CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate Procurement & Supply Operations Exam
CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations Exam is a globally recognized certification that helps candidates in developing industry-standard skills required for launching their career in procurement and supply. This is one of the five certifications, and second of the three entry-level qualifications provided by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). It is considered as an entry-level qualification that mainly focuses on exploring the theory, processes, and skills regarding procurement and supply. This also teaches how to handle the range of challenging tasks faced at work. Having an industry-standard qualification shows to employers that the candidate holds to the highest professional standards, has updated skills, and has the ability to apply their expertise across private, public, and non-profit sectors.
Skills learned from this certification
- Factual and Procedural requirements necessary for this profession.
- Task efficient, Goal-oriented.
- A clear understanding of supply and procurement working within the entire organization.
- This certification is the CIPS first qualification where elective modules are introduced. Hence, the candidates get a choice for a special pathway such as supply chain or procurement.
- Addressing well-defined issues, understanding what kind of relevant information is required for interpreting and reviewing its effectiveness.
Suitable Candidates for CIPS Level 3
- Candidates who are administrative and procurement assistants
- Buyers
- Candidates aspiring to become Logistics Analysts
- An executive in procurement
- A Procurement Officer
- Candidates who aim to become a Procurement Specialist
- Stock Controllers
- Candidates pursuing to become a Supply Chain Analysts
CIPS Level 3 Exam Details
The CIPS Level 3 exam comprises 60 questions. All the questions will be multiple-choice/Objective-response, these allow the candidates to select a response among all the listed possible answers. The candidates will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The examination fee is approximately £1,300 and £1,600. The exam is conducted in the English language. The passing percentage is 70% and more. All the assessments done are computer-based. In total there are 5 exams for this level. Each of the five exams consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.
Prerequisites/Entry requirements
Officially, there are no requirements, prior experience, or qualifications needed for the CIPS Level 3 exam. Although if you have a CIPS Level 2 certificate, this exam will add to your current knowledge and understanding.
Course Outline
Candidates are required to complete 30 credits. There are four modules that hold up to 24 of the required credits. In this exam, there are two elective modules that hold up the remaining 6 credits. The candidates are needed to select one of the two elective modules.
Core Modules
Learning Procurement & Supply Environments (L3M1)
- Understanding the various sectors procurement and supply deal with price arrangements. The market of the external environment, procedures regulating the procurement and supply environment.
Understanding Ethical Procurement & Supply (L3M2)
- Learning all the techniques that help in achieving added value and contribution to the company’s success. Understanding tasks at each stage of the sourcing process. Importance of ethics for procurement and supply. To measure and improve functions of operational performance.
Study about Contract Administration (L3M3)
- Learning everything about administrative content and key tasks related to commercial contracts. Understanding the role of negotiation and competitive pricing in procurement. Techniques to achieve effective tendering. Measuring contract performance.
Team Dynamics and Change (L3M4)
- Responsibilities of staff and how to support the entire organizational success in procurement and supply. Dealing with organizational change.
Elective Modules (Select One)
Overview of Socially Responsible Procurement (L3M5)
- Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) concepts. Procurement and Supply environmental impact. Green logistics, Globalization. Low-cost sourcing, carbon footprint. CSR implications on the procurement function and the social responsibility of three pillars. Learning methods to monitor CSR in procurement and supply.
Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution (L3M6)
- CSR and sustainability concepts. Understanding procurement and supply environmental impact. Movement of stock/inventory, methods for storage. Studying sustainable logistics and avoiding environmental damage.
CIPS Level 3 Exam FAQs
Click here and get all your doubts and queries resolved with the latest and updated frequently asked questions.
Registration Process of CIPS Level 3 Exam
To book the exam online-
- Visit the official site of CIPS Level 3 exam.
- Join as a student member to start with this qualification
- Then proceed to book the exam
- View the complete schedule of CIPS exam sessions and other details
- Fill the required information, choose the suitable exam session
- Make the payment
Candidates enrolled with a study center-
- Contacting your study centre
- They will provide you with all the details, information about the examination centre and the procedure of booking an exam.
Payment Procedure for the CIPS Level 3 exam
Candidates giving the exam online-
- Make sure that you have logged in to your MyCIPS before booking or making the purchase. They accept the following payment platform:
- Credit and debit cards : Visa, Mastercard, Maestro
- Paypal
- American Express
The candidates are required to make the payment during the booking.
Candidates enrolled with a study center-
Contact the study center which will be holding the CIPS Level 3 exam for the payment details.
Cancellation and Refund Policies
When the booking has been completed there is 14 days cooling-off period in which you can make the cancellation. If you are facing any problem in canceling the exam through the website, you can contact [email protected]. The examination fee will be credited to your account for future use. After this period of 14 days, no cancellation request will be accepted and no refund will be provided to the candidates.
Preparatory Guide for CIPS Level 3
Start preparing with the help of this study guide which offers you a well-planned, systematic format of all the learning resources, content outline, and practice tests needed to ace this exam. To successfully pass the CIPS Level 3 exam requires a lot of focus and determination. It will be better if you have planned your preparation beforehand and worked smartly. This study guide has all you need. Keep learning and practicing!
Refer to the Course Outline
One of the most important steps in preparing for this exam is to carefully understand all the course modules in detail. Make sure you have clearly examined each of the core and elective modules. Study thoroughly and have an in-depth knowledge of every topic covered in the modules. Do not miss out on any crucial information about the exam procedure, and other details. Go through the official site of the CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations Exam at least once.
Core Modules –
- Learning about Procurement and Supply Environments (L3M1)
- Overview of Ethical Procurement and Supply (L3M2)
- Studying the concepts of Contact Administration (L3M3)
- Learning the concepts of Team Dynamics and Change (L3M4)
Elective Modules –
- Understanding Socially Responsible Procurement (L3M5)
- Learning about Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution (L3M6)
Learning Resources for CIPS Level 3
Text/Reference Books
Books are one of the greatest resources to learn and enhance your knowledge. CIPS recommends the following books (for each module) to ace the exam.
- Ethical Procurement and Supply (L3M2)
- Contract Administration (L3M3)
- Team Dynamics and Change (L3M4)
- Socially Responsible Procurement (L3M5)
- Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution (L3M6)
E-Learning
CIPS also provides candidates access to e-learning which has rich, interactive multimedia content and enhances your learning and examines your knowledge
- Procurement and Supply Environments (L3M1)
- Ethical Procurement and Supply (L3M2)
- Contract Administration (L3M3)
- Team Dynamics and Change (L3M4)
- Socially Responsible Procurement (L3M5)
- Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution (L3M6)
Recommended Reading by CIPS
- Procurement and Supply Chain Management – Lysons and Farrington – L3M1, LM3M2, L3M3, L3M4, L3M5, L3M6
- L3M1, L3M2, L3M3, L3M4 – The Buyers Toolkit – O’Brien
- L3M5 & L3M6 – Supply Chain Ethics – Manners-Bell
Sample Questions
These sample questions are provided by CIPS that will get you familiar with the exam questions.
- Procurement and Supply Environments (L3M1)
- Ethical Procurement and Supply (L3M2)
- Contract Administration (L3M3)
- Team Dynamics and Change (L3M4)
- Socially Responsible Procurement (L3M5)
- Socially Responsible Warehousing and Distribution (L3M6)
Exam Guides by CIPS
It is very important and helpful for the candidates to read the following exam guide thoroughly provided by CIPS. These guides will share information regarding exam preparation and other crucial details. These will make your preparation a lot easier, so make sure you understand it properly.
- A candidate guide needed to prepare for CIPS Level 3 exam.
- Exam preparation guidance for exam format and other details to prepare for Level 3 Advanced Certificate computer-based exams.
- CIPS also offers various tips, tricks and techniques needed to excel at CIPS Level 3 exam. You can go through them by clicking here.
CIPS Training
- CIPS Training offers a variety of interactive courses delivered by experts with the help of CIPS virtual platforms. This training will help you accelerate your knowledge and deliver tactical and imperishable value for your organization. You can find yourself a suitable training program. Select your preferred level, date, location, and platform and enroll into the program to start your journey.
Perform better with Practice Tests
With all the mentioned learning resources, training programs, and other required information, your last step to prepare for the exam should be attempting CIPS Level 3 Practice Tests and Exam. With Testprep Training, you can prepare for your exam with no worry. You can even have access to Free Practice Tests. Attempt and practice as many times as you can. This will boost up your confidence, reduce your exam anxiety, and get you familiar with the exam environment. Start preparing now!