Effective Training for the PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam

Posted on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 by Simon Buehring

In a series of posts, of which this is the third, I present the facts about the 2009 version of the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam, in addition to thoughts on what they might tell us about the future of PRINCE2 project management professional qualifications. If you are considering PRINCE2 training, read on for insight into the process of becoming a Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner…

How has Knowledge Train responded to PRINCE2: 2009, particularly the new version of the PRINCE2 Practitioner exam?

My fellow trainers and I have completely redeveloped Knowledge Train’s PRINCE2 training programme, in order to reflect the changes made to the method during the PRINCE2: 2009 Refresh project. Our exclusive pre-course reading material – the PRINCE2 Preparation package – has been carefully revised and is now available online, via our e-Learning platform. Written in easy-to-understand language, and divided into short sections, PRINCE2 Preparation introduces the method’s essential ideas and terminology. By completing this preparatory reading, students can grasp the fundamental aspects of PRINCE2, before their classroom-based training begins; this approach should be particularly helpful for anyone who has not been exposed to PRINCE2 (or project management in general) before. During the combined PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner course (held from Monday to Friday), the Practitioner training is introduced slightly earlier on Wednesday than was previously the case. Homework for that evening is a sample exam paper, familiarising students with the nature and format of the test.

How have Knowledge Train’s students coped with the new exam?

Given that Knowledge Train delivers PRINCE2 training in the heart of London – a wonderfully diverse city – our students, like our employees, are drawn from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the individuals attending our PRINCE2 training courses are non-native English speakers – and I predict that this will also be true of classes in the vibrant setting of Manchester, where we are preparing to provide PRINCE2 courses from early 2010, in addition to those delivered almost every week in London. With these factors in mind, the trainers at Knowledge Train ensure that the interpretation of sample paper questions forms an important part of our training programme. If some of the exam questions are rather wordy, working out the best way to negotiate them can prove invaluable, boosting students’ confidence in relation to the exam itself. By offering PRINCE2 courses frequently, we keep our class sizes small, helping to ensure that each person who attends has sufficient opportunity to interact with both the trainer and fellow students. Approachable and friendly, Knowledge Train’s trainers are happy to help and enjoy developing a rapport with students.

See the next post in the series for more information about the 2009 exam.

To discuss your project management training needs with Knowledge Train, simply call an advisor on 020 7148 5985 or email info@knowledgetrain.co.uk.