Prince2 -Info Required

**daviejones** · 13 September 2007, 11:54

Originally posted by JonnoWeb View Post

Hi all,

I've been contracting for the last 12 years, mainly as a developer, with some BA/PM thrown in. My current gig will probably only last until the end of this year, so looking to glam up the old CV to start looking in the New Year.

I've seen Prince2 courses advertised, selling a 5 day course in order to study and take both the Foundation & Practitioner level exams - generally priced @ £1495.

Has anyone done any of these? Looking at the study books foundation seems simple enough, but can you learn all you need for Practitioner in a few days?

It is hard to fail the Foundation...Practitioner a bit trickier though.

**Dean** · 13 September 2007, 12:01

I did the Practitioner on a 5-day course but we were sent the course materials about a month before with a guide to what to study in order to prepare for it. The course itself was pretty full, no time to waste and "homework" and extra reading each night.

Did the Foundation exam on the Wednesday and everybody passed, multiple choice closed-book exam that you'd only fail if you hadn't paid any attention really. The Practitioner was a 3-hour open book exam, 3 essay-type questions based on a given scenario. More tricky but again, if you do the prep work and pay attention during the course you'll know whereabouts to find the appropriate answers in the books and notes.

This was through QA in Edinburgh, BTW. Don't know whether other training firms send out the materials in advance.

**Sockpuppet** · 13 September 2007, 12:08

I'll recommend Mavern Training. I did my PRINCE2 cert with them and it was first class all the way. http://www.maventraining.co.uk/

**Ravello** · 13 September 2007, 12:26

Yep I did mine that way, and 5 days intensive is pretty much the norm now. If you've already had PM experience you shouldn't find it too difficult to pass the practitioner exam at the end of 4 days training.

I'd recommend that you don't choose the easier option offered by some courses of just taking the foundation, it's not worth the paper its written on IMO.

**malvolio** · 13 September 2007, 12:34

Originally posted by Ravello View Post

Yep I did mine that way, and 5 days intensive is pretty much the norm now. If you've already had PM experience you shouldn't find it too difficult to pass the practitioner exam at the end of 4 days training.

I'd recommend that you don't choose the easier option offered by some courses of just taking the foundation, it's not worth the paper its written on IMO.

Neither, from my perspective, is the Practitioner, TBH. I'd rather have people who have delivered real-world projects than people who have done a week's training!

But it is valuable knowledge and the certs are always a good way to move you up the in-tray, all else being equal.

**Peter Loew** · 13 September 2007, 13:17

They're changing the format of the Practitioner exam. There are no longer three essay type questions. Now, just as the foundation is, the Practitioner will be in entirely multiple choice format.

P

**Ravello** · 13 September 2007, 13:23

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

Neither, from my perspective, is the Practitioner, TBH. I'd rather have people who have delivered real-world projects than people who have done a week's training!

But it is valuable knowledge and the certs are always a good way to move you up the in-tray, all else being equal.

Personally, I'd be inclined to agree but given the standard approach applied by agencies (and some clients) to CV reviews its usually a worthwhile addition; even more so if you are looking for work in the public sector.

**boxman** · 13 September 2007, 15:19

Originally posted by Peter Loew View Post

They're changing the format of the Practitioner exam. There are no longer three essay type questions. Now, just as the foundation is, the Practitioner will be in entirely multiple choice format.

P

Hi Peter

I don't suppose you know when this change of format is due to start do you?

thanks

Rob

**Peter Loew** · 13 September 2007, 15:45

Originally posted by boxman View Post

Hi Peter

I don't suppose you know when this change of format is due to start do you?

thanks

Rob

Think it's end of this month, though some are saying it's already happened. More info here: http://www.prince2.org.uk/nmsruntime...D=1142&sID=365

Prince2 -Info Required