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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is MSP?
Programme Management, like project management, is a management tool for bringing together people, activities and information to achieve something. Programme Management is a way of approaching the setting up and running of a programme. So, what is a programme? A programme is made up of a specific set of projects identified by an organisation that together will deliver some defined objective, or set of objectives, for the organisation. The objectives, or goals, of the programme are typically at a strategic level so that the organisation can achieve benefits and improvements in its business operation.
What does MSP stand for?
Managing Successful Programmes
Where can I train for the MSP Examinations?
Training for MSP is available from accredited training organisations coordinated through the APM Group. The exams can be taken with your chosen training organisation as part of your training course, or directly through the APM Group who have an open centre in Milton Keynes where you can take the exams without needing to do the training course.
MSP Examinations through an ATO
Contact details for MSP ATOs can be found on our ATO Listing.
You will need to contact the individual organisations for details of fees and formats. APMG does not hold information on the ATOs individual courses but we ensure the training provided by the ATOs meet APMG's required standards in accordance with EN45011.
MSP Examinations through an Open Centre
Exams are run in Milton Keynes. All available dates for the exams are posted on APMG's MSP website at www.programmes.org.
Complete the application form which is also online and return to The APM Group along with payment details. The application form can be downloaded here.
Cost of the MSP Examinations through an Open Centre
- Foundation Examination: £175
- Practitioner Examination: £225
- Advanced Practitioner Examination: £225
How can I take MSP Examinations outside the UK?
For candidates outside the UK we use the British Council to run the exams for us on an ad-hoc basis. Exams (but not training courses) are available in many countries through the British Council. Please click here for information on whether they offer exams in your area.
Which book should I buy to study for MSP and where can I buy them?
OGC has developed a best practice guide on Programme Management called Managing Successful Programmes which is published by The Stationery Office and can be purchased at www.tso.co.uk.
How long will it take to learn the MSP material?
Unfortunately it is difficult to say. As all candidates have different experience and amount of time on their hands, it varies from person to person. We suggest you buy the manual and have a look through for yourself before deciding how long you need to spend learning.
Structure of the MSP examinations
Foundation Examination: the foundation examination consists of a simple multiple choice style, closed book examination consisting of 50 questions to be completed within 40 minutes. Candidates need to achieve a mark of 25+ to pass the paper. This is a closed-book examination.
Practitioner Examination: The Practitioner examination has been changed to an objective marking style, closed book paper. The paper will consist of 9 questions with a total of 180 marks available to be completed within two hours. Candidates need to achieve a mark of 90+ to pass the paper. The Practitioner exam is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of basic concepts and understanding of MSP.
Advanced Practitioner Examination: The Advanced Practitioner examination will remain an essay based, open book paper. The paper will consist of up to 3 questions with a total of 75 marks available to be completed within 2 hours. Candidates need to achieve a mark of 38+ to pass the paper.
Result Turn Around for MSP Examinations
Result turn-around time for the Practitioner exam is 2-3 weeks and the Advanced Practitioner exam is roughly 6-8 weeks. APMG will send out confirmation of your Foundation exam result within a week. If you have taken your exam via an ATO, results are sent by APMG to that particular ATO. It is the ATO's responsibility to notify you of your result. If you sat the foundation and practitioner exam in the same week, your results will not show on the Successful Candidate Register until two weeks after the results for the practitioner exam have been released. Certificate turn-around is usually two weeks after you have been notified of your result.
Pass marks for the MSP Examinations
Foundation Examination: You will need to score 25 out of 50 to pass the Foundation Examination.
Practitioner Examination: You will need to score 90 out of 180 to pass the Intermediate Examination.
Advanced Practitioner Examination: You will need to score 38 out of 75 to pass the Practitioner Examination.
MSP Statistics
Foundation Examination: There is a 99% pass rate for the MSP Foundation examination based on 2006 figures.
Intermediate Examination: There is a 73% pass rate for the MSP Intermediate examination based on 2006 figures.
Practitioner Examination: There is a 67% pass rate for the MSP Practitioner examination based on 2006 figures.
Unfortunately we are currently unable to report on statistics for the MSP re-fresh qualification.
