the first attempt I relied very heavily on Rita's 7th edition.  I read that book and purchased Rita's Fast Track practice questions.  i had read PMBOK but I focused 95% of effort solely on Rita.

when i sat for the exam i was very nervous so i feel a lot of it was nerves the first time around, also i felt i needed to answer every question right there and then so i mistakenly wasted 1/2 hour unknowingly on one formula based question when i should have just marked it for review.  then the rest of the time i was playing catch up with the clock running down.

For 2nd attempt I studied nothing but PMBOK as well as memorizing as many as the ITTO's as possible.  spent more time on other mock exams such as oliver lehman and others that are out there.

while taking the exam the 2nd time i was calmer and not as nervous which helped but honestly if I had to do it all over again i would read Rita once and study those areas that PMBOK does not delve into such as quality theorists and more in depth formula explanations.  then i would focus the rest of the study time to PMBOK reading that at least twice while simultaneously taking practice exams.  part of the process is not only understanding PM practices but also knowing how to take a test in a 4 hour intensive timed setting.  practicing the mock tests that are 4 hours or even just two hours will help your mind prepare for this setting.

i wish all of those studying for their PMP the best and your hard work will pay off.