Quick Answer
You can cover most of the APM PMQ with free official resources from apm.org.uk: the PMQ Qualification Handbook with the full syllabus and learning outcomes, the official sample papers and the BoK8 preview. If you pay for one thing, make it a structured course from an APM-accredited provider, because it gives you timed practice and feedback on your long answers. The official PMQ Study Workbook comes next. Everything else is optional. Use the materials in this order: syllabus first, then the workbook, then timed sample papers, then extra help only where you still lose marks.
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From my experience: Many of the students I coach sit more than one certification, and the biggest waste I see is buying five resources and finishing none. On site in the UAE we never ordered materials before the drawings were approved. Study is the same: get the official syllabus first, then buy only what fills a real gap. Pick one main resource and spend most of your time writing exam-style answers.
Free Resources: Start Here
- PMQ Qualification Handbook (apm.org.uk)
- Full syllabus: 24 objectives, 73 outcomes
- Official sample exam papers
- APM BoK8 digital preview
- APM website topic summaries and articles
- YouTube: Parallel Project Training, Wellingtone
- APM Learning Platform (free with APM membership)
Paid Resources: Worth Buying
- APM PMQ Study Workbook (official) ~£30–£50
- APM BoK8 full print edition ~£35–£45
- Accredited training course (online self-study or virtual classroom)
- Third-party practice question banks
- APM membership (~£150–£175/yr): saves £120 on exam fee
Start with the free official materials from apm.org.uk before you spend anything. They are written against the exact exam blueprint, so nothing else is better targeted. Courses, books, videos and question banks add to them. They do not replace them.
Below I group everything by type: free official APM resources, paid resources worth buying, training courses, practice materials and what to skip. Then I give you the order to use them in.
If you are still deciding whether the PMQ is right for you, or want the format, costs and eligibility, read my ultimate guide to the APM PMQ. This page answers a narrower question: which study materials to use, and in what order.
Format check: APM changed the PMQ format in August 2024. The old three-hour, ten-essay paper became a 40-question, 90-mark mixed exam. Some books, question banks and videos still describe the old format. Before you use anything, check it matches the current exam: 2.5 hours, 40 questions, four question types and written long-response answers.
Free Official Resources
Free Official APM Resources: The Essential Starting Point
APM PMQ Qualification Handbook
FREE
The single most important document for PMQ preparation: more important than any textbook. The Qualification Handbook contains the full syllabus with all 24 learning objectives and 73 learning outcomes, the exam format specifications, question type examples, marking guidance and administrative information about booking and sitting the exam.
Download this before anything else. The 73 learning outcomes are the exact blueprint for what the exam can test. Every topic in the handbook is fair game; every topic not in it will not be tested.
Where to get it: apm.org.uk, search "PMQ Qualification Handbook", free PDF download, no account required.
APM PMQ Sample Exam Papers
FREE
APM publishes official sample papers for the current exam format, the closest available representation of the real exam's question style, difficulty and format. These are not "typical questions" or unofficial approximations. They are produced by APM using the same question-writing process as the real exam.
Do not just read the sample papers. Complete them under timed conditions with no notes. Reading them without practising under pressure gives false confidence and does not build the time management and writing skills the real exam demands.
Where to get it: apm.org.uk, search "PMQ sample paper", free download.
APM Body of Knowledge 8th Edition (BoK8): Digital Preview
FREE preview / Paid full
The APM BoK8 is the definitive reference for APM terminology and concepts. The current syllabus is aligned to BoK8. A digital preview (significant portion of the content) is available free on the APM website. Full access to the digital edition is free for APM members; the print edition costs ~£35–£45.
The BoK8 is a reference book, not a study guide. Use it to look up specific terms and check APM's definitions, not to read cover to cover. Your primary study framework should be the 73 learning outcomes, not the BoK8 chapter structure.
APM members get full digital access free. Non-members can access the preview and use the print edition for the sections most relevant to their weaker learning outcomes.
APM Website Topic Articles and Summaries
FREE
The APM website (apm.org.uk) publishes articles, definitions and topic summaries on many of the learning outcomes: risk management, benefits management, stakeholder engagement, governance and more. These are written in APM's own terminology and provide useful supplementary reading for specific topics you need to strengthen.
Use these for specific topics you find difficult after initial study, not as a starting point. Search for "APM [topic name]" and check that the article reflects BoK8 content.
APM Learning Platform (free with APM membership)
FREE with membership
APM members get access to the APM Learning platform, which includes structured learning modules, CPD resources and professional development content. The content is not exam-specific study material, it is broader professional development, but it is a useful supplementary resource for building depth on topics in the syllabus.
APM membership costs ~£150–£175 per year and also saves £120 on the exam fee (£471.60 member vs £591.60 non-member). If you plan to sit the exam, membership pays for itself on the exam fee saving alone.
Free Third-Party Resources
Free Third-Party Resources Worth Using
YouTube: Parallel Project Training and Wellingtone
FREE
Two UK training providers publish genuinely useful free PMQ content on YouTube. Parallel Project Training has an extensive library of topic videos covering individual PMQ learning outcomes: useful for auditory learners and for reinforcing topics after reading. Wellingtone publishes PMQ webinar content and exam technique guidance, including insights into how APM markers award marks on long-response questions.
Before watching, check the video date. Videos from before August 2024 may reference the old essay format. Look for content that specifically mentions "new exam format," "40 questions" or "long-response technique" to confirm it is current.
APM Community and LinkedIn Groups
FREE
The APM community forum and LinkedIn groups for APM candidates provide peer discussion, recent exam experience reports and shared study tips. Candidates who have recently sat the exam often share what they found most challenging and which topics were more heavily represented, a useful real-world signal to supplement your syllabus-based preparation.
Weight recent posts (last 3–6 months) more heavily than older ones, the exam format changed in 2024 and the syllabus was updated for 2026. Pre-2024 exam reports describe a completely different assessment.
Paid Resources
Free vs paid APM PMQ resources at a glance
| Resource | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| APM PMQ qualification guide and syllabus | Free from APM | Knowing exactly what is examined |
| APM Body of Knowledge, 8th edition | Paid book | Core reading for every learning outcome |
| Accredited training provider course | Paid | Structured teaching, tutor support and mock exams |
| Practice and mock exam papers | Free and paid | Exam technique and timing |
| Videos and podcasts | Free | Revision and topic refreshers |
Which paid resources are worth buying?
APM PMQ Study Workbook (Official APM Publication)
PAID: ~£30–£50
The official APM PMQ preparation workbook is structured directly against the exam syllabus: 24 study areas mapped to the learning outcomes, with concept summaries, case study application and practice questions for each topic. It is the closest thing to an official study guide for the PMQ and the first paid resource most candidates should buy.
Use the workbook as your primary self-study companion alongside the syllabus document. Work through one learning objective at a time: read the workbook section, review the relevant BoK8 content, then test yourself with the workbook's practice questions before moving on.
Where to buy: APM online shop at apm.org.uk. Print and digital versions available.
APM Body of Knowledge 8th Edition (Full Print)
PAID: ~£35–£45
The full print edition of BoK8 is the definitive APM terminology and concept reference. It is not a study guide, the chapter structure does not map to the exam syllabus, and reading it sequentially is not an efficient exam preparation method. However, having the physical book is useful as a reference during study to look up APM's specific definitions and check your use of terminology.
If you are an APM member, get full digital access free and save the purchase cost. If you are not a member, compare the cost of buying BoK8 alone (~£40) against buying membership (~£150–£175) which gives both BoK8 access and a £120 exam fee saving: membership is better value if you are sitting the exam.
Accredited Training Course
PAID: £250–£2,400 depending on format
A structured course from an APM-accredited training provider is the highest-impact paid investment for most candidates. The value is not primarily in learning the content, a determined self-study candidate can cover the content independently. The value is in structured delivery, timed long-response practice with expert feedback, and the accountability of a course schedule.
Course format options:
Course format options:
- Online self-study (£250–£500 + VAT): 6–12 months access to course modules, videos and practice materials. Flexible but requires self-discipline. Good option if you have strong PM experience and primarily need structure and practice. Providers: Training ByteSize, Parallel Project Training, Career Smarter.
- Virtual classroom (£800–£1,400 + VAT): Live instructor-led sessions over 4–5 days. Better for candidates who benefit from discussion and immediate feedback on long-response answers. Exam is typically scheduled at end of course or shortly after.
- Classroom / residential (£1,800–£2,400 + VAT): Face-to-face intensive course. Most expensive but provides the most interaction and the strongest preparation for candidates less comfortable with self-study.
Check that the course is APM-accredited (not just "APM-aligned") and that course materials are aligned to BoK8 and the current exam format. Ask specifically: "Does your course cover the long-response question technique for the new format?" If a provider cannot clearly answer this, their materials may not be current.
Third-Party Practice Question Banks
PAID: varies
Several providers offer PMQ practice question banks beyond the official sample papers. These are most useful in the final 2–3 weeks of preparation for timed practice and identifying remaining knowledge gaps.
What to look for in a practice question bank:
What to look for in a practice question bank:
- Questions covering all four question types (MCQ, select-from-list, short-response, long-response)
- Aligned to the 2026 syllabus, check the product was updated after August 2024
- Long-response questions with model answers and marker commentary, not just the answer
- Sufficient question volume, a bank with 20 questions is insufficient for serious preparation
The official APM sample papers are free and should be used first. Third-party banks are supplementary. They add volume for practice but the official papers are always the most reliable indicator of the real exam's style and difficulty.
APM PMQ Study Guide 2026 (Third-Party Books)
PAID: ~£15–£30
Several independently published study guides for the APM PMQ are available, the Anthony Biggs APM PMQ Study Guide 2026 (Amazon Kindle/print) being among the most recent and explicitly aligned to the 2026 syllabus and BoK8. These third-party guides condense the syllabus content into a more accessible format than the BoK8 itself and often include question walkthroughs and exam technique advice.
Useful as a supplementary resource or as the primary self-study companion if you prefer not to use the official workbook. Always verify the edition is aligned to BoK8 and the current exam format before purchasing. A study guide for the old essay format is actively unhelpful for the current exam.
The Priority Order
In what order should you use the study materials?
Start with the free official resources. Add paid materials only where you find a real gap. This is the order I recommend:
1st
Download the PMQ Qualification Handbook and syllabus (free, apm.org.uk). Read the 73 learning outcomes. Highlight everything you cannot currently explain. This becomes your study plan. Free
2nd
Join APM as a member: the £150–£175 annual fee saves £120 on the exam fee and unlocks the full BoK8 digital edition free. On balance, better value than buying BoK8 separately if you are sitting the exam. Paid: pays for itself
3rd
Work through the APM PMQ Study Workbook using the 73 learning outcomes as your chapter checklist. For each outcome: read, check BoK8 for terminology, answer the workbook practice questions. Paid ~£30–£50
4th
Watch Parallel Project Training and Wellingtone YouTube content for any learning outcomes where you need a different explanation or more depth. Use video to reinforce, not to replace, active study. Free
5th
Complete the official sample papers under timed conditions: no notes, strict 150-minute limit. Review every question, especially long-response answers. Identify which outcomes you are still losing marks on. Free
6th
Add a training course if you need structured guidance on long-response technique or want an expert to review your practice answers. This is the highest-value paid investment for candidates who learn better with instructor feedback. Paid £250–£1,400
7th
Add a third-party practice question bank in the final 2–3 weeks for additional timed practice volume. Useful but not essential if you have done sufficient practice using the official sample papers. Paid: optional
What to Skip
What Not to Buy or Use
Old essay-format materials. Anything that talks about "ten essay questions", a "three-hour written exam" or "APMP" (the old name) is about the pre-2024 exam. It will confuse you about what the marker wants and train you to write long essays the current exam does not ask for.
PMBOK or PRINCE2 study materials. The PMQ uses APM words from BoK8, not PMI or PRINCE2 words. If you study from a PMBOK or PRINCE2 guide, you will bring the wrong terms into a closed-book exam and lose marks.
General project management books not aligned to BoK8. There are many good PM books that have nothing to do with the PMQ syllabus. They may make you a better project manager, but they will not prepare you for the learning outcomes the exam tests.
Study Material Mistakes I See
When students come to me after a failed first attempt, their materials usually tell the story:
- Reading, never writing. They read the workbook twice but wrote fewer than five timed long answers.
- Saving the sample papers for the end. Sit one early, even if you score badly. It shows you where to spend your time.
- Mixing exam bodies. They revised from PMP or PRINCE2 notes and wrote "PID" or "project charter" in a PMQ answer.
- Too many sources. Three books, two video channels and a question bank, none finished.
- Old format practice. They practised essays from before August 2024.
A simple test: if a resource does not help you write a better 5-mark answer, it is not a priority.
The minimum viable study kit: PMQ Qualification Handbook (free) + APM membership (£150–£175, saves £120 on exam) + Official Study Workbook (£30–£50) + two timed practice sittings using official sample papers (free). Total cost: approximately £200–£225 all-in. A well-prepared candidate with solid PM experience can pass with this kit. Everything else is supplementary.
Ready to Start Your PMQ Preparation?
The complete APM PMQ guide covers the full exam format, study strategy and long-response technique, and the exam tips post has the 10 most important preparation points in one place.
FAQ
APM PMQ Study Materials: 5 Questions Answered
The best free resource is the PMQ Qualification Handbook from apm.org.uk. It contains the full syllabus with every learning objective and outcome, which is exactly what the exam can test. Second is the set of official sample papers, also free, which show you the real question style. With the BoK8 preview on top, a self-study candidate has enough to start properly.
BoK8 is useful for checking APM terms, but it is not a study guide, and its chapters do not follow the exam syllabus. Many people pass without buying the full book. If you join APM, digital access to BoK8 is included, and members pay a lower exam fee, so compare the membership cost with buying the book on its own. Check current prices on apm.org.uk. For most candidates the official Study Workbook is more useful day to day than BoK8.
Yes. People with good project experience regularly pass the PMQ through self-study. To do it well, work through every learning outcome using the syllabus as your checklist, use APM terms from BoK8, write long answers against the clock every week and sit the official sample papers as full timed exams. The biggest risk is the long answers: without someone checking your writing, you can build bad habits without noticing. If you can, get at least a few of your practice answers reviewed by a tutor or an experienced colleague.
The best provider is the one whose format and pace suit how you learn. Before you book, check three things: the provider is currently APM-accredited, the materials are based on BoK8 and the current 40-question format, and they will give you feedback on your written long answers. If a provider cannot answer those clearly, look elsewhere.
Partly. The core topics (risk, stakeholder engagement, governance, benefits, scheduling) have not changed much, so older books can still help you understand a topic. But the exam format changed in August 2024, from ten essays in three hours to 40 questions of four types in 2.5 hours. Do not use pre-2024 practice papers or exam technique advice. Use older materials for background reading only.