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The latest edition of the PM Body of Knowledge Guide was published this January 2013. Some of the changes compared to the 4th Edition include the increase of the knowledge areas from nine to ten, with Project Stakeholder Management as the tenth knowledge area. It also documents the increase of the total processes from 42 to 47. However, a significant impact of this overall change affects the professionals who are studying to pass Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Their review material should now contain and reflect the recent changes for them to pass the PMP exam successfully.
What is the PMP exam?
The PMP exam is a certification process where professionals who have successfully passed it are given the PMP credential. For project managers, the PMI’s Project Management Professional credential is considered the most important and widely recognized. To be eligible to take the exam, certain requirements should be met. After receiving the credential, professionals are advised to maintain it through a Continuing Certification Requirements program. In an article comparing the highest paying certifications in the technology industry, PMP was at the top. Many employers now require this credential to qualify for important and lucrative positions.
The top 5 PMP prep books
PMP certification courses are available and offered by learning companies such as Simplilearn and Skillsoft. For those who opt to self-study or who want more references, PMP exam prep books are affordable and accessible resources. Below are the top 5 we have selected based on several criteria such as publishing date, alignment with the PMBOK 5th edition, structure, customer reviews and accuracy.
1. PMP Project Management Professional Study Guide, Fourth Edition
Summary: Author Joseph Phillips, PMP, is a PM consultant, educator, and CompTIA trainer. He has given train-the-trainer courses for major corporations, institutions, and universities. The book was published on June 25, 2013 and has 784 pages. It is available in two formats, and the paperback edition is priced at $30.45. It covers all the objectives for the exam and also has an exam readiness checklist to help the reader prepare for the challenging test.
2. PMP: Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide, Seventh Edition
Summary: Kim Heldman, PMP, has written other books besides this best-selling exam guide, such as Project Management JumpStart. She has been managing IT projects for more than 20 years. Her book study guide was published on July 1, 2013. It has 696 pages and is priced at $36.74. The book covers all topic areas but also includes discussions on PM concepts, processes, key terms and two practice PMP and CAPM exams.
3. PMP Exam Prep Questions, Answers, & Explanations: 1000+ PMP Practice Questions with Detailed Solutions
Summary: Written By Christopher Scordo, PMP, to help students be prepared for the PMP certification. He has written and co-written other prep books, such as his ITIL exam prep book that was endorsed by the official ITIL framework accreditation group. Although this PMP Exam Prep book was originally published in November 2009, the revised fifth edition is updated to align with the latest PMBOK Guide and for PMP exams after July 31, 2013. It has 422 pages, costs $39.24, and has remained in Amazon’s Top 60 Best Seller in PM.
4. PMP EXAM Simplified-5th Edition – Aligned to PMBOK Guide 5th Edition
Summary: Aileen Ellis, PMP, PgMP, is the owner of AME, which is a registered educations provider. She has helped thousands of professionals get the PMP and CAPM credentials. This spiral-bound book was published on August 17, 2013. It has 450 pages at a price of $51.53. It has more than 1000 practice questions with detailed answers to help the reader obtain both knowledge and confidence for the exam. It has several summary tests and one complete sample exam.
5. Achieve PMP Exam Success, 5th Edition: A Concise Study Guide for the Busy Project Manager
Summary: Diane Altwies, PMP, has been a project manager or program manager in the insurance, financial services, and healthcare for almost 30 years. Janice Preston, PMP, has been managing projects for more than 25 years and has developed a course in PM and certificate programs in universities for more than 15 years. Their book was published on July 2, 2013. It has 488 pages, costs $56.95, and comes with a website access that includes downloadable flash card study aids.
Conclusion
Some popular PMP exam books may be missing on this list, such as PMP Exam Prep by the late Rita Mulcahy who passed away in 2010. Some spectacular previous editions also did not make the list because of what seems a hastily published new edition just to cover the changes in the PMBOK announced this year. A great previous edition is Head First Pmp Second Edition by Greene and Stellman. However, the new edition that reflects the latest PMBOK changes is still scheduled to come out in January 2014.
The absence of a PMP credential will not prevent a person to practice project management. However, having it will certainly enhance one’s credibility, in addition to the value that employers perceive it delivers.
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