APMP Exam Day has come and gone. Our consultants can only plug away professionally as the await the results.
Finally after all the revision the day of the APMP exam had arrived.
It was back in March that we began our journey when we received our copies of the study guides from Parallel Project Training and commenced an Arras study group. The timing of the exam meant that I was the first and only person from Arras taking the exam this time; my colleagues will be looking to take the exam in the near future.
I had taken the opportunity of posting answers to mock exam questions on the Parallel’s Community of Practice and received feedback which had seen my technique improve significantly over the previous week. This had been quite nerve racking although early disappointment at the feedback had been gradually replaced by confidence as I started to understand what was required by the examiners.
Having to juggle a full time job and revision had tested my family’s patience. It is important if embarking on any home study programme that you talk this through with the family as you will need their support. From excusing yourself from family outings to providing quiet study time if your family is not bought into the endeavour this will cause problems. I was lucky that my family understood my requirements and gave me what I needed.
The day of the exam dawned early and it was with some trepidation that I met with Paul from Parallel Project Training and two other delegates for an exam prep session. The format for the day would be preparation in the morning and then the exam in the afternoon.
The first key point for me was recognising that although Parallel had produced a study guide this was not to be taken as the only answer. APMP examiners are also project managers and as such they are able to assess each answer accordingly. You do need to know your stuff regarding the APMP syllabus but you can also use your own experience.
Paul did a good job of providing tips and hints regarding the exam without trying to cram in too much and by the time of the exam I was feeling more confident. The APM has a very formal approach to the exam with appointed invigilator (not from Parallel) and sealed scripts. Breaking the seal at the appointed hour I was finally able to see whether all my work had been useful.
How did it go?
“Well, I was able to answer the required parts of the required number of questions although did require the full 3 hours to do so.”
How well did I answer the questions?
“I will have to wait for up to 10 weeks to find out.”
How did I feel afterwards?
“Relieved! Tired!”
Would I do it again?
“Certainly the journey has been useful and the knowledge I have gained will help me in my role. Without the exam I doubt I would have generated the intensity of study and hence would not have retained and understood the subject matter to the same extent.
“The answer would have to be a yes!”
Those types of exam must be really nerve-wracking. Education and experience are really called for.
Hi, please can anyone tell me if self study ( i am on 3 month Garden Leave) using the BoK and the Study Guide from Parallel is enough to sit for the exam. I will consider myself ‘study’ full time, but not sure if I need to attend the 5 days workshop as well?
Thanks
Twitter: projectmgmt
Hi Yen
I think it is possible if you also include Parallel’s online tools too – they have a learning system plus podcasts and also a forum for you to post your practice Q&As. I think Mick also got alot out of the final session with Parallel too which was 1 day – the morning was a final run through and a look at some sample Q&As with the exam in the afternoon.
Twitter: EdWallington
In my view it depends on your learning style – some prefer face-to-face whilst others can read a book (or online etc), absorb and digest. Personally, I like a blend of these two approaches – I like to read up on the subject and then attend a short course/forum/chats etc where I can discuss the subject matter and get other people’s views, and then finalise my own views based on learning, discussion and experience.
In this day and age of constant work (I know, sigh…), and lack of holiday time, the part-time and distant learning approach appears attractive (as well as cheaper!). I would have to say though that you need to dedicate time and energy, and recognise there will be some short term sacrifice, as Mick alludes to, but at the end of the day you are better off, and how many people can take a week off work anyway without the other half complaining that you are working on holiday?