1.1 CSCP Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
- The CSCP exam has 150 questions (130 scored + 20 unscored pretest) delivered in a single 3.5-hour appointment.
- Scoring is scaled from 200 to 350, and a candidate must reach a scaled score of 300 to pass.
- The exam is owned by ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management), the parent body of APICS, and delivered through Pearson VUE at test centers or via OnVUE online proctoring.
- Standard pricing is roughly $1,450 for ASCM members with a certification upgrade and about $2,015 for nonmembers or members without the upgrade.
- The CSCP credential signifies validated end-to-end supply chain expertise and must be maintained every 5 years with 75 professional development points.
CSCP Exam Facts
Quick Answer: The Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) exam is a 150-question, 3.5-hour test owned by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the parent organization of APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society). Of the 150 questions, 130 are scored and 20 are unscored pretest items. Scoring is scaled from 200 to 350, and you must reach 300 to pass.
Why the Format Matters
The CSCP exam is not a recall quiz. It is a scenario-driven assessment of whether you can design, run, and improve a supply chain that spans suppliers, internal operations, and customers. Knowing the exact format helps you pace yourself and avoid surprises on test day.
Core Exam Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Owning body | ASCM (parent of APICS) |
| Total questions | 150 (130 scored + 20 pretest) |
| Question type | Multiple choice, four options each |
| Time limit | 3.5 hours (single appointment) |
| Scoring method | Scaled score, range 200-350 |
| Passing score | 300 (scaled) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online proctoring |
| Typical fee | ~$1,450 member w/ upgrade; ~$2,015 nonmember |
| Validity | 5 years; 75 maintenance points to renew |
The 20 Pretest Questions
Pretest questions are unscored items ASCM uses to validate future content. They are mixed in with scored questions and are not identified, so you must treat every question as if it counts. This is why the test feels like 150 questions even though only 130 affect your result.
Scaled Scoring Explained
A scaled score converts your raw correct count into a standardized number that adjusts for slight differences in difficulty between exam forms. Two candidates with the same ability earn the same scaled score even if their question sets differ. The passing line is fixed at 300 on the 200-350 scale, so you cannot compute a simple percentage target; aim instead for strong, consistent performance across all eight content modules.
What the CSCP Credential Signifies
Earning the CSCP tells employers you can manage the full supply chain end to end: demand planning, global network design, sourcing, internal operations and inventory, logistics, relationships, risk, and optimization. It is positioned as ASCM's broadest supply chain credential, distinct from the production-focused CPIM and the logistics-focused CLTD.
- It is an active, maintained credential, not a one-time exam
- Holders renew every 5 years with 75 professional development points
- Lapsed certifications can be reinstated under ASCM maintenance rules
How many questions on the CSCP exam are scored, and how many are unscored pretest items?
What scaled score must a candidate achieve to pass the CSCP exam?
Which organization owns and administers the CSCP credential?
How often must a CSCP holder maintain the credential, and what is required?