APM Project Management Qualification — Mock Examination

SYNTHETIC practice paper assembled from public corpus questions (seed 202635). 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 (2 marks)

You are a project manager overseeing the implementation of a new software system for your organisation. During the project, you need to establish the ZOPA (the Zone of Possible Agreement) prior to the renegotiation of a key element of the contract with the design company. What does ZOPA (the Zone of Possible Agreement) mean, and what would it be regarding the below values? Software supplier's price: £1m-£1.4m. Project software budget: £900,000-£1.2m.

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

Question 2 (1 mark)

Which two of the following are negative impacts of conflict? 1. Disagreement may lead to scope creep. 2. Disagreement may diffuse more serious conflicts. 3. Disagreement may lead to lower staff morale. 4. Disagreement may stimulate a search for new resolutions. 5. Disagreement may surface new project risks. 6. Disagreement may divert management time. Select the correct combination of two statements:
  1. 1 and 2.
  2. 3 and 6.
  3. 2 and 5.
  4. 4 and 5.

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

Question 3 (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 4 (1 mark)

What is the definition of sustainability in a project context?
  1. Involves both individual and organisational responsibility to ensure that project outputs are sustainable throughout their life cycles.
  2. Involves organisational responsibility to ensure that project outputs are sustainable throughout their life cycles.
  3. Involves both organisational and individual responsibility to ensure that project outputs are sustainable during the adoption and benefits realisation of the extended project life cycle.
  4. Involves project responsibility to ensure that project outputs are sustainable throughout the transition phase of the project life cycle.

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

Question 5 (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 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)

You are managing a project to implement a new financial management system. During testing, the software crashes unexpectedly under specific user conditions. The testing team chooses not to log this bug as an issue. What two impacts could choosing not to log this as an issue have on the project?

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

Question 8 (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 9 (1 mark)

The team you manage has recently moved to hybrid working to cut costs and encourage a better work-life balance for team members. This has led to more flexible working, and the general feedback on the new arrangement is positive; however, it has been difficult for some team members to adapt to the new way of working. Which one of the following changes to your leadership approach would be effective in helping your team adapt to the new hybrid model?
  1. Implement daily check-in meetings to manage performance. This will ensure the manager has complete oversight of their team.
  2. Encourage the team to work remotely as much as possible. This will increase savings and reduce the need for hybrid meetings which can be harder to run.
  3. Make the best use of the time in meetings by setting a standard agenda and making sure it's followed closely.
  4. Give the team freedom to manage their own time, but schedule regular in-person meetings to build rapport and check in on team wellbeing.

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

Question 10 (5 marks)

You are managing a project team that includes some team members who are fairly new to project management. Explain three reasons why a coaching and mentoring style of leadership is essential for leading a team with less experienced members. (3 marks) Explain two benefits that the role of emotional intelligence has in effectively implementing a coaching and mentoring approach within the team. (2 marks)

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

Question 11 (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 12 (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 13 (2 marks)

As a project progresses, the project team recognises that an identified risk has exceeded the tolerated threshold. (a) provides the project team with an overview of what is expected of them when managing risk throughout the project. When a risk exceeds its tolerated threshold, the first step of a project team member should be informing the (b).
  1. 1. Risk identification. 2. The RAID log. 3. Risk appetite. 4. Clear roles and responsibilities.
  2. 1. project sponsor. 2. project manager. 3. project team. 4. subject matter expert.

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

Question 14 (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 15 (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 16 (2 marks)

Embracing diverse thinking in teams is crucial for generating innovative solutions because it encourages (a). To further support a positive working environment, it is important that the project team members (b).
  1. 1. open communication 2. technical expertise 3. risk management 4. conflict resolution
  2. 1. avoid disagreeing with each other 2. understand and welcome difference 3. often meet in person 4. avoid escalating concerns

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

Question 17 (5 marks)

There are five steps in the benefits management process: Identification, Definition, Planning, Tracking, Realisation. Explain the purpose of each of the five steps.

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

Question 18 (5 marks)

You have been appointed as the project manager for a large-scale construction project to build a new office complex for a multinational corporation. The project involves multiple stakeholders, intricate timelines and a diverse range of resources. Resource management plays a crucial role in the successful completion of this project. Explain three reasons why it is important to identify and schedule the required resources. (3 marks) Explain how using a responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) can support resource management. (2 marks)

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

Question 19 (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 20 (5 marks)

What would be included in each of the following sections of the business case? Strategic context. Economic analysis. Commercial approach. Financial case. Management approach.

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

Part 2

Question 21 (2 marks)

You are a project manager of a large infrastructure construction project at a charity. During the project, you encounter a situation where a potential sub-contractor offers the charity a financial donation. Which two sources of specialist advice or standards could you rely on to guide how you would approach this situation?

Source: SRC_0001 · provenance A · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: ethics_compliance; procurement

Question 22 (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 23 (1 mark)

You are the project manager for the construction of a new office building, and you are tasked with creating a budget that includes design, materials, labour, technology and infrastructure. The project involves a diverse multidisciplinary team, and the success of the project relies heavily on effective budget management, where there is very little flexibility. Which one of the following statements is correct when concerned with managing the budget and providing status evidence for stakeholders?
  1. Categorise all costs, outlining the cost type of the various elements of the construction process, allowing for a more efficient analysis.
  2. Categorise all costs as fixed to simplify budget tracking and evidence. The finance team will be able to determine any variances for stakeholder updates.
  3. Categorise all costs, wait until the project closes and adjust the budget reports based on project progress. This will clearly show the over- or underspend.
  4. Categorise all material and staff costs as indirect costs to streamline budget calculations. This will allow for easier stakeholder reporting.

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

Question 24 (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 25 (1 mark)

You are the project manager of a project that's currently in the definition phase. After your first meeting, the project sponsor has asked to see the integrated project management plan. In this scenario, which of the following best describes the importance of an integrated project management plan?
  1. It helps new team members understand the project during their onboarding.
  2. It provides a baseline to measure the project's success before the project is closed.
  3. It ensures the project's testing strategy will meet the expected level of quality.
  4. It helps set expectations between the project manager and project sponsor.

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

Question 26 (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 27 (5 marks)

You are managing a project in a linear life cycle. A change request has been raised. Explain the importance of change control in a linear life cycle. (4 marks) Following a detailed evaluation, state the three possible recommendations arising from a change request. (1 mark)

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

Question 28 (1 mark)

Which combination of the structures listed below would assist in defining the scope of a project? 1. product breakdown structure 2. project breakdown structure 3. work breakdown structure 4. resource breakdown structure 5. cost breakdown structure 6. communication breakdown structure. Select the correct combination of three options:
  1. 1, 3 and 5.
  2. 2, 3 and 6.
  3. 2, 4 and 5.
  4. 1, 4 and 6.

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

Question 29 (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 30 (1 mark)

In a software development company, a new project is underway to create an innovative mobile application. The project team includes: software developers, user interface designers, marketing specialists. The team faces challenges such as an aggressive timescale, fast-evolving technology and varying priorities among several stakeholders. Which two of these methods would be the most appropriate for team cohesion? 1. Establish a rigid hierarchy to streamline decision-making processes. 2. Encourage open communication channels, allowing team members to share their perspectives and ideas freely. 3. Divide team members into their distinct workstreams to avoid conflicts and distractions. 4. Focus attention on those that demonstrate advanced capabilities. 5. Assign tasks based solely on technical expertise to ensure efficiency. 6. Foster a collaborative environment where team members understand and appreciate each other's unique strengths and contributions. Select the correct combination of two methods:
  1. 1 and 3.
  2. 2 and 6.
  3. 3 and 4.
  4. 5 and 6.

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

Question 31 (1 mark)

Regarding project assurance, which two statements are true? 1. Assurance is not needed if an organisation has specialist risk managers. 2. Assurance is unnecessary in low-cost projects. 3. Assurance ensures day-to-day project activities are carried out effectively. 4. Assurance gives stakeholders confidence that the project will deliver its aims. 5. Assurance should be carried out at multiple points through the project life cycle. 6. Assurance is always conducted by someone external to the organisation. Select the correct combination of two statements:
  1. 1 and 3.
  2. 2 and 6.
  3. 4 and 5.
  4. 1 and 6.

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

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)

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 34 (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 35 (1 mark)

You are a project manager tasked with producing a responsibility assignment matrix (RACI) for your new project. You decide to set up a workshop with your project team to complete the RACI. Which of the statements below would support this task?
  1. The project manager informs the project team at the workshop which tasks are assigned.
  2. The work breakdown structure (WBS) will be used on its own to clarify the roles against each task.
  3. The organisational breakdown structure (OBS) will be used with the work breakdown structure (WBS) to clarify the roles against each task.
  4. The project manager should ensure every project task is documented as part of the RACI.

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

Question 36 (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 37 (1 mark)

You are a senior project manager working on a project to improve business operations. Within your project team, a number of junior team members have missed meetings with key stakeholders and completed project documents to a poor standard. Which three of these actions could help them to improve their professionalism, standards and conduct as project professionals? 1. Read the company's Code of Professional Conduct. 2. Speak with friends in other professions to learn how they act day to day. 3. Complete regular continual professional development (CPD). 4. Get a mentor from outside the company to help identify career opportunities. 5. Identify root cause of falling standards. 6. Ensure meetings are face-to-face to build rapport with key stakeholders. Select one combination of answers:
  1. 1, 2 and 5.
  2. 1, 3 and 4.
  3. 2, 4 and 6.
  4. 1, 3 and 5.

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

Question 38 (1 mark)

You have been asked to give a presentation to the steering group reviewing your project. Which of the below metrics would be most useful to show costs committed and work achieved so far?
  1. Planned value.
  2. Actual cost.
  3. Earned value.
  4. Schedule performance index.

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

Question 39 (5 marks)

You work for a multinational organisation where most employees work remotely. Your project is implementing an enterprise HR solution using an iterative approach. You must gather requirements from as many stakeholders as possible quite quickly. What would be the best method and why.

Source: SRC_0010 · provenance B · version current_2024_plus · syllabus: requirements; stakeholders; life_cycles

Question 40 (2 marks)

You are writing the business case for a new project. There are various factors which may influence and impact the business case. State two tools or techniques that can be used to identify and analyse these factors.

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