the pmi project management professional (pmp)® exam is not based on a single text. what is tested is drawn from an integrated set of skills and knowledge covering a wide range of best practices and experiences. Simply put, it means that there is no best pmp exam prep book to tell you what you need to know to pass.
Smart students use a variety of books and resources to ensure their studies cover the topics on the exam outline. They then test what they learned using sample questions from those books or for a more robust testing experience, a pmp exam simulator.
You are reading: Best books for pmp
pmi does not endorse any specific reference material (other than its own publications) for certification purposes. however, they list 10 books on their website as possible references for students, saying they are one element of a larger set of educational resources you can use to prepare for the exam. We think your options are good reads for anyone preparing for the exam, especially when used in conjunction with other resources like mock tests in a simulated environment to help you with time management preparation. you will find the list of books below.
how can books and reading materials help me prepare for the pmp exam?
Between flashcards, note-taking, using a test simulator, watching videos, and live training, do you really need to add reading to your list of study skills? if you can! Not only is it important to read the pmbok® guide, reading other pmp books will help you prepare for the exam. here’s why:
- reading aloud helps you remember key facts
- reading improves your vocabulary
- reading helps you focus
- reading maintains your brain active
reading aloud helps you remember key facts
Research shows that reading aloud affects memory, and on the test, you’ll want to be able to recall facts!
What we found most interesting about the reading research we looked at is that your brain remembers differences more than similarities. the advice for your studies is to read the key facts aloud. Because you’re reading them in a different way than the rest of your study materials, your brain should find it easier to remember.
Make sure you’re in a place where you can read aloud without distracting yourself or others before trying this technique!
reading improves your vocabulary
Books provide the context for new words. a long paragraph, or case study, gives you more background than simply looking up a word’s definition in the glossary or on a flash card.
The more you read about a topic, the more you’ll become familiar with it, in your own time, at your own pace. the terms become natural and you will be able to use them with ease. When you see different types of pmp exam questions on the exam and the jargon that goes with them, you’ll know exactly what is being asked and how to interpret the situation.
reading helps you concentrate
Reading “real” books can help you focus more than reading e-books. Several studies have shown that people learn better when they read on paper.
Turning pages requires very little brainpower, allowing your brain to focus on interpreting and remembering what you’re reading. there are fewer distractions than online reading, such as not having to reset your eyes as words scroll on a page. Plus, you’re less likely to see the ping of a social media notification or email if you’re looking at the pages of an actual book.
reading keeps your brain active
We’ve long known that keeping your brain active, like playing music or doing puzzles, can help fight cognitive decline as you age. learning new things is a way to keep brain cells active.
Make new connections between those synapses and increase your mental agility! Every little bit helps on test day!
how to choose the best pmp exam preparation book
A quick search on amazon will show you dozens of pmp exam prep books, so what should you look for before you click the buy button? Here are some things to consider before spending any money.
- topics covered
- frequency of content
- author’s credentials
- writing style
- price
- ease of availability
- format
topics covered
check what topics the book covers. There is so much to review for the PMP certification exam that no book can promise you everything. Make sure that, taken together, all pmp study materials span the full outline of the exam content.
You may find some overlap between books, so check out what’s included to maximize your study budget by getting resources that serve different purposes without too much repetition.
content freshness
check the date of publication or last update of the book. The pmp exam is updated regularly and the content is updated in line with current best practices and what the role of a project manager includes.
It’s worth checking that any pmp exam study guide you buy is the latest edition and reflects the current version of the exam, especially if you’re buying used books.
author credentials
See who wrote the book by consulting their author biography. Do you think the person has the experience and credentials to knowledgeably explain the exam topics? the best pmp study guide for you will be one written by someone you consider to be a reliable source.
writing style
If you can, take a look inside the book to investigate the writing style. texts aimed at beginners will be easy to read. other books will be written in a more academic style, with footnotes and references. both options (and anything in between) can be good; it depends on your personal preferences and your previous experience with the topic.
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Our advice is that if a book seems hard to read, you’re less likely to turn to it. sometimes the simplest and most accessible texts can be a good option, since you can choose them and go directly to the topic.
price
Let’s not overlook the price! The PMP exam fee, a training course, an exam simulator… the costs start to add up, so invest your book budget wisely. see the list below. ask your colleagues if they already have copies you can lend, or see what’s available through your local library. You can also get many of these pmp prep books second hand, but make sure they are the latest version.
easiness of availability
Please consider shipping times and fees when making your choice. some books may be available at your local bookstore; others may need to be shipped from abroad. If you have a tight study schedule, make sure you get your books on time so they’ll be useful.
format
While there are benefits to reading paper books, as we saw earlier, e-books are convenient and often cheaper because you won’t have to pay (or wait) for shipping. some texts are even available as audiobooks.
Think about how you like to read and stick with it. There are benefits to both “real” book options and e-books, so see what options are available for your chosen book and choose what you prefer.
best pmp exam prep books for further reading
Are you ready to start reading? here is our list of the best pmp certification books to help you pass the exam.
- agile practice guide
- a guide to the project management body of knowledge (pmbok® guide) – 6th edition
- project management: a systems approach to planning and scheduling and control
- effective project management: traditional, agile, extreme, hybrid
- fundamentals of technology project management
- project manager’s handbook
- information technology project management
- essential scrum: a practical guide to the most popular agile process
- project management Projects: The Management Process
- The Project Management Toolkit: 100 Tips and Techniques to Get the Job Done Right
agile practical guide
project management institute, 2017
the agile practice guide is one of pmi’s main texts. The questions for the PMP certification are evenly split between iterative and predictive methodologies, so this is a must-read as it covers all aspects of agile project management. written in collaboration with the agile alliance, he also talks about hybrid approaches.
registered pmi members can download a free electronic version of this book, but if you want a paper version, you will need to purchase one.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (pmbok® Guide) – 6th Edition
project management institute, 2017
this is a must read book as part of your pmp exam preparation. For years, the PMBOK® Guide has been the main reference for test takers, considered “the” PMP Book, and today is no different. While we recommend a lot of reading and using other resources to enhance your studies, the pmbok® guide is still the basic text if you want to understand how pmi manages projects.
pmi members can download a free electronic version of this book from the pmi website (you must first log in).
“I read the pmbok® guide and the agile guide twice. In addition to reading both books, I created detailed flashcards. I would check them daily; play with them by having someone mix them up, and then I would put them back in order.” – akash wicker, pmp
Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, 12th Edition
harold kerzner, 2017
Now in its 12th edition, this is truly a workbook. Aimed at students and professionals, this text is a proven guide to what it takes to manage a project. It covers emerging topics and trends, as well as the basics, so expect this to become your desktop reference!
“buy it, read it, love it. takes you beyond what is necessary to pass the exam. don’t use it as your only source, but use it to amplify what other material may not cover as deeply as you’d like.” – erik rudd, pmp
Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme, Hybrid, 8th Edition
robert k. wysocki, 2019
Effective Project Management is also on pmi-acp’s recommended reading list, so if you think you might take that exam in the future, this book does double duty. comes with a companion website packed with case studies, exercises, and more to help you review and review the contents.
covers a variety of different agile approaches, including kanban, scrumban, and extreme project management, with more traditional approaches included, making it a very comprehensive guide to project management.
fundamentals of technology project management, 2nd edition
colleen garton with erika mcculloch, 2012
This book is aimed at software engineers, students, and IT professionals, so it will be more suitable for people who work in a technical environment. is a practical manual for managing projects in the IT field, written with a gentle sense of humor and aligned with the pmbok® guide in many ways.
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There are examples, case studies, sample documents, and templates to give you a head start on running your own projects, as well as plenty of information on modern challenges like virtual working and using social media.
portable handbook for project managers, 3rd edition
david cleland and lewis ireland, 2010
This book is designed to be a practical guide to managing projects, packed with the concepts and practices you need to be successful. the authors come with expert credentials and their book is a compact yet detailed overview of the project management process.
It’s easy to use, with lots of visual references like charts, graphs, and models to help you understand key concepts.
Information Technology Project Management, 9th Edition
kathy schwalbe, 2018
Another book that focuses on providing a solid understanding of project management in an IT environment, this is a guide to the latest tools and techniques in the field.
Fully aligned with the pmp and capm exams and reflecting the latest version of the pmbok® guide, this book provides additional context for the core concepts. Case studies, examples, and templates are available to help you put your learning into practice.
essential scrum: a practical guide to the most popular agile process
kenneth s. ruby, 2012
scrum is just one of many agile approaches, but it is one of the most popular. As the pmp exam is based on agile methods, you will need a complete understanding of how scrum works. Furthermore, this book serves as a practical guide to putting scrum to use in the workplace as well. There are many ways to implement scrum, and this book will help you choose an approach that works for you.
is an accessible and easy to read book with many illustrations to help you understand the roles, activities and artifacts of scrum.
“[I] reviewed (stepped over the topics that are relevant according to the exam outline) the pmi recommended references (highly recommended – essential scrum: a practical guide to the most popular agile process by kenneth s. rubin if you’re not familiar with agile scrum practices – I have experience working in this environment, so it really helped me answer the questions on test day).” – yuvi
Project Management: The Management Process, 8th Edition
erik larson and clifford grey, 2020
what we like about this book is that it covers the human aspects of project management: how to create a delivery culture. There’s also all the information you need on the tools and methods to lead successful projects, as well as details on collaborative skills. it also focuses on why these concepts and skills work, which will help you remember them and adapt them for use in your workplace.
It’s industry independent, which means it’s applicable wherever you work, making it a good all-round addition to your reading list.
“This book provides a lot of detail and helps with project formulas.” – Miss Lipinski
The Project Management Toolkit: 100 Tips and Techniques to Get the Job Done Right, 3rd Edition
tom kendrick, 2013
The Project Management Toolkit is a solution book. There are 100 tips and techniques for dealing with the obstacles project managers face on a daily basis. Packed with step-by-step guidance, the book aims to help you get out of sticky situations so you can get back on track.
All areas of project management are covered, from cost estimating and scope planning to stakeholder engagement and risk control. it is also aligned with the pmbok® guide. charts, checklists and examples mean you’ll find this an easy read and a good reference for the more challenging situations you might find yourself in.
next steps
studying for the pmp exam is important homework, so anything that helps you understand the concepts and practice for the exam will boost your confidence. We definitely recommend that you read the pmbok® guide and the pmi agile practice guide, along with a couple of other texts that will round out other areas and support your chosen training course.
Once you’ve gained a basic understanding of your studies, you’re ready to put those skills to use and test yourself with an exam simulator. Please read the explanations that accompany each answer in the simulator and use the references as a source of further reading to deepen your understanding of each topic.
Good luck with your studies!
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