How to Prepare for PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam

Are you gearing up for the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and Practitioner Course? Or you may have already completed the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification and are looking to further enhance your project management toolkit. The PRINCE2 methodology, celebrated for its flexibility and structure, remains a top choice for professionals tackling projects in diverse environments. But what exactly does it take to excel in these certifications? Let’s discuss how to prepare effectively for PRINCE2 Practitioner exam.

Understand the Exam Structure and Format

Knowing the configuration of this exam is the main requirement for successfully acquiring a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification. It is an MCQ exam with 68 questions and a time allocation of 150 minutes (2.5 hours). To pass the exam, one has to get at least 38 correctly out of the 68, which is 55 percent.

All the multiple-choice questions in the exam are basically about a project scenario. You are required to apply the PRINCE2 concepts when answering these questions. The questions check your knowledge about the essentials of managing and applying PRINCE2 in a variety of project conditions. To do so, you should familiarise yourself with the format and organise your time properly during the exam.

Get the Official PRINCE2 Manual

The official manual candidates may use to study for both the Foundation and Practitioner levels is titled Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2. The manual will offer a clear and comprehensive insight into the PRINCE2 methodology, especially regarding its principles, themes, processes, and techniques. It’s important to use most recent edition as the questions in the exam are derived from it.

Since the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam is open book, you can refer to the handbook while taking it. But there will not be enough time to thoroughly search for the answers. Therefore, you must be familiar with the main sections and layout of the manual. For quick reference during the exam, highlight significant sections, use sticky notes, and compile an index of crucial subjects.

Understand the PRINCE2 Themes, Principles, and Processes

To pass the test, you must have a firm grasp of the seven PRINCE2 processes, seven themes, and seven principles. You should understand these components and how they are used together in a project.

• Principles: The project charter outlines the seven PRINCE2 project management best practices and guiding standards. Understand how the PRINCE2 methodology is built upon these concepts.
• Themes: Seven themes need to be consistently addressed while managing a project throughout its lifecycle. Recognise each topic’s significance, goal, and integration within the processes.
• Processes: Project management’s direction and delivery are outlined in its seven processes. Pay attention to each process’s roles in effective project management and how they interact.

Understanding how to tailor these elements to different project scenarios is vital for the Practitioner level.

Take a PRINCE2 Practitioner Training Course

Although you can study independently, pursuing a recognised PRINCE2 Practitioner training course can greatly improve your chances of passing the test the first time around. A well organised training programme with knowledgeable teachers can cover the PRINCE2 methodology in detail, offer practical examples, and offer advice on tackling test questions. Courses frequently feature interactive sessions, quizzes, and practice tests to support your learning.

Additionally, training providers can offer helpful ideas and methods for handling challenging questions, managing time, and identifying typical exam traps to avoid.

Practice with Sample Papers and Mock Exams

Using sample papers and mock tests is one of the best ways to prepare for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam. Doing this will make you more acclimated to the exams format, intricacy, and question type. You’ll be able to better manage your time throughout the exam by practising in a timed environment.

Examine your responses after finishing each mock exam to see where you made mistakes and where you need to make improvements. You will have a deeper grasp of using PRINCE2 procedures and principles in various settings if you concentrate on comprehending the reasoning behind each response.

Learn to Manage Your Time During the Exam

Time management is essential for passing the PRINCE2 Practitioner test. You have 150 minutes to respond to 68 questions or around 2 minutes for each question. Pacing oneself is key because some questions will be more complex and take longer to answer.

• Read the Scenario Carefully: Exam questions are based on a project scenario that offers context; please read the scenario carefully. Ensure you thoroughly read and comprehend all its contents before responding to the questions.
• Use Your Time Wisely: If a question stumps you, move on and return to it later. To maximise your score, prioritise answering questions you are confident about.
• Examine Your Responses: If you have time, review your responses to ensure you haven’t misunderstood any questions or made any mistakes that could have been prevented.

Understand the Tailoring Aspect of PRINCE2

Adapting the PRINCE2 methodology to fit various project circumstances is crucial to the PRINCE2 Practitioner test. This entails knowing which themes, procedures, and guiding principles to use, how to modify them, and when to make exceptions.

Examine actual case studies of project management where PRINCE2 has been modified and comprehend the reasoning behind these choices. This will assist you in responding to questions that assess your capacity to modify PRINCE2 for various project scenarios.

Conclusion

A comprehensive preparation plan, comprehension of the PRINCE2 methodology, and efficient exam strategies are necessary for passing the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam on the first try. You will be well prepared to succeed if you adhere to the blog guidelines. Remember that mastering PRINCE2 with The Knowledge Academy will help you pass the exam successfully.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff Chief editor

Bernard Van Isacker is the Chief Editor of Side-Line Magazine. With a career spanning more than two decades, Van Isacker has established himself as a respected figure in the darkwave scene.

See Full Bio

industrial music electronic body music electropop new wave post-punk

Since you’re here …

… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.

If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.

The donations are safely powered by Paypal.

• donate monthly
• donate once only

Select a Donation Option (USD)

$5 $10 $15 Other

Enter Donation Amount (USD)