Obtaining a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential

Now a days, there are so many people who appear for a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential/exam which is conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The certification helps the candidates passing the exam to boost their profile and helps in their career growth.

Here is my experience in appearing for the exam and clearing it. This may help candidates who are appearing for the exam.

1. Renewed my membership (as it was expired after one year), uploaded the credentials, paid the exam fee. Took an appointment of 8.00am. Very important thing is that your name MUST MATCH EXACTLY what is there in the photo ID like passport. 
2. I never read PMBOK-4 guide even a single time.
3. I understood Simplilearn's book (slide-set) very well. Simplilearn is a Registered Education Provider (REP) which conducts training (which is a must before appearing for the exam as it entitles you with 35 PDUs)
4. Try to get clarity on each and every term because in the exam, words will be different. So, don't expect the same words from Rita M or PMBOK guide.
5. Rita Mulcahy contains a lot of stuff which is not covered in Simplilearn. This book also explains each term in detail with example if you could not understand these terms from Simplilearn's book.
6. All the questions after each chapter of Rita M are very important and are eye openers. I read Rita M in full detail 2 times initially before mock tests.
7. I didn't take single Simplilearn's mock test before I was ready with all the contents from all the resources.
8. Then, went through the dumps provided by Simplilearn. There are pdf files for each knowledge area like scope, time, cost, etc. I think totally there are around 1400 questions in these dumps.
9. I made some notes in a notebook (which will be helpful in the last 3-4 days before the exam so that you don't have search these things scattered in different documents)
10. While going through Rita pdf, I used the highlighter to highlight the contents which I will revise in the last 4 days before the exam.
11. Now, started taking the tests. First test’s score was somewhere around 67%.
12. After every test, went through the questions which I answered incorrectly and improved upon that area by re-looking at Rita M and Simplilearn book.
13. And then took the next test.
14. This way, I finished 4 tests. Note down the subtle questions from these tests in your notes so that you can revisit them just one day before the exam.
15. In some processes, you should be thorough on the order e.g., in closing process, measuring scope against Project management plan is the first step and indexing and archiving of records and releasing resources is the last step.
16. Last two weeks before the exam, started revising the dumps and whatever I had marked and highlighted.
17. Visit the prometric center to see the directions and check the travel time during one week-end.
18. Last day, went through last minute notes I had captured in my note book.
19. Before going to sleep, talk to your friends/family members or play with your kids so that you are relieved of stress and mind is a bit diverted.
20. Went to sleep early on the last day thinking that I have to get up at 5.45am to reach the Prometric centre at 7.20am. 
21. But could sleep only at 3.00am due to stress.
22. By morning, I was cool because you can't do more than this. Eat proper breakfast because you will not be able to eat for 4 hours.
23. Reach the centre at least 30 minutes before the appointment time because you have to follow some formalities (issuing tokens, verifying IDs)
24. If possible carry your passport (which is the best proof because it contains your signature, photo and name). As I mentioned before, the name on the appointment should be the same as the ID proof.
25. I had taken morning slot purposely because
1. Very less traffic to reach the centre.
2.     Fresh mind.
26. After verifying your ID, they will give you a locker. You can switch off your cell phone. Keep all the personal belongings in this locker INCLUDING YOUR WRIST WATCH.
27. Now, you will have to just carry your passport and the locker key with you to the actual seat where you will be taking the exam.
28. They will check your pockets, sleeves, socks, etc.
29. Very important - Use the rest room now so that you can save a break.
30. They will take you to the "hot" seat.
31. First 15 minutes, the computer will take you through the "get acquainted" course so that you know how to mark a question for review, list marked questions, etc.
32. After 15 minutes or you click finish the "get acquainted" steps (whichever is earlier), your test begins.
33. You will be given a set of rough papers (4 pages) stapled together and two pencils. Don't un-staple them. Don't bite the pencils. You have to return them to the invigilators after the exam.
34. If your "get acquainted" course is over before 15 minutes, then you may write some Earned Value Technique and PERT formulae in the rough paper or whatever else you think will help in the exam.
35. On the right top corner, you can see the clock ticking.
36. At the bottom of every question screen, there is a calculator.
37. A lot of GRE candidates will be sitting in the same room and you can hear a lot of keyboard noise. Head-phones are kept on every seat if you want to use it. This is the reason at home don't study in a closed room. Study in an environment where there is at least TV ON or somebody is talking so that you are used to a climate with some disturbance.
38. I tried to put the head-phone, but I was not comfortable because of the vacuum sound.
39. Read each question at least 2 times before marking the answer. Read each word carefully like "determining". "determining" indicates planning.
40. I did not take any break as I fully got engrossed in the exam. If you want to take a break, raise your hand. The invigilator will take you out after logging the out-time. When you enter, you have to again the log in-time.
41. Note that you are not allowed to read the questions loudly as it will disturb others. (some people have this habit)
42. I was reading each question 4 times initially which slowed down my speed. 
43. I had 80 questions remaining in last 60 minutes.
44. So, I started reading each question twice and finally caught up with the speed.
45. I got 5 minutes to review my marked questions.
46. Press the "end" button after you are done.
47. Answer 8 step survey on the screen.
48. The computer will show you the result.
49. Raise your hand and the invigilator will take you out after logging the out time.
50. Wait outside. They will give your signed "PMP PASS" results within 15 minutes.

  

Here are the directions of the Pro-metric Center in Bangalore, India.

If you are coming from old airport, cross the Domlur Flyover.

Then, take left on the first signal.

You can see New Shanthi Sagar on right immediately after the turn (just to make sure you have taken the correct left turn)

Go straight till dead-end.

Before the dead-end, you get a ramp/slope (just to make sure you are on the right street)

At the dead-end, take left and go about 50 meters. You can see Pro-metric center C/O Alchemy solutions on your right.

All the best.

Note that whatever I listed are just my personal views. There may be better approaches than what I described above.