I was last a project manger in 1997, I assume that this experience is too old to count. As director of Project controls I was responsible for the design and implementation of project control systems procedures, relating to schedule, cost and progress measurement on projects. This included managing a staff of 20 people who were hired, trained and assigned to those projects to perform project controls functions reporting to the project manager. The project managers did not report to me. I was a functional department manager supporting a project matrix organization.
My plan was to self study to a point and then to take the 4 day boot camp / exam prep just prior to the exam. It seems like the PrepCast course might be the better option and apply at a point when I have completed the course web casts and start the Simulator exams.