come from that “tuckman ladder” thingie.
6. I have used the word “understand” so many times. It has some meaning to it. Understand 

I know for sure that my lessons learned will not be of any direct help to pass the exam, but I would be too glad if you are someone who like me is often tempted to postpone the exam date or simply not confident enough to appear, my advise to you..Just do it!! If I can do, so can you..maybe you should read the “about me” section again and take a decision.