Level 1 exam — Purchasing & Supply Chain

Exam — fresh questions

12 fresh questions to validate the purchasing process: needs, SOW, sourcing, tendering and P2P cycle.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

1.1 · Application

1. You write a request for equipment. Which wording best opens competition?

Equipment must process 200 units/hour with failure rate <1% Take the most expensive, it'll be best Copy a supplier's datasheet We need model X brand Y reference 123

Describing expected outcome (functional) lets each supplier propose its solution; naming a brand locks in.

1.1 · Discrimination

2. Which drift does challenging the need primarily target?

Over-specification (requiring more than real use) Meeting deadlines Document colour Number of suppliers

Over-specification makes you pay for unnecessary premium; challenging it is the quickest saving.

1.1 · Synthesis

3. When is 80% of cost already determined?

During inventory At payment time At need definition, before tendering At delivery

How need is specified freezes most of cost; negotiation only covers the rest.

1.2 · Application

4. You expand an existing fleet that imposes precise dimensions. Which SOW to choose?

A SOW copied from internet Only functional Mixed: functional for outcome, justified technical for compatibility dimensions No SOW

Technical is justified for compatibility/standard/safety; rest stays functional to keep competition.

1.2 · Discrimination

5. What must a SOW contain to protect in case of dispute?

Salesperson name Weather of the day Decorative images Verifiable acceptance criteria on receipt

Acceptance criteria (checks, tolerances, tests) written before purchase set how conformity will be judged.

1.3 · Application

6. For a critical part single-sourced, what is the most responsible action?

Qualify a second source before you need it Change every week Delete the item Stay single-sourced doing nothing

On critical, security prevails: second source qualified (e.g. 70/30) avoids stoppage on failure.

1.3 · Exclusion

7. Which is NOT a relevant sourcing source?

Trade fairs Network recommendations B2B marketplaces Random draw without qualification

Sourcing aims at credible qualified candidates; random without verification is not a method.

1.4 · Application

8. You launch a quotation. Which practice ensures comparable offers?

Send a different SOW to each supplier Send same SOW with same response format and same information to all Give no deadline Nothing in writing, all oral

Same information and same format for all, answers to one's questions shared: otherwise offers no longer answer same question.

1.4 · Discrimination

9. What does choosing best value mean?

Choose lowest price Choose best overall offer by weighted criteria Choose most likable supplier Choose at random

Best value is best overall offer (price, quality, lead times, services weighted), not lowest.

1.4 · Synthesis

10. When to set grid criteria and weightings?

After paying Never After opening and reading offers Before opening offers

Setting before protects from bias (choosing criteria that favour favourite) and makes choice explainable.

1.5 · Application

11. What does three-way matching check before payment?

Carrier has eaten well Invoice matches PO (ordered) and receipt/GRN (received) Invoice is pretty Supplier is nice

Invoice = PO = receipt: if all three agree you pay, otherwise block and handle gap.

1.5 · Exclusion

12. Which reservation wording is most effective on delivery?

All perfect even if false Subject to unpacking 2 cartons missing of 10, carton #3 crushed — photos attached, in presence of driver Nothing, sign quickly

Reservations must be immediate, precise, written and if possible photographed; vague mentions are worthless.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move on to Level 2 — V3 (supplier selection and evaluation, purchasing negotiation, contracts, Incoterms and SRM steering).
Score < 80%: re-read the explanations above — each one re-explains the concept — then redo the 48h challenges of the 5 sections.