Step 3: Taking the oral exam
Once your synopsis receives a pass, then the next stage will be the oral examination.
The aim of the oral examination is to confirm you as an Agile Practitioner as stated in the reference card. The same two examiners who passed your synopsis will carry out the oral examination. The examiners will ask you questions to assess your knowledge, understanding and practical application of agile and the change you have been able to create with that. You are not allowed to refer to any documentation or notes during the examination.
The examination takes around 45 minutes. The questioning will be divided approximately equally between the examiners. Part of the examination will focus on questions related to your synopsis; part will focus on your additional practical experience, knowledge and inights. Typically, while one examiner is asking questions, the second examiner will be making notes. Please do not assume that this is any kind of negative indication on your performance.
Please note that oral examinations are typically recorded for quality purposes.
In the examination room, there will always be a flip chart and pens, or pen and paper. So if it would help you to draw a diagram to explain something then please ask the examiners to allow you to do this. However, you will not be able to bring in diagrams or charts you have prepared previously.
The Agile Practitioner examination will give candidates every possible opportunity to give a correct answer, and will come back to questions where something has been missed. The examiners’ objective is to give you every opportunity to succeed and pass the exam.
By the end of the examination, the examiners will ask you to leave the room so that they can discuss. They will then call you back into the room and will give you the result.
When you pass the exam, the examiners will congratulate you and ask if you want feedback. Some candidates are keen to hear the examiners’ comments, whilst others prefer not to be told immediately. It is entirely up to you. Typically, you will receive a letter from the Agile Consortium confirming the result, and giving any feedback within 7 work days. The Agile Practitioner Certificate will then be sent to the address you filled in on the application form.
If you are unsuccessful, the examiners will ask if you want feedback immediately. It is entirely up to you whether to take feedback at this point. The examiners will tell you where you did well, where your knowledge of agile needs further study, and recommend ways to further improve. You will also receive a letter from the AgileConsortium confirming the result, and containing feedback, typically within 7 work days.