How to keep Practitioner training under control

There’s no doubt that the APMG's Practitioner exams (for PRINCE2, MSP, P3O and other Best Management Practice products) are hard work. But with the right preparation and time management, there’s no reason why you should struggle your way through the course. In fact, the skills you need to make the most of training in these products are similar to those required of project management in general! Read on for six simple steps to remain in control.

1. Planning: There are various routes to becoming a Practitioner.  Most people find it easier to do both the Foundation and Practitioner exams in the one week.  However, this intensive approach is not for everyone. People with little practical experience under their belt before they take a Practitioner exam generally find it difficult, so the intensive approach may be challenging if you don’t have this experience! In this case, consider taking the Foundation and Practitioner exams with a gap between, to study at home instead of moving straight from Foundation to Practitioner. Be aware that most people who leave too big a gap find that they 'lose' Foundation-level knowledge required in the Practitioner exam. Also, if you just scrape a pass in the Foundation exam, you will probably struggle to pass the Practitioner exam, in which case a deferral for extra preparation would be worthwhile.   

2. Leadership: There’s a misconception that PRINCE2 is suitable for Project Managers only, or that P3O training is for PMO staff only. Practitioner training in any of the Best Management Practice products is useful for people who wish to improve their management or leadership skills. Some real-life experience will certainly help you breeze through the exams. Leadership experience can of course be as a project manager but also as any kind of manager, a programme manager or someone working in an corporate PMO.

3. Purpose: Courses in Best Management Practice products aren't easy or cheap. Therefore make the most out of each course by ascertaining exactly what you want from them. You may decide that Practitioner isn’t for you and that the basics of Foundation are enough. On the other hand, having Practitioner under your belt could further your career plans even if you don’t need it in your present role. If you do opt for Practitioner, ensure that you will have relevant work soon after, as competence only comes from plenty of experience (including making those embarassing mistakes!).

4. Practice: The APMG exams may be multiple choice now, instead of a 3 hour written exam slog. However, it’s still important to make time to do some practice papers to get used to the analytical thought and the timing needed. See our exam tips for more on the exams themselves.

5. Organisation: Plan your revision and reading in advance, especially if you take the intensive approach of Foundation and Practitioner in the same week. You’ll need a reasonable understanding of the relevant manual, so try to set aside some time to read it before you attend the training. Tab the manual so you can quickly access the key sections and diagrams, but be aware that having too many tabs is counterproductive.  Ask you trainer what is worthwhile tabbing.  Finally, get a good night’s sleep prior to the exam to make sure you’re alert, and arrive a bit early to keep yourself relaxed.

6. Preparation: As mentioned in point 3, keep in mind why you’re doing exams. The Practitioner qualification is an excellent bullet point for your CV, but an employer will know that it means more if you also have real world experience, and that the Practitioner qualification fails to differentiate between a 55% and 99% pass. However, the exam experience is invaluable as you’ll spend the exam trying to apply the knowledge as precisely as possible – you’ll soon realize that real life always requires a flexible interpretation of your classroom learning!

Hope this has been helpful and good luck if you’re taking PRINCE2, MSP, P3O or other Best Management Practice product training soon.