Choosing a PMP exam prep book in Rita Mulcahy's "course in a book" series means weighing a $13.51 price spread across a 2018 9th Edition hardcover, a 2018 9th Edition trade paperback, and two 7th Edition trade paperbacks. All four are used copies, and while the author's name is the same, the edition, format, and condition change how much material you get and how much wear you'll tolerate. Here's how to match a copy to the way you study and what you want to spend.
Quick Take
If you want the most expansive version of the 9th Edition, the hardcover is the one to carry. If you want that same edition in a lighter format that costs less than the hardcover, pick the 9th Edition trade paperback. If you're shopping on a tighter budget, the 7th Edition trade paperbacks are the more affordable routes: the Very Good copy gives you a cleaner used book, while the Good copy sits at the bottom of the price range.
Price Comparison
| Product | Price | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Edition Hardcover | $22.50 | |
| 9th Edition Trade Paperback | $17.99 | |
| 7th Edition Trade Paperback (Very Good) | $12.49 | |
| 7th Edition Trade Paperback (Good) | $8.99 |
Decision Matrix
| If you need... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Maximum content and a durable cover | 9th Edition Hardcover |
| Newest edition in an easy-to-carry book | 9th Edition Trade Paperback |
| A clean older edition without the newest price | 7th Edition Very Good |
| The lowest upfront cost | 7th Edition Good |
Product Notes
9th Edition Hardcover
This copy carries the 2018 9th Edition 'Course for Passing Project Mgmt' label and the subtitle 'Accelerated Learning to Pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam.' It's a hardcover with 673 pages, making it the largest of the four. The condition is listed as Very Good, and it's a revised edition. Choose it if you want a durable binding and the greatest page count among these options. The trade-off is its position at the top of the price spread, so if you're watching every dollar, the paperback versions will appeal more.
9th Edition Trade Paperback
Also from the 2018 9th Edition, this trade paperback uses the subtitle 'Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam' and runs 624 pages. It offers the same generation of content as the hardcover but in a lighter package, and its price sits in the middle of the four. The condition is Very Good and it's marked as revised. Pick this one if you want the newer edition in a lightweight paperback that's easier to slip into a bag. The limitation is the smaller page count compared to the hardcover, so you'll lose a few dozen pages of material.
7th Edition Trade Paperback (Very Good)
Rita Mulcahy and Laurie Diethelm co-author this 7th Edition, listed as Very Good. It's a trade paperback, and its price falls below the two 9th Edition copies. The 7th Edition is an earlier generation than the 9th, so you're not getting the 2018 revisions. Choose it if you'd rather have a well-kept used copy than pay extra for the newest edition. The trade-off is that you'll miss the 9th Edition's revised material, and you'll also be working with a format that's the same paperback shell as the cheapest copy.
7th Edition Trade Paperback (Good)
The most affordable copy in this group is a 7th Edition trade paperback in Good condition. It carries the same ISBN and edition as the Very Good 7th Edition, so the content is identical, but the exterior condition is one step down. Pick this one if your budget is the deciding factor and you don't mind a copy that shows wear. The limitation is that the Good rating is lower than the Very Good rating, so the book will show more signs of handling than the higher-rated copy.
Final Recommendation
If you want the fullest 9th Edition experience and don't need to move the book around much, the 9th Edition hardcover is the clear fit. For commuters and backpack carriers, the 9th Edition trade paperback gives you the same edition in a lighter format. On a moderate budget, the 7th Edition Very Good copy offers a clean used book below the 9th Edition prices. And if every dollar matters, the 7th Edition Good copy gets you the same 7th Edition content at the lowest price in the group.
