Hello –

I passed PMP examination on July 12th with 3 P’s (I, P, E) and 2 MP’s (M&C, C). Attached are my LLs.

1. Preparation – End to end PMP journey took 3 to 4 months but effective preparation time was for 1.5 months. I Attended 35 Hrs training class in March and scheduled exam week after Memorial Day week-end hoping to use long week-end for preparation but ended up rescheduling exam in July. I effectively spent full June and 2 weeks of July for study - on an average 3 Hrs /day.
2. Study materials
a. Standard material provided during 35 Hrs training.
b. PMBOK 5.0 – Skimmed and used as a reference as and when needed.
c. UTube videos – excellent material - iZenBridge, TutorAli etc.,
d. Rita - Tried to use old edition (based on PMBOK4) but didn’t like due to patronizing tone of the book. I used the book for the end of the chapter questions.
e. Head First - Tried to use old edition (based on PMBOK4) but didn’t like due to all pictures, images and illustrative examples. I used book for the end of the chapter questions.
3. Practice exams – used anything and everything available on-line. Examples – PMP bank, CertChamp, ExamCentral, Oliver – 75/175, HeadFirst, PMPStudy and PMP PrepCast. I extensively used questions from Scordo available on PMI site. Overall, I practiced 3,000+ questions. Initially, my scoring was around 70%. In some tests I scored as low as 58% and in some I scored over 80%. As I practiced more, I consistently started scoring above 75%. I realized the most of the questions I am getting incorrect are ITTO questions. Per various postings on forum, I decided not to spend time on ITTO and focused on understanding table 3.1 of PMBOK 5.0. Of above tests, I liked tests from Scordo, PMPStudy, PMP PrepCast and Oliver.
4. Actual Examination – It was a standard prometric center with few other candidates taking GRE. Started test after immediate arrival; did brain dump of table 3.1 and formulas but hardly referred to both. My main concern was time as I did not practice a single 4 Hrs test. So I started fast and spent less than minute on a question. During halfway I realized, I am head of schedule and questions are relatively simple then I slowed down. I also thought questions were straight-forward, average question length was 3 to 4 lines. Very few questions were wordy and lengthy and lengthy question doesn’t mean question was difficult. As expected there were very few questions on ITTO – glad that I did not spent time on ITTO. I did not encounter questions with double negatives , questions with lot of noise like Rita’s end of the chapter questions. I thought questions were in line with Scordo and PMPStudy’s questions. I finished exam with 30 minutes left and spent remaining time in reviewing questions. I did change answers to few questions though double guessing is not a good idea. At the end of the exam I was tired but felt good and confident. Time expired, survey came and then congratulation message.
5. Afterthoughts
a. I should have attempted few 4Hrs full length exam. It would have helped to reduce pre-exam (and during exam) anxiety.
b. Do not over-think and over study. Two to three months of study is enough to pass.
c. For practice use questions from multiple sources so that wide range of questions are covered and there won’t be any surprise during exam.
d. If I can do it……you can do it.

Thank you to all of you !