| The PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam tests | | | | There are three main question types: |
| understanding of the PRINCE2 terminology and | | | | Multiple Choice, True/False and Multiple Response |
| principles, as well as the ability to apply, analyse | | | | (select the correct answer(s) from a range of |
| and evaluate the PRINCE2 method within given | | | | possible responses) |
| project situations. It is aimed at those who aspire | | | | Matching and Sequencing (determine the |
| to, or already have, responsibility for project | | | | relationship between items, by placing them in |
| management. | | | | sequence, or linking the items in two lists) |
| The Exam Structure | | | | Assertion/reason questions |
| 9 topics, each focusing on one of the 11 syllabus | | | | The Assertion/reason questions are most difficult. |
| areas (these are: the 8 PRINCE2 components; the | | | | These consist of two statements, one of which is |
| PRINCE2 process model; Product-based Planning | | | | referred to as an “Assertion”, and the |
| technique; the PRINCE2 Quality Review technique) | | | | other as a “Reason”. The candidate must |
| 40 marks per topic | | | | determine whether either or both of these |
| 50% pass-mark (180/360 total marks) | | | | statements is accurate. If both are accurate, then |
| 3 hour exam | | | | the candidate must decide whether the |
| An annotated copy of the PRINCE2 manual, | | | | “Reason” is an accurate explanation for |
| annotated by the candidate, is allowed to be | | | | the “Assertion”. |
| taken into the exam. No other study materials or | | | | Assertion/reason questions carry three marks, |
| revision notes are allowed. | | | | but partially-correct answers receive nothing. It is |
| The exam paper contains a Scenario Booklet, | | | | therefore important to consider carefully each |
| which describes a case study, including information | | | | element of the question. It is perfectly possible |
| about the candidate’s role (appropriate to the | | | | for the “Assertion” to be incorrect, but |
| level expected of a recently-qualified PRINCE2 | | | | for the “Reason” to be an accurate |
| Practitioner), and the history and status of the | | | | statement. |
| project. | | | | Revision Strategy |
| The Competencies | | | | While you are allowed to refer to the PRINCE2 |
| Each topic is made of up sub-sections, which are | | | | manual during the examination, relying on this for |
| intended to examine different competencies. | | | | basic knowledge may waste time that could be |
| Knowledge | | | | spent considering more difficult questions. If you |
| (familiarity with key terms and principles of the | | | | scored highly in the Foundation Exam then you |
| PRINCE2 method) | | | | should have the core understanding necessary for |
| Comprehension | | | | applying the PRINCE2 method at Practitioner level. |
| (undertanding of the material, demonstrated | | | | Even so, it is a good idea to revise the PRINCE2 |
| through the ability to interpret the key terms and | | | | method thoroughly in advance. |
| principles in one’s own words) | | | | Exam Strategy |
| Application | | | | Read the Scenario Booklet carefully before |
| (use of the key terms and principles of the | | | | starting the exam, and try to identify the |
| PRINCE2 method within a particular project | | | | elements of the PRINCE2 method that have been |
| situation) | | | | applied to the project. Keep an eye out for flaws |
| Analysis | | | | in its application. |
| (the ability to break down the PRINCE2 method | | | | It is easy to assume that timing is not an issue |
| into its component parts, to explain the | | | | when the exam is 3 hours long. However, the 360 |
| relationships between these parts. Typical | | | | marks available allow only 30 seconds per mark. A |
| questions ask the candidate to identify errors in | | | | question worth six marks, therefore, should take |
| the application of the PRINCE2 method to a given | | | | approximately three minutes, while a question |
| situation) | | | | worth two marks should take only one minute. |
| Evaluation | | | | It is a good idea to read through the entire paper |
| (critiquing or justifying the application of the | | | | first, then to attempt the simpler questions, and |
| PRINCE2 method in a given situation) | | | | finally to go back to the more difficult. This |
| These competencies, and their corresponding | | | | ensures that easy marks are not lost by |
| sub-sections, are ranked according to difficulty | | | | mis-estimation of the time available. |
| (with “Knowledge” as easiest and | | | | There is no negative marking in this exam, so |
| “Evaluation” as most difficult). The | | | | answer every question, even if you are uncertain |
| proportion of marks available for each question, | | | | of your answer. |
| indicated at the start of the sub-section, reflect | | | | The PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam has an 88% |
| this increasing complexity. A maximum of 30% is | | | | pass-rate. Geared towards a higher level of |
| awarded for sub-sections testing knowledge and | | | | understanding and competence than the |
| comprehension. It is therefore impossible to pass | | | | Foundation Exam, it is a rigorous test of practical |
| the Practitioner Exam without demonstrating the | | | | analytical abilities. These can be honed and best |
| ability to apply, analyse and evaluate the PRINCE2 | | | | applied by working through practice questions, and |
| method. | | | | by considering the internal structure and the |
| The Questions | | | | application of the PRINCE2 method in detail. |