Hello Friends,

I got 5 Ps (unexpected) in my first attempt on 28 May 13.

Historical Information

1. I did a 5 day boot camp in Feb-Mar 12 for the 35 PDUs. No more studies after boot camp due to various reasons.

2. Registered on 17 Jan 13 and started preps from 01 Mar 13. Since i am working, i could spare around 2 hrs during march and maybe 3 hrs during april. During Weekends, maybe 4-5 hrs during Mar/Apr. I took two weeks off in May and registered for exam on 21 May for 28th date, and then cleared.

3. I first read Rita M and then read PMBOK once. In between i did try out the end of chapter Qs (not all). I had a question bank of almost 4000+ questions (PMP Mock tests 200 Qs - 10 tests, PMFast Track, Headfirst, Visual cert, Cert pro, OL-175+75, Few others). i did probability from Kim Heldman.

4. After 8 weeks of normal study and a couple of weekends of tests, i thought i was ready. from 14 - 27 May it was war preparation. I gave one test per day and few kn owledge area tests from fast track and was able to read one chapter of PMBOK per day. I was scoring only between 70 - 80 in tests.

5. From 26th onwards i didnt do any tests and read through ITTOs, did risk once more from PMBOK. on 27th i galnced through PMBOK again and read parts of glossary.

6. I did mathematical problems during the normal course of study.

Ways to pass for sure

1. Dont just read and try to memorise either PMBOK or Rita or any other book. It wont help. Try to understand what each process means and what the tools actually do. Why the inputs are there for and what are the expected outputs.

2. BTW i found Rita very painful to read and didnt do excercises of hers in the chapters (except a few in HR, Risk & Commn).

3. PMBOK is a structured guidebook and i found it easy to undersatnd.

4. I had the fortune of being tutored by a fine instrauctor during the two months and he was always there for clarification of doubts and we had long discussions on each knowledge area and each process (why is it required, how does it contribute to project management etc)

5. Do understand that Project Documents are equally important as PM Plan.

6. The only thing i took from Rita was the PMI's way of thinking and it is useful in solving the situational Qs.

7. My guide had already told me four weeks prior to the exam that i would pass and if not anything atleast 3 Ps. Else, he told me that he would start teaching 'how to clean bathrooms'.

8. The actual exam was a bit tougher than expected (ie mock tests except OL). I had been timing myself at around 3 hrs/ 3 hrs 15 in mocks but in exam i was running just on time, since my guide had only one advice - take 20-30 secs more than your time in answering. Once u have eliminated two obvious wrongs , then read up the answers and try to match with what the Q is asking.

9. Maths Qs are relatively easy but network Qs can be lengthy.

10. i didnt take any break and finished in 3 hr 40 min. i had marked 30 odd Qs for revies and when i was on last review Q, the time ran out. i filled out the survey and the result flashed and then next page i got 5 Ps, i was very happy to have kept up to the expectations of my guide and family. But basically the primary feeling was of BIG RELIEF. The best part was P for M&C.

11. Risk, Procurement, Quality, Scope are major topics with lots of Qs.

12. Think about big projects when u r studying and big projects like 'Metro Rail' or constructing a stadium, or expressway or a two year software development project , dont think that project is done with 10 guys with a simple plan. Then a lot of process & especially tools/techniques would be hard to understand. For risk, think of projects NOT IN YOUR CORE AREA OF EXPERTISE. I am an IT Guy, so i used to think about projects in construction, rail network where i would not be knowing the tools and i wanted to see how to estimate things, ensure quality plan risk etc.

13. Lastly, i dont think if one understands the processes (not memorise), then he/she has any fear of failing.

14. Again, the MOST important thing for the exam is that during exam, one should be fresh, alert and his mind working in top gear (this would not happen if you are not well rested the prvious night).

Best of Luck. God Bless