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: 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 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

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) 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. Maximum 10 marks for calculating and discussing the schedule variance and/or schedule performance index accurately 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) 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.

Building on from this, the examiner will take the same approach within your answers – if you need to explain 3 differences, but you mention 4 in an introduction, then go into detail on the last 3, ignoring the first, only the first 3 mentioned in your introduction will be marked. For this reason, I recommend that you do not introduce your answers. You don’t need to clarify or define your terms, or define terms in the question, unless you are told to. For example, if the question, as referred to above, is ‘ Explain three differences between linear and iterative lifecycles’, you do not need to explain what either is. Your answer should start “ The first difference between linear and iterative lifecycles is […]” – just get straight into the good stuff. It’s also important to be clear what the difference is that you’re explaining in each point – separating them into paragraphs helps this, but you need to ensure you don’t blur the lines within each paragraph as well. 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).

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. 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.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 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 6 You will only get marked on the first 10 questions you attempt. This means that if you write 2 sentences for one question, then change your mind and put a full answer for a different one, those two sentences will be marked, and the final question you answered will not. This is why it’s important to decide which questions to answer at the start. Explain 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

Here are NINE question examples and Marking Schemes from live papers (You get a massive THIRTY SIX live questions and Detailed Model Answers in our 40-video​: APM PMQ Question 1APM Project Management Qualification Hints and Tips 2021 v1 Sample APM PMQ exam papers and annotated sample answers 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. Maximum 10 marks for calculating and discussing the cost variance and/or cost performance index accurately 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). Maximum 10 marks for an explanation that shows an understanding of the health of the project based on performance up to month 10