FAQs

Answers to some frequently asked questions on APICS certification:

Q: Why should I do APICS certification?

A: Individuals go through APICS certification programs for one or more of the reasons listed below:

  Distinguish yourself as a supply chain expert
  Attain knowledge to effectively manage global supply chain activities
  Master concepts that create consistency and foster collaboration through best practices, common
     terminology, and corporate-wide communication
  Predict outcomes more accurately
  Maximize ROI on systems and technologies
  Increase professional value and efficiency of the workplace environment
  Enhance credibility among peers, employers, and customers
  Accelerate career development and better employment opportunities
  Increase potential for higher salaries and job satisfaction
  Increase functional knowledge of production and inventory management
  Improve efficiency of organization’s supply chain
  Streamline operations through accurate forecasting
  Increase profitability by optimizing organization’s inventory investment
  Increase recognition within the industry globally
 

Q: What are the benefits to organizations from APICS certification programs?

A: Some of the benefits to organizations from APICS certification programs are listed below:

  Create a common understanding, vocabulary, processes, and frameworks within their entity to
    address their supply chain challenges and opportunities
  The proven knowledge and organizational skills to strategically streamline operations
  The tools to effectively manage global supply chain activities where suppliers, plants, distributors
    and customers are located around the world.
  The ability to interact with existing resources and your ERP system to increase the efficiency of
    the workplace environment
  Boost productivity, collaboration, and innovation
  The skills to create consistency and foster collaboration through best practices, common
    terminology, and corporate-wide communication.
 

Q: What is the recognition of APICS certification in India?

A:  You can gauge the recognition by looking at the list of companies / institutes in which individuals are/were working/studying who are doing/have done APICS certification. Since this is a big list of more than 1,000 organizations, please send a request to KnoWerX for a document titled “List of Organisations - APICS Certification” by sending an e-mail to one of the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.co | delhi@knowerx.com | hyderabad@knowerx.com | kolkata@knowerx.com | mumbai@knowerx.com | nagpur@knowerx.com | nasik@knowerx.com | pune@knowerx.com.

Q:  Will I get a job, an increment or a promotion after completing APICS certification?

A:  APICS certifications help you increase your knowledge, like any other qualification, in management stream. So, it should lead to a new job, an increment or a promotion but this can not be said with certainty as these sway heavily in both positive and negative directions with changes in demand and supply equation of skilled man-power in the job market. However, salary surveys done by APICS in the US in the past show that APICS certified professionals earn more salary on an average than non-certified professionals, proving higher preference for APICS certified professionals. Therefore, it can be said that on an average, APICS certified professionals are preferred over non-certified professionals in the relevant fields. This should in turn lead to better opportunities for you, compared to others, in the job market, increments and promotions, in the relevant fields.

Q: In which countries APICS exams can be taken?

A:   APICS exams can be taken in more than 30 countries in the world. Many countries administer the exams in many cities within a country, e.g., India. For more details, please visit: http://www.apics.org/Certification/administrators.htm.
 

Q: For which class of industry the APICS knowledge is most useful?

A:  The APICS knowledge is useful to many classes of industries, including but not limited to:

  Mining and Quarrying
  Construction
  Manufacturing
  Wholesale Trade
  Retail Trade
  Transportation
  Warehousing
  Express Delivery Services
  Information (Media)
  Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
  Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  Management Consulting Services
  Business Schools
  Computer and Management Training
  Education
  Health Care
  Accommodation and Food Services
  Other Services, including Civic Organizations
 

Q: What is the difference between APICS and AST&L certification programs?

A: While APICS certification programs are more tilted towards materials management aspects of supply chain management and operations management, AST&L programs are more tilted towards logistics and transportation management aspects of the supply chain management. It is obviously better that an individual demonstrates knowledge of all aspects. 

Q: What is the difference between the APICS CPIM designation and the APICS CSCP designation?

A: The APICS CPIM certification provides a common platform for individuals to evaluate their knowledge of production and inventory management. APICS CPIM focuses primarily on manufacturing and provides an in-depth view of materials management, master scheduling, production planning, forecasting, and quality improvement within the confines of the operation. The APICS CSCP certification takes a broader view, extending the APICS CPIM knowledge outside of a company’s internal operations to encompass all of the steps throughout the supply chain—from suppliers through the company to the end consumer—and how to effectively manage the integration of these activities to maximize a company’s value chain. This diagram provides a depiction of the differences between the programs.

Q: Which certification program is suitable for me – CPIM or CSCP?

A:  CPIM is more internal focussed and primarily addresses manufacturing operations. However, the advantage is that CPIM provides depth within specific manufacturing topics. CPIM can be taken by any body as it does not have pre-requisites. CSCP is more external focussed. CSCP is beyond manufacturing to include suppliers and clients. CSCP has breadth across many topics, e.g. globalization, IT enablement, logistics, etc. CSCP also has service industry threads. However, it has pre-requisites making it suitable for middle management or higher management. The pre-requisites are: CPIM, CFPIM, CIRM, or C.P.M. designation plus two years of related business experience, or, bachelor’s degree or international equivalent plus two years of related business experience, or, five years of related business experience.

For more detailed discussion to find out which program is suitable for you, please request for a document titled “Which Certification is Right for You?” from KnoWerX by sending an e-mail to one of the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.co | delhi@knowerx.com | hyderabad@knowerx.com | kolkata@knowerx.com | mumbai@knowerx.com | nagpur@knowerx.com | nasik@knowerx.com l pune@knowerx.com.

Q:  Which certification must be completed first – CPIM or CSCP?

A:  Both, CPIM and CSCP, are independent certifications. You can complete them in any order. You may also decide to pursue any one of the two certification programs.

Q:  For which level of management the APICS CPIM knowledge is most useful?

A:  The APICS knowledge is useful at all levels of management starting from junior managers to presidents. This knowledge helps to manage the operations in most optimum way.

Q:  Is APICS CPIM education is appropriate for me?

A: APICS CPIM education is appropriate for individuals working in:

  Production and inventory management
  Operations
  Supply chain management
  Procurement
  Materials management
  Purchasing
  Finance and cost accounting
  Manufacturing information systems
 

Q: In which companies/institutes the individuals are/were working/studying who are doing/have done APICS certification?

A:  Since this is a big list of more than 1,000 organizations, please send a request to KnoWerX for a document titled “List of Organisations - APICS Certification” by sending an e-mail to one of the e-mails nearest to your city bengaluru@knowerx.com | chennai@knowerx.co | delhi@knowerx.com | hyderabad@knowerx.com | kolkata@knowerx.com | mumbai@knowerx.com | nagpur@knowerx.com | nasik@knowerx.com l pune@knowerx.com.

Q:  How APICS exams are different from university exams?

A:  APICS exams are not textbook based, rather these are body of knowledge (BOK) based. This means that the questions will not be restricted to a book or a set of books. That is why APICS does not have "textbooks" but have "primary references".

Q: Is there any penalty for choosing wrong answers? Is there negative marking?

A: No, there is no penalty for choosing a wrong answer (i.e., there are no negative marks). You should answer all exam questions. Leave no question unanswered — even if you don’t have time to read it!

Q: What is the passing rate in APICS CPIM exams in India?

A:  The passing rate for APICS CPIM exams in India for 2008 was BSCM – 78.12%, DSP – 75.62%, ECO – 78.19%, MPR – 74.04%, and SMR – 66.67%. The overall passing rate was 75.49%.

Q:  What is the age profile of APICS certification candidates in India?

A:  Below 25 years – 20%, between 25 and 30 years – 49%, between 30 and 35 years – 17%, between 35 and 40 years – 10%, above 40 years – 4%.

Q:  What is the highest academic qualification level of APICS certification candidates in India?

A:  Approximately 53% have bachelor's degree, 45% have master's degree, and rest have diploma or doctorate.

Q: What is the academic background of APICS certification candidates in India?

A:  Approximately 67% are with engineering education, 48% with management education, 5% with computer science education, apart from other educational qualifications.

Q: What is the working area of APICS certification candidates in India?

A:  Approximately 40% work in the IT/ERP consultancy field, 30% work in the supply chain management field, 17% are students (mostly master's level in management field), 9% in management consultancy field and rest work in other fields.

Q:  What is the industry of APICS certification candidates in India?

A:  Approximately 47% work in the IT industry, 19% study in academic institutions, 14% work in the manufacturing industry, 7% work in consultancy firms, 11% work in other service industries, and rest in other industries.

Q:  What percentage of individuals are sponsored by their companies?

A: Approximately 16% individuals are sponsored by their companies.

Q: Do I have to be an APICS member for taking APICS certification exams?

A: No, you need not be an APICS member.

Q:  Do APICS members get a discount on the exam registration fees?

A:  No, they do not get a discount outside US, Canada and Mexico.

Q:  Why examination registration deadlines are different on APICS web site and this information booklet of KnoWerX?

A:  The deadlines given on APICS web site are dates by which your registrations must be sent to APICS by KnoWerX. KnoWerX needs approximately one week time to process all registrations and reconcile all fees received in bank accounts. Therefore, registration deadlines in this information booklet are one week earlier than the deadlines mentioned on the APICS web site.

Q:  What if my name has changed since registration?

A:  Bring appropriate documentation of this change, for example a marriage certificate, to the exam site. If you do not bring the appropriate documentation, you will not be permitted to test.

Q:  How can I provide feedback on the exam content?

A: If you would like to provide feedback on exam questions, write to cpimexam@apics.org or

APICS CPIM Exam

8430 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1000

Chicago, IL 60631-3439 USA

Q: What should I do if I have a test centre complaint?

A:  If you have a complaint about your test centre or the test centre management, promptly write to APICS at cpimexam@apics.org, or

APICS CPIM Exam

8430 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 1000

Chicago, IL 60631-3439 USA

Q:  Can I show up at the test site if I did not receive notification that I was registered?

A:  No, you must contact KnoWerX first to confirm you are registered. No candidate will be allowed in the testing centre if he/she is not registered.

Q:  My name was misspelled on my certificate. What do I do?

A:  The names printed on the certificates appear exactly as they are listed in the APICS database. If the misspelling is due to an APICS typographical error KnoWerX will replace it at no charge. If it is not due to an APICS typographical error, then you will have to inform KnoWerX of the correct spelling of the name and then request a duplicate certificate. Duplicate certificates can be issued for a fee of $20 USD per certificate. Please complete the Duplicate Certificate Request Form and submit it with payment to KnoWerX. Your certificate will be sent within 4 to 6 weeks of the date the request is received. This policy applies also to candidates who are listed in the APICS database under a nickname and now want their full legal name printed on the certificate.

Q: My certificate was lost or destroyed. How do I obtain a duplicate?

A: Duplicate certificates can be issued for a fee of $20 USD per certificate. Please complete the Duplicate Certificate Request Form and submit it with payment to KnoWerX. Your certificate will be sent within 2 to 3 weeks of the date the request is received.

Q:  I was originally certified under a different name. How do I get my certificate to reflect my current name?

A:  Certificates are printed using the name that appears in the APICS database at the time the event occurs. If you would like a new certificate printed with a different name, contact KnoWerX to have your name updated. You can then request a duplicate certificate for a fee of $20 USD per certificate. Please complete the Duplicate Certificate Request Form and submit it with payment to KnoWerX. Your certificate will be sent within 2 to 3 weeks of the date the request is received.

Q:  I was certified in the past but my certification is now suspended due to non-maintenance. Can I receive a duplicate certificate?

A:  Because APICS CPIM/CFPIM and CSCP certificates only contain the original date of certification, duplicate certificates can only be issued to individuals whose certification is current. We feel that to issue a duplicate certificate to someone whose certification is suspended is misleading to the individual as it could imply that the certification is current. However, APICS Certification can provide a letter confirming that you had been certified from X date to Y date. Please send any requests for a certification verification letter to KnoWerX. If you submit your maintenance information, you can request a duplicate certificate after your certification is reinstated.