Free APICS CSCP exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the APICS CSCP exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A demand series rises predictably every December and returns to its usual level afterward. Which component describes that pattern?

   1. A. Seasonal variation
   2. B. Random variation
   3. C. Long-term trend
   4. D. Cyclical variation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The dictionary says, "Seasonal includes a recurring demand pattern, such as day of the week, weekly, monthly, or quarterly." A recurring calendar-month peak is seasonal; a cycle is repeating but nonseasonal, a trend is a general direction, and random variation lacks a pattern.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Decomposition entry

2. 2Which combination of flows is explicitly included in ASCM's definition of a supply chain network?

   1. A. Information, labor, and energy
   2. B. Materials, labor, and equipment
   3. C. Cash, equipment, and energy
   4. D. Information, materials, and cash

   Answer: D

   Explanation: ASCM describes trading partners with structures regarding "information, materials, and cash flows." These three flows span the network. The alternatives replace at least one of them with an operational input rather than a named network flow.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Supply chain network entry

3. 3A firm is deciding whether to manufacture a component internally or purchase it from a supplier. What type of decision is this?

   1. A. Supplier scorecard review
   2. B. Inventory replenishment decision
   3. C. Customer allocation decision
   4. D. Make-or-buy decision

   Answer: D

   Explanation: ASCM defines a make-or-buy decision as "deciding whether to produce an item internally or buy it from an outside supplier." The other decisions concern supplier performance, stocking, or demand allocation after the sourcing choice.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Make-or-buy decision entry

4. 4A master production schedule specifies what the firm plans to produce. In what form is that plan expressed?

   1. A. Product families, aggregate volumes, and quarters
   2. B. Specific configurations, quantities, and dates
   3. C. Specific configurations, costs, and dates
   4. D. Specific configurations, quantities, and suppliers

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ASCM says an MPS is "expressed in specific configurations, quantities, and dates." Family-level volumes are less detailed; cost or supplier identity cannot replace the dated quantity of each configuration.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Master production schedule (MPS) entry

5. 5Which application manages and optimizes workflows and storage of goods within a warehouse?

   1. A. Transportation management system
   2. B. Material requirements planning
   3. C. Customer relationship management
   4. D. Warehouse management system

   Answer: D

   Explanation: ASCM defines a WMS as a computer system "designed to manage and optimize workflows and the storage of goods within a warehouse." The alternatives focus on transportation, materials planning, or customers.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Warehouse management system (WMS) entry

6. 6When interpreting the voice of the customer, what information is the team primarily seeking?

   1. A. Sales managers' annual revenue targets
   2. B. Customers' own descriptions of desired functions and features
   3. C. Internal engineers' estimates of manufacturing cost
   4. D. Suppliers' forecasts of component availability

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ASCM defines VOC as "Actual customer descriptions in words for the functions and features customers desire for goods and services." Internal costs, supplier supply, and sales targets do not substitute for the customer's own stated needs.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Voice of the customer (VOC) entry

7. 7A key supplier shows signs of insolvency and may be unable to finance continued deliveries. Which risk category is most directly raised?

   1. A. Supplier financial risk
   2. B. Supplier compliance risk
   3. C. Supplier cyber risk
   4. D. Supplier intellectual property risk

   Answer: A

   Explanation: ASCM says a supplier credit check is used to understand "the supplier's financial solvency and bankruptcy risk." The threatened ability to finance operations is a financial supplier risk, distinct from compliance, cyber, and intellectual-property exposure.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — supplier credit check entry

8. 8An executive team reviews whether supply chain design and operating initiatives still deliver its stated performance objectives. What is the scope of the strategy being evaluated?

   1. A. Planning sourcing activities without delivery execution or control
   2. B. Monitoring warehouse activity without sourcing or manufacturing
   3. C. Coordinating only procurement, production, and sales forecasts
   4. D. Design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities

   Answer: D

   Explanation: ASCM defines supply chain strategy as "An overarching plan for the design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities." The alternatives omit parts of that end-to-end scope or the execution/control cycle.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — supply chain strategy entry

9. 9Orders for a replacement component arrive in large batches separated by several months with no orders. Which demand pattern best describes the history?

   1. A. Discontinuous demand
   2. B. Trend demand
   3. C. Stable demand
   4. D. Seasonal demand

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The dictionary defines discontinuous demand as "a demand pattern that is characterized by large demands interrupted by periods with no demand". The zero-demand gaps and large intermittent orders determine the classification; the stem does not establish a regular calendar cycle, stable demand, or a sustained trend.

   Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Discontinuous demand entry

10. 10A supplier grants its customer access to current demand and production information. Which network capability does this illustrate?

    1. A. Inventory valuation
    2. B. Supplier qualification
    3. C. Supply chain visibility
    4. D. Production capacity planning

    Answer: C

    Explanation: ASCM defines visibility as "Sharing information throughout the supply chain to create transparency among supply chain partners" and gives access to trading partners' demand and production information as an example. The other capabilities address planning, accounting, or selection rather than the transparency described.

    Reference: ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, 18th edition — Supply chain visibility entry