Ruth:
Hello everybody and welcome to this Parallel Project Training Lunch and Learn session. My name is Ruth Phillips, I’m the Head of Training Delivery at Parallel, and I’m really delighted that you can join us today. We’re going to go through what’s new with the APM PMQ qualification, and I’m joined by my colleague Carmen Campos, who’s one of Parallel’s Senior Training Consultants. She’s going to take you through all of the content, and we’d love for you to ask any questions that you’ve got. If you could put those into the comments box, we’ll take all of them at the end of this session. So that’s all from me for the moment—over to you, Carmen.
Carmen:
Thank you very much, Ruth, and thank you for the introduction. Hello and welcome, everybody! We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the new PMQ, and we thought it would be a good idea to run this session to clarify what exactly has changed with the new PMQ exam.
We’ll cover the same topics and start by looking at what the PMQ is, as we appreciate that there may be people here today who are unfamiliar with it. We’ll also explain where the PMQ fits within other qualifications. More specifically, we’re going to talk about the new PMQ itself.
We’ll begin by comparing the old and new PMQ, talking through each of the specific changes. We’ll show you what’s in the new syllabus, introduce the new types of questions, explain the exam structure, and discuss the timing of the transition. After that, we’ll give you some insight and tips on how to best prepare for this exam. Finally, we’ll explain the different options that Parallel Project Training provides to support your preparation for the new exam. We’ll finish up with a round of questions and answers, but as Ruth said, if you have any questions during the presentation, please feel free to put them in the chat, and we’ll make sure to address all of them toward the end.
On that note, let’s begin with what the Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is. Some of you may be familiar with the Association for Project Management (APM). You’ll know that they offer a range of different qualifications, and the choice of qualification will primarily depend on where you are in your career. So depending on what stage you are in, there is a number of qualifications that provide a nice route towards Chartered status, which is the highest standard.
The PMQ in particular is a knowledge-based qualification aimed at people who already have some experience in project management. The expectation is that someone with about two to three years of project experience who wants to formalize and consolidate their knowledge and understanding of project management principles and skills would likely consider this qualification.
This is a widely recognized qualification and has always been a valuable certificate to hold. In fact, from September, the PMQ will become one of the recognized assessments that people could use as a path toward Chartered status.
But today, the focus of the session is really to explore what’s new in the PMQ. So, first of all, I’m going to give you a high-level comparison of what’s different. Some of you may have done the PMQ before or are thinking about preparing for it.
At a high level, the key differences are:
- The syllabus – The content in the previous PMQ exam was based on the APM Body of Knowledge 7th edition, whereas the new PMQ syllabus is aligned with the APM Competence Framework.
- Exam format and structure – Before, if you took the PMQ exam, you had to answer 10 questions within 3 hours and 15 minutes in one sitting. Now, the new exam is shorter and split into two parts, with an optional 30-minute break in between.
- Types of questions – Previously, all 10 questions required long answers, but now the format includes a mix of four different types of questions.
- Pass mark – Previously, you needed to score 55% or more to pass. The new exam has an adjusted pass mark, meaning that depending on the difficulty of the paper, the pass mark will vary.
There are also some subtle changes worth pointing out. One change is the clearer guidelines on who the qualification is aimed at. Previously, the guidance wasn’t as specific, but now it’s recommended for people with at least two to three years of project experience. However, I want to emphasize that this is just a recommendation, not a prerequisite.
These are the high-level key differences. Now, let’s delve into each of them in more detail, beginning with the content.
As I mentioned, the new syllabus is now aligned with the APM Competence Framework. For those unfamiliar with the APM’s Competence Framework, it outlines the key competencies necessary for effective project, program, and portfolio management. Out of the 29 competencies in the framework, 24 have been pulled out, which are applicable specifically to project management. The remaining five are more relevant to program or portfolio management.
These 24 competencies are structured into four sections, with 24 learning objectives derived from them. Each learning objective contains a number of learning outcomes, which form the basis of the assessment. There are 73 learning outcomes, and the exam questions will be based on this list.
Since the syllabus is based on the Competence Framework, some new topics have been introduced to the exam. These include:
- Sustainability
- Transition management
- Diversity and inclusion
- Ethics, compliance, and professionalism
These topics were not part of the previous exam. However, they are not entirely new subjects for most people, and we believe they are positive additions, as they are very important topics when working with teams and managing projects.
Sometimes people ask if anything has been removed from the exam. The short answer is no—nothing has been taken out. All the preparation you’ve done for the previous version of the PMQ is still relevant. However, the emphasis on certain topics has changed.
Some learning objectives now have considerably different emphasis. For example, in schedule management, you no longer need to describe in detail how to go from a work breakdown structure all the way to critical path analysis. This topic is covered at a higher level now. On the other hand, all topics like, for example, budgeting and cost control, have now been explored in much more depth, whereas before, maybe they were covered at a more high level. So, if someone is thinking of sitting the new exam, it’s very important that you understand what those changes are.
From the 24 learning objectives that you see there, each of them will have a number of things that you need to demonstrate in the exam. Just to show you the difference between learning objectives and learning outcomes: If you pick Resource Management as one of the learning objectives, the syllabus contains a number of outcomes that you need to demonstrate. If you get a question in the exam, the question will be derived from those outcomes.
Ruth:
That’s really helpful, Carmen, thank you! So, could you walk us through what these changes mean in terms of the questions that candidates might encounter in the new exam?
Carmen: Yes, of course. What we thought we could do is show you what this means in terms of the questions in the exam. So, as I briefly explained in the introduction, you now have 40 questions that you need to complete. The bad news is that you cannot choose anymore. In the previous exam, from 16 questions, you would select 10, but now you have to do all 40 questions.
The good news is that we have a variety of different questions. The exam paper will have 20 out of the 40 questions as multiple choice. Essentially, you’ll be given a statement or a question, and you need to select the correct answer out of four. It’s very similar to the PFQ exam, if you’re familiar with it. If you get it right, you get one mark; if you get it wrong, you get zero marks.
The second type of question is called “select from the list.” In the exam, there will be five questions where you’re given some information, and some words are missing from sentences. What you have to do is fill those gaps by selecting from a list of plausible options. You can score up to two marks here.
The next type is “short answer.” There are five short-answer questions in the exam that only require two or three words, or a very short statement. These can get you up to two marks.
Finally, the “long answer” type of question, which is similar to the long answers in the previous qualification. The difference now is that there’s more guidance. You’ll need to write a paragraph or multiple paragraphs about the question, and it gives you a steer on what you need to include in your answers. These account for up to five marks.
Ruth:
That’s a great breakdown! And what’s the total mark scheme for the exam?
Carmen: The maximum total is 90 marks, and out of the 40 questions, the pass mark will vary depending on the difficulty of the paper. These four types of questions are spread throughout the exam.
Ruth:
Excellent. Could we perhaps show an example of these question types in practice?
Carmen:
Absolutely! Let’s start with a multiple-choice question. The question says: “You are a project manager introducing a new HR platform. You need to undertake initial communication with employees to create awareness and engagement in the project. Which one is the most appropriate approach?” So, I’ll give you a moment to think about it.
The correct answer is B: “Invite all employees to a series of webinars.” So, multiple-choice questions are very straightforward — they are either right or wrong with no room for ambiguity.
Let’s move on to the “select from the list” type. Here, you are given a statement with gaps to fill. For example: “Taking the time to structure a comprehensive communication plan with the ___ provides many benefits, one of them being ___.” So, you need to select from the options provided to fill these gaps.
If you got both correct, you would get two marks. If you only got one right, you’d receive one mark.
Ruth:
That’s a clear example. Now, how about the short response and long answer types?
Carmen:
Sure. In a short response question, for example, you might be asked, “You have received a change request during a project that you are managing. List two pieces of information you will require to include in the evaluation stage of the process.” If you provide the correct two pieces of information, you get two marks. One correct answer gets you one mark, and incorrect answers get zero.
For the long-answer questions, let’s say you’re given a scenario where a software company is creating a new mobile app. They’re exploring options between using linear and iterative methodologies. You’ll be asked to discuss how the risk management process in the identification stage will be affected. Unlike in the old exam, you now have some hints to help you structure your answer.
So, we’ve talked about changes in the syllabus, changes in question types. Now, let’s look at the exam itself. The new exam is divided into two parts and takes a total of two and a half hours to complete.
Ruth:
And candidates can take a break between the sections, right?
Carmen:
Yes, you can take up to a 30-minute break after the first part, but you cannot return to the first section once you’ve completed it. You’ll be tested on 20 questions in each part, with a balance of question types.
Ruth:
That sounds much more manageable. When is the last opportunity to take the old PMQ exam?
Carmen:
The last opportunity will be at the end of the month. If you’re with us at Parallel Project Training, the final prep session will be on the 19th of August, and the last exam will be on the 8th of October. After that, it will be the new PMQ exam format.
Ruth:
That’s really helpful for those who are still deciding. Now, I believe you have some tips on how best to prepare?
Carmen:
Yes! I recommend starting by visiting the APM website and checking out their reference material. They have a learner’s pack with essential guidance for the exam. You could also purchase the Parallel Training study guide, which is now available, and explore the topics in depth.
Ruth:
That’s excellent advice. Where can they find the study guide?
Carmen:
The study guide is part of our distance learning packages, but you can also contact us directly if you’re only interested in the guide. I’d personally recommend the full package, which includes e-learning, podcasts, and plenty of practice questions to really enhance your preparation.
Ruth:
That’s great, Carmen! Thank you so much for the detailed insights. We’ve had some questions come in during the session. Here’s one: “Does moving away from the Body of Knowledge (BoK) 7 impact global recognition of the qualification?”
Carmen:
Great question. The short answer is no. The BoK 7 still provides the holistic view, and it remains an essential resource. It’s just that the new exam is now aligned with the APM Competence Framework, which focuses on skills and building competencies. The BoK is not being discontinued; in fact, the eighth edition is already being prepared. So, this does not devalue the BoK in any way.
Ruth: Thank you for that, Carmen. I think it’s clear that while the new PMQ qualification is different, it’s a positive change that aligns with modern project management practices. Any final words of advice for our listeners today?
Carmen:
Yes! My final advice would be: take the time to understand the changes to the syllabus and the format of the exam. Practice is key — make use of mock exams, sample questions, and all the learning resources available. And don’t worry, while the new exam format is more comprehensive, it’s designed to test your practical knowledge, which is incredibly valuable in real-world project management.
Ruth:
That’s fantastic. Thanks again, Carmen, for being with us today and providing such valuable insights. For everyone listening, don’t forget to check out Parallel Project Training’s website for more information on the new PMQ and how you can best prepare for it.
Carmen:
Thank you, Ruth, and good luck to all the candidates out there!
Ruth:
And that concludes today’s session. Thanks, everyone, for joining us.
