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MSP 2011 Advanced Practitioner Exam Candidate Guidance v1.2
MSP 2011 Advanced Practitioner Exam Candidate Guidance v1.2
INTRODUCTION
The objective of the Advanced Practitioner examination is to enable candidates to
demonstrate an advanced understanding of MSP, and the ability to adapt and apply
the approach in an appropriate way to a set of circumstances described in a complex
Case Study. In adapting and applying MSP, candidates may be required to explain
how MSP could be tailored or scaled to suit the Case Study and any new
circumstances described. They may be asked to make judgements and
recommendations based on information given.
QUESTION DIFFICULTY
Based on the APMG Learning Outcomes Assessment Model, the Advanced
Practitioner examination covers the following learning levels:
1. Knowledge (information)
2. Comprehension (understanding)
3. Application (using)
4. Analysis (using)
5. Professional practice (creating and justifying)
It is important to note that Advanced Practitioner examination candidates are required
to focus on and demonstrate competence at level 5 which is not assessed at either
Foundation or Practitioner level. Candidates will have been assessed extensively at
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EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE
Specialist knowledge
The Case Study provided may focus on either or both of the public and private sectors.
It will provide a programme context based on a specific business type or industry.
Candidates are not expected to have specialist knowledge of that sector or industry
beyond their own general business experience and that provided in the MSP Guide
and examination materials.
Use of Case Study and Exhibits
Before sitting the examination, candidates are advised to thoroughly familiarize
themselves with the Case Study and it is expected that they will have engaged in wider
discussion on the programme described and considered the implications of alternative
current and future what-if scenarios.
Candidates must base answers on the Case Study and the additional contextual and
factual information provided in the Exhibits. They must support and justify their
answers with direct references to, or examples derived from, the Case Study and
Exhibits.
The Case Study and Exhibits do not always describe examples of good use of MSP.
Candidates should expect, recognize and be able to respond to errors and
ambiguities.
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As an examiner can only award marks for what is written, candidates should ensure
that they give full and complete justifications for the recommendations they make.
Sometimes this may mean stating obvious facts in order to illustrate a point.
The examiner will assess each answer on its merits.
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MSP guidance
related links to the Case Study and relevant Exhibits, supported by
justifications derived from the candidates general business experience.
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be structured using the question structure as a guide, with each question and
part-question clearly identified
if a role is given, be written from the point of view of that role
be focused on and set in the context of the Case Study and Exhibits
contain an appropriate mix of MSP theory, references and examples from the
case Study and/or Exhibits and justifications derived from business experience
address each part of each question without duplication
give clear statements that demonstrate a practical understanding of MSP
have sufficient detail to warrant the number of marks available
provide answers which are concise, without unnecessary introductory text but
providing sufficient explanations and justifications
demonstrate an understanding of the importance of and interactions between
relevant elements of MSP in a given situation
contain responses to the question and related additional information, that are
credible and align with MSP
offer opinions and proposals accompanied by justifications.
Please remember:
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the examiner can only mark your paper if your writing is legible
what is not written, cannot be marked.
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The APM Group Ltd 2013. This document is not to be re-produced or re-sold without express permission from The APM Group Ltd.
MSP is a Registered Trade Mark of AXELOS Limited