Skip the Bullsh*t and just get the best book to pass pmp exam. You will save yourself time and money by getting our recommendation. We have gathered a list of best pmp prep books with the most value for your money too so you can decide for yourself.
This article will list seven books that are some of the best resources available to help you pass the exam with flying colours. Each book covers different aspects of project management, and together they will give you a comprehensive understanding of everything you need to know.
Passing the PMP Exam can be a life-changing moment for any aspiring project manager as it can truly put a stamp on your credentials as a project management practitioner. But getting to this point is often a long and gruelling process that requires the right set of skills and perseverance.
As such, it’s critical to increase your chances of succeeding when you decide to take it. Aside from corporate or real-life experiences, studying concepts is essential to this process. There are a lot of reference books out there, and each of them can guide you in different areas of project management.
How to Use These Books to Help you Pass the Exam
There are two kinds of books in the world of project management: The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), and Exam Prep Books.
These two types of books are entirely different beasts. The PMBOK is a comprehensive resource for understanding project management principles and the Exam Prep Books are designed with the specific goal of helping you prepare for your certification exam.
While the exam is primarily based on the principles in the PMBOK, questions that may appear in the exam throw off a lot of takers with their tricky wording and details. For this reason, it’s essential to take the time to study the Exam Prep Books to understand the specific concepts that are likely to appear on your exam.
Best PMP Review Books to Pass Exam
| Book Title | Author | Publish Date | Length | Price | Number of Reviews | Number Free Exams | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMP Exam Prep Simplified | Andrew Ramdayal | January 2021 | 478 pages | $34.65 – $42.70 | 1128 | 1 mock exam | – 35 PDUs – 450+ videos |
| Smart Prep Academy PMP Exam Prep 2022-2023 | Brad Thorp | October 18,2022 | 214 pages | $29.95 – $39.95 | 244 | 1 mock exam | – 35 PDUs – 2 Hours Full-Length Agile Guide Questions – PMP Reference Handbook |
| PMP Exam Prep 2022 and 2023 – Project Management Professional Certification Secrets Study Guide | Matthew Bowling | February 2022 | 207 pages | $37.81 – $39.99 | 67 | 1 mock exam | – Study skills videos/DVD |
| PMP Mock Practice Tests: PMP Certification Exam Preparation Based on the Latest Updates – 380 Questions Including Agile | Yassine Tounsi | February 2021 | 270 pages | $21.99 – $24.99 | 118 | – 1 full mock exam- 5 custom mock exams | |
| PMP Exam Prep – Tenth Edition | Rita Mulcahy | January 2022 | 537 pages | $52.99 – $65.60 | 198 | – 1 full mock exam- 8 custom mock exams | |
| PMP® Exam Questions Bank for Project Management Professionals | Shadi Ismail | August 2022 | 787 pages | $27.00 | 18 | – 8 full-length mock exams | |
| Essential PMP Preparation: A Practical Exam Prep with Simplified Explanations, Definitions, and Examples by Yassine Tousni | Yassine Tounsi | April 2022 | 494 pages | $34.99 – $39.99 | 20 | – 1 full mock exam- 8 custom mock exams | – Exam Tips and Tricks Chapter |
While all of the books we listed here will help you in your exam preparation, Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep gives the best value both in terms of content and price. The review book does an excellent job of living up to the standards set by its author, who is also a well-known figure in the PMP world.
The author’s test process map within this review guide outlines the test and helps you approach it on exam day. It ties all of the topics together cohesively and makes them digestible. The preparation guide goes over processes and dives deeper to show how the PMBOK framework can make you more informed, efficient, and prepared overall.
To prepare for the PMP Exam, we recommend using the latest edition of the PMBOK and partnering it with any of the review books below:
PMP Exam Prep Simplified
This book is fully updated for the 2022 PMP Exam and includes access to an e-learning course with over 38 hours of project management education. The e-learning course will give you a certificate you can use for your PMP exam. The guide has over 500 questions, and the e-learning course has over 1000 more questions with over 450 videos.
What do the user reviews say?
Overall, the reviews for this book are positive. Users recommend it as an excellent resource for studying for the PMP Exam. However, some users suggest that the reader needs more editing and that it should be updated to reflect PMI changes.
Smart Prep Academy PMP Exam
The book is labeled the Most Simplified All-in-One Guide to Pass the Exam on the First Try with No Effort & Get Your All-Domains-Above-Target Project Management Professional Certification in 2 Weeks.
The PMP Exam Prep 2022-2023 book features 35 PDUs e-learning, allowing the user to instantly gain the 35 contact hours required to qualify for the PMP exam. It includes a full-length agile guide and a reference handbook, which cover most exam questions together.
Finally, the book comprises mock tests with explanations, which help the user learn how to approach questions like a pro. These features make the PMP Exam Prep 2022-2023 an excellent tool for those preparing for the PMP exam.
What do the user reviews say?
The user reviews for the PMP Exam Prep 2022-2023 product are positive, with users stating that the book has all the information needed to pass the PMP exam. Additionally, users appreciate that the book includes a full-length agile guide and a reference handbook. Finally, users find mock tests with explanations helpful in learning to approach questions like a pro.
Project Management Professional Certification Secrets Study Guide
The “Mometrix Test Preparation’s PMP Exam Prep 2022 and 2023 – Project Management Professional Certification Secrets Study Guide” reviews all PMBOK sections. It also offers practice test questions with detailed answer explanations, tips, and strategies to help you get your best test performance and a complete review of all PMBOK sections.
What do the user reviews say?
The user reviews for the books listed above are generally positive, with many people finding them helpful in preparing for the PMP Exam. Some people note that there are more minor practice questions throughout each section to ensure knowledge of the subject. In contrast, others warn that the book has virtually zero about agile, yet the new test has a LOT of agile/hybrid content.
PMP Mock Practice Tests 380 Questions Including Agile
The “PMP Mock Practice Tests” is aligned with the latest exam updates, so those preparing will have access to the most up-to-date information. Additionally, the book includes a set of mock tests that will help prepare test takers for the actual exam. The tests are based on real-world scenarios and have detailed answers and explanations.
What do the user reviews say?
Users have had positive things to say about the PMP Mock Practice Tests book. They find that the questions are similar to those on the exam and that the explanations are helpful. They recommend the book to anyone preparing for the PMP exam.
Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep
With decades of experience preparing students for the PMP exam, Rita Mulcahy’s “PMP Exam Prep” book is a must-have for anyone looking to pass the PMP exam. The book is updated to reflect the latest changes to the PMP exam and comes with a license to the PM FASTrack exam simulator.
The simulator includes over 2200 questions, so you can be confident that you are practicing on questions that will likely appear on the exam. Additionally, the book consists of comprehensive agile content that will help prepare students for the latest exam.
What do the user reviews say?
The user reviews for Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep book are positive, with users praising the book’s detailed information and ability to break down the methodology for those without knowledge of the PMP.
Users also appreciate the practice quizzes and explanations for correct answers. Some users find that the book is still heavy on material from older versions of the PMP exam, but that much of that information is still vital for the test. Overall, users recommend purchasing the book.
PMP® Exam Questions Bank
The 2022 “PMP Exam Questions Bank for Project Management Professionals” by Shadi Ismail comprises over 1,000 high-quality, professionally developed sample PMP exam questions and eight full-length PMP practice exams.
In addition, the book covers a detailed overview of what to expect on exam day and provides advanced techniques for answering difficult questions. It allows for a more hands-on learning experience and helps to simulate the actual PMP Exam better.
What do the user reviews say?
The reviews for the book recommend it for those looking to prepare for the PMP Exam. They say that it is a great source that helps to pass the exam and that the questions are similar to those on the actual PMP Exam. The answers with brief explanations help to understand the concepts.
Essential PMP Preparation: A Practical Exam Prep
The “Essential PMP Preparation” by Yassine Tousn is a comprehensive guide that includes essential project management concepts. It is addressed in the PMBOK 7th Edition and other resources recommended by PMI in the PMP reference list, making it the ideal preparation tool for anyone sitting for the 2022 PMP exam.
The book breaks down the most complicated project management concepts into simple, easy-to-understand, and remember explanations, descriptions, and examples. The goal is to provide you with the most practical and comprehensive preparation experience without the stress and burnout of the PMP studying process.
What do the user reviews say?
User reviews say this book is detailed and well-organized, especially for first-time test takers. As they go through the step-by-step guide from the book, they build up more confidence in passing the exam.
Other users say that this book presents the simplicity and structured flow of processes in a Project in a way that isn’t available in any other PMP preparation books. Finally, they recommend this book for anyone looking to consolidate their knowledge of PMBOK 7 and Agile practices.
Conclusion
The PMP Exam can be a bit challenging and passing it entails preparation. Even if you already have experience with project management, you can still find it a bit hard as an exam is quite different from what you are doing in real corporate life.
It is why aside from your actual experience, it is recommended to read as many books as possible in preparation for the exam. The exam preparation books we listed here offer great advice and practice questions that will help you pass the exam with flying colors.