Navigating MSP Certification in 2023: Everything You Need to Know

The full form of MSP is ‘Managing Successful Program.’ The MSP certification is an excellent qualification to pursue and can be beneficial if you are a fresher or have been managing programs for years. It can enhance your technical knowledge of strategically executing a successful program.

This blog is the best place to look for answers to all your queries about an MSP certification: types of courses, eligibility, preparation guidance, benefits, difficulty level, certification cost, validity, and more.

What is MSP certification?

MSP, or Managing Successful Program certification, is a globally recognized degree that enables professionals to gain expertise in managing complex programs. This certification can open doors to numerous opportunities and help one get noticed by employers. This qualification evokes leadership qualities and helps gain technical knowledge on management strategies to handle complex programs.

Types of MSP Exams

The MSP certification exams have three levels:

MSP Foundation Exam

The MSP Foundation is a basic-level examination that evaluates the amount of understanding of the MSP framework, fundamentals, and basic nomenclatures. There are no prerequisite eligibility criteria to take this exam, but it is a plus if anyone has prior experience in managing programs.

Many have inhibitions about taking this course, thinking that the MSP foundation exam might be tricky.

Is the MSP foundation exam hard to crack?

Well, it depends on how well you are prepared.

The examination consists of MCQs (multiple choice questions) testing your basic knowledge of MSP.

Plenty of online and physical classes are available that train you for the examination by providing excellent study materials, learning videos, and real-time problem-solving.

These MSP training courses will walk you through the examination process and guide you at every step. Thus, you need to dive into the training process wholeheartedly and then confidently ace that MSP foundation exam.

MSP Practitioner Examination

This is the next level of the MSP certification examination.

What is an MSP practitioner?

An MSP practitioner is equipped to use the MSP framework in actual life situations. The MSP practitioner exam enables a professional to grasp the numerous concepts of MSP and apply them during program management. To be eligible for this examination, you need to clear the MSP Foundation exam first.

The MSP Practitioner examination also tests through MCQs.

Advanced Practitioner Examination

This is the top-level of examination under the MSP certification. The prerequisite for this examination is to clear the MSP practitioner exam.

This examination should be taken by professionals who have experience in managing programs. The MSP advanced practitioner exam evaluates a candidate’s ability to apply MSP principles and concepts in meeting real-life challenges related to managing complex programs.

The exam comprises essay-type questions, unlike the two other previous levels of examinations. A case study will be given, and you will be expected to present a written response applying your concepts of the MSP framework.

The Advanced Practitioner Examination level is followed by an interview where questions will be asked based on your written response.

What is the difference between the MSP Foundation exam and the MSP Practitioner exam? The MSP Practitioner exam is a notch higher than the Foundation exam. It tests more in-depth knowledge about the MSP concepts and their application in real-life contexts. Simultaneously, the Foundation exam expects basic MSP knowledge and its application theoretically.

There are no specific prerequisites for taking the Foundation exam, but one must clear the Foundation exam to claim eligibility for the Practitioner exam.

Also, the duration of both exams differs: the Foundation exam is 60 minutes long, and the Practitioner exam stretches up to 150 minutes.

Format for MSP Certification Exams

What is the format of the MSP exams? Let us look at the following table and clear all our confusion and queries regarding the MSP exams. The type and number of questions, test duration, minimum passing score, and all other details have been discussed for a more apparent notion.

As we can see, the format of the three-tier examination process is very structured and practical. The difficulty level goes up gradually. The foundation-level examination is the most basic, so no books are allowed. The other two levels of MSP certification exams are objective and subjective, respectively. Thus, an open-book exam is allowed, but it is to note that no electronic devices are permitted.

How to Prepare for MSP Certification?

Preparation for MSP certification requires some basic steps discussed here. Most importantly, you need to be mentally prepared to take on the MSP certification exam and be ready to dedicate time to study sincerely. Let us discuss the steps:

Be thorough with the MSP framework:

It is essential to understand the MSP framework, core concepts, principles, and nomenclatures. Familiarize yourself with the MSP manual for explicit knowledge of MSP concepts.

Enroll for training courses:

Next step is to get enrolled in an MSP training institute. These training providers will coach you with the latest syllabus for MSP certification, study materials, on-demand doubt clarifications, learning videos, and thorough guidance from experts. In short, they will handhold you through the entire process of preparation.** **

Some popular training providers are Edbrick, CFA Institute, APMG, GARP, IIBA, and many more. You can visit their websites for detailed information.

Take up practice tests:

MSP training providers like Edbrick create opportunities to take practice tests for MSP certification. It is advisable to sit for as many practice exams as possible. These mock exams will prepare you for the actual day, along with understanding the time management and assessment of where you stand in terms of preparation. You will get an opportunity to strengthen your weaker areas.

Create study timetables: Go back to your school days and create a timetable. Divide the entire syllabus into small portions and set a duration for completing each topic. Set aside time for revision. Ensure you are sincere enough to follow the timetable and achieve your daily targets. Create study groups with fellow professionals seeking to clear the MSP certification exam.

Stay updated: It is vital to stay alert and updated on the latest syllabus and changes, if any. The accredited training providers will be able to keep you updated. Constantly seek assistance for any doubts you encounter from your mentors. There are online portals as well that help you to remain connected with your mentors or trainers.

Thus, the key to cracking the MSP certification exam is extensive study, staying updated, and consistently taking practice tests.

Validity of the MSP Certificate

Some of us may wonder that after clearing the MSP exam and acquiring a certificate, do we have to worry about its expiry? How long is the MSP practitioner certificate valid?

The foundation exam does not have a specific expiry, but the following two levels: MSP practitioner and MSP advanced practitioner, are valid for five years. To maintain the certificate’s validity, professionals must take a re-registration exam within three to five years of certification.

Also, one can appear for the MSP advanced practitioner exam even before the results of the MSP practitioner exam are out. But, if one clears the MSP advanced practitioner exam and fails the previous level. They have to retake the practitioner exam within two years to maintain the validity of the advanced practitioner certificate.

Benefits of MSP Certification

Apart from personal development, the MSP certification has many benefits. If you have any doubts or wonder whether it is worth going for MSP certification, then the following section is for you. Let us discuss the benefits:

• Globally recognized certification: The MSP certification is in demand globally because of its detailed and concept-based framework. The MSP syllabus is constantly updated as per industry practices. Most private and even government organizations have readily absorbed this framework.

• Enhancement of career opportunities: Since MSP certification is globally recognized, it can boost your resume and help you get noticed by employers. This certification is in demand amongst the top MNCs. It improves leadership, organizational performance, and the ability to deal with and fix crises acquired during program management.

• Better professional performance: As the MSP framework is customer-driven and has a business-oriented outlook, it prepares professionals in risk management, stakeholder management, organizational performance, and resource optimization. All these qualities ensure excellently skilled program management with timely deliveries.

• Effective communication: The MSP certification follows a common language and approach in program management. All team members, program managers, higher authorities, and stakeholders agree. This practice enables effective communication, resulting in better control of expectations, alignment of goals and objectives, and improved collaboration.

• Hike in remuneration: Since the MSP certification equips professionals in all the spheres of effective program management, their chances of a higher remuneration increase. Employers seek out program managers who are certified and therefore have the expertise. The employers readily offer higher remuneration as they know the worth of these certified program managers.

Cost of MSP Certification

The cost of the MSP certification varies mainly on the training providers, type of study materials, mode of delivering classes: online or physical, and location. Thus, browsing specific websites and exploring the cost options for MSP certification and courses is advisable.

Summing up

Thus, considering the benefits of personal development, professional progress, enhanced program management skills, better communication skills, and most lucratively increased career opportunities and remuneration, MSP certification is a valuable qualification for all professionals engaged in program management. Program management is an essential skill in today’s age of modern organizations. This certification course prepares you well for that. Its proven success has made it immensely popular amongst industries globally. Skilled program managers can strategically plan and collaborate to execute tasks with optimized resources. Therefore, if you are a program manager or aspire to be one, hurry up and enroll in one of the accredited MSP certification training courses and change your career path.