Taking the PMP Exam? 10 Essential Study Resources

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Your Must-have Study Resources When PMP

Congratulations on taking one of many steps on your pursuit to obtain the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification! Becoming a certified project manager significantly enhances your career opportunities. Pursing the pmp exam demonstrates your mastery of the principles and practices of project management and your ability to lead challenging projects. 

As a result, many companies have surfaced offering training programs to help candidates prepare for the PMP exam. While these institutions help prepare you for PMP exams, they also help you have a toolbox of study resources within reach. Here are some valuable resources to help you prepare for the PMP exam:

PMBOK Guide

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide is the primary reference for the PMP exam. Covering the nine knowledge areas of project management,  it’s the most comprehensive resource for preparing for the PMP exam. 

It breaks down the essential processes, practices, and techniques you can use when handling multiple projects and helps you understand the foundation of project management.You also learn about the best methods to minimize risks to gain the best outcomes. Always make sure that you thoroughly study the latest edition since the exam content is aligned with it.

Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep

Many PMP-certified project managers highly recommend Rita Mulcahy’s PMP Exam Prep book because it provides a practical and engaging approach to understanding project management concepts. 

Rita Mulcahy wrote the book to help people understand the information in the PMBOK easily. She had met many people having a hard time grasping project management concepts while working as a consultant, so she decided to write the book.

The book has a range of practice exams and situational texts that make it easy for candidates to know how to implement the PMBOK. Its process chart is one aspect that is very valuable as Rita uses it to elaborate on challenging PMBOK processes. She also incorporates diagrams, visual cues, charts, tables, and bullet points instead of plain text, making it easy to digest the information. 

Head First PMP

The Head First PMP book is known for its interactive approach to teaching PMBOK concepts. It uses visual aids and real-world scenarios which makes it easier to remember.

Each chapter of the book starts with a relatable story to explain the topic, it then goes on to use small anecdotes and examples based on the initial story to break down each concept.

To validate your understanding, each chapter has small exercises, fill-in-the-blank, and crosswords to help you remember PMBOK concepts. At the end, are sample questions to help the reader review the chapter.

Practice Exams

Practice exams are absolutely critical for getting a feel of the exam and identifying areas where you need to improve. Especially if you want to pass on the first try!

The PMP Exam Prep Simplified is an excellent resource since it aligns with all aspects of the PMBOK guide, explaining the concepts with clarity. The best part is the book comes with a 35-hour online course with videos and two simulators.

The exams have multiple-choice questions from different PMBOK topics, allowing you to assess your knowledge and familiarize yourself with the timing and pressure of the actual PMP exam. 

PMP practice exams help boost your confidence and performance when taking the exam. It helps to review the explanations after taking the test to get a deep understanding of the premise behind every answer. 

Online Courses

Online learning platforms like Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Coursera offer PMP exam preparation courses that often have video lectures, practice exams, and interactive content to help you understand the PMP concepts. Be sure to look for courses with consistently positive reviews to ensure your getting good value.

Flashcards

Flashcards can be a great help for helping to remember the PMBOK concepts and can be a welcomed break from textbooks and practice exams. The Perfect PMP Exam Flashcards are a great additional to your study toolkit.

Frugal? No problem! You can create your own flashcards to reinforce your understanding of key terms, processes, and formulas. Their compact nature makes them great study aids when you want to quickly cover many formulas or questions in a short period. 

Project Management Podcasts

Podcasts are great study resources because they allow you to listen and learn wherever you are. Usually, podcast hosts are professionals who have extensive insights they’ve accumulated over years of experience giving them insider knowledge that they willingy share with others.

These podcasts are also a great way of keeping up with industry trends. The PM Podcast and The Project Management Happy Hour are great PMP Exam Prep podcasts. 

Study Groups

PMP study groups can provide great insights and different perspectives into the PMP content. Discussing concepts with others can enhance your understanding and helps you retain important formulas. You can use online platforms like Meetup or LinkedIn to look for online study groups or create local groups.

To make the discussions more interesting, try incorporating PMP flashcards. You can create a casual contest using the flashcards, to make the discussions fun while discussing the PMP concepts in detail.

Mobile Apps

We use mobile devices for nearly everything, especially communication and entertainment, but they can be pretty useful when preparing for the PMP exam. To help you prepare, download mobile apps geared towards PMP study resources to make it easy to learn on the go. 

Fortunately, there are many mobile apps designed specifically for PMP exam preparation. These apps are include flashcards, practice questions, and study reminders, making studying easy. PM PrepCast, PMP Exam Mentor, and Pocket Prep are great examples of such apps.

PMP Exam Simulator

Investing in a PMP exam simulator is a great way to prepare question format and the experience of sitting for the exam. These simulators usually provide timed practice exams and detailed explanations for each question, allowing you to get comfortable with the exam interface. 

You also become more confident because you’re already familiar with the exam questions.  PM Exam Simulator and Velociteach are popular choices.

Conclusion 

It is critical to have a set of study resources available to you when you begin your journey to take the PMP exam. These resources go a long way in helping you understand important PMP concepts and pass the exam. Don’t forget to check the official PMI (Project Management Institute) website for the latest information on exam content, eligibility criteria, and any changes to the PMP exam format. As always, good luck with your PMP certification journey!

Want to learn more about the PMP? Check out more articles below!

Best Example of PMP Application: Step-by-Step Guide with Tips

PMP Exam Changes: What Do They Mean?

11 Hacks to Help You Pass Your PMP Exam on Your First Try

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