APM Project Management Qualification — Mock Examination

SYNTHETIC practice paper assembled from public corpus questions (seed 2026). 2.5 hours · 40 questions · 90 marks · two parts of 20 questions, optional break up to 30 minutes.

Not an APM product and not a past paper. This paper was generated by assembling publicly available PMQ sample/practice questions (official APM sample papers, provider material, candidate/trainer content) selected by a corpus-derived priority model. Every question shows its original source and provenance rating. Answers are keys from the source where supplied, otherwise analyst-inferred — APM publishes no official answer key.
Instructions (modelled on the official format): answer all 40 questions. Part 1: 20 questions, 1h15m. Break (optional): up to 30 minutes. Part 2: 20 questions, 1h15m. Part 1 is locked once submitted. Questions are worth 1, 2 or 5 marks — spend about 1 minute per mark, and protect time for the 5-mark long-response questions (10 of them = 50 of the 90 marks).

Part 1

Question 1 (5 marks)

You are the project manager for a major infrastructure project to upgrade sea defences, protecting a small, busy coastal town. The surrounding area has a rich range of wildlife habitats, supporting populations of several rare plants and animals, and the community is very active in protecting these areas. What are two sustainability principles that you should consider as part of this project? (2 marks) What three potential impacts could there be if sustainability is not considered on this project? (3 marks)

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: sustainability; risk_issue

Question 2 (1 mark)

You have just completed the final day of scheduled work on your project, and the scope has been delivered as per the contract. What is the first thing you do to start closing project finances?
  1. Safely archive all contract documentation for governance and assurance records.
  2. Let stakeholders know that the project is complete and issue a project close report.
  3. Get the project sponsor to sign off that the scope is completed to the correct quality standard.
  4. Check there are no outstanding contract commitments, including project overheads or standing costs.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: budget_cost; transition

Question 3 (2 marks)

It is common for teams to have at least one person who is working remotely from the others. What are two challenges this could cause for you as a leader?

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: leadership; teams

Question 4 (5 marks)

Answer the questions posed below: What are three ways in which stakeholder analysis can support the creation of the communication plan? (3 marks) What are two potential consequences of neglecting stakeholder analysis? (2 marks)

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: stakeholders

Question 5 (1 mark)

You have started a new role as a project manager. How would you evaluate and prioritise your new project's objectives and requirements in order to deliver the optimal solution?
  1. I will prioritise objectives and requirements based on their ease of implementation. This will help us get quick wins.
  2. I will prioritise based on historical data from similar projects. What worked in the past should work here too.
  3. I will check requirements are SMART and prioritise them into must-haves, should-haves, could-haves and won't-haves.
  4. All objectives and requirements are important, so I will prioritise them equally to ensure a balanced approach.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: requirements; solutions_dev

Question 6 (1 mark)

Which statement describes the strengths of a linear project life cycle?
  1. This life cycle has the expectation that each phase is known and provides a clear framework for the team to follow.
  2. This life cycle repeats one or more of the phases of a project or programme before proceeding to the next one.
  3. This life cycle allows the project manager and team to develop functions of the project as it progresses.
  4. This life cycle is beneficial for a project where there are evolving objectives or solutions.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: life_cycles

Question 7 (2 marks)

What are two typical causes of conflict within the deployment phase of a project?

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: conflict

Question 8 (1 mark)

Which one of the statements below most accurately reflects the correct order of stages in a risk management process?
  1. Initiation, Identification, Analysis, Response, Monitoring and Closure.
  2. Monitoring, Identification, Escalation, Response and Closure.
  3. Initiation, Analysis, Escalation, Monitoring, Response and Closure.
  4. Analysis, Monitoring, Escalation, Response and Closure.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: risk_issue

Question 9 (1 mark)

A project manager is offered an expensive gift by a supplier to secure a contract. Which principle applies?
  1. (per Parallel blog example; options not fully reproduced in source)

Source: SRC_0013 · provenance C · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: ethics_compliance; procurement

Question 10 (1 mark)

You are managing a project to develop a new software solution for a financial services company. The project sponsor has provided you with a long list of requirements, but you both agree that you cannot deliver all of them within the project's timeline. Therefore, they need to be prioritised. Which of these is the best factor to use when determining the prioritisation of requirements?
  1. The complexity of the solution.
  2. The benefit/value to the end user.
  3. The opinion of key stakeholders.
  4. The resources required to develop the solution.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: requirements; solutions_dev

Question 11 (5 marks)

What is the project manager's responsibility in the following project areas? Business case. Governance. Decision making. Communication. Finances.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: governance; business_case; budget_cost; stakeholders

Question 12 (2 marks)

You are managing a project to launch a new mobile application for a fast-food company. A rival has already launched its own mobile application, receiving great feedback from customers. Because of this, there is a lot of pressure to develop your solution as quickly as possible. Having gathered the initial project requirements, the project team prioritises the most important solution items to build first, based on the (a). With the requirements prioritised, you decide to adopt an iterative approach, with a target to launch the first version of the solution in just four weeks. This will enable the project team to (b).
  1. 1. rival application 2. value to the customer 3. appetite for risk 4. quality management plan
  2. 1. appease stakeholders 2. refine features based on feedback 3. save resource by building some now 4. reduce the overall project scope

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: solutions_dev; life_cycles

Question 13 (1 mark)

You are appointed as a project manager on an international project working across various industries, and multiple countries, cultures and backgrounds. You are keen to create a positive working environment for all. Which one of the following statements is true when considering diversity and inclusion within this project?
  1. It is more effective to ensure that people work within their countries and cultures, to avoid conflict and disagreements.
  2. Biases are acceptable because it is human nature to favour people and things which are 'different from' us, rather than 'like us'.
  3. Unconscious biases are biases that individuals know they have and need to conceal.
  4. Academic evidence supports the view that different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds positively impact performance.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: diversity_inclusion

Question 14 (1 mark)

You are managing a project to build a new software application. During a project review, stakeholders are concerned that the baseline project plan does not consider how uncertainty is managed across the project. Which three parts of integrated planning would help address this concern? 1. Risk identification 2. Stakeholder engagement 3. Risk analysis 4. Contingency planning 5. Economic analysis 6. Resource optimisation. Select the correct combination of three parts:
  1. 1, 2 and 5.
  2. 1, 3 and 4.
  3. 2, 3 and 6.
  4. 2, 4 and 5.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: integrated_planning; risk_issue

Question 15 (1 mark)

Which one of the following will a project manager not need to consider when allocating resources to a schedule in an iterative life cycle?
  1. What resources will be needed.
  2. Who will be committing resources.
  3. Whether the required resource is on the critical path.
  4. Whether all resources are available for the entirety of the project.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: resources; life_cycles

Question 16 (5 marks)

A marketing project launches a campaign to promote a new line of fitness trackers. The primary project goals are to: increase brand awareness; generate short-term sales revenue. This is not aligned to the company's organisation objectives, which are to: enhance customer loyalty and build relationships over time; expand market share in a specific demographic. Explain two disadvantages that the project's misalignment to the organisation's objectives may cause. (4 marks) Give one way in which this could be resolved. (1 mark)

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: governance; business_case

Question 17 (5 marks)

You have taken on a new project in your organisation and have successfully recruited your team. Some of the team members are internal transfers, others are new to the company; however, none of the members have ever worked together in the past. What are four stages of team development in Tuckman's model of team development? (4 marks) How is this model relevant to you in the above scenario? (1 mark)

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: teams; leadership

Question 18 (2 marks)

You are managing a project to implement a new software system for your organisation's payroll department. This involves transitioning away from your current supplier and working closely with a new supplier. The risks of this are being carefully managed, so that the schedule can remain on track. Your project sponsor is new to the organisation and has inherited the project from the previous HR director. As part of the benefits management process, you gather information from (a) to help identify the benefits a new payroll system will deliver to the organisation. Once you have identified the benefits, you move onto the next phase of the process, (b) the benefits.
  1. 1. the project schedule 2. the project risk log 3. your current supplier 4. the project sponsor
  2. 1. defining 2. tracking 3. planning 4. realising

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: benefits

Question 19 (5 marks)

Your project sponsor has emailed to ask you to explain a configuration management process, so that they can understand what's involved at each step. Explain the five steps in a configuration management process.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: change_control; requirements

Question 20 (1 mark)

You are managing a project to build a new underground trainline for a client. The initial budget for the project is £200 million. As the project progresses, you notice that the actual costs are consistently under the budget, and there is a surplus of £15 million. What would be an appropriate course of action for managing the surplus funds?
  1. As the surplus is less than 10% of the total budget, do not report the surplus and keep it as a contingency for unexpected future expenses.
  2. Inform stakeholders of the financial performance using a routinely produced budget report.
  3. Produce a cost-benefit analysis to inform the client of the financial performance.
  4. Use a resource report to inform the stakeholders of the financial performance.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: budget_cost

Part 2

Question 21 (2 marks)

What are two elements of information that a quality plan may include to ensure a project's success criteria are met?

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: quality

Question 22 (5 marks)

What are four benefits of carrying out assurance activities and one reason why you might choose to have assurance carried out by an external company?

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: assurance

Question 23 (1 mark)

The approach adopted for transition of project-based outcomes into use in business-as-usual can include a change impact analysis at the start of a project. Which of the following need not be considered in this analysis?
  1. Feelings about the change in operation.
  2. Gaps in knowledge and skill that need to be addressed.
  3. Project monitoring and reporting.
  4. Process impacts of the project on the wider system.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: transition

Question 24 (1 mark)

At the outset of the project, you lead a risk analysis with your project team. Which of these is not a benefit of risk analysis?
  1. Gains a better understanding of the project's risk appetite.
  2. Discourages the acceptance of financially unviable solutions.
  3. Ensures project risks do not become issues.
  4. Allows a more meaningful assessment and justification of contingencies.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: risk_issue

Question 25 (1 mark)

You are on a project to implement a new HR platform and you are responsible for resource planning. Which of the following considerations are not critical to take into account?
  1. Skillset and capability of resources.
  2. Budget constraints.
  3. The selected life cycle of the project.
  4. Personal preferences of resources.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: resources

Question 26 (1 mark)

Why is it often important to re-estimate the project schedule at the end of the concept phase?
  1. The project sponsor will expect commitment to a project end date at the concept phase decision gate.
  2. The project team is now formed and has started more detailed planning, meaning that estimates can be more accurate.
  3. The end users will have reviewed the potential solutions and updated their requirements, meaning that the scope can be more accurate.
  4. Responses to risks will have been actioned, meaning that the estimates can be more accurate.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: schedule

Question 27 (1 mark)

Which quality control techniques are used to determine project success?
  1. Auditing processes, standardising processes, observing the project manager.
  2. Testing of outputs, re-planning, surveying stakeholders.
  3. Inspection of outputs, generating questions, testing designs.
  4. Inspection of outputs, surveying stakeholders, testing outputs.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: quality

Question 28 (5 marks)

You have just finished a phase of work within your project and reached a decision gate. What are three questions that should be answered ahead of a decision gate? (3 marks) What are two benefits of decision gates? (2 marks)

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: reviews; governance

Question 29 (2 marks)

State two review points during a project where it would be appropriate to report on financial performance.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: reviews; budget_cost

Question 30 (1 mark)

Which factors can positively or negatively affect a message when using voice-only communication?
  1. Syntax, pitch, tone, pace.
  2. Words, expression, symbols, pace.
  3. Words, volume, posture, syntax.
  4. Pitch, posture, tone, pace.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: stakeholders

Question 31 (2 marks)

List two different methods of supplier reimbursement you could select for a defined scope of work.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: procurement

Question 32 (2 marks)

In order for a project team to be as effective as possible, it's important that the team has (a). If a team has (b), they will feel more confident to be innovative and creative when developing solutions.
  1. 1. regular face-to-face meetings 2. a shared sense of accountability 3. close oversight by their manager 4. responsibility for their own time
  2. 1. a hierarchical structure 2. clear rewards 3. a focus on their own roles 4. open and honest communication

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: teams; leadership

Question 33 (1 mark)

You are managing a project to develop a new payroll system for your organisation. During the build, test and deployment phases, the project team gained a lot of useful expertise on the new system and how it operates. Which of the following is a crucial activity to plan as part of the project's transition phase?
  1. Sharing the details of your system's future costs with suppliers.
  2. Adjusting the scope of your current project schedule.
  3. Sharing knowledge of how the system operates with the business users.
  4. Deciding the development approach for your next system development project.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: transition

Question 34 (5 marks)

Name three strengths and two limitations of choosing an iterative life cycle for a project.

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: life_cycles

Question 35 (5 marks)

All project-based work operates within a legal and regulatory framework relevant to the industry and countries where work is performed. What are three project processes that the regulatory environment influences and what two things can you do as a project manager to stay up-to-date with the latest regulations?

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: ethics_compliance

Question 36 (1 mark)

Which two of the following are benefits of delivering projects within a matrix organisational structure? 1. The ability to run projects alongside business-as-usual functions. 2. There is no conflict or ambiguity over reporting requirements. 3. It is easier to manage complex stakeholder requirements. 4. Projects can be delivered within a larger programme or portfolio. 5. Team members are more closely managed to ensure demands are met. 6. The ability to effectively share knowledge across business areas. Select the correct combination of two statements:
  1. 1 and 2.
  2. 3 and 4.
  3. 2 and 4.
  4. 1 and 6.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: governance

Question 37 (2 marks)

You are leading your team through a time of uncertainty in your organisation. The project is in handover and closure phase with most of the team in a quiet phase, working on their own development. In this situation, it would be most appropriate for you as a leader to provide (a). You decide to take the opportunity to further develop your emotional intelligence as a leader, knowing that, as well as being empathetic, it's important to also (b).
  1. 1. close supervision 2. training according to project need 3. mentoring and support 4. clear goals and objectives
  2. 1. hide your emotions 2. trust your emotions 3. share your emotions 4. regulate your emotions

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: leadership; teams

Question 38 (1 mark)

In a change control process, what is considered in the 'detailed evaluation' stage?
  1. The decision to approve, defer or reject the change.
  2. The updates required to the change log.
  3. The communication of the change to stakeholders.
  4. The impact on the project's business case.

Source: SRC_0002 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: change_control

Question 39 (2 marks)

As a project manager, you may experience conflict at various levels, and have to resolve the conflict. The Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument suggests that Low Assertiveness and Low Cooperation is otherwise known as (a). It also states that High Assertiveness and Low Cooperation is otherwise known as (b).
  1. 1. avoidance 2. competition 3. collaboration 4. accommodation
  2. 1. compromise 2. accommodation 3. collaboration 4. competition

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: conflict

Question 40 (1 mark)

You are the project manager of a promotional campaign project that's currently in the development phase. The project sponsor is concerned about the project's financial performance and has asked you to send them an update report. Which of the three following reports could be used to highlight the project's current financial position? [1. Business case. 2. Cash flow. 3. Benefits forecast. 4. Actual costs versus forecasted costs. 5. Investment appraisal. 6. Earned value analysis.]
  1. 2, 4, and 6.
  2. 3, 4, and 5.
  3. 1, 5, and 6.
  4. 2, 3, and 4.

Source: SRC_0060 · provenance E · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: budget_cost