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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs regarding the Best Management Practice (BMP) portfolio in general can be viewed here.

PRINCE2 FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is PRINCE2?

    PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method based on experience drawn from thousands of projects - and from the contributions of countless project sponsors, Project Managers, project teams, academics, trainers and consultants.

    PRINCE2 is a non-proprietary method and has emerged worldwide as one of the most widely accepted methods for managing projects. This is largely due to the fact that PRINCE2 is truly generic – it can be applied to any project regardless of project scale, type, organization, geography or culture.

    PRINCE2 achieves this by isolating the management aspects of project work from the specialist contributions, such as design, construction etc. The specialist aspects of any type of project are easily integrated with the PRINCE2 method and, used alongside PRINCE2, provide a secure overall framework for the project work.

    Because PRINCE2 is generic and based on proven principles, organizations adopting the method as a standard can substantially improve their organizational capability and maturity across multiple areas of business activity - business change, construction, IT, mergers and acquisitions, research, product development and so on.

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  • How can I train for the PRINCE2 examinations?

    Training for PRINCE2 is available from the network of Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) who are assessed and certified by APMG-International. The full list of PRINCE2 ATOs can be found here.

    Only these organizations and registered partners/affiliates are authorized to deliver PRINCE2 training.

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  • Do I have to receive training to sit the exam?

    No, however this is recommended. In addition to receiving accredited training, individuals also have the option of self-study to prepare for the examinations. APMG-International administer public exam sessions around the world to accommodate those who self study.

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  • How do I sit the exams?

    The vast majority of PRINCE2 accredited training organizations include the examinations as part of the associated training course. Alternatively, and for individuals that have self-studied, APMG-International administer public exam sessions around the world. Sessions are run at certain APMG-International offices. There are four dedicated centers in the UK for public examinations, and in the United States we utilize the public library network to facilitate sessions. In countries where an APMG-International office is yet to be established, exam sessions are organized at British Council offices. Information on whether exams are offered in your area can be found at www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/who-we-are/our-locations-around-the-world/.

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  • How much does it cost to sit the PRINCE2 examinations?

    If you are sitting the examinations through an accredited training organization, the costs of the exams are generally included in the course fee. APMG-International use a global pricing structure, so for those sitting exams at a public exam centre, the cost is dependent on where the exams are being sat. To find out the cost in your region, please contact the PRINCE2 Service Desk on +44 (0)1494 458 948 or at servicedesk@apmgroupltd.com.

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  • Are there any pre-requisites for the PRINCE2 examinations?

    There are no pre-requisites for the foundation examination. Candidates must achieve a pass at foundation level before completing the practitioner examination.

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  • What are the main publications for PRINCE2 and where can I purchase them?

    PRINCE2 has one main manual supporting the qualification scheme, published by The Stationary Office, called “Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 - 2009 Edition”. This can be purchased from the Best Management Practice Publications Library.

    Most PRINCE2 accredited training organizations include the PRINCE2 manual as part of the course fee.

    Also available from Best Management Practice's Publications Library is “Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2” – an official PRINCE2 publications designed to be a role specific handbook for senior managers and project board members.

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  • Which languages are PRINCE2 examinations available in?

    Information on the available exam languages for PRINCE2 can be viewed on the "Examination Languages" page on this site.

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  • Which languages are the PRINCE2 manual available in?

    The “Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2 - 2009 Edition” manual is currently available in:

    • English
    • Danish
    • Dutch
    • German
    • Polish
    • French
    • Spanish
    • Mandarin Chinese
    • Norwegian

    Further translations are in progress / under consideration.

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  • How long will it take to learn the PRINCE2 material?

    For individuals self-studying it is almost impossible to say. As all candidates have different experience and amount of time available for study, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the manual and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning.

    For those studying with an accredited training organization, foundation courses are generally delivered over 3 days, while combined foundation and practitioner courses are generally delivered over 5 days. It is well worth investigating with individual providers, as many will offer tailored and blended learning solutions.

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  • What is the structure of the PRINCE2 examinations?

    Information on the format of the PRINCE2 exams can be viewed here.

    Information on the Re-Registration Examination can be found here.

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  • How long are the PRINCE2 qualifications valid for?

    The foundation examination is not valid for a defined period and will not expire. Candidates who pass the practitioner exam are recognized as a “PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner”. Individuals will remain registered for a period of 5 years. To maintain the registered status, practitioners must complete and pass a PRINCE2 re-registration examination 3-5 years following their initial/previous practitioner certification.

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  • Please can you give me more details on the PRINCE2 re-registration exam?

    A Summary of the structure of the PRINCE2 Re-Registration can be viewed here.

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  • How do I sit the re-registration exam?

    The examination can either be taken privately or through an accredited training organization. If you decide to take the exam through an ATO then they will offer you a refresher course on PRINCE2 and provide you with the examination at the end of this. Details of all PRINCE2 ATOs can be found here.

    You can also take the examination without attending a course through our on-line examination facility. To do this, we recommend that you refresh your memory of PRINCE2 by ensuring that you have the current version of the PRINCE2 manual and re-reading this. You can then log on to our examination site at www.apmg-exams.com, select the 'PRINCE2 Re-Registration' option and follow the instructions on screen to pay for and take the exam.

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  • When can I expect the results of my PRINCE2 Examinations?

    PRINCE2 foundation examinations can be marked on location with provisional results provided immediately after marking. Practitioner answer sheets are marked at APMG-International offices and results released soon after.

    If you have taken your exam via an ATO, practitioner results are sent by the relevant APMG-International office directly to ATOs within 48 hours. Your ATO should notify you of your results so please contact them for further details regarding this.

    If you did not take your exam through an ATO, your results will be sent directly to you via the relevant APMG-International office approximately 7-10 days after the date of your exam.

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  • When will I receive my certificate?

    A foundation certificate will be dispatched to you approximately 2 weeks after we have received your exam paper back into our offices, if you only took the foundation exam.

    If you sat a practitioner or both exams, a practitioner certificate will be dispatched 2 weeks after the practitioner results have been released.

    Please note that if you have taken your examinations via an ATO, certificates are dispatched to ATOs. Therefore if you have not received your certificate shortly after the above time frames please contact your ATO directly.

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  • What are the pass marks for the PRINCE2 examinations?

    Pass marks for the PRINCE2 examinations are as follows:

    • Foundation: You will need to score 35/70 to pass the Foundation exam.
    • Practitioner: You will need to score 59/108 to pass the Practitioner exam.
    • Re-Registration: You will need to score 20/36 to pass the Re-Registration exam.

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  • How do I become a PRINCE2 approved trainer?

    All PRINCE2 trainers must be ‘sponsored’ by a PRINCE2 accredited training organization (ATO). Details of all PRINCE2 ATOs can be found
    here.

    A trainer application must be submitted by the sponsoring ATO to their relevant APMG-International office.

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  • How can I advertise myself as PRINCE2 qualified on my business card?

    Candidates who have passed the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination can put “PRINCE2 Practitioner” on their business cards. You can also include a web address on your business card (www.p2registeredpractitioner.com) which takes you to an online list of all PRINCE2 Registered Practitioners.

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  • Can I use the PRINCE2 logo?

    Only organizations licensed to do so are allowed to use the PRINCE2 logo. Such organizations include PRINCE2 ATOs (Accredited Training Organizations) and PRINCE2 ACOs (Accredited Consulting Organizations) accredited by APMG-International. The PRINCE2 logo is a registered trademark of OGC and must not be used without their permission or appropriate license.

    Due to data protection laws, we are unable to quote organizations that use PRINCE2 without prior consent. However we can confirm that PRINCE2 is used by a wide variety of organizations in various industries, both public and private. The method is extremely popular amongst local and central government departments and is also adopted by a number of multi-national, blue-chip organizations.

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  • Are there any comparisons to alternative methods?

    Information on how PRINCE2 compares with alternative project management methods can be viewed
    here.

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  • What pass mark is required to be eligible to become a PRINCE2 trainer?

    To be eligible to apply to become a PRINCE2 trainer, individuals must achieve a score of 66% (72/108) in the practitioner exam.

    To find out if you scored enough to be eligible as a trainer, please email servicedesk@apmgroupltd.com noting your interest. A representative of the Service Desk will be able to advise.

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  • How does my organization become a PRINCE2 Accredited Training Organization (ATO)?

    An organization wishing to become a PRINCE2 ATO must first submit an application form to either the APMG-International Service Desk or the relevant APMG-International office. Where appropriate, an invoice will be raised and the organization will then be subject to APMG-International’s ATO assessment process.

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  • How does my organization become an Accredited Consulting Organization (ACO)?

    An organization wishing to become an ACO must first submit an application form to either the APMG-International Service Desk or the relevant APMG-International office. The organization will then be subject to APMG-International’s ACO assessment process.

    Application forms can be obtained from the PRINCE2 Service Desk (+44 (0)1494 458 948 / servicedesk@apmgroupltd.com ) or from any regional APMG-International office (see www.apmg-international.com/home/offices/offices. asp).

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