PRINCE2® Foundation Examination
The exam leads to the first level PRINCE2® qualification - Foundation.
It is awarded by APMG - the official examining body.
It is designed primarily as a test of your knowledge of the method and terminology.
(The Practitioner exam that follows is meant to be designed more as a test of understanding and application of PRINCE2® - more about that in a future post.)
According to the guidance issued by APMG:
'This level is aiming to measure whether a candidate would be able to act as an informed member of a project management team using the PRINCE2® method within a project environment supporting PRINCE2®. To this end they need to show they understand the principles and terminology of the method.'
It is "closed book" so you can't refer to the manual, notes or any other material.
You have one hour to complete it - most candidates find that they can do so fairly comfortably within this time limit. You do need to take care though - one hour can pass very quickly!
It consists of 75 questions in a multiple choice format.
Each normally has four choices - A, B, C, D - and only one correct answer.
Five of the questions in each paper are "trial questions" used by the exam board APMG to test new questions. These do not count towards your score - but when you take it you won't know which ones so you need to answer all of the questions.
To pass you need to score 35 out of 70 available marks.
You will be given a question paper and a separate sheet for marking your answers. You must use pencil, not pen, to complete this. I think this is because APMG use automated reading technology that partly uses electronic mark reading - graphite is a good electrical conductor whereas as ink is not. You must hand in the question paper as well as your answers when you're finished - the exam board insist that all papers are returned to them. They don't want to see them on sale on eBay!
Your paper will usually be marked by the course tutor straight after the close of the exam. You will normally be given a "provisional" result as soon as this has been done - although arrangements may vary depending on the timing of the course. It is "provisional" because your result has to be formally confirmed by the exam board - they will check your answers when they are sent on after the course.
Some trainers have the unfortunate practice of announcing results publicly to everybody on the course. Something that I completely disagree with. Some even do so in reverse order, starting with "The lowest scoring candidate is ..... "! If you have concerns about this check beforehand. If necessary you should insist that you are given your result privately.
This may be stating the obvious but - ensure that you have all that you need beforehand. Pencil, spare pencil (+spare spare pencil?), rubber, pencil sharpener. You might also need a pen / highlighter - you are allowed to annotate the question paper as you wish. Plus refreshments to suit you - Red Bull is a favourite of some!
If you pass you have a recognised qualification - PRINCE2® Foundation. You can breathe a sigh of relief - you will never have to take the exam again according to current regulations. APMG will issue you with a certificate in due course and add you to their register of successful candidates.
If you fail - it happen sometimes - you will normally be given the chance to re-take either immediately or the next day. You also have the option of re-taking at any future date when an exam is scheduled. My advice to candidates is generally to re-take the following day if possible.
Most candidates do pass this exam - the current national pass rate is around 95%.
The secret is good preparation and sound exam technique.
More on that in a future post.
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