TOPIC: Which should I buy: PMBOK 7 vs. PMBOK 8

I went to buy the PMBOK Guide and saw there's a 7th and an 8th edition? The PMI site is a bit confusing.
For someone starting in Dec 2025, which one is the definitive source for the exam right now? And will that change in July? Don't want to waste $$$.

Good morning, Henrie,

The "definitive source" will be whatever is listed on the Exam Content Outline from PMI. The references that are found in that outline are what the exam uses for source material.

"Which should you buy" is a separate question. I have PMBOK guides going back to PMBOK 5 in my reference library, however, I most often refer to PMBOK 6 for my work, as it is both what I am most familiar with and I don't do a lot of agile project management; and PMBOK 6 is really waterfall centric.

Good luck in your exam!

Hi Henrie,

I am pretty sure that you already know, that the PMP Exam is NOT based on the PMBoK Guide, but on the ECO, right?
However, of Course the PMBoK Guide is and always was a major source and reference for PMP Exam preparation.

Since you are starting now with your preparations, I do assume that your plan is to sit for the exam within the first half of 2026, right?
And that is strongly recommended, since the Exam will change in July 2026.

In fact that means you should target for march or april for your first try; if that nowt works out you have still enough time to sit for a second or in worst case even for a third time, if necessary (i do not guess so).

Having said that, I do recommend you going with the 7th Edition in companion with the Process Guide (which ha replaced the 6th Edition in terms or processes).

For your preparations ignore the current, 8th Edition; in terms of PMP Exam this one will become important for the new Exam from July on.

hope that helped a bit, if not - or in any other case - please do not hesitate to reach out,

Markus