I used this book, the related PMP Practice Questions Exam Cram 2 and the PMBOK to prep for the exam. Exam Cram 2 added some life to the (for me) dreadfully dull PMBOK content and did a pretty good job of highlighting important aspects of the PMBOK that would be featured in the exam. It also covered topics that are tested but have little coverage in the PMBOK (for example, Professional Responsibility and "fishbone" diagrams). I did a lot of going back and forth between EC2 and PMBOK.

The test questions CD was also useful, enough so that I decided to spring for "PMP Practice Questions Exam Cram 2". For me, I think the questions forced me to really think in depth about how PMI views the many aspects of project management. I doubt I would have passed without them.

This book was by far the best resource I had during the finally preparation stage. David Francis cut out the fat and stuck with the essential items needed to drill home the subject. The tests at the end of each section ensured that the material was absorded. Passed the exam on first pass with an overall percentage of 83%.

This book has many helpful tips and study recommendations for the PMP exam. It also features a CD Rom with test question software which is similar to what test takers would encounter when they take the actual exam. The software did not work properly on my computer, however, so I cannot grade its efficacy. This book, in conjunction with Achieve PMP Success by Margaret Chu, Diane Altwies, Edward Walker, Margaret Y. Chuth, was part of my study regimen.

Considering that this book consistently receives high rates - based on which I made my purchase decision in the first place - I feel it's important to point out some of its shortcomings.

Having just successfully passed the PMP exam I feel that this book played a very insignificant part in preparing me for the exam. First of all, I found the structure of the book confusing. Especially the separation of core and facilitating planning processes and the fact that these were organized into separare chapters made reading this book difficult. The organization of the material does not lend itself to the organic flow of general PM processes. I much prefer these topics discussed and organized into Knowledge Areas, just like the PMBOK(r) does.

I also found the writing style of the author in a number of chapters downright annoying. What especially angered me was the phrase: "to better prepare you for the exam and streamline your exam preparations" was used over a hundred times in this title. OK, OK, I get it: you wrote the book to prepare me for the exam. Can't we please just leave it at that? Thankfully, around chapter 7 another author seems to have taken over, and the annoying phrases are gone.

I found NONE of the exam questions were similar to the ones presented in the title as examples. I also found that the real PMP exam makes virtually no use of the sneaky, under-handed questions / scenarios this title brings up as examples. Later of course being the good news.

I gave this title 3 stars because despite its obvious shortcomings it contains useful material and reading it at least once will help you in your preparation for your exam. Some reviewers claim this title alone with the PMBOK(r) enabled them passing the exam with flying colors, but I am very skeptical of those statements. Tremendous amount of material was covered on the actual PMP exam that is not even referenced in this title.

I would encourage anyone attempting the PMP exam to read Andy Crowe's PMP Exam guide. (ISBN 0-972-9673-0-3). In my experience Andy's title gave me significantly more insight to be able to pass the PM exam on the first try with over 85% success.

Oh, one more thing... Usually I'm not too fussy about typos, but this title has several, and Andy Crowe's has none.

All the best for your exam!

Gabe
PMP

The 1st time I took the PMP exam, I only studied the PMBOK and I missed passing by one point. After studying the PMP Exam Cram, I passed with flying colors. It has all the pertinent informatin without any of the fluff!