PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a de-facto standard for project management in the United Kingdom and is practiced worldwide. It is a process-based method that offers non-proprietorial guidance for project management.

Though used extensively by the UK Government, an increasing number of private sector firms in UK and international ones, are recognizing PRINCE2 as a useful project management standard. This increased recognition has led to a spur in the number of aspirants taking up the examination. Here’s a guide to assist you in taking the entire certification process.

PRINCE2 Qualifications

PRINCE2 certification program is divided into three modules (examinations) namely: Foundation, Practitioner, and Professional.

Foundation

The PRINCE2 Foundation qualification teaches the basics of the project management environment like principles, terminologies, processes etc. A qualified individual can work as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2 environment.

There are no pre-requisites for taking up this examination. However, to enroll for the Practitioner examination, one needs to be Foundation qualified.

Practitioner

The Practitioner qualification focuses on application of PRINCE2 basics to running and managing projects within a PRINCE2 environment. Once qualified, the individual can work in leading positions in projects within the said environment.

In order to take up the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination, one must submit proof of having passed one of the following:

- PRINCE2 Foundation
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
- IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director)
- IPMA Level B® (Certified Senior Project Manager)
- IPMA Level C® (Certified Project Manager)
- IPMA Level D® (Certified Project Management Associate)

Professional

The Professional qualification is the next step for PRINCE2 practitioners. This qualification shows your expertise in PRINCE2 method and will test your ability to manage a non-complex PRINCE2 project lifecycle.
In order to take up this qualification, it is mandatory to have a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification. The candidates should have experience in managing non-complex projects or should be a team member of a more complex project.

Examination Format

PRINCE2 examinations can be taken either:

- At the PRINCE2 Accredited training provider as part of the training course.
- At a public PRINCE2 examination center
- Or Online

The PRINCE2 examination has a fixed structure and style.

Foundation ($363)

- Multiple Choice Questions
- 75 questions per paper
- 5 questions to be trial and not counted in scores
- 35 marks required to pass (out of 70 available)
- 60 minutes duration
- Closed book 

Practitioner ($ 528)

- Objective Testing
- 8 questions - 10 question items per question, each worth one mark
- 44 marks or more required to pass (out of 80 available)
- Two-and-a-half hours (150 minutes) duration, no additional reading time
- Open book exam (official PRINCE2 manual only)

Professional

- Two-and-a-half day residential Assessment Centre 
- Group activities and exercises 
- Based on a fictional project case study 
- Assessment is against 19 individual performance criteria (there is no written examination)\

Re-Registration ($413)

- Objective testing 
- Three questions - 10 items per question, each worth one mark 
- 17 marks or more required to pass (out of 30 available) - 55% 
- One hour’s (60 minutes) duration, no additional reading time 
- Open book exam (official PRINCE2 manual only)

Appearing for the Examination

Generally, the PRINCE2 accredited training institutes include examination as a part of their training course. So, the entire form filling activity is overlooked by the institute.

In case individuals have self-studied, they can check the Public exam sessions section on APMG-International website for further information. A downloadable form is available on the website that needs to be filled and returned to the Institute for reserving a place in the examination center.

Alternatively, APMG-International is able to offer the examinations at the British Council Offices located in various countries. Candidates can check the British Council Public Exam Bookings section under the Certifications tab on APMG’s website. Candidates need to choose a suitable date to take the examination and then pay the fees. After the payment of fees, the exam venue details will be communicated to candidates along with guidelines on procedures to be followed on the examination day.

Recently, the online examination format has also been established as a mode of taking the exam. Candidates need to have a webcam, a stable internet connection, and microphone. At the scheduled time, a remote web proctor will invigilate the exam live via webcam. There are a few system requirements for taking the online examination at candidate’s end.

Preparation

Though most candidates prefer self-study, it is always useful to get enrolled in a training institute for PRINCE2 preparation. APMG recommends candidates to take up a training course through an Accredited Training Organization (ATO).

The ATOs are fully accredited by the APM Group, and have undergone a thorough assessment for their management systems, course materials, and trainers, assuring the quality of the training provided.
Apart from the accreditation, these institutes also assist in the examination formalities and other related processes.

On the Exam Day

Just prior to the examination, candidates are asked to fill-in a form – in ink – where they need to fill their names and addresses. All the details (aka spellings) need to be filled correctly because this will appear on the PRINCE2 Certificate and the address is where the certificate will be received.

Candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam start time. A photo ID proof is a must for candidates taking the exam.  As there are hardly any calculations involved, there is no need to carry a calculator.

The Foundation Exam is a closed book test; however for the Practitioner Exam candidates can carry their own annotated manual. No additional support material like post it notes (except for the ones in the tabulation of the sections of the manual) or any other stapled sheets are permitted to be carried during the examination.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Re-Registration

All PRINCE2 Practitioners must re-register themselves within 3-5 calendar years of their original certification. Failure in clearing the Re-registration Examination after 5 calendar years as a Registered Practitioner will result in withdrawal of the registration status.

The re-registration qualification demonstrates your commitment towards enhancing your PRINCE2 knowledge base and focusing on professional development.

Make sure you thoroughly prepare for the examination and keep your manual handy for the Practitioner exam. All the best for your certification journey!

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