APM PMQ command verbs and the marking process
APM PMQ command verbs
If you’re studying for your APM PMQ you will definitely want clarity on what the command verbs are and how these are marked in preparation for your exam.
The following session from APM, with guest presenter James Ware who is their Professional Standards Development Manager, will explain exactly what markers of the exam are looking for and put you in the best position for exam success.
While APM held this session in 2020 when the Body of Knowledge 7th Edition was released, the content is incredibly useful and will be for the duration of BOK7.
What are the APM PMQ command verbs?
The following APM PMQ command verbs are used in the syllabus and in questions, the definition explained below below is taken from their Assessment Specification:
- Differentiate → Recognise or determine what makes something different.
- Describe → Give an account, including all the relevant characteristics, qualities and events.
- Explain → Give an account of the purpose(s) or reason(s).
- Interpret → Translate information/data into another form to aid understanding, to demonstrate understanding or to inform a future action.
- Outline → Set out the main points/characteristics.
- State → Express the details without elaboration.
All questions for the PMQ assessment will be formed using the relevant command verbs.
Please note that some differentiate questions may be formed as ‘explain the difference between…’
The full APM PMQ Assessment Specification can be found here, and the APM PMQ Indicative Content can be found here. There are also some additional documents on the APM website which you may find useful for your exam preparation.
