PRINCE2F PRINCE2 Practices Practice Question
A risk has been identified that, if it occurs, could improve the project's likelihood of achieving its objectives. What type of risk is this, and which response is appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
PRINCE2 often tests the distinction between threat and opportunity responses, and the trap here is that candidates confuse 'Exploit' with 'Enhance' or mistakenly apply threat responses like 'Transfer' or 'Avoid' to an opportunity, failing to recognize that the risk is positive.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Opportunity; Exploit
The question describes a risk that could improve the project's likelihood of achieving its objectives, which is the definition of an opportunity (not a threat). The PRINCE2 guidance recommends the 'Exploit' response for opportunities when the project wants to ensure the opportunity is realized, making Option D correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Threat; Transfer
Why it's wrong here
An opportunity, not a threat, is a risk with positive impact, and Transfer (insurance or contractual) suits threats. It is tempting because Transfer is a valid PRINCE2 response, and it would be correct for a downside risk the project wishes to shift to a third party.
- ✗
Opportunity; Reject
Why it's wrong here
Reject is a valid PRINCE2 response, but only where pursuing an opportunity is not justified; here the stem asks which response suits an opportunity, and rejection discards the upside rather than exploiting or enhancing it. It is tempting because Reject appears in the opportunity response set alongside Exploit, Enhance, Share and Reject.
- ✗
Threat; Avoid
Why it's wrong here
Avoid is a threat response that removes the cause of a negative risk; the stem describes a risk that could improve achievement of objectives, which PRINCE2 classifies as an opportunity, not a threat. Avoid is tempting because it is a legitimate PRINCE2 response, but it applies only to threats.
- ✓
Opportunity; Exploit
Why this is correct
A risk whose occurrence would benefit the project is an opportunity, the positive counterpart to a threat. Exploit is the appropriate response, seizing the opportunity to ensure it is realised and maximising its favourable impact on achieving project objectives.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on PRINCE2F
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A risk has been identified that offers potential upside for the project. Which response should the project team consider to maximize the probability and impact of the risk?
medium- ✓ A.Exploit
- B.Accept
- C.Avoid
- D.Transfer
Why A: An exploit response is the correct choice for a risk with potential upside (an opportunity) because it seeks to maximize both the probability and the impact of the opportunity. In PRINCE2, the exploit response is specifically designed to ensure the opportunity is realized by taking proactive steps to make it happen, such as allocating additional resources or changing the project plan to capture the benefit. This aligns with the goal of turning an uncertain positive event into a definite gain.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PRINCE2F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PRINCE2F exam.