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MSP Qualification Scheme 2011

The Qualification Scheme is developed by the APM Group Ltd in partnership with the Cabinet Office and The Stationery Office (TSO).

The APM Group accredit a network of training organisations including their trainers and course materials, to be able to offer MSP courses and examinations.

PDF Download the MSP 2011 Syllabus (PDF).

This qualification scheme is based on the 2011 version of Managing Successful Programmes. There are three MSP qualifications, the Foundation, Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner:

Foundation

  • Multiple choice
  • 75 questions per paper with 1 mark available per question
  • 5 questions to be trial and not counted in scores
  • 35 marks required to pass (out of 70 available) - 50%
  • 60 minutes duration
  • Closed book.

Practitioner

  • Objective testing
  • 8 questions per paper, 80 marks available in total
  • 40 marks required to pass - 50%
  • Two-and-a-half hours duration
  • Open-book (only the MSP Guide is allowed).

Advanced Practitioner

Previously known as Practitioner:

  • Essay based
  • 2 questions per paper, 75 marks available in total
  • 38 marks required to pass - 50%
  • Three hours duration
  • Open-book (other material in the form of course notes, examples, copies of presentations, etc. can be used during this examination but no electronic aids, such as laptops, may be used).

Re-Registration

All MSP Practitioners and/or Advanced Practitioners should be re-registered within 3-5 calendar years of their original certification. Find out more about the Re-Registration Examination.

Route to Certification

Candidates have to pass the Foundation exam before attempting the Practitioner exam. Once candidates have passed the Foundation exam they may take their Practitioner examination. If a candidate wishes to sit the Advanced Practitioner examination before they have their results from the Practitioner exam, they may do so. However, MSP candidates who pass the Advanced Practitioner exam yet fail the Practitioner exam, must re-sit the Practitioner exam within 24 months to validate their Registered Advanced Practitioner Status. If the candidate does not complete within the 24 months, the candidate will be required to re-sit the Advanced Practitioner exam as well.

If a candidate chooses to sit the Foundation Examination only, and passes, they will receive a "Foundation Examination" certificate stating that they have passed. However, if a candidate sits the Foundation Examination, Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner Examination on the same day, and passes all three, they will receive an "Advanced Practitioner Examination" certificate, but not any other certificate.