Search for reputable institutes offering PMP courses in your area. Look for the self-study books, flash cards and exam simulation software. Be very critical when choosing a vendor offering PMP courses. Many vendors promise a refund if a student doesn’t pass the examination in the first try. However, it is very rare that someone will be able to get back his money if he fails the exam.
Make sure that the material you use for exam preparation is up-to-date and reflects the latest version of PMBOK (book containing the PMI guidelines for project management).
Examination fees for PMI members are less than non-members. You can save a little bit of money by becoming a PMI member and then applying for the exam. Apply for the PMI exam by filling out the online forms. You will need to meet all PMI requirements to complete your registration.
Prepare extensively. For an average learner, three to four months of part-time study should be sufficient for taking the exam. You should have a plan to study every day, and you should demonstrate the discipline of execution while preparing for the exam.
PMBOK is the bible of PMP. Don’t believe others when they claim that you don’t need to study it or you only need to study it partially. Stay away from information telling you that you only need to read this page and that page. If you have flash cards, keep them in your pockets so that you can pull them and practice whenever it is convenient for you. Practice with exam simulation software as many times as possible. It will help you understand how the real exam looks and allow you to benchmark the level of your preparation.
You should finish your book reading at least two week before the exam. The last two weeks should be dedicated to solving questions and closing any knowledge gaps.
Study during the first half of the day so that you can clear your mind in the later hours. Make sure that you have everything ready for the examination and go to sleep early.
Take the day off from work and don’t study on the examination day. Have a light lunch as it will allow you to concentrate better. Wear comfortable clothes. Arrive early at the examination center so that you have enough time to register. As soon as you get seated, write down important formulas on your examination paper if you fear forgetting them during the exam. While answering the questions, keep the PMI’s perspective in mind instead of deducing the results from your own experiences. Read the answers first and then the question as a time-saving tip. Answers containing words such as “never,” “always,” “completely” and “must” are usually the incorrect answers. Do not leave any questions unanswered as there is no penalty for wrong answers. Don’t waste your time on a single question. Mark the doubtful questions in the first iteration and revisit them once you are done with easier questions.
Don’t cheat. If you are caught cheating, you will never be allowed to take the exam again.