How to Pass the APICS CPIM Certification Exam?

Earning the APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) is a milestone for supply chain professionals who are keen on pursuing a career in the area of production and inventory control. This has led to a demand for professionals with specific skills as organizations persist in focusing on supply chain management. According to the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), individuals with CPIM certification earn up to 25% more compared to their non-certified peers, and companies are more likely to hire those who demonstrate advanced knowledge of production and inventory management. If somebody wants to pass his/her CPIM exam, he/she has to be organized, study, and be aware of which field of supply chain is crucial, such as demand management, production planning and inventory. In this article, we will provide you with the guidelines and tips to help you prepare for the CPIM certification exam to advance your supply chain profession.

 

Guidelines and Tips to Help Prepare for the CPIM Certification

 

1. Understand the CPIM Certification Structure

The format of the CPIM certification should be understood before going into the preparation. The CPIM exam consists of two parts:

• CPIM Part 1: This part is dedicated to a brief overview of supply chain management and issues like supply/demand, inventory, and improvement.
• CPIM Part 2: This part is slightly more intricate and deals with sales and operations planning, master scheduling, quality assurance, and assessment of performance.

Each of section of the CPIM exam entails the understanding of the principles of production and inventory management. Both of these tests are mandatory for a candidate to be given the CPIM certification.

2. Create a Study Plan

While preparing for the CPIM exam, the preparation should therefore follow a systematic and structured approach. Usually, it is believed that candidates spend 100-150 hours of study time per part. Each part of the exam will require 3 to 6 months of preparation based on your prior experience and current information. It is therefore advisable to work out a study timetable that will help you to touch all the areas within the time available. Here are some key strategies:

• Set Clear Goals: One should divide the study plan by weekly goals, which have to include certain modules and topics.
• Allocate Time Wisely: Spend even more time on these areas that take time to grasp because that is where one lacks mastery.
• Use CPIM Learning Systems: Take APICS online classes, use only the official APICS textbooks, and take practice tests from the certified list.

This will help you be in a position to follow his plan and even prepare for your paper without having the feeling of cramming.

3. Use of CPIM Study Materials

Selecting the right study materials is very important when preparing for the CPIM examination. There are various resources available that can help you master the key concepts and build confidence:

• APICS CPIM Learning System: The official CPIM learning system offers the students reading materials, quizzes, and mock tests. It is meant to provide a reasonable coverage of the topic under consideration. You can get similar things with Vinsys too. Enroll now!
• Online CPIM Courses: The best approach is to enroll for online CPIM certification courses that are well arranged and enable one to meet other people in the field. Vinsys CPIM certification course covers all the topics of the exam, case studies, and practical sessions. 
• Practice Tests: Several practice tests should be taken to determine which questions are easy for you to answer, and which require more effort. Practice tests also make you be aware of the type of questions that you are likely to face on the actual test. 

The use of official study materials, online courses and practice tests will be mutually supportive and improve your overall understanding and the probability of passing the CPIM examination.

4. Focus on Key Exam Topics

The CPIM exam is very extensive and therefore, it is advisable to focus on areas that will be tested. CPIM involves various topics, it will be important to focus on the areas that will be covered.

Below are the main topics for CPIM Part 1 and Part 2:

CPIM Part 1 (Basics of Supply Chain Management):

• Demand Management

• Procurement and Supplier Planning
• Inventory Management
• Continuous Improvement

CPIM Part 2 (Strategic Management of Resources):

• Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)
• Master Scheduling
• Quality Control and Process Improvement
• Performance Measurements

These topics are very important and to address them well one has to be very sure of the answers and at the same time manage time very well during the examination.

 

5. Learn how to take a test

Simply studying for the CPIM exam is not enough; you must also learn how to actually take the test. The CPIM exams are multiple-choice, and here are some useful strategies to maximize your score:

• Manage Your Time: Each segment of the exam consists of a number of questions and a definite time span. When preparing for the test, make sure that you use the time to answer all the questions as may be allowed.
• Read Questions Carefully: Please remember that the keywords in the questions can be very sensitive. This is because, even if one understands the concept being asked, if he or she has a wrong perception of the question being asked, then he or she will get it wrong.
• Eliminate Incorrect Answers: In multiple-choice questions, there are always some options which are incorrect and hence you increase your chances of choosing the right option.
• Stay Calm and Focused: Time is very essential when solving questions, especially when tackling problems and in fact solving questions. If you are in a quandary with a particular question, you should leave it and return to it after you are done with the rest of the questions.

 

6. Join Study Groups

Joining a study group is a sure way of enhancing your preparation process for the CPIM exam. Group studies are a means of discussing the content, demystifying the misconceptions and also sharing of the study content. Regardless of whether you work with your classmates or colleagues, it helps when it comes to understanding certain concepts. Studying in groups also has the following benefits: one of them is that you are able to be motivated and stick to your study timetable.

 

7. Practice Real-World Scenarios

It is a test both of the knowledge of the theory as well as the practical problem-solving ability of the candidate. Basically, for one to pass the CPIM exam, it is important to understand methods used in the real life in the supply chain management. It is always helpful to pay attention to real life cases and scenarios to reduce the gap between the classroom and world practice. During the learning process try to identify real-life cases of production planning, inventory control, and demand forecasting. This approach will help you understand how the CPIM concepts are applied in real life business cases.

 

8. Take the Exam and Be Ready

Once you have done your study as per your study plan and you are ready to write CPIM examination, you have to schedule it. You should book your slot in advance since they are most probably fully booked all the time. Make sure you study your notes, attempt some papers and ensure you have slept well before the exam. This is very wrong because it leads to stress; therefore, do not cram at the last minute. But it is advisable to keep on being relaxed and keep on being confident that proper preparation has been made.

 

Conclusion

As a result, to prepare and take the APICS CPIM certification exam one needs to intend, to choose the proper study materials, exercise, and schedule. If you arrange your study time, use the right material, focus on the test areas, and know how to write the test, then the probability of passing will be high. CPIM certification is very famous in the supply chain industry and if you are lucky to get this certification it will be an added advantage in your career since it will prove that you have the expertise in production and inventory management.

If you want to build your career in the supply chain then Vinsys offers the best CPIM Certification for you. Our training program is comprehensive and we ensure that it embraces all the concepts that you require when it comes to the CPIM exam; in addition, we provide you with hands-on experience as well as backing that will enable you to pass the exam. It is now time to start your journey to certification in production and inventory management with Vinsys!

 

FAQs: 

How many weeks are required to prepare for the CPIM exam?

The preparation time recommended is 3 to 6 months for each part of the CPIM examination, and 100-150 hours that depend on the experience of the candidate and his or her familiarity with the material.
 

What is the major difference between CPIM and CLTD?

While the former, the APICS Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) is focused on production planning, inventory control, and supply chain management, the latter, Certified Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) is more targeted towards logistics, distribution, and transport.
 

Why take the CPIM course?

As a result, the CPIM course helps you strengthen your understanding of concepts in supply chain management, production, inventory control, enhances your skills, and enhances your job prospects. It also demonstrates your intention and dedication towards career progression in the supply chain management profession.
 

Is it necessary to have prior experience to write the CPIM examination?

As a candidate one doesn’t need to have prior experience in supply chain management before he or she can take the CPIM examination. All the knowledge required is included in the CPIM learning system and is accessible to both novices and experienced employees.
 

How many times am I permitted to write the CPIM exam when I fail?

In case you do not pass the CPIM exam, you can rewrite and there is a rule that only allows you to rewrite after 14 days. If one fails to perform well then it is advisable that one should review areas of difficulty and be ready to take the test over.