Post Exam Reflections: Looking back at the experience, I would say that: My study methods were sound, information gathered about the exam from the study conference call sessions was invaluable and really helped build confidence, The single thing that helped the most was the taking and retaking of the sample exam questions.The more you are used to the types of questions asked, the more confident you will be when you take the exam.I found that many of the questions on the sample test questions were repeated on the actual exam.There were also a few questions about topics or concepts that were direct excerpts from the study guide reading books. I felt confident the exam would be a breeze going into the exam.I quickly found that the exam was harder than the sample questions but found that the intense review work paid off in most cases. I found that the formulas for Earned Value and Net Present Value were needed from time to time but if you wrote those down at the time you started the exam or when you got to one of those questions, everything would come back and those questions turned out to be the easier questions on the exam. Risk was not as big of a concern on the exam as I had anticipated.Maybe it was because of the drilling and preparation we did for risk.I highly recommend the supplemental reading in the PMI study guide set of books. I felt that the exam still follows the PMBOK pretty closely, but a better source of additional information was the PMI class binder and the IBM PM Study Notes. I would reiterate what I have heard others say, and that is that the secondary benefit of studying for the exam is that you learn a lot from others who have taken the exam, you learn a lot of things you never knew before, and you refresh your memory about things you may have learned in college or special classes but had just stored that information away for a time when you would use it.
One item that seemed like a new requirement from PMI was that when they sent back the confirmation and congratulations letter after passing the exam, they requested that I complete the PMI application again.Upon closer examination, the Option II application included a Professional Endorsement &. Reference form that needs to be signed by anyone who is or was a supervisor, trainer/instructor, or colleague of the applicant and can attest to the applicant s project experience and/or capabilities.