How to prepare for the M_o_R Practitioner exam

10 Aug 2021 12:24 PM

Blog posted by: Michelle Rowland – Lead Examiner, AXELOS ProPath & Director A&J Project Management, 10 August 2021.

A lady studying in the library

How should candidates prepare for the Management of Risk (M_o_R®) Practitioner exam?

If you’ve studied this best practice guidance, you will already know that it’s a method to identify, assess and control risk – and with particular relevance to portfolios, programmes and projects.

But what are the key elements you need to understand to make sure you get the best result in the exam?

Exam structure 

The exam contains one fictitious scenario set in an organization where you have to apply your risk management knowledge. The questions throughout the exam are based on the same scenario and they can cover any of the following by topic covered in the manual:

So, when you are preparing for the exam, you need to make sure you have read – and can navigate – the whole manual.

Exam timings

M_o_R is a three-hour open book exam, which includes reading the scenario and additional information.

At the beginning of the exam, allow a maximum of 15 minutes to read the scenario but don’t read the additional information at this point. Do that only when answering a specific question. If you are doing the exam online, the additional information will be available only when you reach the relevant question anyway.

Allow about 35 minutes to answer each question (all parts), including reading any additional information.

Flag questions that you are unsure about and would like to look at again. Online, do this by using the “flag” functionality. In a paper-based exam turn the corner of the page down. Put an answer down and move on – don’t waste time staring at questions that you don’t know the answer to. Your perception of the question might change when you come back to it!

You will have about 25 minutes for checking any questions that you want to go back to.

Question format

There are several question types in the exam:

Exam preparation

There is one sample paper which you can complete before you sit the live exam. A second sample paper is available if you book your exam through an Accredited Training Organization.

Each sample paper includes:

Complete the paper(s) – maybe in timed chunks if you find that easier – and mark them using the rationale, reflecting carefully on the questions you get wrong.  Make notes in your manual in case you get a similar question in the exam. If you score particularly low in a particular area, re-read the chapter.