100+ Free CDFM Module 1 Practice Questions
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Under GPRAMA, federal strategic plans must cover a minimum period of how many years?
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Key Facts: CDFM Module 1 Exam
80
Multiple-Choice Questions
SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook v25.05
2 hours
Exam Time Limit
SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook v25.05
$119
Exam Fee (per module)
SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook v25.05
35%
Largest Domain (Gov RM Environment)
2024 CDFM Module 1 Exam Blueprint
25%
ERM & Internal Controls Weight
2024 CDFM Module 1 Exam Blueprint
2 years
Window to Pass Modules 1-3
SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook v25.05
80 CPEs
Recertification (every 2 years)
SDFM CDFM Candidate Handbook v25.05
CDFM Module 1 is a 2-hour, 80-question Pearson VUE exam (OnVUE or test center) that costs $119 per attempt under the 2026 SDFM fee schedule. The 2024 blueprint weights Government Resource Management Environment at 35%, Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls at 25%, Manpower Management at 20%, and Fiscal Law at 20%. Candidates pass Modules 1-3 within a 2-year window to earn the CDFM, which is recognized by OUSD(C) and accepted in lieu of any DoD FM Certification Program (DFMCP) level.
Sample CDFM Module 1 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CDFM Module 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which document is the foundational regulation that governs financial management policy and procedures across the Department of Defense?
2Which official is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on all budgetary and fiscal matters and is the principal author of the DoD FMR?
3Which three categories of organizations make up the Department of Defense as defined in DoD Directive 5100.01?
4Which DoD organization is responsible for unbiased cost estimating and program evaluation that informs PPBE decisions?
5Which DoD organization is the primary provider of finance and accounting services for the Department?
6Which act of 1986 established the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the principal military advisor and strengthened the Combatant Commanders?
7What does the acronym PPBE stand for in DoD resource management?
8Which output document concludes the Planning phase of PPBE and conveys SecDef strategic guidance for Programming?
9Which document is the principal output of the Programming phase of PPBE?
10How many years of program data are displayed in the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP)?
About the CDFM Module 1 Exam
CDFM Module 1 — Resource Management Environment — is the first of three required exams for the Certified Defense Financial Manager designation awarded by SDFM (formerly ASMC, renamed May 29, 2024). The exam tests the government resource management environment: DoD organization (Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and Combatant Commands), the federal budget process and OMB Circular A-11, the CFO Act of 1990, the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, the DoD Financial Management Regulation (DoD 7000.14-R), the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act and OMB Circular A-123, enterprise risk management, manpower management and the DoD FM Certification Program, core fiscal law (Anti-Deficiency Act, Purpose Statute, Bona Fide Need), and the Joint Ethics Regulation (DoD 5500.07-R).
Questions
80 scored questions
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
Not publicly disclosed
Exam Fee
$119 (Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM))
CDFM Module 1 Exam Content Outline
Government Resource Management Environment
DoD organization (Mil Depts, Defense Agencies, Combatant Commands, Office of the Secretary of Defense), OUSD(Comptroller) role, federal budget process from President's Budget through enactment, OMB Circular A-11, CFO Act of 1990 (CFOs, IGs, GMRA-required financial statements), GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, DoD FMR (DoD 7000.14-R) structure, congressional oversight via the NDAA and the DoD Appropriations Act, and the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act framework.
Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls
Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (FMFIA, 31 USC §3512), OMB Circular A-123 (internal controls and ERM), Appendix A (ICFR) and Appendix C (PIIA improper payments), GAO Green Book Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government, COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework, COSO ERM 2017, DoD Managers' Internal Control Program (MICP), FIAR linkage, material weakness reporting, and the annual Statement of Assurance.
Manpower Management and the FM Workforce
Manpower vs personnel vs human capital, total force concept (Active, Reserve, Guard, civilian, contractor), inherently governmental vs commercial activities (OMB Circular A-76), position management and classification, military rank/grade structure, civilian General Schedule and Wage Grade systems, manpower requirements determination, and the DoD FM Certification Program (DFMCP) Levels 1-3 with required CETs and CPEs.
Fiscal Law
Constitutional Appropriations Clause (Art I §9), the Big Three statutes — Purpose (31 USC §1301), Time / Bona Fide Need (§1502), Amount / Anti-Deficiency Act (§1341) — plus §1517 sub-allotment ADA, §1501 Recording Statute, §3302(b) Miscellaneous Receipts, continuing resolutions, certifying officer pecuniary liability (§3528), Joint Ethics Regulation (DoD 5500.07-R), Standards of Ethical Conduct (5 CFR 2635), Hatch Act for federal civilians, and post-employment restrictions (18 USC §207).
How to Pass the CDFM Module 1 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 Module 1 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the format of CDFM Module 1?
CDFM Module 1 — Resource Management Environment — 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 1 is one of three CDFM modules required for certification and may be taken in any order.
How much does CDFM Module 1 cost in 2026?
Per the SDFM Candidate Handbook (v25.05), each CDFM module exam costs $119, the same fee for SDFM members and non-members. Together with the application fee ($49 member / $89 non-member), the total CDFM (3 modules) is $406 for SDFM members and $446 for non-members. Each retake also costs $119, with required waiting periods between attempts.
What topics does CDFM Module 1 cover?
The 2024 SDFM Module 1 blueprint weights four competency areas: Government Resource Management Environment (35%), Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls (25%), Manpower Management (20%), and Fiscal Law (20%). Key content includes DoD organization, the federal budget process and OMB Circular A-11, FMFIA and OMB A-123, the GAO Green Book, the DoD FM Certification Program, and the Big Three fiscal law statutes (Purpose, Time, Amount).
Can I take CDFM Module 1 online?
Yes. SDFM offers Module 1 either 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; 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.
Who is eligible to sit for CDFM Module 1?
Any candidate enrolled in the SDFM CDFM Program may sit for Module 1 in any order. To earn the full CDFM, candidates must hold a high school diploma plus 3 years of defense FM experience, or an associate's degree plus 2 years of defense or 4 years of federal FM experience, and submit a signed Verification of Financial Management Experience (VFME) form. Modules 1, 2, and 3 must be passed within a 2-year window.
How long should I study for CDFM Module 1?
SDFM recommends a minimum of 3 months of study per module. Most successful candidates report 60-100 hours of focused study using the SDFM CDFM Module 1 Study Guide, OMB Circulars A-11 and A-123, the DoD FMR (Volume 1 overview and Volume 14 for ethics), the GAO Green Book, the Joint Ethics Regulation (DoD 5500.07-R), and timed 80-question 2-hour practice tests aligned to the 35/25/20/20 blueprint.
Is Module 1 harder than Modules 2 or 3?
Module 1 is generally considered foundational rather than the hardest of the three. The breadth — DoD organization, federal budget process, internal controls, manpower, ethics, and fiscal law — can feel overwhelming, but the depth of computation is lower than Module 2 (cost/EVM) or Module 3 (accounting/USSGL). Candidates new to defense FM often take Module 1 first to build context before tackling the more technical material in Modules 2 and 3.