I am so glad that I did it and so you can!
Mid Nov (11/13/2020), I happened to learn that PMP exam will change starting Jan. 2021.
By that time, I just finished some online courses to get the 35 contact hours.
I did not even know you need to submit an application to PMI first.
After some research, knowing that it will be challenging, but I decided to do it.
I submitted my application on the 14th at night. I kept learning by going over an online course for the Exam Preparation, while waiting for my application outcome.
It took 5 days before my application status turned Eligible.
Till the day before exam, I studied average 1-2 hours on work days (I have a full time job) and at least 4 hours on weekend days.
Resource I used:
1) Online courses purchased a year ago when on sale (don't remember provider)
2) PrepCast Exam Simulator (I finished 7 exams, all timed, scored all above 70%, never cross 80%)
3) Other Free Exams recommended by PrepCast (excluding Free PrepCast Exam - as they were deactivated, OpenPM - did not create an account)
4) PMBOK - only for checking knowledge points for the questions I got wrong in the practice exams
Among all the practice exams, I feel PMI's is most difficult and I only scored ~60%.
PrepCast's are most helpful and about the same as the real exam. It has more long questions than the real.
I read slow and English is not my first language. So the biggest problem with me is how to manage myself to answer all questions in 4 hours.
I failed on the first PrepCast exam because I answered only 164/200 of the questions.
For ALL practice exams, I used 4 hours, with every exam ending up with using the last 1 or 2 minutes to answer the last question.
Even on the exam day, I used up all 240 mins.
To that point, I really admire the folks who can finish all questions 2-3 hours.
Exam day experience:
Check-in process was smooth; glad did not ran into computer issues; I used my work laptop, and disabled antivirus and firewall app; used wired internet connection.
I was nervous and felt rushed on the first part; even though I had quite a few questions flagged, I did not review them at all (worried that I don't have enough time)
The 10-min break came after the 89th question; I used the 10-min in full; used the restroom and drank some water; last 2 mins of the break, I took deep breath and tried to clam down.
I felt I did not do well on the first part, so gotta catch up at the second part.
It turned out I actually used less time than my usual on the first part, so I slowed down a little bit at the beginning of the second part.
I ended up with rushing on the last 10 questions, but I was able to answer ALL. I clearly knew that without answering all questions, there is no chance to pass.
I had fewer questions flagged in the second part, but it doesn't matter as I never got a chance to review anyway.
I did not feel good about the exam and thought I was gonna fail.
Till I see the 'Congratulation...' statement, I still did not believe it.
After I finished the exam for about an hour, I was still in the 'disbelieve' mode;
I searched online and found out you can log back in to your exam dashboard to view scores.
My experience to achievement:
1) Time the practice exams - if you have the same difficulty as me; try to concentrate and speed up reading and catch key words, e.g. initiating, planning, etc. so to narrow down the knowledge processing area in your mind;
2) Study the questions you got wrong - check PMBOK and make notes
Big Thumbs Up to PrepCast Exam Simulator! I don't think I can pass without it.
