I recently sat for the PMP exam and passed on the first attempt. My journey roughly followed the path below:
• May 2007 - Scheduling notice for exam
• June 2007 - Ordered PMP Study Guide, Kim Heldman
• July 2007 - Ordered the PMprepcast, Cornelius Fichtner
• Sept 2007 - Created PMP MindMap
• Nov 2007 - Began sample tests, forum, web surfing
• Nov 2007 - Took Exam
Of course I ordered the PMBOK and as soon as I looked at it I ordered another book. The PMBOK is a fabulous reverence, but not very good reading (particularly early in the game).
The PMP Study Guide by Kim Heldman was very good. It was organized by process area, which to start I was more comfortable with than the PMBOK's knowledge areas. The CD included an exam that very closely simulated the online test-taking experience, which I also found helpful.
I found the PMprepcast an extremely useful tool in preparing for the PMP exam. With schedules often overloaded as it is, podcasts are a very effective way to maximize your time! (The PMprepcast is organized by knowledge areas, and more closely aligns with the way the PMBOK is structured.) While I won't be disappointed if I don't hear that music again, this was an invaluable resource.
I found using MindMap to review the processes quite useful. I had the processes organized by process group on right-hand side, with each process group coded with a particular shape. On the left-hand side I organized the processes by knowledge area, with each process coded by color. So regardless of how I was viewing the process, I could tell by shape or color where it belonged. I also found MindMap handy to place notes about the ITTO's, links to web resources and attachments.
Other resources I found quite nice included Head First PMP; they had some great stuff, very easy to read and had I found them earlier I may have used them more.
The sample exams I used included Kim Heldman's book/CD, Head First PMP, Oliver Lehman's exam, and a few other things I found on the web, etc. I also did some writing exercises to help me remember the formulas, but this was a day or 2 before the exam.
Lessons Learned & Comments:
The exam site did not allow me to take ANYTHING into the exam room, except what they gave me (calculator, pencils, paper). No food or drink.
I found some questions on leadership styles that threw me off a bit. I was not ready for cost/benefit, Point of total Assumption math at all and completely missed this I suspect. I thought I had the formulas pretty well down, but missed this one completely and really shouldn't have.
I had some medical procedures done the week before the exam, which I did not feel was taking much risk. This was VERY bad planning on my part! Between some unforeseen complications and the angst of pre-Thanksgiving preparation, it stressed me out way too much before the exam. (I'm ok)
Best advise I can give has probably been given before:
Begin your preparation well in advance, and be aware of gaps in your prep time.
Save the intensive study of the formulas (memorization) for later, but be sure and take time to understand the math ahead of time.
You're scheduling the exam well ahead of time; be sure and consider everyone's calendar (family, school, etc.) and be wary of arranging other events while the exam is approaching (like a seemingly innocent checkup)
Time to continue to practice what we preach...