APM PMQ study plan

Map all ten PMQ domains to their exam weighting and write a one-sentence distinction between project, programme, portfolio and business-as-usual

Decompose a realistic scenario project into a three-level work breakdown structure and derive a dependency-linked activity list from it

Calculate the critical path, total float and free float for two hand-drawn network diagrams, verifying each with a forward and backward pass

Explain in writing how the business case, project mandate, success criteria and benefits profile shape the definition of scope

Assign durations and resources to the week-1 activity list and plot the resulting resource histogram

Resolve a deliberate over-allocation by resource levelling and record the trade-off in duration, cost and float

Compare bottom-up, analogous, parametric and three-point estimating on a single scope item and justify the selection

Build a cost baseline covering direct and indirect cost, contingency and management reserve, reconciled to the approved budget

Calculate CV, SV, CPI, SPI, EAC and VAC from three periods of earned value data and write a 150-word interpretation of the trend

Identify twelve risks for the scenario using structured prompts and classify each in cause-event-effect form

Score and rank the twelve risks on a 5x5 matrix using probability and impact definitions applied consistently

Write responses for the six highest-ranked risks covering avoid, reduce, transfer and accept, each with owner, trigger and residual risk

Draw the governance structure for the scenario: sponsor, project board, PMO, project manager and workstream leads, with decision rights for each

Draft terms of reference for the project board including quorum, reporting cycle and escalation thresholds

Trace how risk appetite and tolerances flow from governance documents into the risk process and escalation route

Complete a timed 60-question half paper covering domains 1, 4, 5 and 6 and log every incorrect answer by root cause

Plot stakeholders on a power/interest grid and match each quadrant to a tailored engagement approach

Write a communication plan specifying audience, message, channel, frequency and owner for six stakeholder groups

Draft three difficult communications (slippage, scope pushback, escalated bad news) in a structured message format

Contrast functional, matrix and project organisational structures and state the project manager's authority and reporting lines in each

Distinguish quality planning, quality assurance and quality control, and position each activity in the project lifecycle

Write acceptance criteria for four deliverables and select an appropriate review technique for each (peer review, inspection, audit)

Design an end-to-end change control process: request, impact assessment, decision, implementation and closure

Explain configuration management components (configuration items, baselines, version control, status accounting) and how they underpin change control

Compare three leadership styles and match each to a team maturity level using a situational leadership model

Plan team formation, a motivation approach and a conflict-handling route for a scenario team of six

Select fixed-price, cost-plus or target-cost contract for three procurement scenarios and justify the resulting risk allocation

Build a benefits profile with owner, measure, baseline and realisation timing, and separate outputs, outcomes and benefits

Sit two full-length timed mock papers under exam conditions and mark them against command-word expectations

Rewrite the ten weakest answers using the correct command word (explain, evaluate, justify) and an explicit structure

Condense each domain onto a single page of trigger facts, formulas and model names for final revision