How to pass APMP Foundation in 2 weeks?

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I have passed APMP Foundation in 25-Nov-2020. In this blog, I'm sharing my experience on how you can achieve this certification in 2 weeks.

Exam information

• Current code: APMP (2015) Foundation
• Current release date: 12-Feb-2016 (Exam option: 2015), updated every 5 years.
• Number of questions: 75
• Open book: Yes (Unrestricted material)
• Exam duration: 1 hr – ESL (1 hr, 15 mins)
• Passing score: 42/75 (56%)
• Time / question: 48 secs – ESL (1 min)
• Cost: 400$ Exam + 160$ Membership + Course fees
• Validity duration / Expiry: 2 years (20 Educational Units CEU to renew, blogging, publishing articles, presenting).
• Exam availability: 24/7
• Exam location: Home / Authorized Training organization.

Training courses

On Oct-2020, I have checked all approved Training Organizations. I have made a quick comparison based on available information on these companies website:

Course / Link	Cost	Duration	Notes
baachuscribble	161 USD	12 hours / 1 - 2 weeks	Lifetime access. Includes 200+ sample practice questions. Opportunity for money back with WOW2K program. Found some youtube videos about APMP Very responsive in email's reply.
Bidcraft	360 USD
thebidtoolkit	307 USD	4 hours / on demand
sixfold	602 - 712 USD	1 full day training	Includes exam fee. Seems they are confident to sit for the exam in the same day after you finish the training. Includes Study guide. Includes glossary. Include quick reference guide.

I have selected baachuscribble from the above list based on the notes mentioned above and reasonable course price.

Study plan

I will recommend you start by answering the free sample exam, and select "APMP Foundation" before studying to understand how the exam looks like. 

I'm sharing with my MS project study plan to achieve both certifications in less than 2 weeks of study (Study time 20 hours / week ). If you don't have MS project, here is a link for Excel sheet having the same information. You can use it as a base for your study schedule.

Exam registration

1. Register on the apmp website. Offer 15 months for 12 months price 160$ (PayPal).

2. Register in course from WOW2K link.

3. Register in course from Baachuscribble link. Price 153$ (VISA, MasterCard, American Express). Your will find two courses:

• APMP Foundation Level Certification.
• APMP Foundation Practice and Revision.

4. Booking the exam on website

• Language: English.
• APMP Foundation (2015).
• Enter last name, and APMP membership id so exam fee is 400$ (Without membership 600$).
• If you didn’t register, you will need to register in this site. Fill your data.
• Is exam in a second language? Yes (This will add an extra checkmark in same page that you won’t be able able to book your exam until APMG confirm your request by contacting you).
• Click “Pay by card”.
• Enter information and card details.
• Gives you a booking reference with a validity of 1 year & sent by email (Login information will be sent within 24 hours unless further information is required as ESL).

5. Within 1 day, I received an email to register on the exam website after filling:

• Personal information
• Employer
• Industry
• Communication preference
• Name appearance on certificate First, Middle, Last.
• Data protection.
• Confirm declaration about entered data is correct.
• After this step, you are ready for an online exam at any time.
• I received a receipt for purchase after 4 days.

Exam tips

• The exam can be scheduled anytime, I prefer to have it during vacation or before work.
• Pick a quiet time to test.
• Disable notification from your PC (Windows Focus Assist).
• Silent Smartphone, no vibration, screen facing down.
• Avoid conducting the test from your work network and use your home network.
• Fully charged laptop not PC & connected to an electrical outlet.
• Test your internet connection & have a backup connection up & running for an easy switch (Mobile Hotspot and set as a metered connection on your laptop).
• Use Chrome browser.
• Have Study guide, APMP Glossary website for quick reference, but use it as last resort as no time will be available in the exam.
• Have google translate opened or its plugin installed to your browser.
• Have the APMP tracking sheet printed per exam attempt.

References

APMP Certification Program

Frequently Asked Questions for the APMP Accreditation Program