Question 1 - Set up

In this lesson

1. 0:00 APM Specimen Exam Debrief Introduction
2. 0:39 Understanding the Requirements and Professional Marks
3. 3:02 Analysis, Evaluation and Scepticism Explained
4. 5:31 Section A Question One: CSF and KPI Framework
5. 7:06 Justifying Critical Success Factors Changes
6. 9:40 Recommending Key Performance Indicators
7. 11:03 Value for Money: Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness
8. 13:58 League Tables and Benchmarking Evaluation
9. 15:32 Managing Stakeholder Reactions and Behavioural Impact

About this lesson

The session breaks down the requirements systematically, showing you how to identify and allocate marks across different sections, spot where professional marks for communication, analysis, evaluation, scepticism and commercial acumen come from, and plan your answer strategy before you start writing. You'll work through three main requirements: developing critical success factors and key performance indicators for a police force, evaluating value for money using the three E's (economy, efficiency, effectiveness), and assessing the use of international league tables for performance benchmarking. The tutor demonstrates how to extract key information from exhibits, recognise theory marks worth claiming through definitions, and balance breadth of argument (analysis) with depth of reasoning (evaluation) to build a strong response. A key insight throughout is the importance of attempting all questions rather than aiming for perfection on any single one. You'll see how to estimate mark allocation, identify low-hanging fruit marks, and plan your time effectively across the exam. The session also emphasises the value of scepticism—questioning whether proposed measures like international benchmarking will actually work in context, considering stakeholder reactions (particularly the police union), and recognising unintended consequences of performance targets. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for tackling complex, scenario-based questions in APM, with practical guidance on structuring your answer plan before writing.

Duration: 18m