Essential Guide to Clearing PRINCE2 Examination

PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) has gained significant popularity and widespread adoption across various industries and organizations worldwide. This certification offers a comprehensive and adaptable framework tailored to suit projects of any size or complexity. This flexibility allows organizations to apply PRINCE2 principles and processes to projects, from small initiatives to large-scale endeavors.  

PRINCE2 provides a structured and standardized project management approach, promoting consistency and enhancing project control. It helps project managers plan, monitor, and deliver projects within defined parameters, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels.   

The widespread acceptability of PRINCE2 stems from its ability to improve project outcomes, enhance project governance, and provide a common language and methodology for effective project management. 

What is PRINCE2? 

PRINCE2 certification is a globally recognized credential that validates the knowledge and understanding of the PRINCE2 project management methodology. PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) is a structured approach to managing projects, widely used in various industries and sectors. 

PRINCE2 certification offers different levels, including Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation level provides a fundamental understanding of PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes. It establishes a solid foundation in project management concepts and terminology. 

The Practitioner level builds upon the Foundation level and focuses on the practical application of PRINCE2. It deepens the understanding of how to tailor and apply PRINCE2 in real-world project scenarios. The Practitioner certification requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to analyze and apply PRINCE2 principles, techniques, and processes to manage projects effectively. 

By obtaining PRINCE2 certification, individuals showcase their commitment to best practices in project management, increasing their value and credibility in the field. 

PRINCE2 Certification Levels

• Anyone with or without any project management experience can opt to learn PRINCE2 and get certified.  
• That is the reason why it has two levels of certification. The first one is PRINCE2 Foundation and the next level is PRINCE2 Practitioner. 
• On successful completion of the PRINCE2 Foundation examination, candidates will be awarded with “PRINCE2 Foundation Certificate in Project Management”.  
• A Foundation certificate is a pre-requisite to sit for the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination. On successful completion of the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination, candidates will be awarded “PRINCE2 Practitioner Certificate in Project Management”
• Certifications achieved from other governing bodies like the Association of Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI), and International Project Management Association (IPMA) on or after the 1st of July 2014 will also be considered as a valid pre-requisite to sit for PRINCE2 Practitioner exam directly. This means that such candidates need NOT sit for the Foundation examination. The list of accepted certifications is as follows:
  • PRINCE2 Foundation (or higher) - this only applies to certificates obtained after 1 January 2009 
  • Project Management Qualification (PMQ) * 
  • Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)* 
  • 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).*** 

or more information on which certifications are now recognized as approved prior learning for the PRINCE2 Practitioner certification, please refer to the guide (PDF, 265KB).

• Candidates who wish to give their PRINCE2 Practitioner exam directly should furnish their proof of achievement of the above-mentioned equivalents to Peoplecert, which is the Examination Institute (EI) authorized by Axelos --the governing body for PRINCE2. This proof is subject to verification by EI.

PRINCE2 Foundation Course & Examination: 

In the PRINCE2 Foundation course, learners will understand the following: 

• Structure and key terminologies of the PRINCE2 method 
• Characteristics and context of a project 
• Benefits of adopting PRINCE2  
• PRINCE2 principles and themes 
• Purpose, objectives and context of PRINCE2 processes 
• Purpose of PRINCE2 roles and management products 
• Tailoring PRINCE2 to organizational and project needs 
• Preparing for the PRINCE2 Foundation exam 

Learning Outcomes of PRINCE2 Foundation course: 

• Purpose and responsibilities of project roles 
• The seven principles, seven themes and seven processes 
• The importance of tailoring in PRINCE2 
• Deliverable-based planning and quality review techniques embedded in PRINCE2 
• Inputs and outputs required for successful projects 
• Purpose of all project management artifacts 
• Relationship between principles, themes, processes, products and roles within a project

Examination Format: 

• Multiple choice 
• 60 questions 
• 1 hour to complete the paper 
• Achieve 33 or more out of possible 60 marks (55%) to pass the exam 
• Closed book exam

Foundation examination tests the candidates’ ability at Knowledge and Comprehension level, which means that candidates will have to recall the terminologies/definitions and also interpret the given questions correctly. This exam is pretty simple if you are well prepared.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Course & Examination

In the PRINCE2 practitioner course, learners will understand the following: 

• Understand the relationship between: 
  • Roles 
  • Management products 
  • Principles 
  • Themes 
  • Techniques 
  • Processes 
• Apply principles, themes and processes to a project 
• Create and assess management products 
• Prepare for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam 

Examination Format: 

• Multiple choice 
• 68 questions based on a project scenario 
• 2 hours 30 minutes to complete the paper 
• Achieve 38 or more out of possible 68 marks (55%) to pass the exam 
• Open book exam. You can use “Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2” manual. 

You can order your copy of this manual from the Axelos website.

The Practitioner exam tests the candidates’ ability at Comprehension, application and analysis levels.  

• Comprehension: Understand the principles, processes, themes, project’s environment, PRINCE2 roles and responsibilities and explain how these are applied to/are involved with a project.
• Application: For a given project scenario, be able to: use the themes appropriately, create the management products, tailor the processes and themes appropriately.
• Analysis: For a given project scenario, be able to identify, analyse and distinguish between the appropriate and inappropriate use of methods through an appraisal of completed products and planned or completed project events.
• Exam Language: The PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner examination is currently available in English, German, Danish, Dutch, Polish, French and Norwegian. 

Note: If you are giving the exam in English but English is NOT your native language, you will be awarded an additional 15 minutes and 35 minutes to complete Foundation and Practitioner exams respectively. To avail this benefit, select your correct native language while creating your profile in Peoplecert’s portal while registering for the exam.

PRINCE2 Agile:

Similarly, PRINCE2 also comes with a guidance to use Agile along with its ways of working. PRINCE2 Agile® has two levels of certification (Foundation and Practitioner).

PRINCE2 Agile guidance is all about how to tailor PRINCE2 to use Agile methods into it. PRINCE2 is a neutral project management framework which can support both traditional waterfall projects as well as agile or adaptive or iterative projects.

To provide guidance on how to integrate high velocity models or practices into the existing projects for both IT and non-IT industries, PRINCE2 Agile considers Scrum, Kanban, Lean approaches. The intention is not to explain the agile frameworks in detail but to show practitioners on how to amalgamate PRINCE2 with other agile practices. PRINCE2 considers agile as a family of behaviours, concepts, frameworks and techniques.

Agile Foundation Exam: 

• Multiple choice, Objective testing 
• 50 questions 
• 1 hour to complete the paper 
• Achieve 28 or more out of possible 50 marks (55%) to pass the exam 
• Closed book exam

Agile Practitioner Exam: 

• Multiple choice, Objective testing 
• 50 questions based on the project scenario 
• 2 hours 30 minutes to complete the paper 
• Achieve 30 or more out of possible 50 marks (60%) to pass the exam 
• Open book exam. You can use the “PRINCE2 Agile® Guidance” handbook.

Preparing for Your PRINCE2 Certification 

1) Resources 

Various resources are available to support your study and exam preparation for PRINCE2 certification. Here are some commonly used PRINCE2 certification resources: 

• Official PRINCE2 Manual: The official PRINCE2 manual provides a comprehensive guide to the methodology, including principles, themes, and processes. It is a primary reference for exam preparation and understanding PRINCE2 concepts. 
• Training Courses: Accredited training providers offer PRINCE2 certification courses. These courses provide structured training, in-person or online, with experienced instructors who guide you through the PRINCE2 methodology, case studies, and exam preparation. 
• Sample Exams: Sample PRINCE2 exams are available online, which simulate the actual exam environment. These practice exams help familiarize you with the format and style of questions, assess your knowledge, and identify areas for improvement. 
• Study Guides and Books: There are several study guides and books available that provide detailed explanations, examples, and practice questions for PRINCE2 certification. These resources offer additional insights and support self-study efforts. 
• Online Resources: Numerous websites, forums, and online communities provide free resources, study materials, and discussion platforms where you can interact with fellow learners, ask questions, and access additional PRINCE2-related content. 

Remember to use accredited sources and ensure that the resources align with the most recent version of PRINCE2 to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. 

2) Courses/Certification 

There are various training courses and certifications available for PRINCE2. Here are some of the notable options: 

• PRINCE2 Foundation: This is the entry-level certification that validates a basic understanding of PRINCE2 principles, themes, and processes. It is suitable for individuals who want to gain a foundational knowledge of PRINCE2. 
• PRINCE2 Practitioner: The Practitioner certification builds upon the Foundation level and focuses on the practical application of PRINCE2. It demonstrates the ability to tailor and apply PRINCE2 principles in real-world project scenarios. 
• PRINCE2 Agile: This certification combines PRINCE2 with Agile methodologies, providing insights on how to adapt PRINCE2 for Agile project management approaches. It is ideal for professionals working in Agile environments. 
• Accredited Training Courses: Accredited training providers offer PRINCE2 courses, both in-person and online, that cover the syllabus and exam preparation. These courses provide structured learning, case studies, and interaction with experienced instructors. The PRINCE2 training course offered by KnowledgeHut is one of the most reliable and credible courses. 
• Self-Study Materials: Official PRINCE2 manuals, study guides, and online resources are available for self-study. These resources can help individuals prepare for the certification exams independently. 

How to take the PRINCE2 examination?

• A candidate can take the exam after undergoing a formal training from an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) authorized by Peoplecert or can self-learn and appear for the exam. Please visit this website to find out your nearest ATO.
• PRINCE2 examinations can be taken in 3 different modes. They are Paper Based Test, Computer Based Test and Peoplecert Online Proctored.

Paper Based Test (PBT):

• PBT exams are scheduled and conducted by the ATOs. This is also called classroom exam. 
• The ATO will book the exam on behalf of the candidate, print the question papers and OMR answer sheets and invigilate the exam. Prior to the exam, the candidates will receive an email confirmation from Peoplecert. Candidates should register for the exam. 
• This exam can be conducted at the ATO’s facility or at the training venue. 
• This provides a stress-free exam experience. 
• The ATO’s invigilation team will collect the answer sheets and question papers once the exam is over and will upload the answer scripts to the Peoplecert’s exam portal. 
• Results will be announced in two stages by Peoplecert. First you will get the Preliminary results which will just state “Pass/Fail”. The final results with score card/statement of result (SoR) and certificate will be announced within two business days from the date of preliminary results. Result notifications will be sent to the candidate’s registered email id.

Computer Based Test (CBT):

• CBT exams are scheduled and conducted by the ATOs. This is also called a classroom exam. 
• The ATO will book the exam on behalf of the candidate and invigilate the exam. Prior to the exam, the candidates will receive an email confirmation from Peoplecert. Candidates should register for the exam. 
• This exam can be conducted at ATO’s facility or at the training venue. 
• Candidates need to bring their own computers/laptops if not provided by the ATO for this exam. 
• This exam is similar to PBT, but it is conducted in CBT mode. 
• The ATO’s invigilation team will provide the candidate’s exam credentials and guide them to take the exam.   
• Preliminary results with scores are announced immediately at the end of the exam. Final results with SoR and certificate will be announced within two business days from the date of preliminary results.

Peoplecert Online Proctored (OLP):

• OLP exams are CBT proctored by Peoplecert’s invigilation team directly.  
• This can also be called an anywhere, anytime exam. This type of exam is very commonly taken by participants and has been accepted since the onset of COVID-19.  
• To appear for an OLP exam, candidates can purchase an exam voucher from an ATO or Peoplecert directly. To buy an exam from Peoplecert, please visit: https://www.peoplecert.org/browse-certifications/project-programme-and-portfolio-management/PRINCE2-2. 
• Purchased exam vouchers are normally valid for a year. But it is highly recommended to give your exam as soon as you complete your course or preparation. 
• Preliminary results with scores are announced immediately at the end of the exam. Final results with SoR and certificate will be announced within two business days from the date of preliminary results. 

Further information and guidance on the OLP exam:

• Copy and paste the voucher code or exam code into your Peoplecert login page and click on confirm -> Details of your exam will be displayed -> Check the details and once again confirm -> Now you will be allowed to choose the date/time of your exam from the calendar -> After selection, click on confirm -> Now you will receive a notification and email about the exam confirmation. 
• To take the OLP exam, you need to install “Exam Shield”. After booking your exam, you will get notified to install this software. You can check if you are able to install it in your computer. If you are using an official/company laptop or desktop, there are chances that your firewall will block the installation. Please contact your Information Security team in such cases. Else you can opt to use your personal laptop or desktop. 
• Exam Shield will verify if your microphone, webcam, system configuration, power backup and network connectivity support the exam. Please fix the issues (if any) before the exam.  
• On the day of the exam, you will be able to log in 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the exam -> Keep 1 or 2 government/national photo ID proofs handy -> Run the exam shield -> Wait for the system check to complete -> Show your ID proof in front of the camera and snapshot it -> System will connect you to the proctor -> Proctor validates the credentials -> Proctor will request the candidate to swivel and show a 360-degree view of the room -> Proctor will allow the candidate to Start the exam. 
• Ensure you are very well prepared for the exam. No one else other than you should be in the exam room. No paper/pen can be used for the Foundation exam. You can use PRINCE2 Manual for the Practitioner exam. You cannot minimize the exam window till the exam is over. The Exam gets completed only when you hit on the Submit button.  
• For the Practitioner exam, a scenario booklet will be available within the exam tool.  
• In case of internet issues, don’t panic; you will be able to restore and continue from where you left the exam. Please contact Peoplecert in such scenarios.  
• Peoplecert Proctor has all the rights to revoke your exam in case of malpractices identified.

Achieve project management mastery with our top-rated online PRINCE2 training. Our comprehensive course provides the knowledge and certification necessary to succeed in the industry. Enroll today and unlock your potential for success!

Tips to pass the Prince2 exam 

To increase your chances of passing the PRINCE2 exam: 

• Understand the PRINCE2 methodology. 
• Study the official PRINCE2 manual. 
• Take practice exams. 
• Attend training courses or workshops. 
• Create study notes. 
• Join study groups or discussion forums. 
• Manage your time effectively. 
• Read exam questions carefully. 
• Practice scenario-based questions. 
• Stay calm and confident during the exam. 

How to Maintain my PRINCE2 Certification?

• PRINCE2 Foundation certification doesn’t require renewal, which means that holders are certified for life. 
• Whereas Practitioner certification has 3 years of validity and has to be renewed at the end of 3 years. 
• Axelos maintains a “Successful Candidates Register” (SCR). Peoplecert updates the SCR from time to time. Within 30 to 60 days after receiving the Practitioner certificate, a candidate will be notified through an email to avail of one year of free subscription from Axelos.  
• Once a free subscription is activated, you will be eligible to clock 20 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units. This is very similar to PMI’s Professional Development Units (PDUs).  
• CPDs can be logged broadly under four categories such as Professional Experience, Training and Qualification, Community Participation and Self-Study. This can be attained by attending any training, delivering training, taking part in volunteering activities, learning new content from any portals like KnowledgeHut, LinkedIn learning etc., taking part in project activities, attending any seminars/webinars or accessing white papers, case studies or videos on the Axelos website. 
• Once 20 CPDs are logged, one can claim the digital badge. The digital badge is a way to display one’s professional credentials. A digital badge is valid only for one year.  
• To renew the digital badge, £50 + VAT needs to be paid to Axelos. This will reset the CPD counter to Zero. This enables the practitioner to log 20 CPDs and claim the digital badge. This cycle can continue.  
• I suggest that successful candidates should avail of the free subscription and clock 20 CPDs. For example, if your practitioner certification expires by 10th March 2023, claim your digital badge on 9th March 2023. This will enable you to retain your certification through Mar 2024. After that, you can pay the subscription charges and continue to maintain your credentials. 
• If you don’t want to get into the subscription model, you can resit for another exam after 3 years. 
• For more details about subscription, CPD & digital badge, please visit https://www.axelos.com/my-axelos/my-prince2. 

Benefits of Subscription

• Subscribers can get access to a wide range of project templates, white papers, tutorials, software, webinar series, pocketbooks, job profiles and much more. 
• You can share/gain knowledge with other project practitioners. 
• Network and engage with professionals and global experts.

Some additional information

• Certified PRINCE2 Practitioners (in the 2009 version) can re-sit for an exam based on the 2017 or 6th edition and get into the subscription model.  
• Certified PRINCE2 Foundation professionals (in the 2009 version) can directly appear for the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam (6th edition). 
• You can also buy subscriptions through Peoplecert. 
• The cost of PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner training + exam cost in India will range between INR 40,000 to 50,000. The cost of training and exam will vary according to your geography and mode of exam. OLP exams are costlier than PBT and CBT. 

Conclusion

Skills always matter in any job role. PRINCE2 certifications improve your position in the job market and career progression within project and program management. PRINCE2 helps organizations to support business outcomes, show value for money, continually improve, manage risks in line with business needs, optimize customer experience and enable business change.  

Some key benefits PRINCE2 brings to enterprises and individual practitioners are improved delivery confidence, uniform best practices, support cross-functional working, delivering what business needs, customer focus, scalability, adaptability and flexible control.