some experiences to share.

 

background:

# I am an experienced IT PM in real world but not in theory especially PMP. planned to get some theory knowledge, assessed some other IT PM cert. finally decided to go with PMP which was not designed for IT originally.

# PMP is different with normal IT PM e.g. the life cycle, especially testing cycle (in PMP, it is minor stage, but IT PM, it is one of major stage), while first time to pick up PMP, need to tune the mind a bit.

# PMP covers much more knowledge and best practice than what is required for a normal IT PM. IT PM requires picking up the knowledge which they may never used before and maybe in future in order to pass the exam.

# PMP quality control is mainly concentrating on manufacturing theory, which is not really relevant to IT PM, it would be useful for mega IT project quality control.

# I attended a 10 days pmp training last year, but didn't really got too much for the exam, spent another 10 days to prepare PMP exam at beginning of the year, due to work commitment, only managed to read one time PMBOK and one time training material, and did 200 mock questions, results is failed with 3BP and 2MP. bad, sad and shame.

# in middle of year, planned 2nd try with 3 weeks full time 3 to prepare. total hours spent around 160 hours. finally got 4MP and 1P, not good as others, but passed. thanks to the forum and guru who prepared and share the valuable material.

 

preparation:

# tried to read PMBOK, but fall in sleep after a while, give up. 

# got a PMBOK PDF copy, it helps to search faster and easier. you can't search on paper PMBOK.

# read through experiences and tips in forum. pick up a lots.

# go through for the key knowledge may cause confusion. http://www.deepfriedbrainproject.com/2008/12/pmp-certification-exam-prep...

# mainly read "Rajesh Nair" Note and use "Rajesh Thallam" as review.

# both are little bit out-dated, like sigma ratio. hope guru can update it to latest PMBOK v5.

# during reading "Rajesh Nair" Note, do section question immediately, get from https://sites.google.com/site/pgmpguide/ and http://www.tutorialspoint.com/pmp-exams/pmp_mock_exams.htm.

# during the review, it is important to mark the questions with wrong answer and guessed answer. it will help to find out the knowledge gap.

# for questions are still un-clear, search the web and post questions the forum to get deeper and wider understanding, don't skip any single or simple mistake.

# I spent almost 2 weeks for first round of review.

# in second round of review, I mainly do mock questions. did and review 3 full mock tests. I planned to do more, but my reading speed is very slow, finally, only can manage to finish 2 mock test.

# Oliver Lehmann 175q = 69%, HeadFirst 200q = 76%, pmstudy 200q = 77%

# Oliver is very tough, HeadFirst is mix, some simple and some difficult. pmstudy is most close to real PMP and provide detail analysis for your results. if you plan to buy the more exams, suggest you to do the exam earlier to identify your gap earlier and accurately. pmstudy is a good benchmark to show you are ready for PMP exam or not.

# after the mockup, I feel more confidence to pass the PMP.

# in last few days, review all my personal notes and read through the tips in internet.

# All the formula of PMP is easy for me. I didn't struggle on it, but english beat me down, every lengthy question will stop my brain, I simply can't understand 'Not' in a question. the only way is to train this through doing more questions. totally I did 2000+ questions.

 

during test:

# go test centre earlier, get to know where toile, drink and food is. so that during break, you can immediately get what you need without delay.

# after sit in, put on the headset to block noise, as same room, other people may attend other exam which requires type keyboard very fast and loud.

# use 15 minutes trial time to dump knowledge area and processing group and key formula, it is important reference to keep me calm to answer many questions even I already remember every detail of it.

# finish 100 questions in 01:55 and went out for 5 minutes break. it is important for me to have break to regain the concentration to read that lengthy english sentence.

# no time to go out 2nd time, keep watching clock and ensure I can finish 25q in every half hour. finally finished 200q in 03:50, spent 10 minutes to review but didn't get much, and already confident I can pass.

# after submit, a long wait for the processing, then 'Congratulation', surprised that I got 4MP and 1P. I estimated that I may get 3-4MP and 1BP.

# ensures to read all answer, don't stop at first answer which looks correct.

 

knowledge:

# spend most time to understand and remember each knowledge area and processing group, it is most important. do it every day morning and night before and after sleep.

# for every knowledge gap, always go back to PMBOK to figure out the official explanation and answer. it is bible and it is important.

# don't be confused by ITTO crossed difference process group, use 'Rajesh Thallam' Note to check and review and consolidate.

# for formula and processing group, look at "Anil Kumar Tanguturi" Note, it is very good, I read it twice and 3 times every day. Thanks guy.

# for critical path, look at http://pmp-study.blogspot.sg/2009/08/tips-for-critical-path-total-float...., use start=0 to redo the example, it will help to understand all concept.

# it is easy to be confused by risk and quality TT.

# pay attention to integration and procurement.

# every process is important, here is the sequence I look at (schedule->cost->quality->communication->integration->risk->scope->hr->procurement)

 

Thanks.