Free CPSM Exam 1 Exam Prep
CPSM Exam 1 — Supply Management Core
Prepare for the CPSM Exam 1 exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
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CPSM ISM Supply Management Certifications License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
Phase 1: Sourcing and Supplier QualificationYou are here
Master RFx selection, supplier qualification, make-or-buy analysis, Kraljic matrix, and spend analysis — the strategic foundation of Exam 1.
Phase 2: Negotiation
Practice BATNA preparation, anchoring techniques, integrative negotiation, and concession strategy with scenario-based questions.
Phase 3: Contract Types, Clauses, and UCC
Study firm fixed-price, T&M, cost-plus, and hybrid contract types; UCC battle of the forms; and key protective clauses.
Phase 4: Cost-Price Analysis and TCO
Build fluency in should-cost modeling, price analysis, TCO, PPV, total landed cost, and financial ratio analysis for supplier health.
Phase 5: Timed Mixed-Question Practice
Run timed sets across all four domains to simulate 180-question, 3-hour exam conditions and tighten pacing.
Can You Take the CPSM Exam 1 Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Register the exam with ISM before scheduling at Pearson VUE.
- •Exam score remains valid for 4 years from the test date.
- •APSM and CPSM credentials require recertification every 3 years with 60 continuing education hours.
CPSM Exam 1 Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
4-6 weeks of focused preparation for most candidates
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE (test center and OnVUE online proctoring)
Retake Policy
Minimum 30-day waiting period required before retaking a CPSM exam at Pearson VUE.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free CPSM Exam 1 Prep Tools
Reported exam pass rate: ISM does not publish official CPSM pass-rate statistics.. Check the exam sponsor for the latest official figure.
100 FREE Practice Questions
Covers all four core domains: sourcing, negotiation, legal and contractual, and supplier relationship management.
AI-Powered Learning
Get targeted explanations on BATNA, UCC, should-cost modeling, TCO, and corrective-action scenarios.
2026 Updated
Aligned to ISM's current Exam 1 content domains, pricing, and Pearson VUE delivery model.
Free Access
Prep for CPSM Exam 1 and the APSM credential without paying for a separate question bank.
What You'll Study
14 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
Introduction & Exam Overview
2 sections
Chapter 2: Sourcing Foundations
4 sections
Chapter 3: Make-or-Buy, Technology & Spend Leverage
3 sections
Chapter 4: Strategic Sourcing Plans, Solicitations & Offer Evaluation
3 sections
Chapter 5: Category Management
2 sections
Chapter 6: Negotiation
3 sections
Chapter 7: Contracts, Award & Administration
3 sections
Chapter 8: Legal Review & Compliance
2 sections
Chapter 9: SRM — Qualification, Relationships & Performance
3 sections
Chapter 10: Business Reviews, Rationalization & Innovation
3 sections
Chapter 11: Exit Strategies, SLAs & Invoice/Payment Issues
3 sections
Chapter 12: Liaison Role & Value-Added Processes
2 sections
Chapter 13: Cost and Price Management
4 sections
Chapter 14: Financial Analysis
3 sections
CPSM Exam 1 Exam Details
CPSM Exam 1 — Supply Management Core
Administered by Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official Institute for Supply Management (ISM) content outline
Needs assessment, market analysis, sourcing strategy selection, RFx solicitation methods, make-or-buy, and supplier selection.
Negotiation planning, BATNA, anchoring, concession strategy, integrative versus positional negotiation, and leverage.
Contract formation, UCC, contract types, key clauses, risk allocation, warranties, indemnification, force majeure, and dispute resolution.
Supplier segmentation, scorecards, corrective action, supplier development, ethics, compliance, cost-price analysis, and P2P operations.
What's Included
14 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
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What's Next After the CPSM Exam 1?
After passing the CPSM Exam 1, you can pursue these career paths
cpsm
Complete CPSM Exams 2 and 3 to earn the full CPSM designation after passing Exam 1.
cscp
Extend supply expertise into end-to-end supply chain design and operations.
cpim
Add planning and inventory management depth to your supply management credential.
CPSM Exam 1 Exam FAQ
Official Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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