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Free Practice Questions for SME Management Consultant Examination

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Key Facts: SME Management Consultant Examination Exam

7 × 100 points

1st-exam subjects, each scored out of 100 on a mark sheet

令和8年度中小企業診断士第1次試験案内, timetable

60% / 40%

1st-exam overall floor and per-subject floor on subjects sat

令和8 試験案内 section 12 and J-FCMCA 1st-exam passers page

17,200 / 15,100 JPY

令和8 non-taxable 1st-exam / 2nd-exam fees

令和8 第1次試験案内 and 第2次試験案内; METI 2026-02-05 and 2026-04-06 notices

4 × 80 min

2nd-exam written cases on 25 Oct 2026; oral abolished from 令和8

令和8 第2次試験案内; METI 2026-02-05 notice

2 years

1st-exam pass validity for sitting the 2nd exam; subject-pass exemption window is the next two 1st exams

令和8 第1次試験案内 sections 6 and 12

中小企業診断士 is Japan's national SME consultant exam, run by J-FCMCA under METI. 2026 1st exam: 1–2 Aug, seven papers, 60% overall and 40% floor, 17,200 JPY. 2nd exam: 25 Oct, four written cases, oral abolished, 15,100 JPY. This bank is independent English MCQ study, not the official Japanese papers.

Sample SME Management Consultant Examination Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SME Management Consultant Examination exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In 経済学・経済政策, which identity defines real GDP from published nominal GDP and the GDP deflator (index, base = 100)?
A.Real GDP = Nominal GDP ÷ (GDP deflator / 100)
B.Real GDP = Nominal GDP × (GDP deflator / 100)
C.Real GDP = Nominal GDP − GDP deflator
D.Real GDP = GDP deflator ÷ Nominal GDP
Explanation: The GDP deflator equals (Nominal GDP / Real GDP) × 100. Rearranged, Real GDP = Nominal GDP / (deflator / 100). Example: nominal 110 trillion yen and deflator 110 implies real GDP of 100 trillion yen in base-year prices.
2In 経済学・経済政策, a simple Keynesian goods-market model has marginal propensity to consume 0.8 and no taxes or imports. What is the government-expenditure multiplier 1 / (1 − MPC)?
A.0.8
B.5
C.1.25
D.4
Explanation: The simple expenditure multiplier is 1 / (1 − MPC) = 1 / (1 − 0.8) = 1 / 0.2 = 5. A 1 yen autonomous spending increase raises equilibrium GDP by 5 yen when leakages are only saving.
3In 経済学・経済政策, under the IS-LM model with a positively sloped LM curve, an increase in government spending with an unchanged money supply typically does which of the following in the short run?
A.Shifts LM right, lowering the interest rate and raising output
B.Shifts IS left, lowering output and the interest rate
C.Shifts IS right, raising both equilibrium output and the interest rate
D.Leaves IS unchanged and only steepens LM
Explanation: Government spending raises goods-market demand at any interest rate, shifting IS to the right. The new IS-LM intersection has higher Y and a higher r because extra money demand is accommodated only by a higher interest rate when LM is unchanged. That interest-rate rise is the crowding-out channel.
4In 経済学・経済政策, a product's price rises 10% and quantity demanded falls 20%, holding other factors fixed. What is the absolute price elasticity of demand, |(%ΔQ) / (%ΔP)|?
A.0.5
B.10
C.30
D.2.0
Explanation: Price elasticity of demand is the percentage change in quantity divided by the percentage change in price: 20 / 10 = 2. Because the absolute value exceeds 1, demand is price-elastic over this range.
5In 経済学・経済政策, nominal GDP is 550 trillion yen and real GDP is 500 trillion yen. What is the GDP deflator (base = 100)?
A.110
B.50
C.90.9
D.1.10
Explanation: GDP deflator = (Nominal GDP / Real GDP) × 100 = (550 / 500) × 100 = 110. The index says the current price level is 10% above the base year for the GDP basket.
6In 経済学・経済政策, Country A can produce 1 machine or 4 tons of rice per worker-day; Country B can produce 1 machine or 2 tons of rice. Who has the comparative advantage in rice?
A.Country B, because it has the lower opportunity cost of rice (0.5 machine per ton versus A's 0.25)
B.Country A, because its opportunity cost of rice is 0.25 machine per ton versus B's 0.5 machine per ton
C.Country B, because it produces fewer tons of rice per day in absolute terms
D.Neither, because A has an absolute advantage in both goods
Explanation: Comparative advantage follows opportunity cost. A's cost of 1 ton of rice is 1/4 machine; B's is 1/2 machine. A is relatively better at rice. B's cost of 1 machine is only 2 tons of rice versus A's 4 tons, so B has comparative advantage in machines. Absolute advantage in both goods (A) does not remove gains from trade.
7In 経済学・経済政策, two firms play a one-shot prisoner's dilemma on whether to collude on price or cut price. Each has a dominant strategy to cut. What is the Nash equilibrium?
A.Both collude, because that pair maximizes joint profit
B.One colludes and one cuts, because mixed strategies are required
C.Both cut price, even though both would earn more if both colluded
D.No Nash equilibrium exists in a prisoner's dilemma
Explanation: A dominant strategy is best regardless of the rival's move. If cutting dominates, the unique Nash equilibrium is both cut. Joint profit is higher if both collude, which is why the dilemma is a standard model of oligopoly cheating named in the 試験案内 under 組織と戦略の経済学.
8In 経済学・経済政策, which pair best matches a pure public good as a source of market failure?
A.Rival and excludable, so private markets over-provide it
B.Rival but non-excludable, which is the definition of a club good
C.Non-rival but excludable, which is the definition of a common-pool resource
D.Non-rival and non-excludable, so private markets tend to under-provide it
Explanation: A pure public good is non-rival (one person's use does not reduce others' use) and non-excludable (non-payers cannot be kept out). Free riding means private supply is too low relative to social surplus, a standard 市場の失敗 topic in the 試験案内.
9In 経済学・経済政策, what is a standard distinction between the CPI and the GDP deflator?
A.The CPI is a consumer-basket index (including imports consumers buy); the GDP deflator covers the prices of goods produced domestically (including exports, excluding imports)
B.The CPI covers all domestically produced goods, including exports and capital goods, while the deflator is a consumer-only basket
C.Both indexes always give identical inflation rates by construction
D.The GDP deflator includes only food and energy, while the CPI is core inflation
Explanation: CPI tracks a household consumption basket and can include imported consumer goods. The GDP deflator is the price index for domestic production, so exports enter and imports do not. That is why the two inflation measures can diverge.
10In 経済学・経済政策, compared with perfect competition, a single-price monopolist that faces a downward-sloping demand curve typically:
A.Sets P = MC and produces the efficient output
B.Sets MR = MC, which implies P > MC and a smaller output than the competitive benchmark
C.Sets P < MC in order to deter entry
D.Has no deadweight loss because profit is a transfer
Explanation: Profit maximization still equates marginal revenue to marginal cost. With downward-sloping demand, MR lies below P, so P > MC and output is restricted. The resulting deadweight loss is the classic monopoly inefficiency in 独占の弊害.

About the SME Management Consultant Examination Exam

The 中小企業診断士試験 is Japan's national SME management consultant examination under 中小企業支援法. METI / 中小企業庁 owns the policy; 一般社団法人 日本中小企業診断士協会連合会 (J-FCMCA) is the designated administrator. The 令和8 1st exam is a Japanese mark-sheet sitting on 1–2 August 2026 covering seven 100-point subjects, with no calculator. A 1st-exam pass needs at least 60% overall on the subjects sat and no subject under 40%. The 2nd exam on 25 October 2026 is four written cases of 80 minutes; the oral exam is abolished from 令和8. Fees are 17,200 JPY (1st) and 15,100 JPY (2nd), both stated as non-taxable exam fees. OpenExamPrep publishes independent English multiple-choice study for the official subject list. It is not an official translation, not a J-FCMCA paper, and not a substitute for writing the 2nd-exam cases in Japanese.

Exam sponsor: 一般社団法人 日本中小企業診断士協会連合会 (J-FCMCA / 中小企業診断協会). METI / 中小企業庁 is the policy owner. Not JSBRI.. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

National exam under 中小企業支援法, administered by J-FCMCA. 1st exam: seven Japanese mark-sheet subjects over two days (10 venues). Subject passes can be exempted for the next two 1st exams on application. 2nd exam: four 80-minute written cases in seven venues (事例I organization/HR, 事例II marketing/distribution, 事例III production/technology, 事例IV finance/accounting). Oral exam abolished from 令和8. Registration still requires 15+ days of prescribed practice or training after a 2nd-exam pass.

Time Limit

1st exam, 1–2 Aug 2026: Sat 9:50–10:50 経済学・経済政策 (60 min); 11:30–12:30 財務・会計 (60 min); 13:30–15:00 企業経営理論 (90 min); 15:40–17:10 運営管理 (90 min). Sun 9:50–10:50 経営法務 (60 min); 11:30–12:30 経営情報システム (60 min); 13:30–15:00 中小企業経営・中小企業政策 (90 min). 2nd exam, 25 Oct 2026: 9:40–11:00, 11:40–13:00, 14:00–15:20, 16:00–17:20 (80 min × 4).

Passing Score

1st: 60% of total points on subjects sat and no sat subject under 40% (committee may adjust); subject-pass 60%. 2nd (令和8案内): 60% of written total and no case under 40%.

Exam / Certification Fees

17,200 JPY (1st, non-taxable) / 15,100 JPY (2nd, non-taxable). Online payment processing extra: 590 JPY (1st) / 525 JPY (2nd), tax included.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

14% of this local practice set

経済学・経済政策

Indicators, macro policy, trade, markets, and micro theory from 試験案内 section 13, including GDP deflator and multiplier calculations.

16% of this local practice set

財務・会計

Statements, ratios, CVP, investment appraisal, and 事例IV-style judgment. Numeric items use standard formulas; the official 1st exam bans calculators.

16% of this local practice set

企業経営理論

Strategy, organization, and marketing theory named in section 13 (Porter, VRIO, Kotler positions, STP/4P), plus 事例I/II MCQ adaptations.

14% of this local practice set

運営管理（オペレーション・マネジメント）

Production systems, work study, inventory, QC, and store operations, plus 事例III MCQ adaptations.

14% of this local practice set

経営法務

Company types, director duties, IP terms, and insolvency concepts at exam level. Articles are cited only from e-Gov or METI text.

12% of this local practice set

経営情報システム

IT fundamentals, databases, networks, development methods, security, and information-system management from section 13.

14% of this local practice set

中小企業経営・中小企業政策

中小企業基本法 size classes, White Paper SME role, and policy-system concepts. 2026 subsidy yen amounts are not tested.

Preparing for the SME Management Consultant Examination Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 1st: 60% of total points on subjects sat and no sat subject under 40% (committee may adjust); subject-pass 60%. 2nd (令和8案内): 60% of written total and no case under 40%.
  • Assessment: National exam under 中小企業支援法, administered by J-FCMCA. 1st exam: seven Japanese mark-sheet subjects over two days (10 venues). Subject passes can be exempted for the next two 1st exams on application. 2nd exam: four 80-minute written cases in seven venues (事例I organization/HR, 事例II marketing/distribution, 事例III production/technology, 事例IV finance/accounting). Oral exam abolished from 令和8. Registration still requires 15+ days of prescribed practice or training after a 2nd-exam pass.
  • Time limit: 1st exam, 1–2 Aug 2026: Sat 9:50–10:50 経済学・経済政策 (60 min); 11:30–12:30 財務・会計 (60 min); 13:30–15:00 企業経営理論 (90 min); 15:40–17:10 運営管理 (90 min). Sun 9:50–10:50 経営法務 (60 min); 11:30–12:30 経営情報システム (60 min); 13:30–15:00 中小企業経営・中小企業政策 (90 min). 2nd exam, 25 Oct 2026: 9:40–11:00, 11:40–13:00, 14:00–15:20, 16:00–17:20 (80 min × 4).
  • Exam / certification fees: 17,200 JPY (1st, non-taxable) / 15,100 JPY (2nd, non-taxable). Online payment processing extra: 590 JPY (1st) / 525 JPY (2nd), tax included. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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SME Management Consultant Examination: Suggested Study Strategy

1Drill 財務・会計 and 経済学 arithmetic without a calculator, matching the official 1st-exam ban.
2Learn each 1st-exam subject from 試験案内 section 13 rather than a blended consulting framework.
3Treat 第2次 事例I–IV as written diagnosis: structure issues, causes, and advice; English MCQs here only train judgment, not handwriting.
4Memorize 中小企業基本法 size classes (capital or employees, by industry) from METI, not unofficial subsidy tables.
5Use subject-pass exemptions on application for the following two 1st exams if a paper hits the 60% subject standard but the sitting is not a full 1st-exam pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the 中小企業診断士 exam?

METI designates 一般社団法人 日本中小企業診断士協会連合会 (J-FCMCA / 中小企業診断協会) as the test administrator. METI / 中小企業庁 is the policy owner. JSBRI is not the administrator.

What is the 2026 first-exam timetable?

Saturday 1 August 2026: 経済学・経済政策 60 minutes, 財務・会計 60 minutes, 企業経営理論 90 minutes, 運営管理 90 minutes. Sunday 2 August 2026: 経営法務 60 minutes, 経営情報システム 60 minutes, 中小企業経営・中小企業政策 90 minutes. Each paper is 100 points. Calculators are not allowed.

What is the first-exam passing standard?

The 令和8 試験案内 and the official passers page require at least 60% of total points on the subjects you sat and no sat subject under 40% of 100 points, with the exam committee able to set the ratio it considers appropriate. A subject pass is 60% of that paper and can be exempted, on application, for the next two 1st exams.

Did the 2026 second exam keep an oral test?

No. METI's 5 February 2026 notice and the 令和8 試験案内 abolish the 2nd-exam oral from 令和8. The 2nd exam on 25 October 2026 is four written cases of 80 minutes (organization/HR, marketing/distribution, production/technology, finance/accounting).

Does OpenExamPrep simulate the official exam format?

No. Official papers are Japanese mark-sheets (1st) and Japanese written cases (2nd). This bank is independent English-language multiple-choice study. It is not an official translation and is not a substitute for 2nd-exam writing.

How much are the 令和8 fees?

17,200 JPY for the 1st exam and 15,100 JPY for the 2nd exam, both stated as non-taxable exam fees. J-FCMCA also charges online payment processing (590 JPY tax-included for the 1st; 525 JPY tax-included for the 2nd).