100+ Free CDFM-A Module 4 Practice Questions

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What is the primary deliverable required at the end of the Materiel Solution Analysis (MSA) phase to support the Milestone A decision?

A signed Capability Production Document (CPD)

Full Rate Production decision package

Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) results, preliminary cost and risk assessment, and a Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction strategy

A completed Production and Deployment plan

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CDFM-A Module 4 Exam

Multiple-Choice Questions

SDFM CDFM-A Module 4 page

2 hours

Exam Time Limit

SDFM CDFM-A Module 4 page

$119

Exam Fee (per attempt)

SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook

39%

Largest Domain (Program Management)

2024 CDFM-A Exam Blueprint

AAF Pathways Tested

DoDI 5000.02

$20M

EVM Compliance Threshold

FAR 34.2 and DoDI 5000.02

15%/25%

Nunn-McCurdy Breach Thresholds

10 USC §4375

CDFM-A Module 4 is a 2-hour, 80-question Pearson VUE exam (OnVUE or test center) that costs $119 per attempt under the 2026 SDFM fee schedule. CDFM-A is an optional Acquisition Specialty earned ONLY after passing all three core CDFM modules. The 2024 blueprint weights Program Management at 39%, Information Technology at 14%, Life Cycle Logistics at 12%, Business Financial Management and Cost Estimating at 12%, Engineering and Technical Management at 11%, International Acquisition and Security Cooperation at 6%, and Test and Evaluation at 6%.

Sample CDFM-A Module 4 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CDFM-A Module 4 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which DoD policy document is the top-level directive that prescribes the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) for defense acquisition?

A.DoD Directive 5000.01, The Defense Acquisition System

B.DoD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework

C.DoD Instruction 5000.85, Major Capability Acquisition

D.JCIDS Manual

Explanation: DoDD 5000.01 is the top-level directive that establishes the Defense Acquisition System and policy under which the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) operates. DoDI 5000.02 implements that policy by establishing the AAF pathways, and pathway-specific instructions (e.g., 5000.85) provide detail.

2How many acquisition pathways are established under the Adaptive Acquisition Framework in DoDI 5000.02?

A.Six

B.Four

C.Five

D.Seven

Explanation: The Adaptive Acquisition Framework establishes six pathways: Urgent Capability Acquisition, Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), Major Capability Acquisition (MCA), Software Acquisition, Defense Business Systems, and Acquisition of Services. Each pathway has its own policy instruction and tailored milestones.

3Which AAF pathway is intended to deliver capability that addresses urgent operational needs within two years using rapid prototyping or rapid fielding?

A.Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA)

B.Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)

C.Urgent Capability Acquisition

D.Defense Business Systems

Explanation: The Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) pathway under DoDI 5000.80 has two paths — rapid prototyping and rapid fielding — that aim to deliver capability within five years; fielding within roughly two years is the practical target. UCA is for needs typically delivered within two years to counter emergent enemy threats.

4Which acquisition pathway is governed by DoDI 5000.87 and is specifically designed for rapid, iterative delivery of software capability?

A.Software Acquisition Pathway

B.Middle Tier of Acquisition

C.Urgent Capability Acquisition

D.Major Capability Acquisition

Explanation: The Software Acquisition Pathway under DoDI 5000.87 was established to enable rapid, iterative delivery of software capability using Agile, Lean, and DevSecOps methods. It has two paths — Applications and Embedded Software — and bypasses traditional JCIDS and milestone documentation.

5What is the threshold value (in then-year dollars) above which a program is classified as an Acquisition Category I (ACAT I) Major Defense Acquisition Program?

A.Greater than $525M RDT&E or $3.065B procurement

B.Greater than $200M RDT&E or $920M procurement

C.Greater than $50M RDT&E or $250M procurement

D.Greater than $1B RDT&E or $5B procurement

Explanation: Per 10 USC §4201 and DoDI 5000.85, an ACAT I Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) requires expenditure exceeding $525 million in RDT&E or $3.065 billion in procurement (in FY2020 constant dollars; thresholds are periodically updated). MDAPs receive the highest oversight.

6Who is the statutory Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) for a Major Defense Acquisition Program (ACAT I) unless delegated?

A.Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, USD(A&S), as the Defense Acquisition Executive (DAE)

B.The Service Acquisition Executive (SAE)

C.The Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC)

D.The Program Manager (PM)

Explanation: By statute (10 USC §4211), the Defense Acquisition Executive — currently USD(A&S) — is the MDA for ACAT ID programs unless authority is delegated. Service Acquisition Executives (SAEs) are MDAs for ACAT IC programs delegated to the Component.

7Which document, validated by the JROC, formally captures the operational user's capability needs that drive a new acquisition program at Materiel Development Decision?

A.Initial Capabilities Document (ICD)

B.Capability Development Document (CDD)

C.Capability Production Document (CPD)

D.Acquisition Program Baseline (APB)

Explanation: The Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) is the JCIDS document that justifies a materiel need based on a capability gap, and JROC validation of the ICD supports the Materiel Development Decision (MDD). CDD and CPD come later in the life cycle.

8Which JCIDS document is approved before Milestone B to define performance attributes for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase?

A.Capability Development Document (CDD)

B.Initial Capabilities Document (ICD)

C.Capability Production Document (CPD)

D.Joint Capabilities Document (JCD)

Explanation: The Capability Development Document (CDD) is approved before Milestone B and contains the performance attributes (KPPs, KSAs, additional attributes) used to guide the EMD phase. The CPD finalizes those attributes before Milestone C.

9Which milestone authorizes program entry into the Production and Deployment phase of a Major Capability Acquisition program?

A.Milestone C

B.Milestone A

C.Milestone B

D.Materiel Development Decision (MDD)

Explanation: Milestone C authorizes entry into Production and Deployment (initially Low-Rate Initial Production for major programs). Milestone A enters Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction, and Milestone B enters Engineering and Manufacturing Development.

10What is the role of the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB)?

A.Establishes cost, schedule, and performance baselines and APB breach thresholds for the program

B.Documents validated capability requirements approved by the JROC

C.Specifies the source selection evaluation criteria for a competitive contract

D.Authorizes the obligation of RDT&E funds for the program

Explanation: The APB establishes the program's cost, schedule, and performance baselines, with objective and threshold values; deviations beyond thresholds are APB breaches that may trigger formal restructuring and, for MDAPs, Nunn-McCurdy review.

About the CDFM-A Module 4 Exam

CDFM-A Module 4 — Acquisition Specialty — is the optional Acquisition Specialty exam awarded by SDFM (formerly ASMC) to candidates who have already earned the full Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) designation. The exam tests the DoD Defense Acquisition System under DoDD 5000.01 and DoDI 5000.02, the six Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways (Urgent Capability, Middle Tier, Major Capability, Software, Defense Business Systems, Acquisition of Services), JCIDS (ICD/CDD/CPD), milestone decisions and ACAT categories, the Acquisition Program Baseline, Nunn-McCurdy thresholds, EVM compliance under FAR 34.2 / ANSI-EIA 748, should-cost and will-cost analysis, contract types under FAR Part 16, color-of-money rules for RDT&E and Procurement appropriations, Life-Cycle Sustainment Plans, Performance-Based Logistics, Test and Evaluation (TEMP, DT&E, OT&E, LFT&E), and Foreign Military Sales under DSCA.

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Not publicly disclosed

Exam Fee

$119 (Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM))

CDFM-A Module 4 Exam Content Outline

39%

Program Management

Defense Acquisition System (DAS) phases, ACAT I-III categorization, MDD/MS A/B/C decisions, Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) cost/schedule/performance objectives and thresholds, Acquisition Strategy, AoA at MS A, JCIDS (ICD/CDD/CPD, IS-ICD/IS-CDD, JROC validation), IPTs, Defense Acquisition Executive Summary (DAES), Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR), Beyond LRIP report, and Nunn-McCurdy significant (15%/30%) and critical (25%/50%) breach thresholds under 10 USC §4375.

14%

Information Technology

Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (40 USC), Defense Business Systems (DoDI 5000.75 BCAC, 10 USC §2222 IRB certification at $50M), Information Support Plan per DoDI 8330.01, Global Information Grid (GIG), NIST Risk Management Framework per DoDI 8510.01, Continuous ATO (cATO), Program Protection Plan, Critical Program Information, and Anti-Tamper.

12%

Business Financial Management and Cost Estimating

Affordability analysis (goals at MS A, caps at MS B), should-cost vs will-cost, Director CAPE independent cost estimates, cost estimating techniques (analogy, parametric, engineering build-up), Earned Value Management compliance with ANSI/EIA-748 per FAR 34.2 ($20M cost/incentive contract threshold; $100M validation), EVM formulas (CV, SV, CPI, SPI, EAC = BAC/CPI), and agile contracting.

12%

Life Cycle Logistics

Acquisition life cycle decision points and exit criteria, Total Life Cycle Logistics, 12 Integrated Product Support (IPS) elements, Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (DoDI 5000.91), Performance-Based Logistics and Performance-Based Agreements, Operational Availability (Ao) sustainment KPP, Total Ownership Cost, O&S typically 60-70% of LCC, Independent Logistic Assessments, and 10 USC §2464 core depot / §2466 50/50 rule.

11%

Engineering and Technical Management

ETM principles, Systems Engineering Plan (DoDI 5000.88), Technical Management Processes, design considerations (open systems, interoperability, reliability, supportability, system security), Modular Open Systems Approach under 10 USC §4401, Human Systems Integration (manpower, personnel, training, human factors, safety, habitability, survivability), and technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR).

International Acquisition and Security Cooperation

International Cooperative Acquisition Programs via MOU under 22 USC §2767, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) administered by DSCA, Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), FMS Trust Fund (cash-before-work), Arms Export Control Act and ITAR (22 CFR 120-130), Direct Commercial Sales, Foreign Military Financing, and key foreign-partner acquisition considerations.

Test and Evaluation

Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) per DoDI 5000.89, Developmental T&E vs Operational T&E (OT&E), Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) on production-representative articles, Live Fire T&E for covered systems, Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) statutory role under 10 USC §139, Beyond LRIP report, and integrated test planning.

How to Pass the CDFM-A Module 4 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Not publicly disclosed
Exam length: 80 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $119

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CDFM-A Module 4 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the six Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways and their governing DoDIs: Urgent Capability (5000.81), MTA (5000.80), MCA (5000.85), Software (5000.87), DBS (5000.75), Services (5000.74)

2Lock down the Nunn-McCurdy thresholds: significant breach at 15% over current APB or 30% over original; critical breach at 25%/50% triggering USD(A&S) certification to Congress

3Drill the EVM formulas until automatic: CV = BCWP − ACWP, SV = BCWP − BCWS, CPI = BCWP/ACWP, SPI = BCWP/BCWS, EAC = BAC/CPI (then VAC = BAC − EAC)

4Know the JCIDS document chain: ICD justifies need (MDD), CDD sets MS B requirements, CPD sets MS C requirements; JROC validates them all

5Master color-of-money periods of availability: O&M/MILPERS 1-yr, RDT&E 2-yr, Procurement 3-yr (SCN 5-yr), MILCON 5-yr; expense/investment threshold is $250,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CDFM-A and how does it differ from the CDFM?

CDFM-A (Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty) is an OPTIONAL specialty designation earned by passing Module 4 — Acquisition Specialty — AFTER first earning the full CDFM (Modules 1-3). CDFM-A is not a separate certification path; it is an add-on credential for defense FM professionals who advise acquisition decision makers. You cannot sit for Module 4 without already holding the CDFM.

What is the format of CDFM-A Module 4?

CDFM-A Module 4 is a closed-book Pearson VUE exam delivered either at a test center or online via OnVUE. The exam contains 80 multiple-choice questions and has a 2-hour time limit. Restroom breaks are not permitted during the exam window. Module 4 is the optional Acquisition Specialty exam taken after the core CDFM.

How much does CDFM-A Module 4 cost in 2026?

Per the SDFM Candidate Handbook, the Module 4 exam costs $119 per attempt, the same as the core CDFM modules. Candidates must already hold the CDFM, so the $119 Module 4 fee is added on top of the prior CDFM application and module fees. Each retake also costs $119.

What topics does CDFM-A Module 4 cover?

The 2024 CDFM-A Module 4 blueprint weights seven domains: Program Management (39%), Information Technology (14%), Life Cycle Logistics (12%), Business Financial Management and Cost Estimating (12%), Engineering and Technical Management (11%), International Acquisition and Security Cooperation (6%), and Test and Evaluation (6%). Core content includes DoDD 5000.01, DoDI 5000.02, the Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways, JCIDS, EVM, Nunn-McCurdy, should-cost, FMS, and life-cycle sustainment.

What is the CDFM-A passing score?

SDFM does not publicly publish a numeric pass score for Module 4. Candidates receive a pass/fail result at the testing center along with diagnostic feedback on relative performance by competency area. Module 4 is scored independently of the core CDFM modules.

How long should I study for CDFM-A Module 4?

SDFM recommends a minimum of 3 months of study per module based on the exam blueprint. Most successful candidates report 60-100 hours of focused study using the SDFM CDFM-A Module 4 Study Guide, the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) library, DoDI 5000-series and JCIDS Manual, and timed 80-question 2-hour practice tests.

Can I take Module 4 online?

Yes. SDFM offers Module 4 at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide (including some military installations) or online through OnVUE proctoring. OnVUE requires a stable internet connection, a webcam, and a private, quiet testing space, and you should run the Pearson VUE system test before scheduling. Test-center appointments may be rescheduled at no cost up to 4 business days in advance.