PMP Exam Prep Reference Books

My students often ask me if studying from my course notes, PMI's online eReads and References and the PMBOK Guide, which is supplied with the course, is enough.  Sure, I tell them, but the PMBOK is very dry reading and although my course notes are great, the PMP exam requires a very broad knowledge and it makes studying easier if you have other sources.  With my courses, I generally supply the Q & A for the PMBOK Guide, mentioned below, and one of these other books below, depending upon the student needs.

Compiled by Michele J. Jones, PMP & PMP Certifcation Prep Instructor

ISBN# Title Author Comments
1932735003 PMP Exam Prep Rita’s Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam Fifth Edition Rita Mulcahy, PMP The Mississauga Library has this book, but they’ve miss-titled it PMP Exam Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass PMI's PMP Exam--On Your First Try!  When I show this book to my students, it’s one of their favourites.  It’s designed to be a workbook with a fill-in-the-blank format.  Its language is easy to understand, but I recommend a though understanding of the PMBOK (well in any case), because Rita makes up her own stuff sometimes.  Some comment that for Project Managers with many years of experience, she can be a bit condescending at times, but she means well and has a very good understanding of the exam.  The book comes with a CD with 25 sample questions.  Rita’s has a PMP school in the States and that’s all she does so she’s right on top of the latest news from PMI.  Read more about the book on Rita’s website at http://www.rmcproject.com/product/prep.htm.  You’ll find a bit of free stuff there, too.
0131860070 Passing the PMP Exam How to Take It and Pass It Rudd McGary The Mississauga Library has this book.  It's a very quick read with lots of sample questions throughout (although not true exam type questions).  The book includes a CD and more than 400 practice questions.  I like this book and so do my students because of the uncomplicated non-boring language.
078213601 PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide, 3rd Edition Kim Heldman This book is also at the Mississauga library.  Kim is a highly respected PMP.  It includes a CD with 400 practices exam questions with an advanced testing engine, as well as electronic flashcards, and an e-book.  This is one of my favourite study books.  It's well organized and Kim has a way of getting to the point and explaining things in an easy to understand way.
0814408591 Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Certification Exam, 3rd Edition Michael W. Newell, PMP, ENP I haven't read this book, but I thought Michael's previous version was great so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.  It's similar in format to Kim's book above, but doesn't include a CD.
0471760765 Project Management Workbook and PMP/CAPM Exam Study Guide Harold Kerzner, Ph.D and Frank P. Saladis, PMP This is a new book that I haven't read, but I just had to recommend it because Kerzner is so very well respected - almost considered the guru of Project Management.  His standard text book (Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 9th Edition) is a must have for all Project Managers, some consider it their "bible" of Project Management next to PMI's PMBOK Guide.  This study guide is a companion to his standard text book.  Dr. Kerzner generally speaks four times a year in Toronto and I recommend attending one of his sessions, which include PDUs for PMPs.
0072262907 Project Management Professional Study Guide Joseph Phillips, PMP Lots of my students pick this book as their favourite study guide.  I read and liked Joseph's old version and it has easy to understand language.  It includes a CD of 200 practice exam questions with good answers and 200 more you can download.  Not only what to study, but how to study.  PC and Pocket PC flashcards and lots of exercises, tutorials and lab simulations.  A good deal for the money.
0972967311 THE PMP EXAM How to pass on your frist try Andy Crowe, PMP Well respected author and a well respected book.  Another of my favourites, this one is great at getting to the point.  There are hundreds of sample exam questions in the book, but its fairly pricy without a CD of practice questions, but that's because its good and gets the job done.
1930699395 Q & A for the PMBOK Guide Project Management Institute Great little pocket book to carry with you so you can study while you're waiting.  200 key questions with detailed answers.  The 200 must knows.  Not exactly exam format and short on analytical type questions, but really tests your rote memory of the basics.  Not too expensive so it makes sense to get this one as a supplement to a second more core study guide.