How I studied for CSCP(Certified Supply Chain Professional) : My Journey to Success

What is CSCP - Certified Supply Chain Professional?

CSCP is a professional certification offered by APICS (Association for Supply Chain Management). The CSCP designation is aimed at individuals involved in supply chain management and operations. It covers a range of topics, including supply chain design, planning and execution, logistics, and supplier relationship management.

As one needs to answer at least 80% of the 150 questions correctly to pass the certification, I realized that a well-structured and disciplined study approach was crucial to success.

In this article, I will share my experience and the effective study system I developed to conquer the CSCP exam.

How long do I need to study?

I would recommend dedicating a minimum of 3 months to preparation, spending 1-2 hours on weekdays and additional hours on weekends. It took me a little over 4 months.

The Study System I developed:

1. Focus on One Module at a Time: Instead of jumping around different modules, focus on studying one module at a time. Another useful tip is to break large, pillow-sized books into individual modules and bind them separately. This makes it easier to carry around each module individually, and the smaller size of each module will motivate you to study.
2. Take the Quiz for Each Module: After studying a module, take the quiz (from the learning system provided by APICS) specifically designed for that module. This will help test your understanding and identify areas that require further attention.
3. Reviewing Incorrect Answers: Instead of simply moving on after completing a quiz, I made it a priority to thoroughly review the incorrect answers. It can be helpful to copy the incorrect answers into a separate document and study them. Repetition is key.
4. Review the Module: Once I completed all 8 modules, go back and revisit each of them. This review is important for reinforcing your understanding and addressing any gaps in knowledge.
5. Practice Mock Tests: At least two weeks before the final exam, take the practice test to assess your overall progress and simulate exam conditions. APCIS recommends proceeding with the actual exam if you have scored at least 80%.

How to strategically crack the exam?

Around 50% of the questions will be based on just 3 modules. To maximize your score, it would be wise to concentrate on and review these 3 modules again.

Refer the exam content manual provided by APICS for the percentage weightage for each module.

How I approached each question ?

Upon careful reflection from practice tests and mocks, I recognized a pattern of rushing through questions, leading to misinterpretations and choosing incorrect options. To address this, I've refined my approach to answering questions, and while individual strategies may vary, the following method has proven effective for me:

1. Thoroughly Read the Question: Invest time in reading each question attentively, taking note of key words that shape its context.
2. Understand the Question: Pay close attention to words such as "least," "most," "true," or "false" to grasp the specific nature of the question.
3. Identify Stakeholders: Recognize the stakeholders mentioned in the question, as this can significantly impact the correct response.
4. Mentally Formulate an Answer: Before examining the provided options, take a moment to formulate a potential answer in your mind. This can serve as a mental benchmark during the selection process.
5. Match Options Carefully: Compare your mentally formulated answer with the available choices, selecting the option that aligns most closely with your initial assessment.
6. Eliminate Incorrect Options: If a direct match is elusive, eliminate obviously incorrect options to narrow down the possibilities.
7. Choose the Best Option: From the remaining choices, choose the option that best aligns with the requirements of the question.

Ideally, you should be able to complete the exam in half the allotted time (~105 mins), but I recommend revisiting each question once more for accuracy.

I really hope my tips would make your CSCP certification journey a bit smoother. Wishing you the absolute best in your exams.

Feel free to reach out if you need any more advice.

Cheers!

Gowtham Pitchuka, MBA, CSCP