APM PFQ exam-day guide
APM PFQ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original photographic ID in the name used for your booking (typically a passport or driving licence). Check which ID types your provider accepts before the day - do not rely on a photocopy or a digital image unless the provider confirms it is acceptable.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Have your appointment confirmation, candidate/reference number and the test centre address or session link to hand. Save a screenshot offline in case of poor signal.
Confirmed exam format and timing
Re-read the current candidate handbook so you know the number of questions, the time allowed and the pass mark for your version of the exam. These details can change, so confirm them with APM or your approved training provider rather than relying on second-hand information.
Permitted materials only
Confirm in advance whether any materials are allowed (for example a calculator, pen and paper, or a formula sheet). Assume nothing is permitted unless the provider says so, and leave notes, textbooks and revision cards at home or out of the room.
Room and equipment check (remote sittings)
If sitting online with remote invigilation, run the system/equipment check on the same device and network you will use, and confirm the room, desk and camera-angle requirements with the provider.
Quiet, private, well-lit space
For remote sittings, book a room where you will not be interrupted. Clear the desk of everything except permitted items, and tell people in the household when you must not be disturbed.
Reliable internet and a backup plan
Use a wired or stable connection where possible. Keep a phone charged and nearby for the provider's technical support line, but check whether phones must be out of reach during the exam itself.
Login details to hand
Know your username and password, or have the session link and any access code ready. Do not leave finding them until the last minute.
Travel plan (test centre sittings)
Check the route, parking and journey time, and add a buffer for delays. Aim to arrive with time to spare before your appointment, as arriving late may affect your ability to sit.
Water and comfort
Bring water in a clear container if the provider allows it, and eat beforehand. Confirm any restrictions on drinks or snacks at your centre or in your remote session.
Read the exam regulations
Go through the candidate regulations once so you know the rules on conduct, prohibited items, breaks and what happens if there is a technical failure.
Plan the day
Stop learning new topics. Review your weakest syllabus areas using short summaries and practice questions, then check logistics: confirm the appointment time, venue or session link, ID requirements and permitted items with the provider. Get a full night's sleep each night.
Do a light recap of key definitions and process flows - no long cramming sessions. Prepare your ID, confirmation and any permitted materials in one place. Charge devices, test your connection and webcam if remote, and check travel arrangements. Confirm exactly when you need to arrive or log in.
Eat properly and avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to anxiety. Re-read only your own one-page summary. Leave early or set up your space early, close other applications and silence notifications, and be ready at the keyboard or at the centre before the scheduled start.
Read the on-screen instructions carefully, check the clock and note how much time you have per question. Take a few slow breaths before starting.
Work through the paper steadily. Answer the questions you are sure of first, flag anything uncertain and return to it. Read each question fully and watch for words like 'not' or 'best'. Do not leave blanks unless the format penalises wrong answers - confirm the marking rules in advance.
Use the remaining time to check flagged questions and confirm you have submitted an answer to every question. Only change an answer if you have a clear reason to do so.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your booking exactly; without acceptable ID you may be refused entry or have your result withheld. Confirm acceptable ID types with your provider in advance.
Do not bring or use unauthorised materials - notes, textbooks, smart devices, or a second screen - unless the provider has explicitly confirmed they are permitted. Unauthorised items are usually treated as misconduct.
Keep to the provider's rules on breaks; in most sittings there are no scheduled breaks, so plan hydration and the toilet before you start. Confirm the specific policy with your provider.
If you experience a technical failure during a remote sitting, do not keep silent - note the time and contact the provider's support line immediately, following their instructions on whether the session can be resumed or rescheduled.
Results are based on your performance against the pass mark set by the awarding body, not on a curve relative to other candidates; confirm the current pass mark and result timeframe with APM or your training provider before relying on it.
Do not communicate with anyone else during the exam, and do not attempt to share, copy or record question content - doing so breaches the candidate agreement and can invalidate your result.
Arrive or log in by the time stated in your confirmation. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted or that your exam time is reduced, depending on the provider's policy.
If you need special arrangements (extra time, separate room, assistive technology), they must normally be requested well before exam day - check the deadline with the provider rather than assuming they can be arranged on the day.