The highlighted reference books below are essential to your studies and are all current and readily available. Note that there are now other exam study guides available so check them out on Amazon!
Study Guide – SPM, Fourth Edition
This guide is an extensive compilation of my study notes taken from the Standard for Program Management, Fourth Edition, while studying for the PgMP Certification Exam. There are three appendices that contain additional information you’ll find useful. Pay particular attention to Appendix C – PgMP Study Strategy – this was my approach to passing the test on my first try! Combined with other available study guides and exam test questions, it is an invaluable aid to help you identify the key concepts highlighted in the Standard! You can finjd it on Amazon at this link:
Standard for Program Management – Fourth Edition (SPM)
This is the current PMI Program Management Certification standard from which the test questions are generated for the exam. You should thoroughly read it and take notes as you read each section. One thing I liked about it is that many of the important concepts were repeated throughout the book. This is partly due to the interdependencies between the knowledge areas, but it is still helpful.
ISBN 978-1-62825-196-8
Published 2017
Program Management Professional (PgMP) Handbook
A successful test preparation approach is to use additional study guides to clarify the SPM content and provide a different perspective. This was my favorite study guide, authored by Anand Vijayakumar. I liked it because he explains clearly what the SPM is trying to say, In real language, and adds numerous tips and tricks to help with the exam.
Anand has written a new book, PgMP Exam Cram, which I have not reviewed but I’m sure it will help you pass the exam! You can find it on Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639403574/
ISBN 978-1-64957-84
Author: Anand Vijayakumar
Published 2018
PgMP Study: Two Complete Exams
The best way to pass the exam is to take as many practice tests as you can, after you have read through the study guides. That way you can see where you are weak and then do some additional study.
ISBN 978-1-719-869-80
Author: Mohamed Leithy
Published 2018
PgMP Exam Test Preparation: Test Questions, Practice Tests, and Simulated Exams
The questions in Ginger Levin’s book are very difficult but there is much knowledge to be gained depending on how you approach them. First, the answers are often not aligned with the questions. Whenever I missed one I researched until I was convinced either my answer was correct or the question was misleading. Second, Many of her questions were taken from other works rather than the SPM (Standard for Program Management). Still, a very valuable test question resource!
ISBN: 978-1-138-57979-8
Author: Ginger Levin, PMP, PgMP
Published 2018
Preparing for PgMP Exam – Study Guide
Ilango does a good job of capturing the critical highlights. This one is like a ‘Cliff’s Notes’ study guide. While it contains numerous grammar and formatting errors, it’s a quick and beneficial read.
Author: Ilango Vasudevan
Published April, 2019