Passed PMP on 10/17

Test date:
10/17/2011 1:00 PM
 
Scores:
Initiation - Proficient
Planning - Moderately Proficient
Execution - Proficient
Monitoring and controlling: - Proficient
Closing - Moderately Proficient

Preparation Time: 
1 Month - 32 days to be exact.
 
Study Material:
PMBOK 4th edition
Deepfriedbrain blog (I loved this site. I was so confused about WPI, WPM and performance reports and that is when I found this site in google search. Best discovery for my prep.)
Headfirst - Risk management chapter from their website (Free download)
PMZilla critical path youtube videos
Rajesh Nair's notes(loved the notes. So easy to read and follow)
PMStudy - $149 package
 
Practice Tests:
Head first free online test - 76 % (after the first round of PMBOK and PMStudy)
PMStudy Test 1 - 89% (after the 2nd round of PMBOK and 2 weeks of prep)
PMStudy Test 2 - 88% (after the 3rd round of PMBOK and 3 weeks of prep)
PMStudy Test 3 - 89% (week 4)
PMStudy Test 4 - 89% (week 4)
Oliver Lehmann 75Q - 76% (week 5)
Oliver Lehmann 175Q - 80% (week 5)
PMZilla 200Q - 70% (Oct 16th, day before exam)

Game Plan:
Began prep: 13th Sep, 2011 - bought PMStudy package. Was reading PMStudy chapters, PMBOK and then doing end of the chapter tests in PMStudy.
Applied to PMI:  Sept 19th after finishing the PMStudy package for contact hours and scheduled for the exam on Sep 21st.
 
After the first round of reading, I re-read PMBOK and also the PMStudy again. My PMStudy package was valid from Sept 13th - Oct 13th. So I wanted to make sure that I finish all my reading and do all the tests.

Hours/Day: 3-4 hours, weekends - around 6 hours
 
Test pattern:
 Questions were wordy and tricky. It was not too tough but not too easy either. I had some 10-15 math problems. And most of the questions that I got are from Risk, Commn, procurements, Scope/Time.

I did not memorize ITTO. I tried to understand the concept, the tool/technique and the purpose behind using that tool. That helped me alot.
 
So that is it!

Good luck every one!!
 
Best,
Joy
 
 
admin's picture

Congratulations Joy, With the study materials and exams you have taken, I am sure there is no need to memorize ITTO. Good to see PMZilla 200 tough questions standing to its name :)


REgards