Exam and Study Options

Study Options

Different ways to prepare for certification.

Take a Training Course

All training providers listed on our website are accredited. These organisations have undergone a rigorous assessment and take part in ongoing reviews to ensure consistent, high-quality training. You can view which training providers offer each course on our certification pages.

Self-Study

For the most comprehensive learning experience, we recommend attending an accredited training course. However, if this is not practical, candidates can purchase the exam and study independently. Relevant handbooks for some certifications are available to buy through the APMG Store.

Explore our full portfolio of certifications to see which ones offer a self-study option.

Practice with Sample Exams

Free online test papers are also available which provide you an instant pass or fail score.

Sample exams are designed to help candidates become familiar with the format, layout, and process of sitting an online exam. They do not cover all possible topics or represent the full range of content found in live exam questions.

For the best preparation, we recommend focusing on the official manual and the course materials provided by your training organization — these are the primary sources from which exam content is drawn.

Exam Options

Take your Exam through an Accredited Training Organization

Candidates may take their certification exam after completing a course with a Training Provider. If you prefer a trainer-led study option, explore available Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs ) that are qualified to deliver your selected certification.

Candidates are encouraged to confirm with ATOs how to schedule their exams and what to expect on the day. If you have taken training through an Accredited Training Organization, please contact them directly for exam details.

If you prefer a classroom or paper-based exam, the best option is to choose an ATO as some offer these formats as part of their training courses.

Self-Study Exam

You can purchase a self-study exam on our Public Exam Portal. Once purchased, you can schedule your exam at any time before the expiry date.

We facilitate online proctoring through ProctorU, which allows you to take your certification exam at a time that suits you.

We recommend that all self-study candidates first review and confirm that they meet the following requirements before scheduling:

A computer with a webcam, microphone, and high-speed internet connection.
A wired connection is highly recommended as wireless connections can cause problems during the exam.
Paper notes are not permitted. A whiteboard can be used to take notes during the exam but will need to be wiped clean at the end of the session.
Candidates should be aware that if any part of the pre-examination criteria is not performed correctly, the exam will automatically receive a breach result.

You will receive a registration email to schedule an appointment with your live proctor via our Candidate Portal.

The proctor will request limited remote access to your computer to monitor your screen for the duration of your exam. Additionally, they will ask you to switch on your camera and microphone to monitor the exam environment.

After completing your certification exam, you can expect your exam results to be released within 48 hours.

Candidates who sign up to take their certification exam through ProctorU will need to download and install the Guardian Browser.

Please note, this may require local administrator permissions on your computer if you are using a work laptop.
If you decide to use a work device which is ultimately incompatible with ProctorU (you cannot pre-test all variables) you will need to pay a rescheduling fee.

What is a Proctor?

Similarly to a classroom setting, a proctor is a professional invigilator who monitors those taking their certification exam. For virtual settings, proctors fulfil this duty by monitoring candidates via webcam, allowing you to take your exam in whichever place is most convenient to you.

All APMG certifications require candidates take their exam with a proctor present to ensure the integrity of exam results.

Virtual Exam with an APMG Invigilator

You can schedule a virtual exam with an APMG Invigilator. Please note that there is limited availability during business hours.

Similarly to using ProctorU, candidates will need to create a login for the candidate portal, review exam guidelines , and test their equipment before taking the exam.

What’s the difference between taking my exam with ProctorU and doing so with an APMG Invigilator?

For individuals who are unable to schedule with ProctorU, APMG provides in-person proctoring (AIPP) as an alternative.

For instance, if you work for the public sector or an organization that requires high levels of digital security, you may face restrictions that prevent you from installing the Guardian Browser on your device.

Alternatively, many professionals choose to use a personal computer, making it easier to access the online portal and meet ProctorU requirements.

Exam Assistance

Learn who to contact in the event of technical difficulties.

APMG International provides a dedicated 24/7 Technical Helpdesk which is available to support you at any stage of your exam.

You can reach the APMG Helpdesk through the Live Chat feature located in the bottom right-hand corner of the Candidate Portal— simply click the blue icon to start a chat. If agents are temporarily unavailable, leave us a message and a member of our support team will respond as soon as possible.

When connected to ProctorU, their team offers its own Live Chat feature and will provide technical support if needed.

If you require additional assistance beyond what ProctorU provides, please contact the APMG Technical Helpdesk for further support. If your query is urgent, please call +44 (0) 1494 452450 to contact your closest APMG regional office.