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Top 5 PMP Certification Preparation Books

pmp certification books

Written By Andrew Makar

Professional Cat Herder and an Agile Enthusiast with a keen interest in putting PM theory into actual practice.

The following is a guest post from – Priya Jatoliya,  – a professional project management trainer.   I also added a few “nuggets” along the way. – Andy

When you are ready to take your project management skills to the next level, you should consider investing in PMP certification training books and courses.  PMP Certification is a frequently sought after certification for novice and experienced professional project managers.

Andy’s Add-on:  The credential helps establish common language and understanding between project managers.  With this credential, you’ll know won’t show up to a project plan review with your Microsoft project schedule!
(A project plan is the documented processed used to manage a project versus the actual schedule of activities to complete the project.) 

Along with the required professional experience criteria that must be met, here are 5 popular books that will help prepare you to obtain your project management certification.

Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep (8th Edition)

Rita Mulcahy PMP Exam Prep 8th EditionThe best-selling Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep book is known within the world of project management has one of the top guides for preparing to obtain your PMP certification. There is a full-length PMP study guide within the book that is known for being both encompassing as well as easily accessible.

All the PMP exam material and resources that you need are consolidated within a single publication. The book is filled with numerous interviews conducted by the author in addition to experiences with verified test takers. There are more than 600 pages in this book, reflecting the complete project management framework for your consideration.

Velociteach All-in-One PMP Exam Prep Kit

Velociteach All-in-One PMP Exam PrepKitAndy Crowe is a successful author and the founder of the Velociteach program. Throughout the country, Velociteach has become known for providing high-quality and effective PMP training and test preparation services. This packaged self-study kit allows interested candidates and aspiring PMPs to reap the key benefits of Velociteach program within a personal kit that they can use and follow at their own pace.

It consists of a stellar combination of thoroughly discussed topics, practice questions and practical exercises that will help you to apply your newly acquired (or recently refreshed) knowledge to real-life hypothetical situations. A nifty feature within this specific self-study kit is the handy reference guide that comes along with it.

This laminated card gives you a quick study sheet with pertinent information that you may need to refresh your memory about moments before you head to take your proctored PMP exam.

Head First PMP

pmp certification Head First PMPAn interesting alternative to studying manuals and formal textbooks to obtain your project management certification is the “Head First PMP: A Brain-Friendly Guide.” If you are interested in finding more creative and contemporary ways of learning and mastering the world of project management, this book can serve as your guide while also preparing you to know everything necessary to pass the certification exam successfully.

Perhaps the multi-sensory approach to learning that is interwoven within the content of this popular publication is what sets it apart from the rest of the project management study and test prep manuals available on the market today. Either way, the visual learning aids and overall gamification of this book makes it a top choice to consider.

McGraw-Hill’s PMP Project Management Professional Exam

McGraw Hill PMP Project ManagementIf you are looking to take a standard textbook approach, there are very few options or companies that have the same textbook brand recognition as McGraw-Hill. This PMP examination manual gives you all the tools that you will need to buckle down and study for this tedious and time-consuming exam. It is based on cutting-edge methods and modern-day techniques delivered and presented by a certified expert.

The author of this book has presented numerous PMP courses and project management courses around the world.  She is also an experienced Project Management Professional herself, which adds even more credibility and knowledge to the multitude of pages found within this textbook.

PMBOK Guide (5th Edition)

pmp certification pmbokI can’t write a post about certification preparation books without mentioning the PMBOK!

The PMBOX (Project Management Book of Knowledge) Guide is viewed as the standard “Bible” of Project Management. It is an official preparation resource that is referenced and promoted on most popular project management websites and blogs. Within its pages, the PMBOK features a vast amount of information related to key areas of project management knowledge, inputs, outputs and process groups.

One of the biggest complaints about this specific guide, though, is its complex text and excessive amount of technical jargon. It is not as much of an “easy read” as some of the other books featured on this list. However, its credibility within the industry makes this trustworthy manual worthy of your serious consideration.

Andy’s Add-on:Keep in mind if you’re an active member of the Project Management Institute, you can download the standard for free.

Focus on the Full PMP Certification Package

As mentioned earlier, obtaining your project management certification calls for a lot more than just reading a manual and passing an exam. However, studying the proper paths towards becoming an official PMP will help improve your PM acumen as well as prepare you for the certification.

Andy’s Add-on:To learn how I prepared and successfully passed the PMO, check out my PMP Exam Prep article .

About Priya Jatoliya

Priya Jatoliya is a tech blogger and an expert in PMP certification training. She has an experience of 4 years in the project management professionals industry, and has worked as a certified PMP for top-notch IT companies.  She is IT career consultant for students who pursue various types of IT certifications like Ethical Hacking, Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, PMP, ITIL, Big Data & Hadoop, Vmware and much more.

Get the Job You Deserve in 7 Easy Steps

Learn a simple 7 step process for finding, preparing and passing your next PM interview

project management interview questions

Learn how to:

  1. Write a project management specific resume. Optimize your resume to highlight your PM experience and get an interview
  2. Find the right opportunity. Ensure the opportunity is a fit for you as well as the company. Finding the right opportunity goes beyond applying to job boards and attending a PMI meeting.
  3. Pass the initial phone screen. Learn how to pass the phone screen and learn the secrets recruiters use to validate your profile.
  4. Prepare for the on-site interview and the stages afterward. Learn how to successfully prepare for the on-site interview using a proven technique with minimal preparation.

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