Sample examination questions
1: Questions
The following sheets show 50 typical questions taken at random which may appear in the APMP written paper. Each question is followed by a bracketed number, which relates to the number of the topic as set out in the latest (6th edition) version of the APM Body of Knowledge, which can be obtained from the Association for Project Management. The answers to these 50 questions are given in bullet point format in the subsequent pages, against the same number as the questions.
Candidates wishing to sit the American PMI multiple choice examination, are advised to consult the latest issue of the PMI Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge also known as the PMBOK Guide.
Guided Solutions to the questions can be found at http://books.elsevier.com/companions/ 075066956X.
1 List 12 items (subjects) which should be set out in a PMP (1.1.6)
2 Explain the purpose and structure of a WBS (3.1.4)
3 Describe the most usual risk identification techniques (3.5.2b)
4 Explain the risk management procedure (3.5.1)
5 Set out the risks associated with travelling from Bath to London by road. Draw a risk register (log) and populate it with at least 4 perceived risks (3.5.1)
6 Describe a change management procedure Draw up two forms relating to change management (3.2.2)
| Activity | Duration (days) | Preceding activity |
| A | 5 | – |
| B | 7 | A |
| C | 9 | A |
| D | 7 | B |
| E | 2 | C |
| F | 6 | C |
| G | 2 | E & D |
| H | 3 | F |
| J | 4 | G & H |
What is the end date?
What is the effect of B slipping by 3 days? (3.3.2)
8 Explain the difference between project management and programme management (1.1.2)
9 Explain the purpose of stakeholder management and describe the difference (with examples of positive and negative stakeholders) (3.1.6)
10 Explain what is meant by configuration management (3.2.3)
11 Describe a risk management plan and give its contents (3.5.2a)
12 State 4 risk mitigation strategies excluding contingencies (3.5.1)
13 Explain the main tools used in quality management (3.6a)
14 Explain the main topics of a quality management system (3.6)
15 Describe the purpose of milestones and draw a milestone slip chart showing how slippage is recorded (3.3.2a)
16 Explain the advantages of EVA over other forms of progress monitoring (3.1.2)
17 Explain the purpose of a project life cycle and draw a typical life cycle diagram. Explain what is meant by product life cycle and expanded life cycle (1.1.6)
18 Describe what documents are produced at the various stages of a life cycle (1.1.6a)
19 Explain the difference between the three main types of project organization (3.1.4)
20 Explain what is meant by communication management. Give 8 barriers to good communication and explain how to overcome them (2.1.1)
21 Explain the advantages of a project team, list 6 features and give 4 barriers to team building. (2.1.1a)
22 Describe what is meant by conflict management and list 5 techniques (2.1.2)
23 Describe the purpose of Belbin test and explain the characteristics of the 8 Belbin types (2.1.7c)
24 Explain the Herzberg's motivation theory and Maslow's theory of needs (2.1.7e)
25 Explain the main constituents of a business case Who owns the business case? (3.1.1)
26 Explain what are the qualities which make a leader (2.1.5)
27 Describe the main stages of a negotiation process (2.1.6)
28 Explain what is meant by cash flow. Draw the format of a cash flow chart (3.4.1)
29 Describe a close-out procedure. List 6 documents which must be prepared and handed over to the client on close-out (3.6.2)
30 Describe 6 topics to be considered as part of a procurement strategy. List 4 types of contract. (3.7.3)
31 Describe the selection process for employing contractors or subcontractors (3.7.3)
32 List and explain the phases of a project as suggested by Tuckman (2.1.7d)
33 Describe what is meant by the project environment (1.2.1)
34 List 10 reasons why a project may fail and suggest ways to rectify these failures. (3.2.1)
35 Explain the role of a programme manager and show the advantages to the organization of such a position (1.1.2)
36 Describe 3 methods for estimating the cost of a project and give the approx. % accuracy of each method. (3.1.5)
37 Describe the principal reasons for an investment appraisal and give the constituents of such an appraisal (3.4.3)
38 What are the four main types of estimating techniques and what is their approximate degree of accuracy? (3.1.5)
39 What is meant by resource levelling and resource smoothing? (3.5.1)
40 Describe the roles of the client, sponsor, project manager and a supplier (1.1.8)
41 List at least 6 documents which have to be handed over at the end of a project (3.6.2)
42 Describe three main types of contract used in construction (3.7.3)
43 Draw a work breakdown structure for the manufacture of a bicycle. Limit the size to four levels of detail (3.1.4)
44 What is meant by internal rate of return (IRR)? Show how this can be obtained graphically (3.4.3)
45 Describe the functions carried out by a project office (1.1.4)
46 What is the purpose of a post project review? (3.6.2)
47 Describe 3 methods of conflict resolution when mediation has failed (2.1.2)
48 State four main characteristics of a good project manager (1.1.1)
49 Describe two pros and cons of an AoA network and an AoN network (3.3.2)
50 Describe two pros and cons of DCF and payback (3.4.3)
51 Explain what is meant by portfoio management (3.2.1a)
52 What are success criteria (1.1.7)
53 Describe a change register (3.3.2a)
54 hat is meant by information management (3.1.3)
55 Explain what is meant by value management (3.2.6)
56 Explain what is meant by matrix project management (3.1.4a)
57 Explain the difference between project management and line management (3.1.4b)
58 How do you overcome comunication barriers (2.1.1a)