Had a fast go through of PMBOK guide initially and then started real preparation from Mid June 2011. I was using both Rita's book and PMBOK concurrently. Rita's book was very much useful for understanding the concepts and PMBOK was good references. I took all the exercises in Rita book and got around 60% average in all knowledge areas. I was also taking my own notes based on my study which was really useful in the exam time. Also Chowdary's notes was very useful (Thanks Chowdary).

 

I applied for exams on 10th Jul 2011 and my application got selected for audit. I sent the required documents for audit to PMI, USA on 28th Jul. I got a mail from PMI on 5th Aug that I have completed the audit process. Then, I scheduled my exam @ 8:30 AM on 17th Aug. Audit process had really slowed down my exam preparation.

 

During 2nd week of Aug, I took 1 week leave from work and started concentrating fully for the exam. I planned to do a mock test to judge my level of scoring in knowledge areas as well as Process groups. I took PM Road trip exam on 10th Aug and got 74 %. It gave me some confidence and then gone thru the low scored areas. I also noticed my exam time utilization during the exam.

 

Later, I wanted to appear for a real time free simulation exam - EPMC on 13th Aug suggested by people in this forums. EPMC Q's were really tough and 75% of Q's were more than 4 lines. I was able to answer only 170 Q's with the given time and did not review my answers which were marked for review. I got only 49 % in that exam. I was totally upset on my performance and tried to postpone my exam date. But, there were no seats available till end of August. So, I had no other go other than scheduled date. I fully concentrated on the areas where I scored less and also noticed where I spent more times.

 

Since there was some lack of confidence, I wanted to do another mock test - Oliver 175 Q's which I took on 15th Aug and scored 62 %. It gave me some confidence. I feel that Oliver Q's are more of real PMP exam questions. Next two days, I reviewed all the chapters, practised more problems and gone through PM Fast tracks Q's. Unfortunately, my fatherinlaw met with an accident @ 7 PM on 16th Aug and I was fully with him in the hospital that night (He is fine now). Though I had a exam fear, I wanted to be cool that time. But, I couldnt sleep well that night, I slept only for 2 - 3 hrs. 

 

Next day - 17th Aug was my exam day. I made myself very cool, listening to some music while driving to the prometric center. Security person in the prometric center was so polite and advised me to be cool, also wished me for the success. I told myself that I should clear the exam. 

 

Before start of the exam, I wrote the PM PG & KA map (p no 43 in PMBOK), Formulaes, graph(p no 437 in Rita's book) in the scrap paper. Based on my lessons learnt from mock exams, I wanted to use 1 min/Q. In that way, I could finish the exam in 3 hrs and use the remaining hrs for review. So, I wrote the timings when I need to complete the Q's (Like 30 Q - 3:30 Hrs, 60 Q - 3:00 Hrs, 90 Q - 2:30 Hrs, 120 Q - 2:00 Hrs, 150 Q - 1:30 Hrs, 180 - 1:00 Hr, 200 Q - 0:40 Hrs).

 

I was little tensed while taking the exam, started answering 40 Q in 30 Mins. Took a 5 Mins break and took a deep breathing exercise. Started answering again. Questions were quite easy, most of them (80%) were 1 line Question. I finished the exam in 3 Hrs and marked around 50 Q's for review. While started reviewing the answers, I was sure that I will pass the exam. After submitting the end exam, it took 5 mins for the survey and got "Congratulation" on the screen. Wow!!! 2 months dedicated preparation paid the result.

 

There were 3 Q's related to the contract graph that I drew, 2 straight Q's on calculating slack, 4 - 5 Q's on EVM, around 10 Q's on ITTO, more Q's from Risk & Quality, 2 Q's on COQ, 2 - 3 Q's on Org Struc,.

 

Thanks for the people who shared their lessons learnt and experience in this PMZilla forum. It is really useful for the new exam takers. Also thank to my friends for their support and guidance.