I wanted to contribute my lessons learned to the site, as reading through some of the lessons learned here helped me to prepare for the PMP exam.

Work Background:

I have about 3 years of managing IT projects, but this is spread out over 6 years.  While the projects were all successful, I did not use (or even aware) of the best practices that are described in the PMBOK.

For the past 1.5 years I have been a dedicated project manager and have been much more involved in the management of the 9 PM knowledge areas.

PMP Education and Study Material:

I enrolled in a 60 hour / 20 session Project Management class.  This was the most helpful tool in my PMP Exam preparation, as it did not really focus on passing the exam, but in understanding the best practice processes, tools and techniques of Project Management.  This class was taught by senior level PMPs and they gave us group exercises in each knowledge area.  We were given slides and handouts for each knowledge area.

PMBOK 4th Edition.  I read through this 1 time after the 60 hour class.  As the class had covered all of the material in the PMBOK, during my reading of the PMBOK I felt that I was covering the material again.

Local PMI Chapter PMP Exam Prep Class.  This was an 8 hour / 1 session class.  We covered all of the knowledge areas in brief.  Each knowledge area was presented by a senior level PMP.  We received slides of each presentation and the PMIQ CD.  The PMIQ CD has good questions on it; many of the questions were similar to some of the questions on the PMP exam.  I only took about 50 questions from each knowledge area and answered about 85% correct.

Rita Mulcahy's PM Fastrack PMP Exam Simulation Software v6.  I found this software simulation to be excellent.  There are only 1400 questions.  So, to get an accurate score I would recommend to only take this exam twice, as the questions will repeat.  The first time I took this exam I scored 71.5%.  It told me the areas that I was weak in.  The next time I took this exam I scored a 77%.  The Fastrack exam is very difficult.  I would say that if you can score 80% on the Fastrack exam, you will be able to pass the PMP.

Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep 6th Edition.  I did not read this book from the cover to cover.  With the results of the Fastrack exam, I pinpointed my weaknesses and only read through those areas.

Preparation:

I used all of the material above over the course of 8 months.  Anything that I learned I tried to implement in my actual projects at work.  It is important as a practioner to not just know the material in the PMBOK, but to also use it.

Memorization:

For the exam I only memorized the process chart and formulas.  I did a brain dump during the tutorial portion of the PMP exam, but if you are able to successfully memorize material, you most likely do not need to brain dump it.  I did not refer back to the material that I had brain dumped during the exam.  The action of writing the material down did help me calm my nerves though.

Exam Scheduling and Test Day:

Exam scheduling through the Prometric site is straight forward.  I scheduled mine 3 weeks out, and would recommend others to schedule further out to ensure the location and time of your choice.

The Prometric site that I went to was in Bedford, TX.  It is very difficult to find!  For anyone that will be testing here, it is in the middle of the shopping center, behind the Duke's Roadhouse, near the clocktower.  You can also reach this site from Central Drive and it is near the large office building.

You will not be able to access your locker, if you take a break from the exam.  Any food or drink that you want to eat or imbibe will need to be placed on top of the locker.

The air conditioner was loud and ear plugs were not provided, only ear muffs.

Actual Exam:

If you are prepared, then the exam should be OK for you.  Compared to the Fastrack exam, I found the Fastrack exam to be more difficult.  Two negatives:  1) The on screen calculator was not as responsive as I would like.  2) The diagrams that were on the test were legible, but poor quality.

My pacing for the exam was good in the beginning, but slowed down after 80 questions, so I only took 1 break.  I was able to finish in 3 hours 45 minutes.

After you review your answers and end your exam, the screen will go blank for about 10 seconds.  A 9 question survey will then be displayed.  After you are finished with the survey, the screen will go blank again.  If you passed, you will get a screen that says you passed.  After this screen it will tell you your proficiency level for each PM process group.

I was moderately proficient in Initiating, Planning, and Professional and Social Responsibility.  I was proficient in Executing, Monitoring and Controlling, and Closing.

Good luck to everyone on this path and congratulations to my fellow recent PMPs.