Best PMI-ACP Study Guides
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Short on time? The best
You’re here because you are planning to take your PMI
Below, I list the best
There are also recommended reading books that will help you go deeper into the world of
Tip: You won’t need to read all of these, so pick one that suits your budget and your learning style. Go with that first and then if you find you need supplemental information or you aren’t feeling ready for the exam, try another one. You can get them from your local library if you don’t want to invest in copies for yourself.
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The PMI-ACP exam is changing on November 8, 2024 and the PrepCast has discounted all PMI-ACP exam prep items 50% until further notice.
List of the best PMI-ACP study guides
Over the years I have read and reviewed a lot of books, including exam prep books and study guides. So I feel confident recommending these resources to you! I’ve also met many project management authors and interviewed trainers in my time, so I believe I have a good understanding of what makes a decent, robust resource for helping you pass the test on your first attempt.
Keep reading for my analysis and reviews of the best
1. PMI-ACP Exam Prep by Mike Griffiths
Mike Griffiths is instrumental in the
Tip: Make sure you are buying the latest version! This one has been updated over the years and you don’t want to invest in an old copy.
2. The PMI-ACP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try by Andy Crowe
My second choice for a book to help you confidently face the exam is this one by Andy Crowe. I like the style and I think it’s written from the perspective of someone who delivers a lot of training and spends a lot of time with students. Plus I like Andy Crowe. His style is easy to read, he’s personable and he knows his stuff. It’s a book that will help you prep for the exam because it covers exam techniques, test strategy and practice questions as well as the syllabus and course contents.
It’s accessible, which I think is important, because too many project management books (especially the ‘official’ ones, if you know what I mean) are difficult to get into.
It includes over 300 exam questions, a giant glossary of relevant terms (which I recommend reviewing in detail) and a section on test strategy so you go into the exam armed with a plan to make the most of your limited time.
Tip: Make sure you are buying the latest version. There are still some old copies hanging about on online. It’s fine to buy second-hand, but don’t get ripped off with an out-of-date copy.
3. PMI–ACP Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner Exam Study Guide by J. Ashley Hunt
I have read a couple of project management books published by Sybex and I like the layout. They are heavy though, so watch out if you were expecting a pocketbook to carry around with you! I wouldn’t use one of their guides to study on my commute, if you see what I’m saying!
It does come in a Kindle edition if you want a version in a format that’s more portable.
The book has 10 chapters, each looking at a different aspect of
There are also review questions (and the answers) so you can test yourself as you go. The ‘exam essentials’ sections review the major concepts so you have a quick list of topics that you should understand.
I found the review questions quite easy, and they aren’t dynamic in the same way as the real questions are in the exam. For example, in the real test you might find drag and drop questions, diagrams where you have to add the labels, lists to put in order and things like that. This book has the standard multiple choice questions, which are good, but not really enough to prepare solidly for what the exam will be like. I’d suggest pairing this study guide with a
4. Agile Practice Guide
You can’t take the
The good news is that it’s also pretty easy going once you get into it. If you struggled with the old version of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (
Bonus: It’s free for PMI members! If you aren’t a member, join now on the PMI website to take advantage of lower exam fees and a free copy of the
If you want a hard copy, or you aren’t interested in joining PMI, then you can buy it on Amazon.
5. PMI-ACP Agile Certified Practitioner All-in-One Exam Guide by Joseph Phillips
Joseph Phillips teaches many of the most popular PMI Certification courses on Udemy. This is the book that I would say accompanies his
It steps you through the tasks covered in the exam domains with a focus on people and teams – concepts that are critical to understand to get through the test.
It includes 240 practice questions to help you prepare for the exam. There are also tips on how to pass the exam so you can build up a strategy for when you’re sitting in front of the computer waiting for the test to start.
6. PMI-ACP Handbook and Exam Content Outline
Finally, get yourself copies of the Exam Content Outline and the credential handbook from the PMI website. These are free PDF documents that you can download.
OK, they aren’t study guides in the commonly-understood sense of the word, but you will need these documents (and I would also suggest reading the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct) to round out your understanding of what is expected of you. They will help you mentally prepare for the logistics and processes surrounding the exam.
Other essential PMI-ACP exam prep materials
Once you’ve chosen a book or two to read, you will also want to look at a few other resources to help you get exam confident.
Successful students tend to use an exam simulator for test practice and study guides (books) to help reinforce what their course has covered.
Go here next:
- Best PMI-ACP exam prep courses
- Best PMI-ACP exam prep books
- Best
PMI-ACP exam simulators (coming soon!)
Whichever materials you choose, good luck with your studies!
