Passed PMP / 1st attempt. What worked for me.

Hello, 
 
I passed PMP yesterday, first attempt. I got 4MP, 1P. Here is what worked for me, and might/might not work for you. My background is Software Engineering. 
 
- August 24th: Took PMP bootcamp. PMA, San Francisco, CA.  After this, I didn't do any study/review for a month.
- September 24th: Applied for PMP Exam 
- September 30th: PMP application approved. Registered for PMP Exam October 19th.
- October 6th: Started studying. Basically I reviewed all PMP bootcamp materials/strategy.
- October 19th: Passed test. 
 
I would say I invested 48 hours to seriuos study. Here is what I did/didn't do due to my short timeframe to pass the test:
 
I did not:
1) Did not read entire PMBOK, only specific pages (maybe 15 pages) that were pointed out by bootcamp material. I just didn't have the time to read it.
2) Did not purchase/read additional books/resources/mock-tests. I stuck to what I was given at bootcamp material.
 
I did:
1) Read bootcamp material twice, which is a summarized version of PMBOK
2) Created flashcards with all terms that I was not familiar with.
3) Took small quizzes daily - provided by bootcamp material. Added more flashcards containing wrong answers.
4) Solved 2 practice tests. Got 71% and 75%. 
5) Daily took 15 mins to brain dump all processes and formulas. 
6) Day before test I went through all my wrong answers. 
7) Reviewed flashcards whenever I was commuting to work.
8) When commuting, I played a PMP video (of any source/topic) on youtube. 
 
Strategy: 
1) I read answers first, always.
2) Skipped all calculation questions to the end.
3) Skipped all "tough" questions to the end.
4) Answered all questions I could answer right away in 2.5 hrs.
5) Answered calculations questions in 45 mins.
6) Answered "tough" questions in 45 mins. 
7) I guessed in 9-10 questions.
 
The PMP Bootcamp I attended is ProjectManagementAcademy.net 
 
admin's picture

Congratulations on your PMP. Thanks for sharing.