I passed the PMP exam in my first attempt! I started out by taking a prep course. After the course was done I spent a few days working on my application and submitted it to PMI. Within a few days I received the approval letter. I booked my exam for May 28th - this gave me a solid 6 weeks to prepare. Since I had already read the PMBOK during the 6 week course period, I decided to read Rita's book from front to back. I found this book very helpful - it made many concepts clear for me. After finishing the book I started doing all the end of chapter questions. My average score was in the mid 80s. With just over 2 weeks to go I started searching for free online practice questions/mock exams and attempted as many as I could. For each exam I would time myself and record my results in a spreadsheet. After each exam I would go back and review the questions I got wrong and reference the PMBOK. In the last 4 days I completed three full mock exams. On average, I managed to complete the mock exams in 3.5 hours and scored in the high 70s. The day before the exam I only did light reviewing and stopped studying by 6pm. On the 28th of May I took the morning exam and passed with 2 proficients and 3 moderately proficients. I was able to finish the exam with 30 minutes left to review questions.

Some advice/lessons learned:

- read and understand the material in the PMBOK. If concepts are not clear read a supplementary book like Rita's book.
- memorize formulas - it is important to also know what all the variables in the formulas mean so you can interpret questions
- memorizing ITTOs is useless - instead understand what all the tools & techniques are. When you review the processes numerous time you'll begin to remember the major inputs and outputs of processes - most of them are logical
- After all readings have been done attempt sample questions. Use these as your gauge to see where you stand
- When reviewing questions you got wrong don't just review the portion that you got wrong. Instead review the entire section in PMBOK. This will help solidify your understanding. If you do this in the early stages you won't have to later on because you will have grasped the concepts.
- Practicing is very important. There are many websites that offer free sample questions. Attempt them and learn from them.
- You should also practice timing yourself and getting used to not being able to answer some questions (and moving on).

All in all, the exam requires you to commit and dedicate the preparation time. As long as you read the book, understand the material and practice with sample questions and mock exams you should be confident to take the exam. Just pick a date, stick to it, study, and go for it.

below are a list of some questions I used as part of my preparation. All are free except Rita's end of chapter questions.

- Prepare PMP 75 question & 28 questions mock test (available free online)
- EXAM CENTRAL- 30+30+30+81 Questions (available free online)
- All end of chapter questions from Rita's book
-Head first 200 questions mock exam (available free online)
-Oliver Lehmann 175 question mock exam (available free online)
-PM study 200 question mock exam (available free online)

I wish everyone all the best!