Hello everyone,
I am happy to let everyone know that I took the exam last Saturday and passed on my first attempt.
Having taking the Prepcast was an excellent tool to prepare for the exam. The exam simulator is a MUST, not only because the quality of the questions and the detail when reviewing your answers, but also because it really gives you the feeling of the actual exam. It is long and can somehow wear you down. Using the simulator helps managing the time and create a strategy for the exam.
My top 5 recommendations for preparing for the exam:
1- Don't rush it: take at least 2 months to digest all the concepts and understand it., do not nor only memorize it. The exam questions are designed to test your knowledge and how you would act in project related situations. (I know we are in a critical timing with the change of exam format, but make sure you feel ready to take it this year)
2- Follow the recommended methodology to view the course(PrepCast) material: watching the Overviews first helps a lot, then go to the detail videos
3- Complement you study with some reading: you can read the PMBOK guide, but I find it quite dry. For me it was better to read the Rita's book as it is written in a more personal manner.
4- Take at least 3-4 simulator exams. Then take the time to review your answers, both correct and incorrect
5- Post the processes table and formulas somewhere you can look at them several times a day. It helped me with the visual memory
The exam was high level, the questions were challenging, but it is very much possible if you prepare properly.
Good luck to everyone
Rafael
