About the exam
MSP Foundation Exam structure
An independent guide to the current PeopleCert MSP Foundation and Practitioner 5th edition syllabi, qualification path and assessment structures.
Issuer and path
PRINCE2 Programme Management Version 5 Study Guide is administered through PeopleCert. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
Foundation · Concepts and Principles
12 scored + 0 pretest
Programme and MSP concepts plus the seven principles that underpin the framework.
Foundation · Themes
34 scored + 0 pretest
Programme strategy, governance and plans, followed by the seven MSP themes.
Foundation · Processes
14 scored + 0 pretest
The purposes, objectives and contexts of the seven processes across the programme lifecycle.
Practitioner · Principles
7 scored + 0 pretest
Analysis of how the seven MSP principles are applied in a programme scenario.
Practitioner · Themes
42 scored + 0 pretest
Application and tailoring of programme strategy, plans and the seven themes in context.
Practitioner · Processes
21 scored + 0 pretest
Application and analysis of activities, inputs, outputs, roles and themes in each process.
Check the level, language and permitted book before booking
Confirm that the basket and voucher say MSP Foundation or MSP Practitioner, 5th edition. Record the exam language, voucher validity, renewal date and any Take2 or official-mock inclusion. Practitioner candidates should confirm PeopleCert has accepted the prerequisite and re-check the current open-book rules.
Official Outline Coverage Map
Coverage is mapped to official outline item counts so content depth can be checked without hard-coding a single exam.
| Topic | Official outline items | Your questions | Your flashcards | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme and MSP Concepts | 2 | 25 | 3 | Strong |
| Seven MSP Principles | 1 | 35 | 3 | Strong |
| Programme Strategy, Governance and Plans | 1 | 15 | 3 | Strong |
| Organization Theme | 5 | 25 | 3 | Strong |
| Design Theme | 5 | 20 | 3 | Strong |
| Justification Theme | 5 | 25 | 3 | Strong |
| Structure Theme | 5 | 20 | 3 | Strong |
| Knowledge Theme | 5 | 20 | 3 | Strong |
| Assurance Theme | 5 | 20 | 3 | Strong |
| Decisions Theme | 5 | 25 | 3 | Strong |
| Identify the Programme | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Design the Outcomes | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Plan Progressive Delivery | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Deliver the Capabilities | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Embed the Outcomes | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Evaluate New Information | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Close the Programme | 3 | 10 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse the Seven Principles | 1 | 30 | 3 | Strong |
| Assess Programme Strategy, Plans and PDCA | 1 | 9 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Organization Theme | 2 | 25 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Design Theme | 2 | 26 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Justification Theme | 2 | 26 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Structure Theme | 2 | 26 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Knowledge Theme | 2 | 26 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Assurance Theme | 2 | 17 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Tailor the Decisions Theme | 2 | 26 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Identify the Programme | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Design the Outcomes | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Plan Progressive Delivery | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Deliver the Capabilities | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Embed the Outcomes | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Evaluate New Information | 2 | 13 | 3 | Strong |
| Apply and Analyse Close the Programme | 2 | 12 | 3 | Strong |
How to use this guide
How to prepare for MSP
Fix the framework vocabulary first, connect themes to management products and roles, then use scenario evidence to judge Practitioner actions and tailoring.
1. Fix the level of thinking
Recall and describe at Foundation; apply and analyse the scenario at Practitioner.
2. Locate the lifecycle work
Identify which process purpose and objectives best match the decision point.
3. Select the governing theme
Trace the managed object to organization, design, justification, structure, knowledge, assurance or decisions.
4. Apply the principles
Test purpose, collaboration, ambiguity, priorities, skills, measurable benefits, pace and value.
5. Match role and product
Check that accountability and the management product fit the process and theme requirement.
6. Judge tailoring
Accept tailoring only when the MSP purpose and required control remain effective in the programme environment.
Foundation coverage
Build recall and understanding
Connect concepts and principles to seven themes and seven lifecycle processes.
Programme and MSP Concepts
Programme definition, the three MSP lenses, enterprise agility, programme characteristics, reasons, challenges and environment.
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Seven MSP Principles
How the seven principles underpin decisions and behaviours throughout programme management.
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Programme Strategy, Governance and Plans
The purpose of programme strategy, programme governance, programme plans and the PDCA cycle for risks and issues.
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Organization Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the organization theme.
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Design Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the design theme.
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Justification Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the justification theme.
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Structure Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the structure theme.
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Knowledge Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the knowledge theme.
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Assurance Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the assurance theme.
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Decisions Theme
Purpose, principle relationships, management products, terminology and core practices for the decisions theme.
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Identify the Programme
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the identify the programme process.
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Design the Outcomes
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the design the outcomes process.
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Plan Progressive Delivery
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the plan progressive delivery process.
Choose a topic to open below
Deliver the Capabilities
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the deliver the capabilities process.
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Embed the Outcomes
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the embed the outcomes process.
Choose a topic to open below
Evaluate New Information
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the evaluate new information process.
Choose a topic to open below
Close the Programme
Purpose, objectives and lifecycle context of the close the programme process.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse the Seven Principles
Analysis of whether all seven MSP principles are being applied effectively in a programme context.
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Assess Programme Strategy, Plans and PDCA
Assessment of programme-strategy components, programme plans and contextual use of Plan-Do-Check-Act.
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Apply and Tailor the Organization Theme
Application of the organization requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
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Apply and Tailor the Design Theme
Application of the design requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
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Apply and Tailor the Justification Theme
Application of the justification requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Tailor the Structure Theme
Application of the structure requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Tailor the Knowledge Theme
Application of the knowledge requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Tailor the Assurance Theme
Application of the assurance requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Tailor the Decisions Theme
Application of the decisions requirements and analysis of whether the approach is effective and fit for purpose.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Identify the Programme
Carry out the identify the programme process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Design the Outcomes
Carry out the design the outcomes process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Plan Progressive Delivery
Carry out the plan progressive delivery process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Deliver the Capabilities
Carry out the deliver the capabilities process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Embed the Outcomes
Carry out the embed the outcomes process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Evaluate New Information
Carry out the evaluate new information process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Apply and Analyse Close the Programme
Carry out the close the programme process and analyse its activities, roles and responsibilities in context.
Choose a topic to open below
Programme and MSP Concepts
Programme definition, the three MSP lenses, enterprise agility, programme characteristics, reasons, challenges and environment.
Key rules
Rule 1
A programme is a temporary structure that leads multiple interrelated projects and other work to progressively achieve beneficial outcomes for one or more organizations.
Exam cue: Separate a programme's coordinated outcomes and benefits from a project's output-delivery focus.
Rule 2
MSP views programme management through principles, themes and processes across the programme lifecycle.
Exam cue: When asked for an MSP lens, choose principle, theme or lifecycle process rather than a management product.
Rule 3
Programmes coordinate ambiguity, cross-organizational change and evolving outcomes; the environment and enterprise agility shape how the framework is used.
Exam cue: Locate the level, process, theme, principle, role and product before evaluating the proposed action.
Common traps
Treating a programme as only a collection of projects with no other work or operational change.
Prevention: A plausible local action is not correct if it loses programme purpose, accountability, evidence or value.
Confusing enterprise agility with a single agile delivery method.
Prevention: A plausible local action is not correct if it loses programme purpose, accountability, evidence or value.
Memory anchors
Programme and MSP Concepts: core
A programme is a temporary structure that leads multiple interrelated projects and other work to progressively achieve beneficial outcomes for one or more organizations.
Programme and MSP Concepts: exam cue
Separate a programme's coordinated outcomes and benefits from a project's output-delivery focus.
Programme and MSP Concepts: avoid
Treating a programme as only a collection of projects with no other work or operational change.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Open another topic next
Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
PeopleCert MSP Foundation, 5th edition
Primary live source for the current level name, languages, no-prerequisite entry, 60 questions, 60 minutes, closed-book status, 60 percent pass mark and renewal summary.
PeopleCert MSP Practitioner, 5th edition
Primary live source for current prerequisites, languages, 58 questions with subquestions, 70 marks, 150 minutes, open-book status and 60 percent pass mark.
PeopleCert PRINCE2 Programme Management
Current product-family page showing Foundation followed by Practitioner under PRINCE2 Programme Management.
MSP Foundation Candidate Syllabus v2.0
PeopleCert-hosted syllabus for the four Foundation learning outcomes, official mark distribution, Bloom levels and question formats.
MSP Practitioner Candidate Syllabus v2.0
PeopleCert-hosted syllabus for the three Practitioner learning outcomes, official marks, scenario structure, Bloom levels and Standard Classic/Matching composition.
PeopleCert official training-material updates
Primary change log describing the PRINCE2 Programme Management branding update to MSP 5th edition official assets and November 2025 launch.
PeopleCert certification FAQ
Current primary evidence for the PRINCE2 Programme Management Version 5 name, available eBooks and open-book examination list.
PeopleCert certification renewal
Current three-year renewal policy and explicit inclusion of PRINCE2 Programme Management MSP 4th and 5th.
FAQ
Common MSP Foundation questions
What is the qualification called now?
PeopleCert groups the current method under PRINCE2 Programme Management Version 5. Its live level pages retain the product names MSP Foundation, 5th edition and MSP Practitioner, 5th edition.
Did the 2025 rebrand create MSP Version 6?
No. PeopleCert described the change as updated branding of MSP 5th edition official assets. The current FAQ identifies PRINCE2 Programme Management Version 5, and the live level pages remain 5th edition.
What does Foundation assess?
Foundation tests recall and understanding of programme and MSP concepts, the seven principles, the seven themes and the purposes, objectives and context of the seven processes. The candidate syllabus uses Bloom levels 1 and 2.
What is the Foundation exam structure?
It is a 60-minute closed-book exam with 60 one-mark multiple-choice questions and no negative marking. A score of 36 out of 60, or 60 percent, is required.
Which Foundation question formats are used?
The candidate syllabus names Standard Classic, Missing Word and List. Standard and missing-word questions use four options; list questions ask candidates to select the correct pair from four statements.
What does Practitioner assess?
Practitioner tests whether a candidate can apply the principles and apply, tailor and analyse themes and processes in context. The syllabus uses Bloom levels 3 and 4.
Why does PeopleCert say 58 Practitioner questions but the syllabus says 70 question items?
There are 52 one-mark Standard Classic questions and six Matching questions. Each Matching question contains three scored subitems, producing 18 matching marks. That is 58 question presentations and 70 scored items or marks.
What is the Practitioner exam structure?
It is a 150-minute, open-book, scenario-based objective test worth 70 marks. The pass mark is 42. Standard Classic and Matching formats are used, with additional scenario information required for at least one question.
What may be used in the Practitioner open-book exam?
The candidate syllabus permits the Managing Successful Programmes 5th Edition publication and the examination materials. Candidates should also check PeopleCert's current eBook and remote-proctoring rules before the exam.
What is the current Practitioner prerequisite?
The live PeopleCert page accepts MSP 5th Foundation or MSP 4th Practitioner. The 2020 candidate syllabus predates that current product-page wording and names MSP 5th Foundation.
What are the seven principles?
Lead with purpose; collaborate across boundaries; deal with ambiguity; align with priorities; deploy diverse skills; realize measurable benefits; and bring pace and value.
What are the seven themes?
Organization, design, justification, structure, knowledge, assurance and decisions.
What are the seven processes?
Identify the programme; design the outcomes; plan progressive delivery; deliver the capabilities; embed the outcomes; evaluate new information; and close the programme.
How are official marks distributed?
Foundation assigns 5 marks to concepts, 7 to principles, 34 to themes and 14 to processes. Practitioner assigns 7 to principles, 42 to themes and 21 to processes.
Are this guide's topic counts official exam weights?
No. The 601 practice-question targets preserve the existing Pass Harbor bank allocation. Official marks are represented only at the syllabus learning-outcome or section level.
How long does the certification remain current?
PeopleCert currently applies a three-year renewal cycle to PRINCE2 Programme Management, including MSP 4th and 5th. Candidates should use their PeopleCert account to confirm the applicable renewal date and route.