APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

APM PMQ is not an introductory qualification and APM expects candidates to possess a minimum of 2 years' experience in managing projects.

If you don’t have this experience, we suggest you book onto the APM Project Fundamentals qualification (PFQ).

APM Project Fundamentals qualification (PFQ).

Pre-Course Learning:

APM expects that PMQ candidates undertake somewhere in the region of 56 hours’ study prior to their exam. To help you prepare for your course, you’ll receive a comprehensive list of activities that:

• Fully prepare you so that learning and participation is maximised during the actual course
• Support you in the creation of a personal study plan – complemented with study guidance and tips
• Ensure that your IT complies with the online exam requirements

These activities are an essential part of your PMQ learning and will take around 20 hours. Learners who complete all activities in full will gain much more benefit from their course and will be better prepared for the PMQ exam.

Proof of Identification

Photographic identification is required to sit your PMQ exam. Examples include:

• Driving licence

• Passport

• Work Badge

You are required to show the invigilator your photographic identification – failure to do so will mean you will not be allowed to sit your exam.

Online Exams

If you are taking an online exam, we advise you to familiarise yourself with the remote invigilation exam platform. The following documents can be found on the APM website:

• Online examinations: what to expect

• Step-by-step guide to your new candidate experience

• Online invigilation FAQs

• APM rules and regulations for remote invigilated examinations

• User guidance: Taking a remote invigilated examination

• If you are a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner, you are eligible to sit the PMQ for PRINCE2 Practitioners examination. Please take a look at our course that leads to this qualification: PMQ for PRINCE2 Practitioners

Reasonable Adjustments Policy

The exam provider allows additional time for candidates who have a disability. At least two weeks' notice will be required for processing this request. Failure to advise QA and provide evidence when requested, may result in the additional support not being offered via the policy. QA Exam Administration can be contacted by email [email protected] or by phone +44(0)1793 696162.

Any other assistance

If you require any other assistance to attend your course, please get in contact and we will do everything we can to make your time at QA comfortable. Please contact your account manager, or via one of the options below:

• 0345 757 3888

• [email protected]

• www.qa.com/contact

By attending this course, you will:

• Understand how organisations and projects are structured
• Understand project lifecycles
• Understand the situational context of projects
• Understand communication within project management
• Understand the principles of leadership and teamwork
• Understand planning for success
• Understand project scope management
• Understand schedule and resource optimisation
• Understand project procurement
• Understand risk and issue management in the context of project management
• Understand quality in the context of a project

This course covers provides comprehensive coverage of the PMQ syllabus aligned to the Body of Knowledge 7. The PMQ syllabus contains:

• 11 learning outcomes (above)
• 67 assessment criteria – the specific topics you are required to know

The PMQ syllabus showing full topic coverage is available on the APM website.

Rather than follow the PMQ syllabus, the course will adopt the same logical structure as your official PMQ Study Guide. Specific content will include:

• Initiating a project – How organisations can use projects in order to enhance performance, bring about change, and enable the organisation to grow. Topics covered include environmental factors such as organisational structure, roles, and life cycles. You will also look at the importance of the project’s business case and how to engage stakeholders.

• Project planning – Consider how the ‘project need’ is likely to be delivered through a detailed statement of work. This content will look at building solid foundations for the project by nature of a robust plan that details the scope, schedule, resources, and quality requirements whilst factoring in any associated risks. You will also investigate how a project manager’s communication and leadership skills can support the team and maintain stakeholder commitment.

• Project delivery - Successful delivery involves controlling deployment and ensuring that there is good information about progress and performance. This final section addresses the ongoing planning activity within any project as well as controlling the various project performance parameters. Interpersonal skills are also crucial during project delivery in order to manage conflict effectively and negotiate with various internal and external stakeholders.

PMQ Examination

You will sit your PMQ examination in the afternoon of day 5. Some details about the PMQ examination:

• 3 hours 15 minutes duration
• Short essay-style questions
• Choose 10 questions from 16
• Each question is worth 50 marks, so 500 marks in total
• Pass mark is 275 (55%)
• Closed-book

Your course includes preparation for your examination. This includes undertaking mock examination questions, and answer reviews. Questions will also be set to be completed in the evening, and you can expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours per evening on this additional work. Please ensure you can dedicate time to this evening work.