Posted by The Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam is a certification exam that tests the knowledge and skills of project managers. It is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the project management industry, and passing the PMP exam is a key step toward advancing one’s career in project management.
Preparing for the PMP exam can be challenging and time-consuming, as it covers a wide range of topics and requires a deep understanding of project management principles, tools, and techniques. That’s where exam prep books come in. PMP Exam prep books are designed to provide a comprehensive and structured approach to studying for the PMP exam.
PMP exam prep books cover all the key concepts and principles that are tested on the exam and provide tips and strategies for answering the exam questions.
The importance of using the best PMP exam prep books can be summarized in the following points:
- Comprehensive coverage: The PMP exam covers a wide range of topics, and exam prep books provide a structured and comprehensive approach to studying all the key concepts and principles. By using an exam prep book, you can ensure that you have covered all the topics that are likely to be tested on the exam.
- Focus on the exam: Exam prep books are specifically designed to prepare you for the PMP exam. They provide practice questions and simulations that closely resemble the actual exam, which helps you to get familiar with the format and the types of questions that are likely to be asked.
- Time-saving: Studying for the PMP exam can be time-consuming. Exam prep books are designed to be efficient and effective, so you can maximize your study time and focus on the most essential concepts and principles.
- Better understanding: PMI-authorized Exam prep books provide a deeper understanding of project management concepts and principles. By using an exam prep book, you can gain a better understanding of how different concepts and principles are interrelated, which will help you to apply them more effectively in your job.
Criteria for Selecting the Top 11 PMP Exam Prep Books
- Content quality and comprehensiveness: The first criteria used to select the top 11 PMP exam prep books are content quality and comprehensiveness. A good exam prep book should provide a thorough and detailed coverage of all the topics that are included in the PMP exam content outline. The book should also provide real-world examples, case studies, and practical applications of project management principles to help you apply them effectively in your job. The content should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.
- Author’s credentials and reputation: The author’s credentials and reputation are another essential criteria used to select the top 11 PMP exam prep books. The author should have a strong background in project management and hold the PMP certification. They should also have a good reputation in the project management industry, with a proven track record of success in training and coaching project managers.
- Relevance to the current PMP exam content outline: The PMP exam content outline is updated periodically to reflect changes in the project management industry. A good exam prep book should be relevant to the current PMP exam content outline and should cover the latest best practices and trends in project management.
- User reviews and ratings: User reviews and ratings are a valuable source of feedback on the quality and effectiveness of exam prep books. A good exam prep book should have a high rating and positive reviews from users who have successfully passed the PMP exam.
- Availability of online resources and practice questions: Exam prep books should also provide access to online resources and practice questions. Online resources such as videos, quizzes, and practice exams can reinforce your learning and test your knowledge. Practice questions that closely resemble the actual exam can also help you to get familiar with the format and types of questions that are likely to be asked.
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 learning
Real-world examples and case studies Puzzles and games to reinforce learning Access 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 exam
Real-world examples and case studies Comprehensive coverage of all PMP exam topics Access 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 exam
Practice questions and simulations that closely resemble the actual exam Real-world examples and case studies Access 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 exam
Real-world examples and case studies Tips and strategies for answering exam questions Access 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 exam
Practice questions and quizzes to reinforce learning Real-world examples and case studies In-depth coverage of all PMP exam topics Access 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 explanations
Tips and strategies for answering exam questions Real-world examples and case studies Access 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 guide
Cheat sheets and summaries of key concepts, tools, and techniques Real-world examples and case studies Access 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 exam
Summaries of key concepts and formulas Tips and strategies for answering exam questions Access 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 exam
Real-world examples and practical applications In-depth discussion of project management tools and techniques Access 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 test chapter questions towards the end Utilising learning resources online includes techniques that are iterative and agile Exam practise with digital flashcards |
₹5,289.00 |
Conclusion
The top 11 PMP exam prep books for 2023 offer a range of approaches to studying for the exam, including comprehensive coverage of all topics, real-world examples, and case studies, practice questions and simulations, tips and strategies for answering exam questions, and access to online resources. Prices vary depending on the book and format, but most are priced between $20 and $200. For more details and knowledge about PMP join Eduhubspot’s PMP Bootcamp