Top 5 PMP Exam Prep Books

So you finally want to prove that you’re a full-fledged professional project manager. There’s no better way to do that than to get a PMP certification. The real question is, what textbooks do you use to help you ace that exam? Luckily, this bookworm has the answers.

Hi Project Managers! I’m Meredith, and today I’m recommending 5 PMP exam prep books to help you pass the PMP exam.

For those who don’t know, the PMP exam, or the Project Management Professional exam, is a vital test in order for project managers to earn a PMP certification. Someone with a PMP certification indicates that the individual is knowledgeable and adept in project management concepts and skills. The test is run by the Project Management Institute, or PMI for short. The exam includes 180 questions, and a test taker will need to complete it within an allotted time of 230 minutes with two 10-minute breaks.

So what kind of questions appear on the test? The latest PMP examination content outline taken from January 2021 notes that the questions are divided into three domains: People (42%), Process (50%), and Business Environment (8%). Half of the examination questions represent predictive project management approaches, and the other half represent agile or hybrid approaches. Further, these approach-related questions are now found throughout these three domain areas and are not isolated to any specific domain or task.

With all that said, what study tools do you use to help you master the material? You could utilize an online study program such as Brain Sensei. You can go watch my review video of it here. But if you’re the type of person who prefers physical study guides, then here are 5 prep books I recommend adding to your next study session.

First up is PMP Exam Prep by Andrew Ramdayal.

Certified PMP Ramdayal is a project manager with over 15 years experience in IT and has worked on numerous projects over his career. The latest edition of Ramdayal’s PMP exam prep book has been updated for the latest 2021 PMP exam with sections for predictive, agile, and hybrid project management. Its 478 pages cover each process and knowledge area, key PM terms, and a whole chapter discussion on the new exam content outline.

This PMP prep book also includes questions and answers for each chapter, ethics, exam tips, and a full-length mock exam. And as a bonus, it includes free access to video courses that earn the viewer an equivalent of 35 hours of PDU, or Professional Development Units, which are an exam requirement. However, there are a couple of negatives to note such as it contains incorrect pages and some grammatical errors. And others who have reviewed the book feel that it doesn’t contain enough agile content. So be wary of that before committing to it.

Second on the list is Head First PMP by Jennifer Greene and Andrew Stellman who are both certified PMPs and software engineers. The fourth edition of this PMP book was made with the 2021 PMP exam format in mind. Its 924 pages cover the process framework and all other knowledge areas tested in the exam. It also has a chapter on the rationale for getting certified, the importance of professional responsibility, a final review, and a practice exam with adequate questions.

What is unique about this PMP book is its unique visual format makes the learning more memorable and effective. The pages have a dynamic layout where no two pages are the same to help keep the reader engaged. Its attention-grabbing graphics and a healthy mix of text and images are designed to call out new learning material and other important information. So overall, it’s pretty helpful. That said, some readers also reported that the agile sections need some improvements, and the textbook needs more types of questions that reflect the latest PMP exam content outline.

The third prep book I recommend is The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try by Andy Crowe. Crowe, who is a certified PMP, authored several books on project management. He is the founder and CEO of Velociteach, a provider of project management training and exam prep coaching. The latest edition of this textbook includes updates that cover the 2021 exam changes. It includes coverage of predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches, as well as discussions of project management processes, inputs, tools, and outputs,

The 840-page book includes details about the exam itself, foundational concepts, processes, and knowledge areas. It also provides a limited access trial to Velociteach’s learning, test tips and tricks, links to online videos that explain concepts, and access to hundreds of practice exams. Readers agree that it has good material organization, and it’s intuitive and easy to read. However, some readers have also mentioned that most of the questions are more focused on the practical side and less on the conceptual parts. Also, some readers feel that the agile content is lacking.

Coming up in fourth place is PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide by Kim Heldman. Heldman is a PMP and the CIO of the Regional Transportation District in Denver, CO. She is a project manager with over 25 years of experience in IT project management and has authored several books and articles.

The 10th Edition of this PMP book has been updated for the 2021 PMP exam like the others. It is a comprehensive resource to help PMP students prepare for the exam and succeed on the job as a confident project manager. Its 912 pages are divided into 12 chapters covering the foundations of project management, chapter objectives, key knowledge areas, and PM offices.

This PMP study guide shows users how to develop project plans, schedules, and budgets, engage stakeholders, identify risks, procure resources, and develop the team, among others. It also includes a lot of agile content and other iterative processes. Plus, it includes a preliminary assessment test, practice exams, end-of-chapter questions, and access to online learning tools such as electronic flashcards. Unfortunately, this textbook does not contain the latest PM principles and performance domains. Also, readers have reported an incorrect use of a formula being demonstrated in the guide, so be on the lookout for that.

Last but not least is Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep by, of course, Rita Mulcahy. Mulcahy was an author, public speaker, founder of RMC Learning Solutions, and internationally recognized expert in PM techniques, theory, and PMP exam preparation. After Mulcahy’s death in 2010, RMC continued to edit and update the book, which is now in its 10th edition.

RMC’s PMP Exam Prep book has been updated to reflect the current exam content outline and the changes made by the PMI. The 537-page volume is described as “a project management course in a book.” It includes tricks for passing the exams and identifying gaps in the reader’s knowledge.

The PMP exam preparation book now includes additional content on agile, project process, integrations, communication, and stakeholders to help prepare students for the exam. It also has comprehensive content such as exercises, practice questions, proven study techniques, and a free license to an online PMP exam simulator. However, some readers have noted a few typos throughout the book, and mentioned that a few of the graphics can be quite complex.

Overall, however you decide to prepare for the PMP exam, you can’t go wrong with adding one or more of these prep books to your study routine.

And if physical books aren’t enough and you want more study tools, then be sure to go visit Project-DASH-Management-DOT-Com to read up on our latest reviews of other PMP prep materials and programs.

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