The 10 Days Leading Up to My CAPM Exam
D-10 | June 14 (Saturday)
I purchased PrepCast and jumped into a 100-question quiz—only to score 64%. Frustrating, since I’d been averaging 75% on PocketPrep. It reminded me of high school and college: breezing through class examples, then facing a completely different set of questions on the actual test. That’s exactly how it felt—PocketPrep was the classroom, PrepCast was the real exam.
The format was a shock. PrepCast questions are longer, more situational, and ask what a project manager should do next. The answers aren’t always straight from the CAPM reference books—it demands understanding, not memorization.
D-9 | June 15 (Sunday)
I only managed 20 questions before crashing into a nap. PrepCast drained me. I tried tackling quizzes in batches of 10, 20, and 30 over six rounds, but each set was tougher than PocketPrep.
Afterward, I discovered the quiz bank wasn’t 570 questions like I thought—it’s 120 quiz pool questions plus three full-length exams (150 each). My fault for not reading the course description carefully.
So far, my domain ranking looks like this:
- Project Management Fundamentals & Core Concepts
- Business Analysis Frameworks
- Adaptive Frameworks/Methodologies
- Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies
With no new quiz pool questions left, I reviewed my notes and started reading PMBOK 7th Edition to strengthen Domains 1 and 2.
D-8 | June 16 (Monday)
After work, I went to church and prayed that everything I’ve studied will pay off—and that project management is truly the right path for me.
On the way home, I picked up mini chocolate chip cookies (24 for $5—what a deal!) from First Avenue Market. At home, I gave myself a break from PrepCast and continued reading PMBOK 7. I needed the reset.
D-7 | June 17 (Tuesday)
I retook 43 questions I previously got wrong—this time scoring 34/43. Progress!
Then, back to PMBOK 7. Domains 3 and 4 felt never-ending. I had to take multiple breaks and still didn’t finish all 8 domains. In the evening, I tackled the remaining 9 quiz pool questions I hadn’t reattempted—and got a perfect score!
D-6 | June 18 (Wednesday)
My first full-length PrepCast mock test (150 questions) was brutal. It tested my stamina more than anything.
- 50 questions in: waiting for the break
- 100 questions in: wishing it would end
- 130 questions in: just pushing to finish
Results:
- Domain 1: 72.77% – Target
- Domain 2: 72.00% – Target
- Domain 3: 54.84% – Below Target
- Domain 4: 65% – Target
- Total: 100/150
The inconsistency across practice exams is confusing. I can’t even tell which domain is my strongest anymore. Instead of obsessing, I decided to finish PMBOK 7, create a 2-page cheat sheet, and focus on the last two mock tests plus reviewing wrong answers thoroughly.
Finally finished Section 2 of PMBOK 7! ✅
D-5 | June 19 (Thursday)
Skimmed through the rest of PMBOK 7 (Section 4 + appendices) just to wrap it up. From here on, practice questions are the priority.
I printed all my notes from the start of this journey and began reviewing the mistakes from my first mock test. PrepCast is officially my main focus.
D-4 | June 20 (Friday)
Finished reviewing Test 1. This time I switched to a notebook for note-taking—much easier to organize than loose papers.
The exam is two days away. Confidence? Not high. I wish I had started PrepCast earlier. The 3-hour mock tests are tough, but honestly, the real value comes from reviewing the wrong answers afterward.
“Drag and drop” questions remain my nemesis—I rarely get them all right.
D-3 | June 21 (Saturday)
Morning: Retook Test 1 (just the questions I got wrong). It took me a while to figure out how:
- Timed & Learning Quizzes → Random selection → Include only incorrect answers → Exclude exam questions.
Downside: my stats are now messy with random 0% quizzes. Oh well.
Afternoon/Evening: Reviewed notes from PMBOK 6th Edition and restarted PMBOK 7.
D-2 | June 22 (Sunday)
Took Test 2 and reviewed the explanations for missed questions (no retake this time, since I’m running out of time).
Results:
- Domain 1: 61.11% – Below Target
- Domain 2: 65.38% – Target
- Domain 3: 83.33% – Above Target
- Domain 4: 65% – Target
- Total: 101/150
A bit discouraged—except for Domain 3, I keep hovering in the 60% range. Not exactly confidence-boosting. To make matters worse, I developed a stiff neck that’s only getting worse. I just hope it clears up before exam day.
D-1 | June 23 (Monday)
Final review day. I went over all notes (PMBOK 6 & 7, course materials, PrepCast mistakes).
Couldn’t squeeze in a full mock test due to errands, so I did 50 questions in the afternoon. Tried pushing for another 50, but after 20 questions, I was nodding off. That was my sign—it’s time to rest up for tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s the big day. Let’s see what happens.
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