PMP Exam : My Lessons Learned

I passed my PMP exam On Oct 14...Am officially a PMP now:)

• Thanks a lot for my friends Digambar & Nagu for having a separate group mail just for us to keep us moving forward..Digambar got his certification early but he still spent his time in order to clarify our queries

          We met online through PMPExamForum group and didn't personally knew each other.But still this group helped me to keep up my motivation..There were some days when i used to mail them and say am tensed..but they used to boost me up..I really appreciate them for giving me support throughout.

• Also thanks to Umar and Kamlu who helped me with many of my queries and for keeping me active in group..Umar and Kamlu got their certification early.

          Here too ,we met online through PMPExamForum group but they kept the group active..Good work guys..

• Thanks a lot to my PMI Bangalore Chapter tutors and my PMPQuest batch mates especially Prashant & Babu for lessening the stress ..They got PMP Certification in Oct 1st Week:)
• And thanks to all those who r still active in group..Keep it moving..
• Thanks to Cornelius Fichtner for all his answers in PMPBest group..I should appreciate him for taking his time out to drafting big mails with clear examples for helping the people out..His service is well appreciated..
• Thanks to all the websites which i quoted below which helped me in my studies

It really helps to get in touch with people who r in same boat as it eases your tension a lot...:)

Nearly 2 months of easy study and 2 weeks of intense study and solving many questions did the trick..
Attended PMI Bangalore Chapter's 35 Hr course for the mandatory requirement...It was cost effective solution as i didn't want to spend much on the training.

Don't worry or feel stressed about PMP exam...Its not so tough as people say or points out..
But as PMI mentions ,its a way to test your knowledge of PMI Standards and nothing else..They are not making the exams tough..if you understand the concepts ,then its going to be a very easy ride for you...It's people like us(me too :) ) who unnecessarily spread the word its tough and we all get a scared feeling even before we apply for the exam:) Forget all those...Start with a fresh mind..

Just reading PMBOK is enough if you like serious reading..But for others ,i would say go for "HeadFirst PMP" or "Andy's - Pass PMP On Your First Try "as they cover everything needed for exams..I personally didn't like Rita's book and Rita's Questions are very tough and leaves you wondering whether you r upto the mark or not..My exam was similar to the HeadFirst 200 Questions (in the book or free on website) or Andy's 200 Questions (back of his book)

Make sure you are part of following groups..This helps you to get answers for your queries or to learn other LL's

• groups like PMPExamForum ,PMPBest
• http://pmzilla.com/
• http://www.deepfriedbrainpmp.com
• http://forums.oreilly.com/

1. Exam is easy and none of the questions were more than three lines..not even a single lengthy one..so didn't spend so much time in understanding the question..
2. Just make sure that your concepts are clear whichever book you use ..For example ,if i tell Brain Storming or Analogous Estimation  ,then you should be able to tell ,what's the use and how its conducted..so take each tool separately and understand it completely..
3. Just memorize Page 43 of PMBOK.It helps you to answer nearly 20 questions in one shot..No memorization required for Input/Output or tools
4. Solve more questions - PMStudy Website (Free 200 Questions) ,HeadFirst (200 Questions & Chapter end questions) ,Andy (200 Questions & Chapter end questions) or PMRoadTrip Questions (Free on web)
5. Though i took Oliver Lehman's questions ,it was very tough compared to exam and after taking exam ,i feel it was not worth spending my time over there..
6. More questions on Risk ..Understand clearly the Strategies used for negative or positive risk..Differentiate between when to use Risk Acceptance ,Mitigation and avoidance.Many questions on that..Headfirst had good questions on this...
7. Clearly understand the differences in Conduct Procurement & Administer Procurement...Understand them completely
8. Quality Assurance and Quality Control
9. Organizational types --Many questions..Follow the pictures in the PMBOK
10. All mathematical Questions were simple and direct..Follow Headfirst
11. Some questions had their answers in the succeeding questions..So watch out for those as its easy to score on those
12. Few questions had similar situations but options were different
13. Dont forget the project selection criteria..many questions here too
14. There were no questions which i thought i didn't hear /learn..So don't worry..

Finally..Just understand each concept clearly..Thats all required to pass ur exam as i guess PMI is really making it easy for us professionals to pass the exam if we know the concepts..Don't learn so much or read many books but whatever you learn understand it clearly..

Finally Best Wishes for all of You and i do expect everyone to come up with a positive feel about PMP exam than having a scared feel (which i had after learning many LL's :))

Please do get back to me for any help...Am happy to help anyone...