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Exam Preparation

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Examination

CPPB Exam

The CPPB examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and is administered in a network of professional testing centers in a computer-based format. Each question presents the candidate with four possible options of which only one is correct. Candidates are allotted 3.5 hours of testing time in which to complete the examination.

Candidates preparing for the CPPB examination should review the 2008 Body of Knowledge (BOK). The BOK represents the knowledge and skills that an individual possesses or should possess in order to competently perform the duties of a professional public buyer.

The CPPB examination covers all topic areas (except those items flagged as CPPO Only) addressed in the BOK. There are two percentages indicated next to each topic area in the BOK; one represent the portion of the CPPB exam that will cover that specific topic while the other represents the portion of the CPPO exam that will cover the topic.

Candidates should keep in mind that the certification examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge in the field of public procurement, representing a variety of positions with the profession. The candidate may be an expert in their specific job, but should consider all the other positions that are part of the purchasing cycle when preparing for testing.

Candidates should review the BOK while performing a self-assessment of their individual strengths and weaknesses of the subject matter to be tested. Candidates should study all topic areas, concentrating on those areas identified by the candidate as areas of weakness and those areas that are heavily weighted on the exam.

Questions generated for the CPPB exam are designed to test candidates on the Body of Knowledge as it relates to the role of a buyer. Conversely, the CPPO exams are designed to test candidates on the BOK as it relates to the role of a manager and/or supervisor.

The exams consist primarily of situational, process-oriented questions. Situational questions require a candidate to be able to apply knowledge to responding appropriately to real world situations and problems.

UPPCC provides a few samples of situational questions and test taking tips for candidates.

For re-enforcement of the public purchasing BOK, the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) recommends the following textbooks for preparation for the CPPB examination:

• Introduction to Public Procurement - Khi V. Thai, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-00-4 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Legal Aspects of Public Procurement - Kirk W. Buffington, C.P.M. & Michael Flynn, Esq., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-01-2 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

• Planning, Scheduling and Requirement Analysis - Connie Hinson, CPPO, CPPB & Clifford P. McCue, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-02-0 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

• Sourcing in the Public Sector - Ken S. Babich, BCom., CPPO & Carole Pettijohn, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-03-9 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

• Developing and Managing RFP's in the Public Sector -   Khi V. Thai, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-04-7 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

• Contract Administration - William D. Davison, CPPO & Elisabeth Wright, Ph.D., CPCM, 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-05-5 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

• CPPB Prep Guide - Editor: Carol Ann Ivory, 2008, NIGP (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org)

Click here for available Education and Review opportunities.

Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) Examination

CPPO Exam

The CPPO exam requirements under the 2008 Body of Knowledge is for one, single assessment. The examination consists of 175 multiple-choice questions and is administered in a network of professional testing centers in a computer-based format. Each question presents the candidate with four possible options of which only one is correct. Candidates are allotted 3.5 hours of testing time in which to complete the examination.

Candidates preparing for the CPPO examination should review the 2008 Body of Knowledge (BOK). The BOK represents the knowledge and skills that an individual possesses or should possess in order to competently perform the duties of a public purchasing manager or supervisor.

The CPPO examination covers all topic areas (except those items flagged as CPPB Only) addressed in the BOK. There are two percentages indicated next to each topic area in the BOK; one represent the portion of the CPPO exam that will cover that specific topic while the other represents the portion of the CPPB exam that will cover the topic.

Candidates should keep in mind that the certification examinations are based on a broad body of knowledge in the field of public procurement, representing a variety of positions with the profession. The candidate may be an expert in their specific job, but should consider all the other positions that are part of the purchasing cycle when preparing for testing.

Candidates should review the BOK while performing a self-assessment of their individual strengths and weaknesses of the subject matter to be tested. Candidates should study all topic areas, concentrating on those areas identified by the candidate as areas of weakness and those areas that are heavily weighted on the exam.

Questions generated for the CPPO exams are designed to test candidates on the BOK as it relates to the role of a manager and/or supervisor. Conversely, the CPPB exams are designed to test candidates on the BOK as it relates to the role of a buyer.

The exams consist primarily of situational, process-oriented questions. Situational questions require a candidate to be able to apply knowledge to responding appropriately to real world situations and problems.

UPPCC provides a few samples of situational questions and test taking tips for candidates.

For re-enforcement of the public purchasing BOK, the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) recommends the following textbooks for preparation for the CPPO examination:

• Fundamentals of Leadership and Management in Public Procurement - Clifford McCue, Ph.D. and Jack T. Pitzer, Ph.D., CPPO, C.P.M., 2005, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-06-3 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Introduction to Public Procurement - Khi V. Thai, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-00-4 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Legal Aspects of Public Procurement - Kirk W. Buffington, C.P.M. & Michael Flynn, Esq., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-01-2 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Planning, Scheduling and Requirement Analysis - Connie Hinson, CPPO, CPPB & Clifford P. McCue, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-02-0 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Sourcing in the Public Sector - Ken S. Babich, BCom., CPPO & Carole Pettijohn, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-03-9 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Developing and Managing RFP's in the Public Sector -   Khi V. Thai, Ph.D., 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-04-7 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• Contract Administration - William D. Davison, CPPO & Elisabeth Wright, Ph.D., CPCM, 2004, NIGP, ISBN 1-932315-05-5 (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• CPPB Prep Guide - Editor: Carol Ann Ivory, 2008, NIGP (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

• CPPO Prep Guide - Editor: Carol Ann Ivory, 2008, NIGP (item is available for purchasing from NIGP at www.nigp.org

Click here for available Education and Review opportunities.