Finished Exams in two years, with two fails.

Finished my exams last week. 

Spent two years, over two testing center (locations) and retook two exams.

Biggest things with PcM, PjM, and CE is covering the material, and reading through contracts. 
Biggest things with PA, PPD, PDD is understanding what material needs to be covered, and then taking practice exams and going over practice questions. 

I was not one of those that bought any of the monthly subscriptions or anything crazy. 
I used:

• Ballast book along with practice questions. 
• AHPP; usually looking up what sections pertained to each exam.
• WeARE practice bundle for PPD and PDD
• Various building construction and MEP books from school
• Contracts from the study matrix.
• A little over 3 years of experience in the field helped me with IBC and ADA standards

Best way to start, find a study group, sign-up for your first exam even if you are not ready (just give your self time to study). I was not the type of person who would study, unless the countdown was on. 

Stay in a group of people at your firm, or from school who are also taking exams. 

Submerge yourself in the AREs. Read these posts, listen to podcasts about the ARE, watch videos about what the exams are like, how NCARB tests you ect...