Hello Every One,

I passed the PMP exam on Monday 18th March 2013 with 3 Ps and 2 MPs.

The exam itself, and every moment of preparation, was extremely unpleasant and harrowing to me.

I cleared the exam with 6 weeks of preparation, which were done on top of a full-time job and with a young and demanding family about me at home. I made sure I did 2-3 hours study every evening between 9pm--midnight.

In order to get the necessary information into my head, I combined thorough multiple readings of the PMBOK guide, Rita Mulcahy and Head First.

I had also found the following PMZilla post particularly useful:

http://pmzilla.com/passed-pmp-19th-jan-2012first-attempt

In order to memorise ITTOs, I took 42 yellow 125mm x 75mm index cards. On the front side of each card, I wrote the title of a process, and in three columns the Inputs, Tools, Techniques to that process. On the reverse of the card, I wrote the numbers of the chapter and subchapter that the process belonged to. I kept the cards daily in my pocket, and by going over and over them (always thoroughly shuffled) in spare moments I was able to effectively memorise the sequence of processes, and put many ITTOs in their correct mental place.

I booked the exam 3 weeks into my study period. At week 4 (with 2 weeks to go) I took my first practice test (free PMstudy) and scored 69%. I took heart from a PMZilla post that I had read that you should use practice tests merely to identify knowledge gaps, and not get depressed or down about results!

The next week was a pivotal one for me, and by the end of week 5 (with 1 week to go) I was able to score 82% in a PMstudy practice test. My confidence grew in the middle of my final week of study, when to my surprise I was able to equal that score in Lehmann 175.

I had booked the exam in for a Monday afternoon, and taken that day off work, giving me 2.5 full clear final days of preparation. After the long stretch already covered, it was very tempting to "take my foot off the gas", but I did not allow myself that luxury and forced myself through an intense and lingering final read of PMBOK on the day before the exam.

I took 9 hours sleep and on test morning had one final pass through knowledge gaps and ITTOs.

The exam itself was extremely tough. There were about 30 easy questions, and another 30 numerical calculation questions (which I am fortunate to find quite easy to answer). However, the format of most situational questions was: not very long to read (max. 6 lines of text), easy to rule out 2 of the answers, but difficult to pick from the final 2 choices with absolute confidence.

I had 30 minutes spare at the end, which I used to revisit marked questions. It was tempting to change many of my answers, but I had made a rule for myself: In review, only change an answer if you have a heartstoppingly good reason to do so.

I clicked 'End exam' with 2 minutes left on the clock, firmly convinced that from that point on, I could only do more harm than good. I felt at that point that I probably had equal chances of success and failure, and was therefore relieved when success flashed up on the screen.

To those still studying, I would like to share the observation from my own experience: None of the books are perfectly written (even PMBOK itself!) and even after multiple passes of multiple texts, it is possible to have the firm illusion that you clearly grasp a given topic -- when in fact, your comprehension is flawed! (This was the case with me for my comprehension of what a risk contingency plan is until 2 days before the exam.) The only way out of this is to keep reading, and keep taking practice tests. The pass is eminently possible. All it takes is hard work.

PMZillands: thank you so much for all of the helpful posts over the last 6 weeks. I wish to all health, happiness and success in all your endeavours.