Dear All,

                   I am extremely happy that I have Cleared PMP on my first TRY. In an intense preparation for One month. I had a class room Training for 4 days on Jan-2012. Immediately registered with PMI,requested for the exam, not audited (Lucky1), received exam permission on March, and set a target of 3 months, plan was to appear on June. started with memorizing ITTO's (mistake 1), purchased video tutorials from Dave litten (was impressed with Earned value video on you tube) after two months completed the video's and had a fair understanding on the structure of PMBOK, could reproduce page 43 and IITO's of first 5 knowledge areas (with 98% precision).Evaluated where I am and reset (postpone) the target to September.

                   Joined PMzilla forum (good step-1) Started with PMBOK 4th Edition (good step -2), after completion of each chapter wrote Rita's 6th Edition Exam (good step -3). This process continued (read PMBOK - write RITA's exam )(Remember I have not gone through the content of Rita, just the chapter end exams). My score was consistently inconsistent (50 % to 69%). Evaluated where I was : postponed the exam to Oct-25th.

                   This time PMBOK line by line,subscribed to Pm-exam-simulator (good step -4), wrote 40 question exam after each chapter this time the score was good (75% - 85%)but again not consistent. while at office used to re-produce page 43 and all knowledge areas ITTO's, it took me 40 min to write all the IITO's , Page43 and Cost formulas. This was unnecessary, only page-43 and cost formula's are good enough. Took first Full length Mock Exam (PM-exam-simulator) got 71%. I was very disappointed (cost, framework less than 50%) I know I was not good at numerical's focused more and reviewed framework. I was worried as I wanted my score to reach 80% at least 75%.

                   I received a mail from prometric stating that the prometric center having issues and they postponed the date to 31st Oct and also gave me an option to choose my feasible date. (Lucky-2) I have got the week I needed, but I wanted to write two more mock exams to check my consistency (good step -5)wrote PMstudy free exam got 68% and wrote Pm-exam -simulator got 68%, excellent consistency and even the knowledge areas were the same. complete revision of PMBOK with more focus on weak areas. wanted to test, but this time a tough one purchased PMzilla 200 Tough questions (2 days before the exam), got 53%. I was expecting 60 %, I was upset, thanks to my wife for her encouragement and went ahead and revised PMBOK.

                   Everyone including me believe that writing a mock exam before the exam day is not recommended, but I wanted to write, so went ahead and purchased PMstudy exam -4. scored 74%. This score gave me a boost.

                   24 Hrs before the exam, focused on key aspects, reviewed Rajesh Nair's notes, I had my own notes prepared from the beginning (good step -0.5), my wife insisted I close my books by 10:) P.M. which I agree. couldn't get sleep as I used sleep late at night everyday. but woke up fresh, reached the testing center, (which was visited 20 ago, to avoid surprises). They took all my belonging's except my identity (passport) and kept in locker, scanned me thoroughly (like airport) took my id and made me sign non-disclosure agreement that I would not disclose any questions.

THE TEST - I wrote down all the Brain dump (thanks to PMzilla members, who gave me an insight of the first 15 min). My brain dump included page - 43, all cost formulas, enterprise environmental factors (PMP-IS-ROD), organizational process assets. interpersonal skills (PMINT-LCD), and few other formulas. The exam was very very tough, almost got 35 numericals (20 on cost) took most of my time. Got lengthy questions almost 100. I knew it would be a very close and I was having one leg on pass and one leg on fail. But the strategy to solve the numerical's first, short question and short answers next, other questions next, marked questions last, helped me a lot. Took survey, before I could make a wish, on the screen appeared the word "Congrats". I screamed just to find the examiner staring at me, offered my apology , he smiled back. I was the only person taking exam.

SPECIAL THANKS

1) PMzilla, for everything.

2) My brother, who initiated my training process and purchased all exams.

3) My family members for providing me a dedicated room to study.

4) My mother-in-law for her timely services and support.

5) My mom for her prayers.

6) My 3 year old daughter, who constantly used to ask me "when will you finish and start playing with me". She supported me by keeping the door closed and telling that "I wont disturb you" just to come back again in an hour to ask me the same question LOL (this interruption used to give me a much needed break from the serious preparation)

7) Last but not the least My wife (my everything) for her co-operation from beginning to end, she was always with me supporting and I specially thank her for her decision that I shouldn't postpone the exam any further and she was more confident than me, that I would crack this tough NUT.

- Sunil Galam, PMP