PMP. Check. Here's a glimpse of my journey.......

Submitted by lazzalonso on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 00:17

My PMP journey began two years ago when I took a 12 week PMP preparation class through our local PMI chapter. After that time I postponed taking the exam (partly because I was intimidated by the entire application process) until....... I learned the exam format was changing. This inspired me to set a goal of taking the exam before the new exam format was introduced.

I submitted my application the first week of July and it was promptly accepted. I scheduled my exam for August 30th. I studied on average 24 hours each week using the following three books:

PMBOK Guide
The PMP Exam How to pass on your first try. Crowe
Head First PMP. O’Reilly

Also, I used the following free resources extensively:

www.examcentral.net
www.velociteach.com (free week provided with purchase of Andy Crowe’s book)
www.brainbok.com

I read the PMBOK and then Andy Crowe’s book. For chapters wherein I needed further understanding I supplemented with the Head First book and lessons I found on youtube.com. Once I completed the books I took Q and A quizzes and short tests on examcentral.net scoring between 60%-70% on average.

Two weeks prior to taking the exam I signed up for my free week on velociteach.com and I completed the 35 hour on-line training course which I found to be a an excellent investment of my time. After each section I would take the respective knowledge area quiz on examcentral.net.

Finally one week prior to my scheduled exam date I began taking full length practice exams and scored:

78% on Head First
64% on Oliver Lehmann’s 75 questions
69% on an examcentral exam
66% on brainbok
58% on simplilearn
66% on pmstudy exam #1

I took my final practice exam, the pmstudy exam 1, two days prior to my scheduled exam date and was so freaked out by the 66% score that I panicked and tried to re-schedule my exam. However, since I was within the 48 hour window Prometric would not allow it.
As scheduled, I sat for the exam and was relieved to pass with proficient in planning and moderately proficient in all of the other areas. I found:

The practice exams well prepared me for the PMP exam as I didn’t find any surprises on the exam.
I marked too many questions for review. I simply didn’t have enough time at the end of the exam to review all of them.

My advice:

Don’t wait as long as I did to apply for the exam. Just do it. So what if you get audited? Start the process today.
Don’t spend a lot of money on books and other resources. There is a plethora of information, quality tools and websites available on line.....for free.
Focus on intense study and practice exams for 6-8 weeks prior to your scheduled exam date.

Good luck to all of you on your journey........

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