Top 10 PMP resources 2015

By Sarah Morgan


Get ready to take on your PMP exam with these top PMP resources 2015. It’s a waste of your time and money to attempt an exam you’re not prepared for. Instead, get ready to pass first time by studying the best material available.

These top PMP resources range from study guides to practice exam simulators and even interactive games.

1. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK 5 Guide)

This is an essential resource for PMP students and a crucial revision tool. Every PMP aspirant should study this official guide as it covers the most recent PMBOK in its entirety and provides the international standard upon which PMP is based.

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMB Guide) - 5th Edition

• Paperback - £39.99 – Amazon.co.uk
• Kindle edition - £37.99 - Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

2. Head First PMP Paperback – December 29, 2013

Learn the latest objectives and topics in the PMBOK5 with this bestselling PMP guide (with over 100 reviews and a four star average on Amazon.com). This intelligent book covers PMP’s underlying concepts as well as a thorough exam preparation guide with hundreds of practice questions and strategies.

Head First PMP Paperback – 29 Dec 2013

• Paperback - £39.99 – Amazon.co.uk
• Kindle edition - £37.99 - Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

3. How to Manage a Camel

Take some time out of your revision to browse Arras People’s ‘How to Manage a Camel.’ This great project management blog covers all aspects of project management, including PMP and PRINCE2.

You’ll get a better appreciation of project management as a career and a more comprehensive base of knowledge. Plus, there are some great PMP specific articles to read as part of your revision process.


4. PMP ITTO Mind Map

This is a great PMP revision tool for visual learners. Developed by Kim Synder and based on the PMBOK Guide 5th Edition, this mind map visualises 10 project management knowledge areas found in PMP.

Get the pdf here.

One page in the comprehensive 10 page mind map

5. PM Zilla forum

PM Zilla is one of the most popular PMP specific forums. There are over 10,000 threads covering topics from PMP exam questions to applying PMP in real world situations. Got a tricky PMP question that Google can’t answer? Ask in the forum

Forums are a great way to learn regardless of which certification you are studying for. Interacting with other students, discussing the curriculum and asking questions is one of the best ways of both learning and putting your knowledge into practice. However, make sure you verify your information, as there’s no real way of gauging it’s quality otherwise (it could be incorrect!).

And don’t forget – forums are participatory and at their most rewarding when you aren’t just asking questions, but answering them too.


6. Techexams.net PMP Forum

One forum is never enough – here’s a second great project management forum from techexams.net. You’ll find some great user-created revision guides and active threads. As always – make sure to double (and triple) check the information you read.

Bear in mind, though most posts relate to PMP, this forum is dedicated to project management certifications as a whole.

7. Rita’s process game

One skilled PMP student has even developed a game to help others understand the correct sequence of all project management processes and planning processes.

Find it here.


8. Firebrand Learn

Firebrand Learn is a free platform for self study. We’ve added a massive amount of PMP content to it - you’ll get:

• Course material taught on Firebrand’s official PMP course
• Exercises
• Free practice test questions and answers 
• A collection of third party resources

Combine A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK 5 Guide) with the resources on Firebrand Learn and you’ll be well on your way to passing the PMP exam.

Firebrand Learn's of practice exam questions

We’ve had some great feedback about Firebrand Learn. Take a look at what Michael Greer of bestfreetraining.net said about it:

Start revising PMP right now on Firebrand Learn– you won’t need to pay or register.


9. PMP Exam Self-Assessment Test - Oliver Lehmann

From this site you’ll get access to 75 free sample questions with a simulated 90 minute time to mimic the exam. Click ‘Solve Sample Test’ once you’re done to see an instant percentage score.

You’ll also get access to an additional 175 PMP sample questions in pdf form. Unlike the interactive online questions, this document is intended to be printed and completed by hand.

Don’t be discouraged if you’re score is lower than you expected, as Cornelius Fitchner of The Project Management Podcast states, “Hands down, this web site has the toughest questions around. If you are able to answer more than 50% correctly, then hats off to you.”


10. PM Exam Simulator

As the name suggests, this tool simulates the PMP exam and provides 175 free sample questions. You’ll answer questions of the same style and difficulty that you can expect to find on the real exam and will get access to three different modes of:

• Real exam mode: a simulation of the real PMP exam experience
• Timed mode: you’ll receive hints and answers but will still be timed
• Learning mode: get hints and answers with no time limit.

Unfortunately, you’ll only get the above for three days with the free trial account. The full service will set you back $99.


How to know if you’re ready for the PMP exam

We recommend you read, re-read and read again to absorb the knowledge you need. Next, tackle the PMP mock exams and sample questions until you can consistently score 75% or above. Once you can do this – you should be ready.

However, if you don’t have the time available to dedicate to self-study – there are others ways to get certified, take a look at our official accelerated four day PMP course.


Related articles:

• PRINCE2 vs. PMP - which certification should you choose?
• Four great benefits of the PMP certification
• See what happened when we asked our Project Management instructor your PMP questions

About the Author:        
Sarah writes for Firebrand Training on a number of IT related topics. This includes exams, training, certification trends, project management, certification, careers advice and the industry itself. Sarah has 11 years of experience in the IT industry.