Hello All,

I would like to share with you all that I took the PMP exam on July 30th and pass with the following:

1. Project Initiating – MP

2. Project Planning – P

3. Project Execution – MP

4. Project M&C – P

5. Project Closing – MP

Lesson learned:

I have to say, it is one of the hardest exams that I have ever done. Four hours and 200 questions are really dragging my brain. I honestly, I thought that wasn’t going to pass since the questions seem to be really tough, tricky and confusing, but I did it!

Test preps:

I have been studied for the last 6 months, on and off since I was working on the project. For 6 months, I used the following tools;

iPhone apps:

• PMstudy – this like a dictionary, you can search for a definition. (FREE)

• PMP Exam Prep Questions – exam prep questions, you can take a quiz and rate yourself on the score. (Paid version)

• iStudy PMP Exam – This is one of my favorites; you have several options to choose such as, Study, Exam, Stress Test, Knowledge area. You also can purchase additional questions for a fee. (Paid version)

• PMP Help – this is cool app; it broke down the process group and knowledge area to pieces. You can see input/output/tools/techniques/Formulae (Paid version)

Once my project is done, I took 2 months off to study and get my PMP cert.

2 months prep:

• PMP boot camp – it helps, but what I found the most valuable is the test on the back of the book. It’s pretty tough, just like the PMP exam itself. Not exactly the same test but very similar on the trickery words and calculations. (Paid)

• Velocitech PMP Mock exam – an online PMP web service that allowed users to purchase a mock test, I bought 200 mock exam for 30 dollars. (Paid)

• Rita PMP exam prep – It’s a good book to read, way better than the PMP book. However, be careful on the practice test. It is wayyyy easier than the actual exam. Don’t get too happy when you get a high grades, but very caution if you scored less than 60. (Paid)

• PMzilla.com – great site to read, digest and learn tips and tricks. I bought an e-book exam, 200 PMP tough questions, and I’m glad I did! My scores were 60%, but it is a tad harder than the real exam. I highly recommended buying the packet; it’s only 12.99. (Paid)

Prep routine:

Every day, I would study for 4-5 hours, Monday through Friday. The key to pass the exam is to REALLY and TRULY understand the following:

• Process Groups

• Knowledge Areas

• Tools/Techniques

• Inputs and outputs

• Critical path

• Formulae

I postponed the test twice, because I wasn’t ready. Each time you changed the schedule, it will cost you 70 dollars. Which I’m glad I did.

Before the test date, I woke up at 5 AM. I prayed and studied the flash card app on my iPhone while eating breakfast.

I left my house at 7 AM; the exam was scheduled at 8 AM so make sure you leave early! The line at test center was long, but I was one of the first to get there. There were many people lined up to take a test as well, and it’s not necessary the PMP, so make sure get that early (traffic, etc…)!

Taking the test:

I was very nervous; I stuck on the first question for almost 4 minutes, so I “Marked” it and skipped to next question. My strategy was, don’t waste your time more than 1 minute per question, its either you know or you don’t; mark the question and move to the next because you can always come back.

I did not take a break because I was afraid I didn’t have enough time to finish the test. I went through the whole 200 questions with 20 minutes left. THEN I went back to marked questions that I wasn’t sure about. I ended it up using all my time.

After you finish your exam, you will know right away either you pass or fail!

Closing:

PMP is doable; I am not one of those people that have photographic memory that can just plow through the test and aced. I worked really hard to get it this far. When I fail the mock tests, I keep trying and trying until I get them right.

Good luck to you all, and if you have any question, feel free to contact me.

My LinkedIn info is: www.linkedin.com/in/voravitthunyapoo

BEST OF LUCK!

-Ridhwan