Quick Take
When you're shopping for PMP exam certification prep, the real decision isn't which author to trust-it's how to choose among several editions and price points of the same core text. Rita Mulcahy's "Course in a Book" is a study system, and these four options range from a lower-priced older edition to an updated 8th edition. The puzzle: do you need the most recent version, or can an earlier edition save you money?
Quick take: The cheapest copy is a 7th edition, and it's the pick if you just want the core prep content. The same edition is also available in a cleaner copy for a little more. The 6th edition is a niche option for a specific older exam framework. The updated 8th edition is the most recent and the most expensive in this group.
Options at a Glance
| Option | Edition | Format | Price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Edition, Very Good | 7th | Trade Paperback | $12.49 | |
| 7th Edition, Good | 7th | Trade Paperback | $8.99 | |
| 6th Edition, Perfect Format | 6th | Perfect | $29.99 | |
| Eighth Edition - Updated | 8th | Trade Paperback | $39.99 |
How to Choose
| If your priority is... | The best fit is... |
|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | The cheapest copy |
| Getting the most recent edition in this set | The updated 8th edition |
| Studying with PMBOK 4th Edition content | The 6th edition copy |
| A cleaner copy of the 7th edition | The slightly higher-priced 7th edition |
Product Notes
7th Edition Trade Paperback, Very Good
This 7th edition copy is the middle-ground choice for anyone who wants the reassurance of a Very Good condition rating without jumping to the most recent edition. At $12.49, it's only a little more than the cheaper 7th edition copy, and it carries the same content and credit to Rita Mulcahy and Laurie Diethelm. The trade-off is that you're not gaining a newer edition-the 7th edition text is identical to the cheaper copy. If you want the same edition but with a cleaner starting point, this is the version to place on your desk. If you need newer exam content, you'll have to look at the 8th edition. This option works well when you want to avoid the older 6th edition without paying for the 8th.
7th Edition Trade Paperback, Good
At $8.99, this is the cheapest copy in the comparison and still a complete 7th edition of the book. The reason to choose it is simple: you get the same core content as the more expensive 7th edition copy, and you pay less. The limitation is the condition rating. This copy is rated Good, a step below Very Good, so the book will have more visible signs of handling. If you don't mind a working copy with some wear, this is the low-cost pick. But if you plan to keep the book on your shelf for years, the Very Good copy is worth the extra money.
6th Edition, Perfect Format
This copy is for the 6th edition of PMP Exam Prep, and it's aligned with PMBOK 4th Edition. It comes in a Perfect format and includes practice questions, exercises, and exam strategies, which makes it a useful self-study package for someone following that older exam structure. The reason to pick it up is that specific alignment: if you're studying from PMBOK 4th Edition, this book is designed for that framework. The limitation is that this is an earlier edition than the 7th and 8th editions in this group, so it won't match the newer PMP exam content those editions address. At $29.99, it's also more expensive than both 7th edition copies, so it's a niche choice rather than a general recommendation.
Eighth Edition - Updated
The Eighth Edition - Updated is the most recent edition in this lineup, and the Like New condition means you're getting a copy that's essentially clean. It's a trade paperback with 624 pages, and the "Updated" in the title signals that this edition includes revisions beyond the base 8th edition. If your priority is having the most recent available version of Rita Mulcahy's exam prep, this is the copy to choose. The limitation is the price: at $39.99, it's the highest-priced copy here, and you're paying substantially more for the newer edition and condition. If you're not convinced you need the most recent edition, the 7th edition copies deliver the same author's method for significantly less. The Like New state also makes this the cleanest option in the group.
Final Recommendation
For a low-cost introduction to Rita Mulcahy's PMP Exam Prep, choose the cheapest copy. If you want a cleaner copy of that same 7th edition, the slightly higher-priced copy is worth the upcharge. If you're specifically studying with an older PMBOK guide, the 6th edition is the one that matches that framework. And if you want the most recent edition in this set, the updated 8th edition is the clear choice, even with its higher price.
