TOPIC: Passed on 1st try - plus tips to studying / preparing

Hello everyone, just a note that I passed the PMP on my first try on 10/06/2018.

So here is my path to taking the test.
1) Go thru each of the tutorials from PM PrepCast (the BEST (BEST!) )
2) Go thru each and every chapter/section review set of questions / test
3) I bought / went thru the PM Prep Exam Coach (pmexamcoach.com/) materials, the PM Mock up exam, and the PM ITTO course - all were EXCELLENT!
4) I bought Andy Crowe's The PMP Exam How To Pass On Your First Try" - fabulous online video and book - really truly helps break this down.
5) I studied - and memorized the PM Formula Guide (1 pager) from PM PrepCast - this is a terrific and relatively straightforward way to learn what you'll need
6) I studied - and memorized the 49 processes - and focused on how they are organized and connect via the Process Groups. The Knowledge Areas are great to help you put it into perspective but the test will test you more on the process in the process group.
7) Take ALL the PM Prep Cast exams - and no matter what you score - do NOT be discouraged. These are excellent questions, and the setup is very real to how you'll take the actual test at your location.
Focus on what to do "right" in a given situation - that will be important as you take the test.
9) Trust your gut instinct
10) Eliminate an answer where you can - it will definitely help.
11) Pace yourself
12) Be sure to take the first 10-15 min (mine was 15 min) to simply write down what you memorized or think is important BEFORE you start the test. You'll feel like you are wasting valuable time - but you are not - trust me - that first 10-15 min where you brain dump your formulas or the 49 processes or the key things you think you need to dump - do it.......you will be very grateful as you encounter questions
13) Stakeholders, Risks, Communications, Quality, Cost, Scope, Schedule - seem to be more important ---- but focus on all things.
14) Give yourself enough prep time between the start of your endeavor and when you schedule the test. I took 5 months - but focused on really learning the processes, formulas, going thru the prepcast, going thru the Andy Crowe book ---- and really paced myself - week-by-week - what I wanted to accomplish.
15) Take simulation tests - starting 10 days before you exam date. Take a test, see how you do, then really review the questions you got incorrect - and understand WHY you got it wrong - READ the answers to the questions you got wrong - it will only help and solidify your missing links. I did this, and did 1 test almost every day (I skipped a day or two to not be totally wiped out) - but my last simulator was done 2 days before my actual test - this way I could relax the day before. The reason to take all the simulator tests before - is several fold - (a) you get to see how you do and focus on fixes, (b) you get to see how you do sitting for 4 hours, (c) you get to see how you function during those 4 hours, (d) you get to see if you fatigue or lose concentration at certain points during the session. For example, when I got to around question 185 - 200 - my questions seemed to be more wrong than right - and once I noticed that issue - I focused more intently to finish strong.
16) on the day of the test, wake up (hopefully refreshed) and don't necessarily focus on the test. Mine was at 9am, so I did an hour on the treadmill, listened to podcast / music - to clear my mind -
17) if you do all what I note above, give yourself enough runway, it should greatly enhance your chances of passing the exam.

Good Luck !
Steve

Great write-up; thanks and congrats!!

Congrats!!!

Hi Steve,
Thanks a lot for your post! This is very helpful! In regards to point 2 you've listed above, I'm having trouble finding the chapter/section review set of questions in the prepcast. Would you assist me in finding them?
Vladimir

Seemed very practical. good tips. Thanks

Hi Vladimir - I had the Prep Cast Premium. At the end of each section is a "self assessment" - these are what I was referring too. I hope this helps........

Thank you a lot Steve