Preparing for PMP is a great learning experience for me. 

Well I started my preparation with Andy Crowe's book PMP exam: How to pass on your first try.  

After finishing it quickly end to end, I got an overview of the whole PMP stuff.  

Then I went ahead and took the SKILLSOFT PMP test as I have access to SKILLSOFT at my work place. It helped me to look at things more deeply. 

Then I started going through PMBOK guide.  Even though it is good stuff, the problem for me is that I used to loose focus and get bored after going through it for couple of  hours or so at a stretch.  To make my journey through PMBOK more lively and interesting, I started taking tests and referring every question and answer in PMBOK thoroughly.  I think that worked for me.

Then I did go through Rita's book 6h edition, Kim Heldman's 6h edition book  for taking chapter tests and a quick review to see how things are presented in a different perspective. 

I prepared some charts for Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Outputs.  Here for every ITTO,  the corresponding processes where these ITTOs are getting referenced  are shown.  I have these for all the process groups.

If anybody is interested these can be found at

http://pmppoint.blogspot.com


I purchased PMSTUDY four tests and PMPFORSURE tests two weeks before the exam.  These helped me to practise the stuff and helped me in proper time control and time utilization during the exam.  

In the exam I skipped some questions and marked some of the questions whenever I felt the questions are time consuming.  This way I could complete the first pass of all the 200 questions roughly in 2 and half hours time.  That helped me to focus on the skipped questions , marked questions and a review.

I can say I prepared seriously for the exam for about a month or so. 

My score is

Initiating - BP
Planing - MP
Executing - MP
Monitoring and Controlling - MP
Closing - MP

Thanks to PMZilla forum members for your wonderful posts and help.

Venu.