Choosing between a PMP certification track and a medical coding certification means sorting through very different study materials. The four books here range from a compact PMP course-content outline to a 400-plus-page medical coding course, with listed prices from $8.75 to $49.99. If you are still deciding which exam to target, or you want a prep book that matches both your study style and your wallet, this comparison highlights what each option brings.
Quick Take
For PMP candidates, the two Rita Mulcahy titles deliver course-in-a-book formats, with the 2018 9th edition at $17.99 and the 7th edition at $12.49. If your goal is simply a PMP course-content outline for a 35-contact-hour program, the $8.75 PMP Exam Preparation Course by Manoj Parab is the least expensive option. For medical coding candidates, the Medical Coding Certification Exam Preparation Course at $49.99 is the most expensive here, but it bundles a large amount of instruction, tips, and sample questions in a single book. Use the sections below to match each title to your specific prep needs.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| PMP Exam Preparation Course (Parab) | USD 8.75 | |
| Medical Coding Certification Exam Preparation Course | USD 49.99 | |
| PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (2018 9th Edition) | USD 17.99 | |
| Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep (7th Edition) | USD 12.49 |
The price spread between the lowest and highest listed options is $41.24. The least expensive title is the PMP course outline, while the medical coding course sits at the top of the range.
Decision Matrix
| If you need... | Choose... | Listed Price |
|---|---|---|
| A low-priced PMP course-content outline tied to a 35-contact-hour program | PMP Exam Preparation Course (Parab) | USD 8.75 |
| A broad medical coding exam course with a large number of sample questions | Medical Coding Certification Exam Preparation Course | USD 49.99 |
| A comprehensive PMP course in a book from the 2018 9th edition | PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (2018 9th Edition) | USD 17.99 |
| A lower-priced PMP exam prep book from an earlier Rita Mulcahy edition | Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep (7th Edition) | USD 12.49 |
Product Notes
PMP Exam Preparation Course (Parab)
This 30-page trade paperback, authored by Manoj Parab, is built around the course contents for a PMP 35-contact-hours program. At USD 8.75, it is the least expensive book in this comparison. The listing identifies a Brand New condition and the ISBN 9781535270373, which makes it a clean way to see the scope of a PMP course before diving into a full study guide. The limitation is its length: 30 pages and a weight of 0.12 lbs mean you are getting an outline of course contents, not a full practice-exam resource. Candidates planning to take the PMP exam will likely need a deeper prep book such as one of the Rita Mulcahy titles.
Medical Coding Certification Exam Preparation Course
This book, authored by Medical Coding Pro, is the only medical coding option here. Its 426 pages include over 400 pages of instruction, tips, and strategies, plus about 700 sample exam questions with answers and rationale. It also lists 160 coding tips and clinical explanations, giving it a much broader scope than the other three titles. The listed price is USD 49.99, which is the highest in this comparison, and the book is in Brand New condition with a paperback format. The limitation is the price and the focus: if you are preparing for a PMP exam rather than a medical coding certification, this book does not match your track. For coding candidates, however, it provides a broad, single-volume course.
PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (2018 9th Edition)
This 2018 9th edition of Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep is a 624-page trade paperback described as a course in a book for passing the PMP exam. It is listed at USD 17.99. The attributes list the book as Revised, and the genre is Exam Preparation. With a length of 10.8 inches and a weight of 60.9 oz, this is a substantial study text compared with the shorter PMP outline from Parab. One limitation is that the condition is listed as Very Good, not Brand New, which is a distinction to keep in mind. Still, for PMP candidates who want a comprehensive single-volume course, this edition sits in the middle of the price range.
Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep (7th Edition)
Co-authored by Rita Mulcahy and Laurie Diethelm, this is the 7th edition of the same PMP course-in-a-book format. It is listed at USD 12.49, making it the lower-priced Rita Mulcahy option in this group, and it is illustrated. The trade paperback has the ISBN 9781932735413 and is in Very Good condition. Because it is the 7th edition, it is an earlier version than the 2018 9th edition also covered here. That earlier edition status is the main limitation for shoppers who want the most recent content. For PMP candidates on a tighter budget who still want Rita Mulcahy's structured course approach, this edition offers a lower-priced entry point.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
If you are studying for a medical coding certification, the Medical Coding Certification Exam Preparation Course at USD 49.99 is a clear match because it is the only medical coding title in this set and it packs a large amount of instruction and practice material. If your exam is the PMP, the choice depends on budget and depth. For the lowest listed price, the USD 8.75 PMP Exam Preparation Course by Parab gives you a concise 30-page course outline, but it is not a full prep course. For a comprehensive Rita Mulcahy course at a moderate price, choose the 2018 9th edition at USD 17.99. If you want a Rita Mulcahy course for under USD 15, the 7th edition at USD 12.49 is the lower-priced pick, with the trade-off that it is an earlier edition.
