Effective PMP® Study Materials and Resources for Exam Preparation

Are you ready to tackle the PMP® Exam and take your Project Management career to new heights? With the right PMP® Study Material, the journey to PMP® Certification becomes manageable and less daunting. This blog is designed to help you identify the best resources available, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge and confidence to ace the exam. 

Navigating through numerous study guides and practice tests can be overwhelming. Many aspiring PMP®s struggle to find the right PMP® Study Material that genuinely aids in their preparation. Fear not, as we will uncover the essential tools and strategies used by successful PMP® candidates. Let's dive in and start your journey to success!

Table of Contents

1) PMP® Study Material – PMI Essentials 

2) PMP® Study Material – Reference Books 

3) PMP® Study Material – Must Have Resources 

4) PMP® Sample Questions and Exam Simulator 

5) Additional PMP® Resources 

6) Conclusion

PMP® Study Material – PMI Essentials 

The materials provided by PMI should be your first go-to materials to prepare for the PMP® Exam. These resources are available at no cost toPMI members, and non-members can purchase them according to their needs.

1) Exam Content Outline 

The Exam Content Online (ECO), released by Project Management Institute (PMI), outlines the syllabus for the PMP® Exam. It briefly describes the Project Management topics or domains tested in the exam. It gives the break-up of topics and their weightage in the exam. To avail yourself of this, you do not need to be a member of the PMI. It is available for free on the PMI.org official website.   

You can usethe ECO to track and understand your preparation level for the PMP® Exam.
 

2) Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBOK® Guide) 

The PMI's reference to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, commonly known as PMBOK, forms the core of PMP® Certification. This PMBOK® Guide is the foundation of Project Management knowledge and is an essential study resource for PMP® Exam candidates.

PMBOK encompasses crucial processes, techniques, and best practices in Project Management, making it a vital resource for professionals in the field. With clear and concise language, it demystifies complex concepts and offers real-world examples to demonstrate their practical application.

3) The Standard for Project Management 

The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI standard, outlines 12 essential principles every project manager should know. Included within the PMBOK® Guide, available in both PDF and print formats, this standard is a critical read.

It contextualises Project Management practices within the broader business landscape, emphasising value and project contribution. Though a quick read, it is highly beneficial for understanding the key factors that drive project success. 

4) Agile Practice Guide 

The Agile Practice Guide serves as the definitive handbook for all things Agile. Co-authored by PMI and the Agile Alliance, it provides a comprehensive resource for understanding Agile and hybrid methodologies and their application in the workplace.

This essential guide is bundled with the PMBOK® Guide in both print and PDF formats. Since half of your exam questions will pertain to Agile and hybrid domains, a solid grasp of iterative techniques is crucial. This book equips you with the knowledge and confidence needed to tackle those questions effectively.

5) PMI Standards+ 

PMI Standards+ is a digital learning source from PMI that compiles a diverse array of best practices, tools, techniques, and processes. It includes information from A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Sixth Edition.

This freely accessible reference collection allows you to discover a wide range of topics, making it especially valuable since the current PMBOK® Guide edition offers limited practical details on Project Management processes.

6) PMI Code of Ethics

The PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct describes all the principles that you must adhere to as a PMP® professional. You must be thinking, how is this a resource for the exam? Well! It is a vital resource for the PMP® Exam, as it gives you an understanding of the right things to do in difficult situations. This will help you in answering the scenario-based questions in the PMP® Exam.

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PMP® Study Material – Reference Books

You must supplement the PMBOK guide with a few more reference books to better understand concepts that you may find challenging. In addition to the PMBOK Guide, you can study either of these reference books to clear your doubts. 

1) Rita Mulcahy 

Rita Mulcahy’s PMP® Exam preparation guide is a top resource for PMP® candidates. It simplifies complex Project Management concepts, offering practice questions, tips, and strategies. Renowned for its clarity and comprehensive coverage, it's considered the best supplementary resource after the PMBOK Guide.

2) Andy Crowe 

Andy Crowe’s book is another highly regarded resource for PMP® Exam preparation. It is particularly useful for evaluating your readiness one week before the exam. Additionally, it provides one week of online access to the Velociteach InSite program, offering further study support and resources.

3) Head First PMP®

Head First PMP® is a widely popular book for PMP® Exam preparation. It simplifies complex concepts using clear language, text, images, and graphics, making it easier for readers to understand and retain information. This engaging approach helps candidates effectively prepare for the PMP® Exam.

4) Kim Heldman 

Kim Heldman’s book is an excellent resource for understanding Project Management concepts in detail. It explains all concepts in phases, making it easier to grasp the material step-by-step. This structured approach helps readers thoroughly comprehend each aspect of Project Management.

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PMP® Study Material – Must Have Resources 

If you don’t have a CAPM certificate, PMI requires you to have 35 contact hours of training in Project Management. The resources mentioned below will help you meet this eligibility and prepare for the PMP® Exam. These two 35-contact hours programs are online programs and are cost-efficient.  

1) PM PrepCast 

OSP International develops PM PrepCast. Once you attend the video sessions of the program and complete the chapter-end quizzes, you can download your 35-contact hour certificate. It enables you to confidently understand the key concepts, PMP tools, and techniques required to pass the exam.   

This program comes for 260 GBP. You will have access to this program until the PMP® ECO changes. You can avail a free upgrade of this program if you buy the course within six months of the release of the new exam.   

2) PMP® Training 

This PMP training course is reviewed and approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This course is provided by The Knowledge Academy, which will educate you on how to lead and manage even complex projects through every phase of the project until completion.

This PMP Certification Training will ensure you are thorough with all the domains mentioned in the ECO. PMI® has approved The Knowledge Academy as an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) to provide Professional Development Units (PDUs).    

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PMP® Sample Questions and Exam Simulator 

By now, we know the essential materials to study for the exam and other materials to supplement our studies. Now, let's go to the next section of essentials like question bank and mock tests that are crucial to be included in our study plan. 

1) Oliver Lehman’s 100 Questions 

It would help if you attempted to answer the questions in this book. This set of Oliver Lehman has a set of 100 questions. Most experts say that there is no doubt that you're ready for the PMP® Exam if you score above 70% on Oliver Lehman's tests. You can take these tests when your preparation is complete. Additionally, it is advised not to be scared if you score low on these tests, as they are designed to be complicated.   

2) Oliver Lehman’s 180 Questions

This is Oliver Lehman's second set, which includes 180 PMP® Exam practice questions. You can attempt these questions in the last phase of your preparation. These are available in pdf format, which you can download and use offline. Again, a 70% or higher score indicates that you are prepared for the exam. These questions are more complex than the PMP exam questions, so don't be discouraged if you get a lower score here. 

3) PMP® Question Bank 

It is best to supplement your PMP® preparation with PMP® question books that are updated to the latest exam format. Use this resource as extra support and choose the question bank that suits your requirements. Choose the questions book to help you with the concepts in which you lack clarity.

4) PMP® Mock Test 

Taking mock exams is the most effective way to prepare and is frequently cited as the best exam preparation study technique by PMP® aspirants. You can access many free and paid mock PMP® tests online and offline. Make sure that you give enough mock tests to evaluate your readiness for the PMP® Exam. Mock exams will give you more confidence because you will know what to expect from the PMP® Exam. 

5) Cornelius Fichtner’s PM Exam Simulator 

The PM Exam Simulator is a practice test that includes real questions from all project domains. Mr Cornelius Fichtner developed this Project Management Exam simulator. It contains a total of 2,100 sample PMP® questions. You will have to pay around 138 GBP of avail this exam simulator for one month. 

6) Whizlabs’ PMP® Exam Simulator 

Whizlabs has provided certification training since 2000 and created this PMP® Exam simulator. This contains approximately 1,300 questions aligned with the most recent PMP® Exam content outline. The simulator is entirely online and costs around 9 GBP. 

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Additional PMP® Resources 

These additional resources may not be essential, but many PMP® aspirants find them helpful throughout their preparation. You can choose if you want to use these resources in your preparation based on your learning style.  

1) PMP® Brain Dump Sheet

A PMP® brain dump sheet is a personal study tool designed to help you recall key information under exam conditions. It typically includes a list of formulas, processes, and other essential details useful for last-minute revision.

The sheet can be handwritten or typed and is tailored to fit your study style. By practising writing it out until it becomes second nature, you can quickly recall important information during the exam. This ensures all key details are at your fingertips.

2) PMP® Apps

 Apps like PMP® Exam Prep Guide, PMstudy’s PMP®, and PMP® Exam Trainer Free offer extensive study materials. They also provide routine mock tests and questionnaires to help you prepare effectively for the exam. You can explore the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for more options and ideas.

3) PMP® Flashcards

Flashcards are a versatile study tool available in both hardcopy and digital formats. One side features a topic or concept, while the other provides the definition and explanation. They are excellent for recalling studied concepts easily.

Creating your own flashcards allows you to personalise your study material and carry them with you for quick review during spare moments. Alternatively, you can use electronic flashcards on your phone for convenient, on-the-go study.

4) PMP® Podcasts

Podcasts are available in both audio and video formats. You can have access to PMP® podcasts wherever you go. Some of these are so detailed that they fall under PMI's Category F ("distance learning") for PMP® Exam preparation courses, and it even offers 35 contact hours for PMP® Exam eligibility. 

5) PMP® Formulas

You can use the guides for PMP® formulas for quick revision anywhere, anytime. It will help you recall formulas under pressure during the actual exam. 

6) Networking with PMP®

Interaction with other professionals who own a PMP® Certification can be a game changer. You can talk to them and understand more about what to learn and from where. They can also serve as a mentor in your preparation. At the very least, you'll be able to speak with PMP®s about how they managed their path to PMP® Certification. 

7) PMI circle

The benefit of PMI's toolkit is it will help you stay focused and motivated. Connect with your local PMI Chapter's colleagues. You could join a study group or discussion circle to help you prepare. 

8) PMP® Online Forums

Online forums are a treasure of knowledge, often available for free. These platforms allow you to discuss exam preparation with fellow students and seek advice from experienced PMP®s. Engaging in these forums can provide valuable insights and support throughout your PMP® Exam journey.

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Conclusion 

Equipping yourself with the best PMP® Study Material is crucial for your success on exam day. By utilising the top tools and strategies highlighted in this guide, you'll gain the confidence and knowledge needed to excel. Start your journey today and achieve PMP® Certification with ease. 

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