Overview
Combining the best of digital and live learning, with access to world-class industry experts, we ensure you can apply your learning to drive impactful results in your projects. What's more, our digital platform gives you the tools to track your progress and manage your own learning. This includes digital learning designed around the PMQ syllabus, including sample exam questions, quizzes, and a combination of video and written content.
Once you have completed your digital learning, you will book your 3-day virtual ‘Live’ event with us, to deepen your understanding of the key topics, and it will also help you master the different question types that you’ll find in the PMQ exam.
The Association for Project Management’s (APM) range of project management qualifications are designed to support you in every stage of your project management career. APM qualifications reflect the knowledge that you have, the work that you do, and the skills that you’ve developed. APM and QA provide a progressive structure for your career development to advance your project management knowledge and grow your skills.
The Project Management Qualification (PMQ) is a knowledge-based qualification and is APM’s most popular certification, enabling you to demonstrate knowledge of all elements of project management. You'll be able to demonstrate an understanding of how these elements interact and how your project fits into your strategic and commercial environment.
| 95% of people believe that taking an APM qualification will add value to their career. Source: APM Qualifications Survey |
APM has identified significant benefits for successful PMQ candidates.
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Learn the latest mix of tools, techniques, processes and skills in project management
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Enhance your CV and earning potential through gaining an internationally recognised qualification
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Improved confidence, engagement, and credibility in your role
What’s included?
APM has set the qualification at Regulated Qualifications Framework Level-4 (or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level-7). 72 hours of total study time are recommended prior to taking the exam. QA’s Learner Guide provides details of how to make best use of your digital learning and exam revision.
Your course consists of three key stages:
Your learning materials also include APM’s official PMQ resources:
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Qualification Handbook – contains all the key PMQ information that you need to know, including the syllabus, exam format, and logistical details.
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Learner Study Pack – helps guide you through each syllabus topic, using a variety of techniques to develop knowledge.
Supplementary QA course materials (including a Learner Guide and Exercise Workbook) have been designed by leading instructional designers to ensure that the course is a fully interactive and engaging learning experience. Our expert trainers explain the PMQ syllabus through a wide range of individual and group exercises, case-study application, and learning ‘games’.
Prerequisites
The target candidate for PMQ certification is:
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Project management professionals with two-to-three years’ experience in the role – or
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Learners who have embarked on a project management apprenticeship or degree programme
Learners who don’t satisfy either criteria should consider the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
Learning Outcomes
The PMQ syllabus is based on APM’s Competence Framework and not APM’s Body of Knowledge. There are 24 individual learning objectives spread across four key areas.
1. Setting up for success – We analyse the optimum delivery model for a project and how it should be governed throughout its life cycle.
2. Preparing for change – key techniques in this section consider how organisations judge whether a project represents value-for-money and how to ensure that the business (or customer) is ready for any resultant change.
3. People and behaviours – project managers must engage with internal and external stakeholders (including the project team) in a professional and ethical manner.
4. Planning and managing deployment - irrespective of the chosen delivery model, projects must be planned and delivered in a way that respects the key constraints of schedule, budget, and quality. Risk and scope change must also be managed in a proactive and structured manner.
Course Outline
PMQ Learning Objectives
The full list of 24 PMQ learning objectives can be found below. Each of these topics will be covered during your course. Full details of the content for each learning objective can be found in the syllabus section of the PMQ Handbook. The Handbook can be downloaded from APM’s website.
Setting up for Success
1. Life cycles
2. Governance arrangements
3. Sustainability
4. Business case
Preparing for Change
5. Procurement
6. Reviews
7. Assurance
8. Transition management
9. Benefits management
People and Behaviours
10. Stakeholder engagement and communication management
11. Conflict resolution
12. Leadership
13. Team management
14. Diversity and inclusion
15. Ethics, compliance, and professionalism
Planning and Managing Deployment
16. Requirements management
17. Solutions development
18. Quality management
19. Integrated planning
20. Schedule management
21. Resource management
22. Budgeting and cost control
23. Risk and issue management
24. Change control
Examination Details
You will sit the online PMQ exam on the final afternoon of your live event. Therefore, you must complete your digital learning before booking this . You will have 12 months from the time of booking this course to access your digital course and to book your live event .
Use of any study materials is not permitted during the exam.
- Duration: 2.5 hours and completed in two parts. You can take an optional break of up to 30 minutes between part-1 and part-2. The break is in addition to the 2.5 hours exam time. You cannot go back to Part-1 of your exam after it is submitted.
- 40 questions worth a total of 90 marks. You will attempt all questions.
- 20 ‘multiple response’ questions (worth 1 mark each)
- 5 ‘select the missing words’ questions (worth 2 marks each)
- 5 ‘short-response’ questions (worth 2 marks each)
- 10 ‘long-response’ questions (worth 5 marks each)
- APM has implemented a variable pass-mark for each exam paper that will be determined by the difficulty of the specific paper that you are assigned.
Full details of the APM qualifications can be found at: Project management qualifications & training | PFQ | PMQ | PPQ; (apm.org.uk)
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.