Management Tests Guide
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Management Tests Summary
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| What: Professional management certification examination programs. | |
| Who: Managers in various business sectors may pursue professional certification. | |
| Where: Varies; Six Sigma exams depend on the administering body, while Graduate Society of Management exams are all offered online. | |
| When: Training programs and exams are offered year-round. | |
| How: Varies | |
| Type: Varies, though most are computerized. | |
| Why: Professional certification can serve as a career booster and help keep managers up on the latest management techniques. | |
| Time: Varies | |
| Language: English | |
| Preparation: Many textbooks, workbooks and other programs are available to help test candidates prepare. | |
| Cost: Six Sigma costs vary depending on who is offering the program, while Graduate Society of Management exams are $49.95 each. | |
By: Erin Hasinger, Tests.com
Business management is a broad industry, and in this vast career field, management professionals help themselves stand out from their peers with professional certifications. A professional certification in a specific business sector demonstrates to clients, peers and employers that a business professional is very dedicated to improving their knowledge and skills and in advancing their career.
Some of the certifications available in business management include Six Sigma and those offered through the International Board of Standards Graduate Board of Management, including Strategic Management Analyst, Master Business Consultant, Master Management Consultant and Leadership Consultant.
Six Sigma
Six Sigma is a management program that focuses on developing quality managers and experts on the Six Sigma business model. Six Sigma is designed to improve quality and lessen variability in business processes. The program teaches two business methodologies: DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) and DMADV (define, measure, analyze, design, verify). Originally developed by Motorola, Six Sigma training and certification programs are now offered by dozens of organizations, including Motorola, the American Society for Quality, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, SixSigma.us and iSixSigma, among others. Levels of Six Sigma certification include Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt.
Program formats and pricing varies widely. For example, the American Society for Quality offers the Six Sigma Green Belt program for $335, while Motorola’s fee is $2,950 for training and $400 for certification. The Motorola program includes four weeks of classes that culminate in a final certification exam, while the ASQ program offers only the exam. Every program is different, so certification candidates should consider what they want to get out of their certification before pursuing it with a particular organization. Six Sigma training programs and exams can be found all over the world and online and are generally offered year-round. Each exam will cover DMAIC and DMADV concepts.
International Board of Standards Graduate Society of Management
The International Board of Standards Graduate Society of Management Accreditation Standards Council offers certification in dozens of business specialties. Certification is earned through either a combination of experience and education or by passing an exam. The organization offers certifications for business professionals in:
Certified Strategic Management Analyst (CSMA)
Master Business Consultant (MBC)
Master Management Consultant (MMC)
Certified Leadership Consultant (CLC)
For all certifications, candidates must have earned a degree from an accredited college program approved by the council, have at least three years of professional experience in the industry in which certification is being sought and complete eight hours of continuing education annually.
Those who do not meet the experience and education requirements may take a certification exam. All exams are offered online through Brainbench and cost $49.95. Test takers, upon passing the exam, can mail their results to the International Board of Standards Graduate Society of Management Accreditation Standards Council to receive certification.
The Strategic Management Analyst exam covers:
Analytical Skills
o Cost-benefit analysis
o Critical thinking
o Decision making
o Identifying downstream consequences
o Problem recognition and solving
o Process evaluation methodology
o Sources of error
o Statistical analysis
Change Management Skills
o Coaching
o Delegation
o Measuring change
o Monitoring progress
o Overcoming resistance
o Performance appraisals
o Resource allocation and management
o Rewarding change
o Systematic change process
o Training
o Transactional and transformational leadership
Change Planning Skills
o Anticipating problems
o Goal setting
o Identification of resistance
o Incremental versus radical change
o Milestones development
o Negotiating changes
o Policy and procedures design
o Project planning techniques
o Resource requirement identification
Change Promotion Skills
o Change motivation
o Change promotion messages
o Communication methods
o Making management support visible
o Management cooperation
o Using change leaders
o Visioning the change
Innovation Skills
o Assess culture
o Climate for change
o Employee skills assessment
o Information gathering
o Job analysis
o Organizational improvement groups
o Pilot testing methodology
o Survey techniques
o Training needs analysis
Interpersonal Skills
o Conducting feedback sessions
o Developing trust
o Group dynamics
o Group problem solving
o Managing emotional responses to change
o Role change reaction
o Role clarification
o Stress reduction techniques
o Team building
The Master Business Consultant exam includes questions on:
Analyzing Business Opportunities
o Locating remaining gaps
o Needs analysis
o Qualify/disqualify the opportunity
Building the Pipeline and Forecast
o Create a Pipeline and Forecast
o Definition of Pipeline
o Pipeline or Forecast Determination
Closing
o Buying signals
o Decision process
o Gaining commitment
Handling Objections
o Indifference
o Misunderstanding
o Skepticism
Prospecting
o Decision makers
o E-mail as cold calling
o Gathering prospect information
o Identifying prospects
o Pre-call planning, benefits and objectives
o Prospecting and qualifying by phone
Sales Essentials
o Ethics and integrity
o Listening skills
o Product and solutions
o Situational awareness
Sales Presentation
o In-person presentation
o Marketing collateral
o Product features and benefits
o Publications
o Telephone sales presentation
The Master Management Consultant exam covers the following topics:
Career and Self-Management
o Continuous professional development
o Effective management with stakeholders
o Personal networking
Communication
o Corporate culture
o Effective communication
o Presentation skills
Decision Making
o Creative problem solving
o Innovative thinking
o Strategic planning
Leadership
o Coaching and mentoring
o Ensure compliance
o Poor performers
Leadership Styles
o Leadership styles and techniques
o Situational leadership
For more information on management tests and test prepartion, see our Management Test Directory.
