PRINCE2® FAQs

1) 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, organisation, 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, organisations adopting the method as a standard can substantially improve their organisational 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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2) 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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3) How can I train for the PRINCE2 examinations?

FGI offer the full range of accredited PRINCE2 examinations. Please click here for our course schedule or here for more information about the different qualifications.

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4) Which languages are the PRINCE2 manuals 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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5) How do I sit the exams?

FGI include the examinations as part of the training course.

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6) 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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7) 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".

FGI provide this manual as part of the course fee unless advised otherwise by the delegate.

To purchase, please either go to our Publications section or the Best Management Practice website.

Also available from the above sites 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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8) Which languages are PRINCE2 examinations available in?

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

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9) 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 recognised 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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10) 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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11) 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 the results released soon after. (Usually 3-4 weeks)*

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12) 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 on average 10 working days after the practitioner results have been released.*

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13) 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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14) 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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15) Can I use the PRINCE2 logo?

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

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16) 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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*Please note that these are average time scales and are only offered as a guide as they are subject to change.