I'm glad this phase is over and i can get back to my regular routine.

Just thought i'd share my experience with everyone since this forum was invaluable during the process

Study source:

1. PMP BOK 4th edition
2. Rita 6th edition (the bible)
3. Rajesh Nair's notes (icing on the cake)

In my opinion the more books you use the more confusing it will get. I tried to read another book and after a couple of pages i figure it wasnt the right approach.

Total study time was 43 days.
Studied an average of 4 to 6 hours a day.

Dont start with PMBOK, it will only confuse and stress you out. I was completely discourged after i read the book once. After i read Rita everything seemed to make sense. Do all the end of chapter questions and excersises!

I read PMBOK once, then Rita (i wish i would have done it the other way around), then i went through them simultantiously chapter by chapter that really helped close the gaps. I wish i would have discovered Rajesh Nair's notes sooner. I can confidently say that they were one of the main reason's on me passing the exam. They really helped sum everything up.

What i would have done differently?

Gone through rita once, them pmbok, then gone through rita/pmbok/nair's notes simultationly chapter by chapter. then proceeded to take mock tests.

- If you ask me i dont think anyone should even attempt to do any mock questions till they have absolutly finished studing. It will only discourage you if you do them sooner.

- Dont be intimidated by the tough mock tests out there. Maintaing your confidence is very important. I noticed the PMP tests were a lot more direct, few wordy, few math. I would say headfirst and exam central were the closest match to the ones on the exam.

- Keep very close eye on the timer. I wasted a lot of time on 2 math questions which i'm sure i got wrong and then i had to speed through 100 questions cuz of the lost time. Just remember you have 1 minute and 12 seconds per question and you should answer the question in that time!

I got 4 MP's and one P I know people are trying to shoot for all P's but who really asks what was your score, they only ask if you are PMP certified or not! :)

- brain dumped all the 10 formula's, sigma's and 42 process chart in the 15 min tutorial. That really helped.

- Try not to think of your real life PMP experience but more of what PMI expects from a PMP. I know it means unlearning a lot of things.

- Schedule the exam for the time of day that suits you. I'm not a morning person so i picked the afternoon exam which is when i'm most productive.

- Didnt touch anything to do with PMP 24 hours prior to exam. I saw this girl in the exam center, she was going through 20 pages of notes right outside the center before going in! Bad approach, this exam isnt about memorizing its about understanding and decision making

- Hardest thing for me to get used to was taking a 4 hour exam. You really have to take atleast 3 full 200 question exams. This will get your mind and body used to it.

I took the following tests:

Simpilearn 1 free, 1 paid (200 each)
Headfirst 100
Examcentral 200
Oliver Lehmans (i dont recommend this one at all!)

Oh and i didnt memorize the ITTO, read them understand them. If you want to know the ITTO for a process, think of the output of the previous process!

- Had an extremely severe headache after the exam, the beer helped after haha

I would not have done it without the support of my beautiful lovely wife as she was very accomodating, understanding and compromising during the process and my baby girl (who kept me up even on the night before the exam) haha

Best of lucky to everyone trying to pursue this certificiation. It was an interesting journey!