PMP Lessons Learned Register – My Journey
First, I thank God for giving me the strength, focus, and resilience to overcome the roadblocks I faced while preparing for the PMP exam. I also want to thank Cornelius Fichtner and the PM PrepCast team for creating such a comprehensive Elite Package—not just for passing the exam, but for truly learning along the way. Finally, I thank my family for supporting me throughout this on-and-off 7-month journey. They are, and always will be, the foundation behind everything I do.
Lessons Learned
1. Invest in the right tools
Even with upcoming changes to the PMP exam and new PMBOK editions, I’m confident PM PrepCast will continue adapting. I strongly recommend the Elite Package Bundle. It includes:
- Study Coach Guide (foundation for success)
- Video lessons (35+ training hours)
- PM Formulas Guide (with challenging practice exams)
- Full-length mock exams (the most valuable tool)
2. Start with the Study Coach Guide
One of the most stressful moments for me was simply figuring out where to start. There is an overwhelming amount of information online. The Study Coach Guide eliminated that anxiety. It provides a clear, structured, step-by-step path (almost like a waterfall approach), from beginning to end, while still allowing flexibility to tailor it to your needs.
3. Go through all the content (actively)
The course includes 35 hours of training, plus additional valuable material. I downloaded the Excel tracking sheet, printed it, and marked each completed video. I highly recommend:
- Watching all videos
- Listening to podcasts
- Taking clear notes using different colors
Do not try to memorize everything—you won’t be tested that way. Focus on understanding concepts. Your notes will become extremely useful when reviewing mock exams.
4. Stay consistent—even when motivation drops
This journey is not linear. It took me 7 months because work and family commitments made it difficult at times. During the Study Coach phase where 20-question domain tests are introduced, I struggled a lot. These questions are challenging, and my scores were low (below 68%). At one point, I lost an entire month feeling frustrated and questioning if it was worth continuing.
Do not lose your holistic view of what the PMP certification means to you. Regain momentum, trust the process, and keep going—it will pay off.
5. Use AI as a support tool (not a shortcut)
When studying the PMBOK Guide, Agile Practice Guide, and Standard+, I used AI tools like ChatGPT to create summary sheets focused on the PMI mindset. This was extremely helpful. However, you must still read the material yourself. AI should reinforce your understanding—not replace the effort.
6. Don’t ignore formulas
Even though the exam includes few formula-based questions, you should still study them thoroughly. The formula exams in the guide are challenging and require manual work (not automated), but they are very valuable. The formula cheat sheet was so useful that I even kept it with me at work for quick review.
7. Master the mock exams (most important step)
The Elite Package includes 4 full mock exams. Take all of them. More importantly, spend significant time analyzing every question—whether you got it right or wrong. This is when everything starts to “click” and your understanding becomes more holistic and connected. What helped me the most:
- Reviewing detailed explanations
- Watching the related videos for each question (if applicable)
- Going back to my notes and reinforcing concepts
Although PM PrepCast advises not to retake the same exam, I personally disagree (respectfully). I retook the exam where I scored the lowest (64%). After deeply analyzing it, I scored 78% on the retake—not from memorization, but from actual learning. With 180 questions per exam and multiple tests completed, it’s unlikely you’ll remember everything. The improvement comes from understanding.
8. Prepare smartly in the final weeks
Three weeks before the exam, I adjusted my diet to include more Omega-3 foods (especially sardines), which helped my cognitive performance and overall health. I followed the Study Coach Guide recommendations for the final days, but I personally disagreed with two points:
- Taking a full mock exam the day before the real test (adds unnecessary anxiety)
- “Do not skip breakfast” (I personally performed better without it)
My recommendation: take your final mock exam 2–3 days before the real test.
9. Final days strategy
- Take 2 days off work (day before + exam day)
- Review notes and cheat sheets
- Watch this mindset video (highly recommended):
Andrew Ramdayal – PMP Mindset (YouTube)
I hope this helps someone in their PMP journey. Stay consistent, trust the process, and keep moving forward.
Result
I passed the PMP exam with Above Target in all three domains and finished with 36 minutes to spare.
Sincerely,
Pablo Andres Loayza, Eng. M.Sc., PMP®
