Passed PMP exam today. I was worried that I couldn't pass it at first attempt, so was pleasantly surprised by the result.
As study materials, I used Rita's book, PrepCast, a Kindle book 'PMP Exam Prep. Questions, answer and explanations' by Christopher Scordo (too easy questions, in my opinion) and PrepCast Simulations, along with PMBOK Guide. I am very much deadline driven, so my study started slow and intensified closer to the exam date.
Reading PMBOK Guide was somewhat boring, so Rita's book helped to make the study more fun. I also think that having project management experience was essential for my success - for most part I was filling in the gaps with detailed information, rather than learning new concepts.
Also, as suggested by someone on this forum, taking test exams was great help. I ended up taking 6-7 PrepCast Simulation tests, and a number tests from other sources. After taking the exam, I think PrepCast tests are a bit easier than the real exam. Most of the questions on the exam were situational. It also seemed that many questions had two very close answer choices (the other two would be easier to eliminate), that caused a bit of deliberation. There were about half a dozen formula questions, and easy ones. Bigger struggle was to read and understand what the situational questions were about.
It took me full four hours of the allotted time - I submitted my answers five minutes before the time was up. Three and a bit hours I was answering the questions, and last hour going over marked questions.
Looking back, I must say I enjoyed the experience - study, learning something new, and the exam itself. Glad that I decided to pursue the certification.
