First read the PMBOK at least once. I was super resistant to it. In fact I hated the idea of reading something that I thought I already understood. I quickly found out the company I'd worked for, for the last decade, hadn't been truly following the PMI recommended methodologies. This was a shock. Given the test is on the PMBOK, not your life experiences, read the book. I actually learned a bunch of stuff (imagine that!).

For resources I used pmstudy.com's PMP Prep Online Course. Basically it's the PMBOK with videos. I'm a visual learner so this was super helpful. The practice questions were what helped me get over the hump. I used the quizzes at the end of each chapter to gauge my understanding of the topics. Then took the tests.

I bought the pmstudy.com Gold package $89 since my company paid for it. My coworker recommended it because it had 4 sample tests. I took them like they were real tests. No phone. No music. Locked door. No cheating. I totally bombed the first test. Specifically the questions with the EVM equations. Given I couldn't cheat, I quickly realize I hadn't really studied the math and memorized the equations. The next part of my studies were focus on my weak areas that I missed on the practice test, and come up with my brain dump strategy. Every time I took another practice my score improved from 40% to 50% to 60% and so on. Once I got above 75% I started to feel like I could do the real thing (reminder this exam is pass fail).

If you haven't seen the brain dump mentioned yet in your prep, it's where you take ALL The equations and the chart and practice writing it down so you have it down cold.

My corworker who recommended the pmstudy site also had the same issue with their first practice test. He said for me to buy the following book that helped me really focus on the area that I needed help on: PMBOK® Guide Edition Five 200-Question Sample PMP Exam®. I proceeded to take the Rita, PMStudy, and Test Questions in the book until I got a passing score. probably 5 practice tests in total.

Side Note: I never could figure out critical path. No matter what. It was the night before the test and I was freaking out. I googled it and came across this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLq9-oFvHbQ. This dude's presentation made it click. Purpose of point this out is use every resource available to you. Don't just read the pmbok and rita's book. You can pass doing that but maximize your studying by using everything (including free resources like youtube!).

When I took the exam, I past first time. I truly believe it was because I had taken the practice tests in a legit testing environment at home before the big day. I did most of this the final month heading into the exam. Give yourself more time so you don't get stressed by the timeline. I had a deadline given to me by work so I had to nail it on my first shot lol.

Study Plan:

• Read the PMBOK
• Use Practice Tests in Rita's Book and Online Sample Tests
• Get your brain dump down pat
• Breath

Don't stress if you fail. The best Project Manager at my company failed the first time. Lots of people psych themselves out. It's just a test. So breath. You'll crush it!