The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try

by Andy Crowe PMP

This self-study guide for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam from the Project Management Institute contains everything project managers need to pass the PMP Exam, including 44 processes, and 592 inputs, tools, and outputs. Exam topics are covered and insider secrets, complete explanations of all PMP subjects, test tricks and tips, hundreds of highly realistic sample questions, and exercises designed to strengthen understanding of PMP concepts and prepare managers for exam success on the first attempt are provided. This is based on the PMBOK Guide 3rd Edition.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help

516 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Crowe does a great job of teaching the material in the PMBOK and a few items outside of the reach of the standard. That being said, my one criticism is that his questions are too easy. I was definitely overly confident going into the exam (I was hitting 90s on all of the practice quizzes and exams that I took in the book and on his Velociteach website). Then, when I stepped in to take the test, I was reading very long questions that required much more critical thinking than the practice ones.

Crowe's book definitely taught me the material, so I did well on the exam, but I definitely didn't feel as confident during the test as I did during the practices.

If you want to learn the material, use Andy Crowe. That's all I did plus a quick run-through of most of the chapters in the PMBOK. Also, if you have time, go through all of the training material in the free Velociteach week-long trial. However, fish around the internet or invest in some tougher practice questions so that you know what you can really expect when it comes to test day.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to supplement Rita Mulcahy's book. Although Crowe's book was outdated at the time I read it (old version of PMP exam), most of it was still relevant. Crowe is great at describing the inputs, tools and outputs of each process. His book is concise, and easy to read and comprehend. There are questions about each knowledge area at the end of each chapter and a full-length exam at the end. I did not try the full length exam, since I ran out of time studying, but it's definitely nice to have to use this book as a more comprehensive study book. Mulcahy's book, on the other hand, did not have a full-length exam. For those studying, read the study book through once and do the test questions. If you have time, use multiple books to get different ways of learning the same topics. Find any other resources to do as many questions as possible. It'll give you a good idea of how you need to think through the questions. The answers are not always straightforward and often times, there seem to be multiple correct answers (but still only 1 best answer). I'd definitely recommend Crowe's book for those studying for the PMP exam.

[GK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I would choose to crack open for pleasure reading before bed, but definitely great for PMP exam prep. This book was used as a supplement to the classroom material for my prep course, and recommended to supplement - not replace - a complete reading of the PMBOK. I've heard Andy and Rita are the top two contenders for PMP prep books in this context.

I might try to get my hands on Rita's book as well...but in the meantime I'll be re-reading this book (and the PMBOK) twice as part of my exam prep.

I haven't yet taken the exam (just finished the prep course last week), but if all goes well I'll take it - and pass - in about 3 weeks. Will try to remember to come back and update my review based on how well I thought it prepared me for the exam.

[Priyanka Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy’s book is written in a very simple but formal & structured language. You will feel very comfortable while reading the book. As you read the book, it makes you feel confident about passing the exam. I think the style of the writing and the language of the book would appeal to most of the readers. The book has a full-length 200 questions exam at the end. The chapter questions and final 200 questions provide a very good coverage of the PMP topics. However, I found these questions to be somewhat easier than the real exam.

[DeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated as far as the new test structure is concerned.

[Elise T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I must admit that that title is "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on your First Try", and I did indeed pass on my first try and above target. So, I guess the title speaks for itself. I ended up reading it almost cover to cover twice, and only used the PMBOK guide as a reference document (my PMBOK guide had an agile add-on and was almost 1000 pages- who has time for that)

So why isn't this a 5 star review? While I had no other physical study materials, it took me much longer than I care to admit to figure out some "basic" PMP principles. I ended up watching YouTube videos and taking online practice tests a few weeks before my exam before I REALLY felt that I understood how to use the 49 processes in order (up to down? how did I not understand this until a few weeks before my exam??). I think the book is missing a dumbed-down section, or a more thorough introduction to those of us that are project managers, but not perhaps "traditional" project managers working for IT companies (I have worked in pharmaceutical development and logistics- project management is mostly dealing with emergencies).
I may have passed the PMP with this book as my only study guide, but of course I'm not certain now because I didn't feel ready after just reading this twice and doing his practice questions. I read OVER and OVER again online (and in this book) that I should be getting 80-90% on all my practice exams before attempting the PMP, and to be honest, my highest score was a 78%- I scored only 70% on the 150 questions I took the day before the PMP and was convinced I'd fail (after almost 4 hours of testing I was teary when I realized I had indeed passed). Actually, contrary to what I had heard, the PMP was almost easy compared to the practice exams I'd been taking.
So, yes, I would absolutely recommend this book, but I learned almost more watching about 30 YouTube videos and taking ~500 additional practice questions. I don't know that I'd recommend this book alone, but in conjunction with other study materials it will indeed help you pass on your first try.

[Prashant · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's name is aptly correct and further the sequence of material and lucid language makes it worthwhile to study before exam. I used andy's book along with Rita's although i didn't complete any exercise from Rita, but i completed Andy's reading and exercises twice and full test paper once just few days before exam. I think Andy's book and pmbok guide along with additional practice questions are sufficient to pass the exam.

[Greg Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book & associated Velociteach course, workbook, and sample questions in combination with a copy of the PMBOK to pass the exam on the first attempt. You are unlikely to pass using this book alone - need the PMBOK as well at the minimum.

[Jeremy Hurd-McKenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I passed the exam after reading this book, so it must be doing something right. I will say that the Prometric testing centers (at least the one I used) are on to all of the "tips and tricks" listed and have adjusted accordingly, so don't look for that section to be super helpful.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent preparation for the exam. Easy to follow and good compliment to the PMBOK but is NOT a substitute. I highly recommending reading if you are preparing to take the PMBOK 6th edition PMP or CAPM EXAM.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, practical, and a very easy and entertaining read, and oh yeah, I passed on my first try! Thanks Andy!

[Manjish Naik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to prep for the PMP.

[A. P. D. G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic text for its purpose, it did indeed help me pass the PMP exam.

[Jennifer]

Fzl

[Keiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked like a boss. Passed the first time.

[Ronnie Glavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to get you prepped for the PMP test. I do not feel this is an all-inclusive book and think it could compliment another study aide. Very easy to read and laid out nice.

[Jackie Medley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book along with my bootcamp.

[Ben]

Not exactly my usual literary fare, but I read this book (twice!) so I ought to get credit for it. And yes, I passed the PMP exam on my first try.

[Revellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely organized and easy to read. I passed the PMP on my first try! So I guess it lives up to the title!

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it certainly is a better read than the PMBOK, and served me well for my CAPM test - it did work! I passed the test yesterday, actually felt that the test was too easy, perhaps I over studied, but I was done with the exam in 45 minutes, rechecked the marked questions and reviewed answers left the test center 1.5 hours after arrival with a good passing grade. PMI-SD uses this book for our 'bootcamp' class and although several people commented that Crowe' questions were too easy I thought them to be right on the money.

[Jordan Kendig · Rating 1 out of 5]

Get Rita's instead. I found this helpful for simplistic definitions, but it did a poor job of pulling all the pieces together. Each chapter was littered with references to other areas of the book, such as, "see chapter 4". I also found the content was not as challenging as Rita's which would have prepared me less for the exam.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously this is recommended only for those studying for the PMP exam, but this is a great guide and study aid to the exam. It also comes with access to a ton of practice questions, which are absolutely essential before taking the test.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is basically the English translation of PMBOK and a definite must have resource. I passed the PMP exam the first time and this book is one of the reasons why. It's easy to understand, has a great layout/organization and the quizzes reinforce the material.

[Stan]

(Full Disclosure: Andy Crowe in one of my contacts.) Content is well aligned with the PMBOK. Provides very good advice on test prep and taking the test. I passed the PMP exam on the fist try, I'm sure this book help prepare me for the exam.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

seems easy enough. we'll see if it actually helps me pass on the first try.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - Great test questions. I used this book as a supplement to Rita Mulcahy's book (and the PMBOK of course). Andy explained things differently than Rita, which made things much clearer!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent study guide. Provides clear explanations of terms and helpful practice exercises. And I passed... first try.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book as a study aid and did not finish it. Rita Mulcahy's book is much better. The best part of this book is the
chapter(s) on the fundamentals.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I passed the exam based on this book and class, so I guezs that's the best endorsement I could give it!

[John Gravitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite prep book for the PMP. I teach classes on this subject and highly recommend this to students.