I passed the PM on the first attempt. All were "at target" except for initiate, which was below target. I wasn't trying to ace a "pass or fail" exam!!!
I took a PMP prep-course at my local PMI chapter (PMI-OC) where I learned about Cornelius's materials. I used the simulator and the Math formula products. I have a problem with math and the Formula product really organized everything so well and presented it in a manor that brought me from zero to passing 90% of formula questions that I worked on in the simulator or elsewhere.
Also, I would take quizzes and then look at the ones I failed to figure out why I failed - as I gained momentum (20 questions, 30 questions, etc) I would keep "a Project Manager's book of forms" open. This helped to build a mental visual and served as a tactile experience ( I dont use some of these forms in my day-to-day).
The hardest part was sitting there for four hours and doing 200 questions. It's physical - like doing 200 push-ups in an allotted time. I think people don't fully realize that. Try to do as many un-interrupted 4 hour tests (then review the missed questions) as you can, in the last two week before your test, then review the questions - (in my opinion) no pain no gain!!!
