Shekhar is PMP certified learning’s and preparations.

Guys, cleared my PMP exam on 14^th March and sharing my experience (A bit dramaticJ), there is a saying from a Film, I always remember –

“agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho toh poori kaynath tumhein usse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai”

Summary in English “Determination always wins”

I jumped for PMP during Feb 2011 after attaining Prince2 Practitioner certificate (UK body for Project Management, similar to PMI) after realizing that all other certifications, trainings are on one hand and putting PMP solely on other hand becomes more substantial. However to achieve so hasn’t been easy for me because of my personal and professional commitments. After just 1 Month, I had back to back significant project assignments overseas travels and wouldn’t forget to mention certain family commitments. So I had to follow a bit irregular study plan.

During the 1 year period I have been on and off in touch with PMP study materials.

And last week I got a reminder on 9^th March 2012 that my PMP Credential examination would be expiring on 14^th March so I had no choice but to face the HEAT and with blessings from the God and loved ones and my efforts I managed to made it on the last DAY. (This has been such an enthralling experience that I had to gulp plenty of beer canes for stopping myself from dancing on the roads. Anyways, I would share what I did and please don’t hesitate to contact me on shekharp1@gmail.com and I am always happy to assist.

PM Zilla team, I dedicate and thank a ton to you for filling the desire and becoming the medium and a common platform where aspirants like me where everyone shares their own experience and gives mountain of preparation opportunity, PM Zilla, you are mesmerizing!!!

Books:

PMBOK English 4th Edition PMI.pdf ( 2 times + skim day before D day )

Rita Mulcahy - 6th edition.pdf (Only ones, during early 2011)

OReilly.Head.First.PMP ( 2 times, skimming along with PMBOK)

Questions/Mock:

Approximately 2000, but no mock since last 8 months

Blogs:

PMZilla and PM study

Trainings Institute:

Knowledge woods, Tarun Nanda you rock!!

Lessons Learned, Tips and Tricks:

*Gone through the material mentioned and tried to imbibe rather just studying and kept using my common sense

*ITTO – I could remember only few but tried to understand the flow (from PMBOK)

*One Day before exam: Ran over once the two books – PMBOK and Head First together, it took me approx 9 hours to do so and let me say that as far as studying is concerned, I believe only these 9 Hrs gave the courage to appear, Dare to say I DO BELIEVE IN 11^th HOUR STUDY.

EXAM:

Exam was more on scenario based, questions were given from all knowledge area and process groups, I found it was more on decision making based rather typical question and answer exam, approx 15 numerical from Time, Cost, and Risk, I found them quite complex.. may be due to lack of practise and approx 7 – 8 direct ITTO.

So that’s all I wanted to share, for all those who are preparing all the best and those who cleared best of luck for their future plans, cheers!!