PMQ EXAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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Maximum 10 marks for calculating and discussing the cost variance and/or cost performance index accurately This question has two parts. Answer both parts. (a) State six principles of the governance of project management that would help avoid common causes of project failure. (30 marks)

Maximum 10 marks for an explanation that shows an understanding of the health of the project based on performance up to month 10 Whilst it would be false to say that the exam isn’t challenging, equipped with a good understanding of how to manage your exam technique, and accurate knowledge of the different areas of the syllabus in scope for your exam, it is very achievable.

The key thing, as with all exams, is to practice – get used to the timings by repeatedly attempting to complete questions within 15 minutes. Review and attempt to mark your own answers – this will help you understand what to include and what to omit. You can use the three points in the Mark Scheme section to guide your marking, and refer to study guides to confirm the accuracy. Remember to use traditional revision techniques to solidify your knowledge (focusing on learning the "who, what, when, where, why, how" to support your answers).

Maximum 10 marks for calculating and discussing the schedule variance and/or schedule performance index accurately Cancellation fees will be charged if the exam is cancelled within five working days of the exam date. This includes postponements and time changes. Explain five features of a change control process. (50 marks) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to explain therefore the answer should include at least one comprehensive paragraph (two or more sentences) of explanation for each of the five features.Award 10 marks for a complete explanation of each feature.Award partial marks for incomplete explanations by deducting marks from 10. APM PMQ Question 7 List five roles that need to be defined with respect to a project and describe responsibilities of each role. (50 marks) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to list and describe (a short paragraph made up of more than one sentence) five actions.Award 3 marks for each role listed. If no clear list these marks will not be awarded.Award a maximum of 7 marks for each action clearly described.Award partial marks for incomplete descriptions by deducting marks from 7. APM PMQ Question 5Competent and capable project managers with APM PMQ accreditation are being singled out from their competition because of the growing recognition that such value, skills and knowledge can offerLeading organizations across the world recognize the competitive advantage and enhanced project delivery that a highly skilled individual with The APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ) also brings benefit to them, the employer. APM PMQ Question 3 Award 5 marks for a complete statement.Award partial marks for incomplete statements by deducting marks from 5.Award only 2 marks for responses that are just listed.(iii) In addition to choosing the response strategy state four actions that aproject manager should take when preparing responses to top priorityrisks. (20 marks)Award only 2 marks for responses that are just listed.

This question has two parts. Answer both parts. (i) Explain the term project context. (10 marks) (ii) Explain four aspects of a project’s context and illustrate each aspect with an appropriate internal or external example. (i) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to explain therefore the answer should include at least one comprehensive paragraph (two or more sentences).Award 10 marks for a complete explanation of project context.Award partial marks for an incomplete explanation by deducting marks from 10.(ii) Explain four elements of a project’s context. (40 marks) (ii) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to explain therefore the answer should include at least one comprehensive paragraph (two or more sentences) of explanation for each of the four points.Award 10 marks for a complete explanation of each element.Award partial marks for incomplete explanations by deducting marks from 10. APM PMQ Question 6Explain five considerations a project manager must make when developing the project communication plan. (50 marks) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to explain therefore the answer should include at least one comprehensive paragraph (two or more sentences) of explanation for each of the five considerations.Award 10 marks for a complete explanation of each consideration to be made.Award partial marks for incomplete explanations by deducting marks from 10. APM PMQ Question 9 Explain five distinct benefits to be gained from managing groups of projects as a programme rather than as individual, unconnected initiatives. (50 marks) Mark SchemeThe question asks the candidate to explain therefore the answer should include at least one comprehensive paragraph (two or more sentences) of explanation for each of the five points. Award 10 marks for a complete explanation of each benefit.Award partial marks for incomplete explanations by deducting marks from 10. APM PMQ Question 2 Writing for the PMQ exam requires a different approach to the reflective accounts and knowledge evidence for the Associate Project Manager EPA portfolio, as the focus is much more on theory, models and techniques, without the necessity to demonstrate application.

Supporting leadership and management programmes, this then included helping learners prepare for the multiple choice test that formed part of the original Team-Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship standard. However, since starting to work on the Associate Project Manager apprenticeship standard at the beginning of 2020, the importance of good exam prep has ramped up again, with learners needing to sit an IMPA Level D or equivalent project management exam. For most providers, this manifests as the Association of Project Managers' Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ or just PMQ for short). This exam overlaps nicely with the knowledge requirements of the standard, as APM were involved in the trailblazer work, so makes a good fit for learners. This document provides an insight into the level of depth required in answers, when undertaking the PMQ exam. Examples within this document demonstrate strong passing answers and weak failing answers against 10 questions. These answers are ‘example’ answers and in no way should be used as “model answers” for the APM PMQ exam. We don’t want you to get the impression that there is only one way to answer and score highly within a question. We would like to stress that the strong passing answers and weak failing answers provided are ‘example’ answers and not ‘model answers’. The majority of the example answers were submitted by candidates who have taken the APM PMQ (7th Edition). Some answers have been provided by subject matter experts under exam style conditions. At the bottom of each answer is an indication as to where it came from. I refer to the final challenge as self-sabotage, as there are a couple of common mistakes in your approach that can lead to a significant reduction in the marks earned. These revolve around:There are no marks explicitly for showing workings, however, if workings are shown and correct formulae demonstrated but a mathematical error made in computation then partial marks will be awarded.If the candidate only carries out the calculations but does not discuss what the calculations mean they can only obtain a maximum of 20 marks out of the possible 50 for the question. APM PMQ Question 8 List five actions that need to be done to prepare for a negotiation with a supplier of goods or services to a project. Describe the relevance of each action. (50 marks) Along with the knowledge element of the exam, one of the key challenges for achieving a pass successfully is managing exam technique – that is to say – completing the exam within the time limit, and ensuring that the answers provide the information required by the examiner. As a coach I often see my role in supporting learners towards passing the exam as focusing on technique development, as there are plenty of resources, online and off, to support with the knowledge requirements (shout out to the free, CC-licensed Project Management textbook by Adrienne Watt with BC Campus).