Brian States ⋅ Canonsburg, PA MPLX ⋅ 22 years experience

Cordney - I was able to pass the exam recently and I had the luxury of an employer-sponsored exam prep class. A key benefit in these is that many offer full-length practice exams that are great in gauging your areas of weakness and/or readiness to take the exam. If this is not an option for you and time is short at a minimum I would find a good prep book, and make sure you have a firm grasp on all the formulas and where to use them. Learn the 47 processes and inputs/outputs and how they feed in to one another. And as others have said don't get caught in the "what would I do" trap when answering questions. It seems obvious remember to answer from the PMI perspective.

Sean Smeltzer ⋅ Leesburg, VA NTVI Federal ⋅ 24 years experience

Cordney, I passed my PMP in 2009. I'm a descent test taker and have a bunch of Microsoft exams under my belt, so I didn't think the PMP was anything to be scared of. In preparing, as Bob states, PMBOK is "dry and boring"; I agree. I mainly used a study guide and just studied a few process diagrams from the PMBOK. My best advice to you, other than being prepared, is to not rely 100% on your actual experience. The exam is academic and you must answer the questions in the "PMI" way, not necessarily looking back into your memory of how you did it or would do it. Remember the order they want things to occur in, remember what PMI lists as sexist or as wrong and not what you, in your past experience, believe or the way you've done it in your job. My only other advice is pace yourself and don't run out of time. Good luck!

Joe Paschall ⋅ Madison, AL nLogic, LLC ⋅ 26 years experience

Concur on all the above. I passed in 2008 using only a study guide, online exams and 90 days of self-study. I later passed the higher PgMP the same method with 120 days self-study. You may find it useful to join PMI and your local PMI Chapter. They usually have study groups, and are also useful for networking. I joined the chapter in my new area as soon as I took off the uniform and have now just finished serving a 3-yr tour on the board of directors as Chapter President.

Bob Abrams ⋅ Buffalo Grove, IL Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

The PMP test requires considerable understanding of most of the concepts. I found the PMBOK dry and boring. I was able to pass the test 7 years ago because I practiced with questions. The more questions you can find, the better chance you will have to pass the test. I also took a 4 day course taught by a professional instructor to help get through the material. I know people that passed the PMP exam on the first try and they had very little experience. Understanding how to take exams is another trick to passing exams - some people overthink or over analyze the questions - DON'T.