Guys,

I just passed PMP exam first attempt on July 2nd and I was totally relieved after seeing the Congratulations! message on the screen.   I had to take the exam on this day as it was the penultimate day of the exam expiry date, else I would have wasted the fees paid for the exam (USD 534 dollars - including membership feeof USD 129).   I started preparing for it from June 19th with PMBOK  3rd edition as I did not know that there is new edition out there until June 27th.  By then I had already scheduled the exam at New York City on July 2nd that was the only testing center available on that day.  On June 27th, I came to know that the exam would be held based on 4th edition for the test takers who take on or after July 1st. I felt little embarrassed with myself for not knowing this earlier.  But after going thru the differences between 3rd and 4th editions I realized that there is not much change except adding 2 new process, merging 4 process into 2 and verb noun process names for more clarity.  I had to pacify myself and started reading 4th edition from that day until July1st. 

I had spent almost 6 hours a day from June 19th until July 1st during the course of the exam preparation by reading PMBOK, listening Steve Caseley's lessons (by downloading all 30 lessons into iPOD and listening to them while eating, walking, riding NJ Transit and Path to work) and taking Rita Mulchahy's PM Fastrack tests at home during nights after returning from work.  I just read PMBOK 3rd and 4th editions. I wanted to read Rita's book but did not have time to do so.  But her test software is good and understanding of her explanation of answers for each question were what really helped me to get the right frame of mind for the exam.  I do have 5 years of project lead work experience and have general project management hands on knowledge.  PMZilla did help me to get all necessary formulae at one place.

From what I experienced by going thru this whole preparation process and taking the exam, the exam is not too difficult for people who have general management hands on knowledge (even if it is at the team lead level).  It helps us easily understand the language used in the PMBOK guide quickly even though the management processes presented in it, are not followed 100% in job situations. But the book has to be read 2 times at the minimum to get yourself familiarized with the sentenses and information in it.  Then, taking PM Fastrack tests, first on the 5 individual process groups and then on the 9 knowledge areas would help.  Each of these tests would contain 150 to 500 questions but I didn't attempt all.  I just attempted 50 questions in each to test my understanding and readiness in that area.  Then, taking at least 3 to 4 full 4 hour tests, starting from 4 days before the exam would get you into the groove.  

In the exam hall after starting the exam, my plan was to quickly go thru all 200 questions looking for 1 or 2 line questions that have short answers and try to attempt them as many as possible within the first 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours.  Here the intention was to get the right rhythm and make your self ready before you go into the critical phase of attempting lengthy and wordy questions and answers.    I had implemented this plan and could answer all questions.  I could answer almost 100 questions within the first 2 hours and was confident that alsmost 70 to 80 were 100% correct.  I used the Mark button and unanswered/incomplete questions to my advantage to identify right questions that needed a second look.  Second look at tricky questions would help find correct answers.  

I hope my experience would help all future exam takers and I wish you all the best.

Regards

RK