PRINCE2™ is a process-based approach for project management providing an easily tailored and scaleable method for the management of all types of projects.
On this page we describe the format of the new Prince2 exams offered at silicon beach training, complete with examples.
There is negative marking in the new objective Prince2 Practitioner exam, negative marks will vary between 1/2 and 2 negative marks. Negative marking means that if a person chooses an option that is incorrect that individual is marked down.
Each Prince2 examination comprises 9 questions randomly selected from the following 12 topics:
The number of item types varies per question and marks vary depending on the topic.
Classic multiple choice questions consists of two basic parts: a question and a list of possible solutions. For example:
Who is responsible for communication to the outside world?
This is an objective question that could be yes/no, true/false or any combination that only has two options. For example:
Project managers must conduct regular meetings with the project board:
True or False?
This is when a question is posed that includes a list of possible options. The candidate must choose multiple responses (a pre-determined number that is more than one) which match the question. For example:
Identify 3 of the following statements that accurately describe the role of the Project Manager:
The list in column 1 must be matched to the list in column 2. Items in column 2 can be used multiple times or not at all. For example:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| This plan is mandatory | Project Plan |
| This plan is used by the Project Manager to Manage day-to day activities | Stage Plan |
| This plan is prepared at the same time as the Stage Plan | Exception Plan |
| This plan is never updated by the project manager | Team Plan |
| The Project Manager approves this plan |
Used to test the sequence of activities (note: not just the sequence of processes), this question uses two different formats, one similar to the matching question above, where column 2 could be ‘first, second, third, relevant and not relevant’ and a second format where proposed sequences are provided in a multiple choice format, for example:
A Team manager discovers that the cost of an item within her Work Package is going to exceed the budget allocated, exceeding Work Package tolerances. Further analysis by the Project Manager suggests this will also impact stage tolerances. Using the following activities choose a sequence that is most appropriate.
Activities
a) 1,2,4,3,5
b) 2,1,4,5,3
c) 2,1,3,4,5
d) 2,1,4,3,5
e) 2,1,3,5,4
f) 2,1,5,4,3
This is a type of objective question that combines multiple choice with yes/no questions. It is claimed that they are an excellent predictor for performance in essay style exams. Like classical multiple choice questions the candidate is presented with a number of possible solutions, however they also include a true/false element.
Each item includes two statements, an assertion and a reason that are linked with the word ‘because’. First the candidate must determine if the assertion is true or false, then whether the reason is true or false. If one or both of the statements is false then the answer will be c, d, or e. If both statements are considered to be true then a third step is required to determine if the second statements is an accurate explanation for the first.
This means that those questions with an answer of a and b are more difficult than those that have an answer of c,d or e. For example:
| Assertion | Reason | |
|---|---|---|
| When making a choice about when to escalate an issue to the Project Manager the Team Manager should look at the impact the issue has on Work Package tolerances. | because | The Project Manager is responsible for the stage delivering products on time and on budget. |
| At the end of the current stage the Project Manager begins to plan for the next stage, the Team Manager is also involved in planning at this point in the project. | because | Team plans are prepared in parallel to the stage plans. |
Options:
| Selection | Assertion | Reason | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | True | True | Correct reason |
| b | True | True | Incorrect reason |
| c | True | False | |
| d | False | True | |
| e | False | False |
Reasons include:
Actual standards will not be altered however there may initially be a perceived reduction in quality of the assessment procedure. The APMG may arrive with a new level of Prince2 certification that will evaluate people’s ability on actual projects in work environments.
There is a perceived view that multiple choice (objective) exams are easier than essay style exams. Although this might not be a true reflection of the situation we expect that there will no doubt be a two-class system for the foreseeable future of those people who sat the ‘original Prince2 Practitioner exam’ and those who sat the ‘Multiple choice Prince2 Practitioner exam’
A feedback report will give the candidate advice as to how well they performed in the exam. We are unsure if feedback report will be provided to people who pass and people who fail the Prince2 exam - currently for long-answer (essay-style) exams only those who fail receive feedback, usually via the trainer.
Each Prince2 exam tests different levels of knowledge:
We suggest that if you intend on sitting an objective Prince2 examination after receiving training geared towards the essay-style exam you seek additional training to give you the best opportunity to pass. It may, at first glance, look easy however objective exams are more difficult than they seem. There is a different approach to sitting the objective examinations, it includes understanding how the different questions work and understanding how to apply the PRINCE2 method to a scenario while extracting the correct information to answer a question.
The APMG have carried out trials across the country over the last few months and had numerous training days with all PRINCE2 certified trainers to take account of their input and feedback.
We have been told that there will not be a change in the number of people passing the Prince2 exams.
Chaos. The world will come to an end. The project is being run by the APM Group - who certify people in PRINCE2, they have the best tools available to them. They are not performing an activity that has not been done before, the chances of failure are low and success is high - contact them if you are concerned that they will not work and log an issue in their issue log.
It is anticipated that this may be approximately 6 - 8 weeks. However, this may shorten as time passes.
Yes - the Prince2 certificates are not expected to change, they will be issued approximately 12 weeks after sitting the exam.
There will be no change in the look of the Prince2 certificates.
It is expected that there will be a database of questions (similar to the Prince2 Foundation exam) which are sourced randomly and make up the 9 questions.
There will be no change in price, although Prince2 examinations are a large portion of the cost for an exam the additional cost of rewriting material and changing processes will not result in any decrease nor increase in price.
You will have the option to sit the long-answer (essay) style Prince2 exam until the end of October 2007 at silicon beach training.
silicon beach training, will be offering the new Prince2 exam format from November and by January 1st 2008, all Accredited Training Organisations have to offer the objective examinations.
The objective Prince2 exam will remain as 3 hours long, the number of separate questions will increase from 3 to 9 questions, each scheduled to take 20 minutes.
For more information see the question “What is the exact format of the Prince2 exam?”
There will be no reading time allowed.
Only the official OGC title: Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 can be taken into the exam. No written notes nor additional training provider material can be taken into the exam.
You will receive a question booklet, an answer booklet and a pencil (including eraser).
You can remove your mark on the answer booklet (using eraser) and then select your answer again.
This is a 3 day Prince 2 Foundation course. The training will provide you with an understanding of PRINCE2 principals and it's approach. This training course should equip you to apply the method to your own working environment. The Prince2 Foundation course will prepare you for the Prince2 Foundation examination that is taken at the end of the third day.
This 5 day Prince2 Practitioner course is designed to provide clients with a detailed understanding of the PRINCE2 approach and the ability to apply the method to your their working environment. The Prince2 Practitioner training course prepares delegates for the practitioner examination.
This is a 2 day Practitioner workshop course is designed to provide you with a detailed understanding of the Objective Practitioner Examination.It is suitable for delegates who have completed a PRINCE2 foundation course and wish to upgrade to a PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification. This will be achieved by a working through a sample paper covering 11 topics designed to prepare you for the practitioner examination.