TOPIC: Is my PMP Exam prep overkill, or am I missing something?

Hello everyone!

I’m an IT grad with 9 years of solid work experience under my belt.
I've been grinding through PMP Exam simulators like PM PrepCast and soaking up knowledge from Project Management courses. I feel like I’ve been doing all the things, but somehow, I’m not sure it’s enough. I come from a strong academic background, and I'm used to overachieving.

Still, the PMP feels like an entirely different beast. Those situational questions? They’re no joke. Am I overthinking this, or is there still something I've got to do? Would love to hear tips, tricks, or even just some reassurance from anyone who's been there!

I remember how humbling those PMP situational questions were. It’s not about just knowing the material but also about thinking like a project manager, the PMI way.

Here’s what helped me make the shift:

> Focus on mindset over memorization. Practice the situational questions to test your judgement. Always think in terms of PMI’s values: lead with the process, escalate when needed, and favor prevention over correction.

> Review answer rationales closely, especially when you get it right. Ask yourself: Why was that the best choice? What would PMI expect here?

> Mock exams in full exam mode** (4 hours, no interruptions) are crucial. It builds endurance and reveals how you manage stress + time.

Keep going!

Hey there!

First off, tremendous respect for your dedication and the grind you're putting into this. It shows you're taking the PMP seriously, and that mindset already puts you ahead.

You're right—those situational questions can feel like a different beast altogether. It’s less about pure knowledge and more about applying it within PMI's worldview, especially
under time pressure. I remember having the same doubts, even after tons of preparation and simulator rounds. I also used PrepCast—it’s excellent for building real-exam muscle.

Here are a couple of things that helped me shift gears:

Start thinking like a servant leader, especially in Agile or hybrid scenarios. Often, the "best" answer is the one that promotes team empowerment and long-term value.

Don’t overthink—go with the most PMI-ish answer. If two options seem correct, pick the one that aligns with the guidebooks: proactive, collaborative, and principle-driven.

Use the review feature smartly during simulators. I’d mark questions I was 50/50 on, then go back and try to analyze why the correct answer is right.

Lastly, trust your prep. That feeling of “it’s not enough” is more common than you think, especially among high achievers. But if you’re consistently scoring well on your mocks (above 70–75%), you're very likely ready.

You've got this. Seriously. And if it helps, no one walks out of the exam thinking it was easy. But walking out with that "Pass" makes it all worth it.

Keep pushing—you’re almost there!

BR,

Markus