APM PMQ exam-day guide
APM PMQ · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original photo ID stated in your booking confirmation (typically a passport or photocard driving licence). The exact list of accepted ID types varies by venue and proctor, so confirm with the provider which documents are acceptable and check the name matches your booking exactly.
Booking confirmation and candidate number
Have your appointment confirmation, booking reference and candidate/APM membership number to hand, printed or on your phone if permitted at the venue.
Confirmation of exam format and duration
Check your joining instructions for the current paper's length, number of questions and how many you must answer. Formats and timings have changed over time, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on older study materials.
Remote-proctoring kit (if sitting online)
Working webcam, microphone and speakers/headset, a charged laptop with the required browser, mains power cable, and a stable internet connection. Run the provider's system compatibility test at least 48 hours beforehand.
A quiet, private, well-lit room (if sitting online)
Clear your desk of notes, books, phones and smart devices. The proctor will usually ask for a 360-degree room scan and may require the door closed and no other people present.
Travel and arrival plan (if sitting at a test centre)
Reconfirm the venue address, parking and journey time, and aim to arrive with margin before your appointment slot so you can complete ID checks and registration without stress.
Permitted stationery and aids
Find out in advance whether the venue supplies pens/paper or whether you may bring your own, and whether a basic calculator, ruler or non-smart watch is allowed. Do not assume - confirm with the provider.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Many venues allow a clear bottle; some do not. Check the provider's rules before relying on it, and use the bathroom immediately before you start, as unscheduled breaks are usually not permitted.
A rehearsed time plan
Write down, from memory, your minutes-per-question budget based on the marks available, plus a 10-minute buffer at the end for checking. Practise it on at least one full timed mock before exam day.
Your revision summary sheet (for the days before, not the exam room)
A one-page condensation of key models, definitions and process steps to review in the final 72 hours. It must be left behind - the exam is normally closed-book, so confirm what, if anything, is supplied.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read your summary sheet, then sit one full timed mock under exam conditions (same start time of day, no interruptions) and mark it strictly against the published guidance. Identify your two weakest syllabus areas and do targeted revision on those only.
Rehearse the mechanics: reading the question stem, identifying the scenario and the command word (explain, describe, justify, evaluate), and writing answers as short bullet points rather than prose. Practise allocating marks-per-minute and leaving a checking buffer.
Reconfirm your appointment, venue or online session link, ID requirements and permitted items with the provider. Run any technical/system check if you are sitting remotely, and resolve travel, childcare or work conflicts now rather than on the day.
Do a light review of your summary sheet only - no cramming, no new topics. Prepare and lay out everything on the checklist (ID, confirmation, stationery, water, cables). Charge devices. Eat normally, avoid a late night, and set two alarms.
Confirm the exact start time in your own time zone if sitting remotely, check the journey or set up your exam room, and tell anyone in your household when you must not be disturbed.
Eat a proper meal, avoid last-minute cramming beyond a five-minute glance at your summary sheet, and arrive or log in early. Complete ID verification, room scan and any read-aloud of rules well before the clock starts.
Read the instructions, confirm the number of questions and marks, and write your time plan on the provided paper or scratchpad. Skim the whole paper and mark the questions you will answer, choosing the ones where you can apply the scenario rather than generic theory.
Answer in the order that suits you but keep strictly to your per-question time. Structure answers with a short opening line, then bullets that each make one distinct point; link every point back to the scenario and use correct terminology. If a question stalls you, leave a gap and move on.
Stop writing new content and check: have you attempted the required number of questions, is every answer legible, have you answered the actual command word, and are there any blank or half-finished responses you can complete with a bullet or two? Submit with time to spare rather than at the last second.
Rules to check
Bring the exact photo ID specified in your joining instructions and ensure the name matches your booking. If your ID is expired, damaged or in a different name, contact the provider before the exam day - you may be refused entry and lose your fee.
The exam is normally closed-book: no textbooks, notes, sticky notes or annotated materials in the room. Confirm with the provider what, if anything, is supplied or permitted, and clear your workspace accordingly.
Phones and smart devices (including smart watches and fitness trackers) must be switched off and stored away, not merely silenced. If you are sitting remotely, keep your phone out of the room unless the proctor instructs otherwise.
Unscheduled breaks are generally not allowed during a timed exam, and leaving the camera view during a remote session may be treated as a conduct issue. Plan hydration and bathroom visits before you start; ask the provider in advance about any approved rest breaks or access arrangements.
If you have a disability, health condition or caring responsibility, request reasonable adjustments (extra time, separate room, rest breaks) through the provider well before the exam date - these cannot usually be granted on the day.
During a proctored session, follow the proctor's instructions immediately, do not talk to anyone, and do not read questions aloud if asked not to. Flag a technical failure to the proctor straight away and note the time, as you may be entitled to an adjustment or reschedule.
Scoring is usually criterion-based against the published mark scheme with an overall pass mark set by the awarding body; check the current pass mark and marking guidance with the provider rather than assuming, and note that marks are awarded for points made, not for length of answer.
If you feel unwell or something prevents you from sitting the exam, contact the provider as soon as possible to discuss withdrawal, deferral or extenuating-circumstances options - policies and deadlines vary, so confirm the current process with them.
Academic integrity applies: do not share, request or reproduce live exam questions, and do not use unauthorised assistance. Suspected misconduct can result in invalidation of your result and further sanctions.