The PgMP (Program Management Professional) exam is one of the most challenging exams in the business world. If you’re getting ready to take this test, you know that preparing is the most crucial step.
However, test prep courses aren’t free, and there’s no way to try them all out to see which one would work best for your learning and management style. Here is a list of the seven best PgMP online training courses and why each of them works so well.
7 Best PgMP Prep Courses of 2023
Before signing up for the certification exam, you should know what you’re getting into. It’s an extremely difficult exam with a low passing rate. For this reason, online training courses are essential, even if you have years of business experience as a program manager.
However, not all training courses work the same way. Some people might be more visual learners and need more video lessons, while others prefer practice tests and reading. These seven courses are all excellent but in different ways and for different learning styles. You can decide which will help lead you to successful completion.
1. Project Management Academy PgMP Prep Course
Project Management Academy does more than just prepare students to take management tests. This company offers live web seminars for several different management tests, with the PgMP being the hardest. They offer in-person classes for companies with multiple employees studying for the test.
Course Features:
- 4 days of live tutoring sessions
- 35 personal development unites
- Support from purchase until testing day
- One-on-one tutoring
- Assistance with test registration
- Access to 400+ testing questions
Pros & Cons:
- Excellent practice question library
- Access to live tutors and individual tutoring sessions
- Complete support until you pass the test
- Post-test support
- Available online or in person
- More expensive than the test itself
- Can be difficult for self-paced students
2. Study.com PgMP Training Course
Study.com is known for its test prep guides, from the ACT to the MCAT. However, you might be wondering how they do with specialty tests such as the PgMP. Well, if you’re looking for a familiar format and a free trial, Study.com’s PgMP test is the ideal choice for you. It’s a simple, straightforward look at the exam and how to pass it.
Course Features:
- 10 chapters
- 25 video lessons
- 400 practice questions
- 77 lesson transcripts
- 31 flashcards
Pros & Cons:
- 30-day free trial (sign up by email)
- A study guide for every learning type
- Least expensive test prep
- Engaging, short video lessons
- Learn at your own pace
- No live tutors
- Basic prep
- Not ideal for the panel section of the exam
3. The Knowledge Academy PgMP Prep Course
Instead of focusing explicitly on the testing materials, the Knowledge Academy’s study course teaches the skills necessary to become a great manager and salesperson. Experienced managers with great people skills are the best candidates for this certificate, and the Knowledge Academy caters to that instead of test-taking ability.
Course Features:
- Three-day training course
- Live online or in person
- Group training available
- Closed curriculum
Pros & Cons:
- Excellent user reviews and success rates
- Focus on the panel portion of the test
- Increases management skills and best practices
- A short intensive class
- Great for all employees
- The curriculum isn’t available online
- Doesn’t focus on the test-taking aspect
4. SprintZeal PgMP Prep Course
If Project Management Academy focuses on teaching you quickly, SprintZeal is perfect for those who prefer a self-taught approach. It also offers live online or in-person teaching but gives you access to the coursework for up to a year after the classes are finished. If you’d like to wait to take the test, SprintZeal is a great option.
Course Features:
- Live, online, or corporate training is available
- 18 hours of live online training
- Lifetime access to recorded training
- One year access to classroom coursework
- 1,000 practice exam questions
Pros & Cons
- Continued access to online training
- Multiple trainers to choose from
- Over 1,000 test questions
- Group training available
- No exam preparation (signup, etc.)
- Limited choice of scheduling
5. Keystone College PgMP Prep Course
While many of these places offer online test preparatory courses, perhaps the best place to take one is from a place of higher education. Keystone College offers an online exam prep course that is one of the most highly ranked in the nation. With this course (offered by a live teacher), you’ll be able to learn all the necessary skills of a project management professional.
Course Features:
- College course style
- Comprehensive module quizzes and exam-taking tips
- 200+ practice exam questions
- Self-paced college-level class
Pros & Cons:
- A familiar course format
- Self-paced studying
- A real professor to answer questions
- Practice questions and quizzes
- Longer-form exam studying
- No live tutoring or teaching
- Takes longer to complete
6. University of Texas Rio Grande PgMP Prep Course
The University of Texas Rio Grande is another university that offers an online prep course for the PgMP. This course aligns with the PMBOK guide (a guide to the project management body of knowledge) textbook and bases all of its units and exams on that. The course is completely online and self-paced.
Course Features:
- Personal development modules
- Textbook chapters and quizzes
- Real-life scenarios
- Video and audio content
- “Ask an Expert” section
- Games and flashcards
Pros & Cons:
- University accredited program
- Uses a PMI-accredited textbook
- Access to a real expert for help and advice
- Self-paced modules
- Practice exam at the end
- No live tutoring
- More expensive than other options
7. Udemy PgMP Training Courses
Udemy is one of the most popular online learning websites in the world. With courses for everything from college classes to test prep, it’s a great place to look if you’re preparing for an exam. Although Udemy doesn’t have a set test prep course for the PgMP, the company offers a set of three practice exams.
Course features:
- Three practice exams
- Extremely close to the actual exam
- Extra practice questions
- Guarantee of pass if you score 85% or higher
Pros & Cons:
- Three practice exams
- Questions close to the actual exam
- 255 practice questions
- Inexpensive
- No other lesson content
General Exam Information
The PgMP test is also known as the program management professional test. It’s recommended for senior and executive-level managers who have extensive professional experience with project and program management. Without this experience, it will be extremely difficult to pass the exam.
For those wondering about the difference between PgMP vs. PMP exams, the PMP exam is an easier exam. Most people who have taken the PMP are getting ready for the PgMP. However, if you haven’t taken the PMP exam, you likely won’t be able to take the PgMP test.
PgMP test prep is crucial because the test is one of the most difficult in the business. The Project Management Institute requires a certain number of years of management experience as prerequisites, depending on your level of college education. For example, those with a bachelor of business management need seven years of experience.
The test is conducted in two parts. The first part is a panel review conducted by business experts and PMI governance members, discussing your project management experience. After this section, the testee will take a 170-question exam. All of the questions are multiple-choice, and they have four hours to complete the test.
Preparatory courses are crucial for both the exam and the panel section. It’s a prerequisite to have business experience and relevant education, but you’ll have to prove to the panel that you are capable and worthy of the certificate. This is why it is such a difficult credential to achieve.
Conclusion
With one of these test prep courses, you should be able to prepare and successfully pass the PgMP exam. Although it’s difficult, the quality and thorough preparation of each of these online courses will help you get ready for the test and pass it with flying colors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the PgMP exam and their answers. Hopefully, they help answer your questions and pick the perfect test prep!
Although there’s no guaranteed way to pass the exam, the best way to ensure a good test day is to study and prepare well. If you’ve gone through a good training course, taken a few practice tests, and slept well the night before, you will probably do well on the exam!
The PgMP exam costs $1,000 if the test taker is not a PMI member. For PMI members, the exam cost is $800. However, companies usually cover this, and it can be written off as a company expense if you own the business.
No exact numbers are given for the number of people who pass the PgMP exam. However, most experts estimate that around 30-40% of people who take the exam pass it, which is a remarkably low rate. It is the most difficult PMI test available.
James Edge
James is on a mission to uncover the greatest study guides and prep courses to ensure you pass your exam on your first attempt. He has personally assessed hundreds of study materials and developed courses himself.
