I passed the PMP exam on 20th June 2012 in my first attempt with all domain proficient. Adding to the lessons learned by others, the tips I would like to share are as follows,

• If you are experienced enough, online contact classes and learings are sufficient. I did the same way.

• If you are not experienced in certain domains/knowledge areas, then make the concepts thorough by reading some reffered books as well as consulting an instructor/trainers.

• More than just reviewing the questions from different sites, understanding the concepts are more important as the situations vary in all contests as well as the exam test you with an entirely new situation.

• Don't be panic with certain new topics and questions available in most of the sites about theories which is not reffered to PMBOK. The PMP exam is outlined entirely within the specified topics mentioned by PMI in their exam outline.

• Always consider PMBOK as the referal to answer any questions and be sure to logically conceive the things to make it clear in your brain.

• After reading the PMBOK and other referal books, there are starter like questions available in PMI website, their online library, Q&A books by Frank A Anbari. Its a great evoke to understand the concepts and direct questions on subjects.

• Thereafter attend answering comparetively simple questions from websites such as,

1. preparepm.com
2. tutorialspoint.com
3. passionatepm.com
4. sites.google.com/site/PMP bank.......etc

• Answering the following free question banks are good to increase your confidence. I believe, better to score in the tune of 75-80 % to stay cool in a commanding position.

1. pmstudy.com
2. simplilearn.com
3. edwel.com
4. oliverlehmann.com
5. mypmi.ie
6. pmfast track by Rita
7. headfirstlabs.com
8. Questions from Kim Heldman, Sybex.
9. Mosaicprojects.com.au
10. whizlabs.com
11. pmzilla.com
12. voightps.com........etc

• The above lists are only a few. But my preparation, I limited with that. Meanwhile I answered some tests from techfaq360.com and PMP exam prep by Chrystopher Scordo. Both are mediocre in overall ranking.

• There are exam simulators available from so many providers, I tried one or two free only. If you are not confident enough, pay and try any of these.

1. pm-exam-simulator.com
2. setgear.com
3. whizlabs.com
4. pmstudy.com
5. pm-exam.com
6. pmperfect.com.......etc.

• You will have free resourses and forums from the following sites

1. pmzilla.com
2. pmchamp.com
3. pmptrend.com
4. pmhub.net......etc
   

• For the exam, be confident on all you learned. Expect most of the questions refered with situations.  Expect network diagrams, Erned value calculations, digrams, charts, different stages in various processes, operational sequences.....etc

Finally, timing is more important. If you are slow in reading and answering, the whole 4 hr is needed for the exam. Also, if some questions are with logical maths, then you may have to spend some time for creative thinking also.

I am ready to chare my experience with you if I am contacted in my E-Mail, dileepsbg@gmail.com or in the open forum. Kindly notify me for any of your observations please.

Best Regards,

Dileep K Nair

dileepsbg@gmail.com