Hello All,

I took my 35 pdu's in 2007 and finally i cleared the exam in 2012. Here are my LL's.

Why was i so late ?

I was lazy and often used to get demotivated by the mere thoughts of studies. Also, i was doing well in IT project management job so i thought i will do the exam later. This may be what was wrong with me.

What made me write ?

I started having peer pressure and lack of a PMP was haunting me.

What i did ?

I took my additional material like PM Prepcast from Cornolius Flitcher. Started with book of Andy crowe. I built around my concepts from these two sources. I always said let me first read for more knowledge rather than an exam. In between i did also other exams as PRINCE2 which helped me stay focused on PM oriented studies. At a later point of time i took the Kim Heldmen book and i started using it as a primary reference in lieu of Andy crowe.

Last run ?

Once i completed my PRINCE2 i got the needed confidence and i dedicated 1 month for PMP and booked my dates. I used PMZILLA on a daily basis to learn LL. I also used google to read some topics like earned value. I also took paid tests from PMSTUDY and skipped through Rita once. Yes, here i started using PMBOK as primary reference in lie of Kim heldmen.

What i did not do but wished i did ?

Read Time management from Head first, Give more tests from PM Study.Read Joseph Phillips.

What i did and i liked that i did ?

I bought PMP matchematics book from TMH, it made my Quant concepts razor sharp and loved the single source of mathematics. I loved PM Prepcast, infact i think it made me crack. PM study was awesome. Andy crowe's book made me finish the syllabus quickly and get me the needed inertia. Kim's book gave me momentum and PMBOK was the needed top gear. I also liked i dnt use memory for ITTO.

The mistakes i did ?

Well many, i had to travel to a new city so i took a day earlier to reach but just could not sleep. Lack of sleep me very tired when i was scheduled at 11 am. Wished, i had made my own notes more and wished i was writing this LL in 2008 :)).

My references ?

There is no single source so most of us would need multiple source. I refered ASQ 6 sigma for Quality,

PMI website member library for additional tests, Free tests listed in PMZILLA like PMZILLA, Simplilearn and Head first. For sure i refered and used PMBOK and used the search option to connect the flows.

My sample scores ?

PMZILLA - 65%, PMSTUDY Free - 69%, Paid - 77%, Head first - 78%. I also gave chapter tests from all book.

My personal advice ?

1. Read the PMI PMP handbook if you are starting afresh and seeking the PMP.

2. Get your 35 PDU from a decent source. As an adult you should decide yourself if a group study or a e learning will work for you.

3. Start with Andy Crowe. The book has big fonts and is easy to read. It gets you a sense of completing the syllabus.

4. Dnt ignore PMBOK, Dnt use Pnemonics as i found it very risky, Most Pnemonics use the word to remember the first alphabet of the ITTO. Even if you use , do it in limit may be.

5. Practise tests are a must. It need not be paid.

6. Understand what works for Jack will not work for Jill. So use and know your own study habits that has given you results in past.

7. Try to teach PM in your own team, if you teach you remember. I mentored 3 Team leads in this year and helped me a lot myself.

8. Use colored markers to mark and study, very handy in revisions. Make your own notes. Practise formulas and understand the formula. Why CPI is EV/AV ? What really is TCPI ? Can you model a TCPI in MS Project ? Once you challenge yourself you will learn more.

9. Browse PMZILLA, wonderful site and i used it as a motivation.

OK wish all you guys all the best :).

Greetings from India !