What to expect when writing the PPRA: 

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION EXAMINATION
PDE 4 & 5    5 Hours 9:00-14:00 – “TAKE HOME EXAM”

Latest Notice from PPRA:  13 January 2026 – refers:
Link →  2026 PPRA PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION EXAMINATION (PDE) REQUIREMENTS AND RULES

1. On the Morning of the PDE, You are required to download this exam paper (in Word format) and save it to your own device/PC for completion.
2. Answer ALL the questions that follow by typing your answers into the GREY SHADED space provided on this document.
3. DO NOT:
   1. print the document; or
   2. create a new document; or
   3. type the answers in the body of an email; or
   4. change the font type or size; or
   5. insert any images or graphics into this document.
4. Only answers that are completed ON this document, in the GREY SHADED spaces will be considered valid and marked. One (1) mark is typically awarded for each fact/correct answer.  Use the mark allocation as a guide as to the length of and extensiveness of your answer(s).
5. The exam paper was made available to you by 08h00 on the morning of the exam.
6. As you complete your exam paper, the questions and answers may spill over to the next page. Do not be concerned about this, continue to complete your exam paper by answering all the questions.  It is important that you use your own words in all paragraph/essay type questions.   A plagiarism and similarity audit will be conducted on all written answers. Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT is strictly prohibited.
7. This is an open-book examination and candidates will be given twenty minutes reading time before the examination commences to read. The twenty minutes is included in the exam duration of 5 hours.
8. As this is an open-book examination, you may use your Study Guide or any other printed or online resource available to answer the questions.
9. Your completed exam paper must be emailed to the PPRA’s Examination Section by attaching the completed Word Document to an email and sending it to:  → examsupport@theppra.org.za   by 14h00 on the same day as the exam.
   No late submissions will be accepted.