Hello Friends. I cleared the PMP exam on 05 Jan 2015 with 4 MPs (Initiating, Planning, M&C and closing)    and 1 P( Executing). I think it would be worth to share my experiences with you.

Pre- preparation: I applied for PMP in Feb 2014 after completing some online WBTs to earn the 35 PDUs required for the application. I worked on my application, so that it will go thru the audit. I collected all my experiences and summarized with most commonly used PMP terms. I had provided the references of my managers and informed them in advance. My application did not get audited and I got confirmation to pay the required fees. I paid the fee but did not take an exam date.

Preparation: I found huge gap in my project management knowledge and PMP requirements. In my project the process are not implemented in depth and not all processes are being applied. I started slowly with only one hour a day, I started reading PMBOK first then Rita PMP exam Prep followed by the chapter end question. I wrote the notes to understand the concepts in detail. I also used Head first PMP to clear all the concepts. This took me almost 5 months to complete PMP as my per day efforts were low, and I was not confident to appear for PMP.  After finishing the first round, I collected all the formulas and numeric problems to practice. This helped me creating the dump sheet at the time of exam.

After this I again started reading PMBOK and resolving Rita’s chapter end questions, I noted down the score for each chapter and rearrange the chapters from low-high score.  HR management, procurement management and project integration management were having low score. I refer the ‘The human aspects of project Management’ by Vikay K Verma, to get the concepts clear on conflict management, motivation and delegation. The information in the book helps to clear the concepts but not necessary for PMP exam. I too referred ‘Project Management professional Study Guide’ by  Kim Heldman to clear the concepts on contract administration and closure. I refer forum PMZilla and Deep fried brain as well as business dictionary to clear terms like cost risk, IRR methods, contract terms etc. Deep fried brain explains configuration management, TPA and contract type concepts very well.

               I started taking free exams and Rita PMP fastrack simulation score were as below:

               Oliver Lehman 175Q : 77%

               Head First PMP 200Q:  83%

               Oliver Lehman 75Q:  69%

               Rita Fastrack Super PMP: 59.5%

               Rita OMO: 80%

On exam Day: I reached the exam centre 2 hours before and they asked me to start the exam right immediately. The questions were lengthy and difficult. Only Rita’s last 5 -6 questions from each chapter and Oliver Lehman 75Q matches the difficulty level of the exams. I did not get any question on professional & social responsibility.  I was completing 48 questions per hour and was not able to improve the rate till end, resulting I could review only 2-3 questions and exam was timed out.

What went right:

• I created dump sheet before the exam and that helped me in quickly solving all the numerical problems.
• I used all the tricks mentioned by Rita (process of elimination, identifying the real issue from the question and others), however it took long time on each question.
• Exam actually test your ability to apply PMBOK knowledge, so have each concept cleared well. Taking my own hand notes helped lot me in the same.

What could have been better:

• I should have applied the Rita’s  tips for Mock test as well. I could have save some time in answering each question.
• I used some of the free questions and tests, those might be on old syllabus. This resulted in losing my confidence well before exams.
• I spent lot of time in researching many terms which are not in PMBOK and Rita’s like (Project closure types extinction, addition etc), those were actually not required. It was waste of efforts.
• I took 8 months in completing PMP , but it can be achieved in shorter time. You have to remain focus and spend at least2-3 hours per day. The efforts may vary depending on your exposure to all the PMP processes in your day-day work life.

I hope this will help you to prepare for the exam. If any help required, please post your replies on the forum.

Regards,

Suyog