Preparing for the PMP exam usually forces a practical decision: which Rita Mulcahy PMP Exam Prep study book should you actually use? For many people doing exam certification prep, this means choosing between Rita Mulcahy's 7th edition trade paperback and the 2018 9th edition hardcover. Both are Rita Mulcahy-authored books in Very Good condition, and both are meant to help you pass the Project Management Professional exam. The differences that matter are the edition, the format, and the listed price.
Quick Verdict
If you want to spend less and prefer a paperback, choose the lower-priced option. If you want the later edition and a hardcover, choose the higher-priced option. The trade-off is simple: the paperback costs less, and the hardcover costs more for the newer edition.
At a Glance
| Product | Price | Price Bar | Edition | Format | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep (7th Ed.) | $12.49 | 7th | Trade Paperback | Very Good | |
| PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (2018 9th Ed.) | $22.50 | 9th | Hardcover | Very Good |
Where the Paperback Wins
The paperback is the lower-priced option in this matchup. It is a trade paperback, while the alternative is a hardcover. If you mainly want a study book and are not worried about having the later edition, the lower-priced paperback gives you that without the extra cost. It is the lower-priced entry into Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep material.
Where the Hardcover Wins
The hardcover is the later edition, and its title emphasizes accelerated learning to pass the PMP exam. If you prefer a hardcover and want the later edition in this comparison, this is the one to choose. It costs more, but the higher listed price buys the newer edition and a hardcover format.
Product Notes
Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam

This is the 7th edition trade paperback, the lower-priced item in this comparison. It is co-authored by Rita Mulcahy and Laurie Diethelm, and the title calls it Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam. That makes it a natural pick if you want the Rita Mulcahy course-in-a-book approach at a lower price. The main limitation is that this is the 7th edition, not the 9th edition. If you want the later edition or a hardcover, this version will not give it to you. For a reader who prioritizes cost and does not need a hardcover, the 7th edition paperback is the straightforward way to start PMP exam prep.
PMP Exam Prep by Rita Mulcahy (2018 9th Edition) Course for Passing Project Mgmt

This is the 9th edition, a 2018 hardcover, and the higher-priced item in this comparison. The full title describes it as an accelerated learning course for passing the Project Management Professional exam. It includes 673 pages and is marked as revised. If you want a later edition in a hardcover format, the higher listed price buys exactly that. The limitation is the price itself: the 9th edition is the higher-priced item in this pair. Pick it because you want the edition and format, not because you are looking for the lower-priced option.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the lower-priced paperback if your priority is keeping the initial cost down and you do not need the later edition. Choose the hardcover if you want the later edition and are prepared to pay more for it. If you are still torn, let the price decide: the paperback costs less, and the hardcover is the later edition.