The GAQM APM-001 exam is designed for checking out the skills of a specialist who is stepping into the field of project management. Those who ace it are awarded the Associate in Project Management (APM) certification which belongs to the entry-level qualification. So, it is more suitable for individuals who have little or no expertise in this space including students and project team members. Therefore, anyone who has an interest can attempt it.

Related Certification Overview

You should know that the mentioned above designation is a globally-known qualification in the project management framework field. So, thanks to that, its holder can prove his/her entry-level expertise related to project management processes. And, to successfully pass this accreditation track, candidates should know the basic terms used in project management or be able to manage them on the initial stage, though if you know nothing about it, you can also opt for the APM certification.

Exam Details

The exam you are to pass is coded as APM-001 and includes 50 MCQs. The participants have 1 hour to complete the questions, and should attain 70% to pass the exam. This online supervised test is administered by ProctorU and each candidate has to pay an application fee of $128. Concerning requirements, there are no obligations to fulfill to take it but it is advisable to complete the relevant online course.

GAQM Training Program

The course provided by GAQM is essential to passing the APM-001 evaluation as the exam questions are largely drawn from this training program syllabus. Students are taken through several subjects that are designed to provide a strong foundation. Moreover, once they complete it, they can then pursue the more advanced certifications in the project management spectrum.

The course begins by providing knowledge on the basics which include important definitions, the life cycle of a project, as well as how to sell a project idea, and how to come up with a vision. Next, it delves into the actual training on the management of projects. This topic is wide and part of the knowledge it imparts includes the functions of a project manager, risks, and planning for uncertainties, among others. Finally, candidates are introduced to intermediate concepts applied in the project environment. This includes processes for project scheduling, tools used in planning such as work breakdown framework, and budgeting. In this way, step by step, you will cover all the goals of the APM-001 exam.

Books & Study Guides

At the same time, many written resources have been created because project management is an essential skill that applies in various areas of business. Individuals who are new to this field can be confused when choosing the best books for the APM-001 exam. Therefore, here are some of the best resources that are highly suitable for beginners:

Project Management Absolute Beginner's Guide written by Greg Horine

This book is designed to provide step-by-step guidance for readers who have no experience in managing a project. It contains all the fundamentals of project management and includes some of the latest technologies plus effective practice. It also touches on how teams can be managed remotely. Thus, APM candidates who use it gain an added advantage in the APM-001 evaluation as they have access to insights into how challenges are handled in the real world. This is because, the author, Gregory M. Horine, as a certified professional who is competent in business technology as well as managing IT projects, provides only the most up-to-date and reliable information.

Project Management for Non-Project Managers written by Jack Ferraro

Jack Ferraro offers this book as a guide into project management for specialists who have never led or been part of a project. It does not use any complex terms to explain what this field is all about. Thus, candidates for the APM-001 test will go through real-world situations concerning how project management is accomplished plus pitfalls that may hamper progress. As a consultant as well as instructor, the author has gained a lot of experience helping project managers to collaborate effectively with other professionals in managerial positions. The stories he shares in this edition are pragmatic and will give students an insight into the lessons he has learned throughout his career.

Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management (Theory in Practice) written by Scott Berkun

Practical philosophies, as well as strategies concerning effective project management, are contained in this book. Also, the fundamentals of project management are included together with entertaining stories of actual situations that offer the best lessons on handling problems. Also, there is knowledge on how to build meaningful relationships with other team members. Scott Berkun has incorporated his experiences as the project leader for Windows along with MSN. The tone he uses in this edition enables even individuals who are not conversant with the technical side of project management to easily understand it. The author does not include particular methods he used but rather the theories that affected his decision-making process. So, this resource is useful to novices as well as experienced specialists in this field. Moreover, those to participate in the APM-001 evaluation will be able to gain a lot of valuable information for themselves.

Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling written by Harold Kerzner

This book uses the Iridium project as an example to deliver knowledge about project management processes. It goes over the fundamentals and then includes other important concepts such as ROI as well as benefits to the organization. In the meantime, there are case studies from various economic sectors in this edition. Also, more than 500 questions are available so that readers can use them to test their knowledge gained. Therefore, it is suitable when preparing for the APM-001 exam as it also has details on teamwork, trust, culture, and more. Moreover, Harold Kerzner, Ph.D., is an expert on project management and has trained and consulted for numerous organizations all over the world which eliminates any doubt as to his professional experience.

Conclusion

As you understand, project management is a challenging field that demands solid knowledge to succeed in any field. Therefore, the GAQM APM-001 exam is built to promote the needs of those interested in taking up roles within this wider space. Register and start your preparation. And don't forget that the books as well as training offer critical support into passing the evaluation and winning in the field. Good luck!