The test for Project Management Professional (PMP) certification checks project managers’ skills and knowledge. passing the PMP exam is crucial for advancing one’s project management career. It’s among the most well-known certifications in this field.
Getting ready for the PMP exam takes time and effort as it covers many topics deeply. You need to understand project management principles, techniques, and tools thoroughly. That’s where PMP exam prep books help. These books provide a structured, comprehensive approach for PMP exam study.
Study guides teach crucial ideas from the exam. They give tips for answering questions.
The top reasons to use solid PMP prep books::
Comprehensive coverage:
Exam prep books offer extensive material, methodically covering all essential concepts and principles assessed on the PMP exam. These resources provide a structured approach to studying, ensuring you comprehensively prepare for the test’s broad scope. Utilizing an exam prep book guarantees you’ve studied every topic likely to appear, leaving no stone unturned.
Prioritize the certification test:
Study guides craft practice questions mirroring the real exam’s structure. They accustom you to question types and phrasing. This is invaluable preparation. Having experience with the test format prevents surprises on exam day. Familiarity bred through realistic drills boosts confidence, sharpens skills. Targeted materials efficiently ready you for the evaluation’s unique challenges.
Time-saving:
Getting ready for the big PMP test takes effort. The books made for this help use time well. Their focus is the most crucial ideas, so your study hours aren’t wasted. These resources streamline prep to make efficient use of your schedule.
Digging deeper:
As approved by PMI authorities, exam prep books unlock comprehension of project management ideas and rules. Utilizing these resources, you grasp how varied notions interconnect – boosting real job application. Practical examples cement your learning, boosting effectiveness. Though initially straightforward, these books progressively reveal intricate links between key principles. The resulting mastery elevates your skills, ensuring solid comprehension
Criteria for Selecting the Top 11 PMP Exam Prep Books
RehumanizeQuality content is key, covering all topics thoroughly.
A stellar exam prep book walks you through each PMP exam section. Guiding principles of project management come alive with real-world examples, case studies, and practical applications. Crystal clear explanations enable you to effectively apply concepts on the job. The details are comprehensive yet straightforward, ensuring easy understanding.
Author’s credentials and reputation:
Picking the best 11 PMP exam prep books considers the writer’s background and standing. They should deeply understand project management and possess a PMP certificate. An established name in the industry, having mentored project managers well, is vital too.
Relevance to the current PMP exam content outline:
The outline for the PMP exam gets updated from time to time. This reflects changes occurring in project management as an industry. A prep book worth studying should align with the current outline details. It should also cover the most current best practices and trends relevant to managing projects properly.
User reviews and ratings:
User reviews and ratings give useful opinions about exam prep books. A decent prep book should receive high ratings from people who passed the PMP test after using it. Positive feedback confirms the book’s quality in helping understand key concepts for the exam. However, reading long, complex reviews makes evaluating different books difficult. Concise yet insightful critiques are more practical for busy certification candidates seeking reliable study resources.
Availability of online resources and practice questions:
Online resources like videos, quizzes, and practice tests help reinforce learning and test knowledge. Exam prep books grant access to these resources. Practice questions mirroring the actual exam familiarize you with question formats and types. Exam prep books should provide access to these online resources and practice questions that resemble the real exam.
List of the top 11 PMP Exam Prep books for 2023
| Book | Author | Publication | Description | Key features and benefits | Price |
| PMP Exam Prep, Tenth Edition by Rita Mulcahy | Rita Mulcahy | 2018 | This book provides a comprehensive and detailed coverage of all the topics included in the PMP exam content outline. It includes real-world examples, case studies, and practical applications of project management principles. | Thorough coverage of all PMP exam topics Real-world examples and practical applications In-depth discussion of project management tools and techniques Access to online resources, including practice questions and quizzes | $199.00 (paperback) |
| Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide to Passing the Project Management Professional Exam | Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene | 2018 | This book uses a unique and engaging approach to teach project management principles and concepts. It includes real-world examples, puzzles, and games to reinforce learning and help you remember key concepts. | An engaging and fun approach to learningReal-world examples and case studiesPuzzles and games to reinforce learningAccess to online resources, including practice exams and flashcards | $89.99 (paperback) |
| PMP Exam Prep Simplified | Andrew Ramdayal | 2018 | This book provides a simplified approach to studying for the PMP exam. It breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand language and includes real-world examples to help you apply project management principles in your job. | A simplified approach to studying for the examReal-world examples and case studiesComprehensive coverage of all PMP exam topicsAccess to online resources, including practice questions and quizzes | $39.99 (paperback) |
| The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try | Andy Crowe | 2018 | This book provides a comprehensive and structured approach to preparing for the PMP exam. It includes practice questions and simulations that closely resemble the actual exam. | A structured and comprehensive approach to studying for the examPractice questions and simulations that closely resemble the actual examReal-world examples and case studiesAccess to online resources, including practice exams and flashcards | $99.00 (paperback) |
| PMP Certification All-In-One For Dummies | Cynthia Snyder Dionisio and Sohel Akhter | 2018 | This book provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to preparing for the PMP exam. It includes real-world examples and case studies, as well as tips and strategies for answering exam questions. | Comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to studying for the examReal-world examples and case studiesTips and strategies for answering exam questionsAccess to online resources, including practice exams and flashcards | $40.00 (paperback) |
| Achieve PMP Exam Success, Sixth Edition: A Concise Study Guide for the Busy Project Manager | Diane Altwies and Janice Preston | 2021 | This book provides a concise and focused approach to studying for the PMP exam. It includes practice questions and quizzes to help reinforce learning. | Concise and focused approach to studying for the examPractice questions and quizzes to reinforce learningReal-world examples and case studiesIn-depth coverage of all PMP exam topicsAccess to online resources, including practice exams and flashcards | $59.95 (paperback) |
| PMP Exam Prep: Questions, Answers, & Explanations, Fourth Edition | Christopher Scordo | 2019 | This book includes over 1,000 practice questions and detailed explanations to help you prepare for the PMP exam. It also includes tips and strategies for answering exam questions. | Over 1,000 practice questions with detailed explanationsTips and strategies for answering exam questionsReal-world examples and case studiesAccess to online resources, including additional practice questions and quizzes | $69.00 (paperback) |
| PMP Pocket Guide: The Ultimate PMP Exam Cheat Sheets | Belinda Fremouw | 2020 | This book provides a concise and easy-to-use reference guide for studying for the PMP exam. It includes cheat sheets and summaries of key concepts, tools, and techniques. | Concise and easy-to-use reference guideCheat sheets and summaries of key concepts, tools, and techniquesReal-world examples and case studiesAccess to online resources, including practice questions and quizzes | $19.95 (paperback) |
| The PMP Exam: Quick Reference Guide, Sixth Edition | Andy Crowe | 2017 | This book provides a quick reference guide for studying for the PMP exam. It includes summaries of key concepts and formulas, as well as tips and strategies for answering exam questions. | Quick reference guide for studying for the examSummaries of key concepts and formulasTips and strategies for answering exam questionsAccess to online resources, including practice exams and flashcards | $29.95 (paperback) |
| PMP Exam Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass PMIs PMP Exam | Rita Mulcahy | 2019 | This book provides an accelerated learning approach to studying for the PMP exam. It includes real-world examples, case studies, and practical applications of project management principles. | an Accelerated learning approach to studying for the examReal-world examples and practical applicationsIn-depth discussion of project management tools and techniquesAccess to online resources, including practice questions and quizzes | $99.00 (paperback) |
| PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide, 10th Edition | Kim Heldman | 2020 | In its tenth edition The PMP exam book by Kim Heldman is a thorough guide to assist candidates pass the test and flourish as competent project managers in the workplace. This 912-page book is divided into 12 parts that provide in-depth analyses of project management’s fundamentals, key ideas, and PMOs. | Teaches students how to create project plans, budgets, and timelines as well as how to involve stakeholders, identify risks, build a team, and acquire resources. Has an initial evaluation testchapter questions towards the endUtilising learning resources onlineincludes techniques that are iterative and agileExam practise with digital flashcards | ₹5,289.00 |
Conclusion
The top PMP exam prep books this year provide various study approaches. They cover exam topics comprehensively, with practical examples and case studies. Many offer ample practice questions, simulations, and exam-taking strategies. Most include online resources too. Though pricing varies from budget to premium, most options fall in the mid-range. Ultimately, select the book aligned with your learning preferences and budget. And for more structured preparation, look into Eduhubspot’s PMP Bootcamp
Author: Varun Anand is the Project management expert, PMP mentor and a trainer at EduHubSpot. His Project Management institute (PMI) certification includes Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI-ACP, PfMP, and CAPM. He has also done CSM certification from Scrum Alliance. Varun is an engineering graduate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
With over 10 years of experience in training students for PMP certification Exam, Varun is an internationally known Project Management speaker and educator. He has trained thousands of professionals, earning widespread respect in the industry. At EduHubSpot, he brings the practical side of Project Management to life, helping professionals master PMP from anywhere. He is also an experienced and renowned author.