CIPS L4M5 Practice Exams
Last updated on Oct 23,2026- Exam Code: L4M5
- Exam Name: Commercial Negotiation
- Certification Provider: CIPS
- Latest update: Oct 23,2026
Question #320
Which of the following are most likely to be characteristics of a perfectly competitive market? Select TWO that apply
- A . In a competitive market, both buyers and sellers are price givers
- B . Firms can freely enter or exit the market
- C . In a perfectly competitive market, each seller has a large impact on the market price. A perfectly competitive market consists of products that are all slightly different from one another
- D . There are many buyers and sellers in the market
Correct Answer: B, D
B, D
Explanation:
A perfectly competitive market is one with the following features:
– There are many firms producing identical or very similar (homogeneous) goods or services
– There are no barriers to entry to the market or exit from the market – anyone can enter or leave easily
– Both producers and customers have perfect knowledge of the market place, prices, costs of production and influences on demand and supply
Under these conditions, the price and quantity will always tend toward equilibrium as any producer that sets a price above equilibrium will not sell anything at all, and any producer that sets a price below a equilibrium will obtain 100% market share in theory. The demand curve is perfectly elastic, which means that it will be horizontal. In a perfectly competitive market, it is difficult to increase profits through pricing, and suppliers instead must focus on their cost structure. As these conditions imply, there are few if any examples of perfectly competitive market.
LO 2, AC 2.2
B, D
Explanation:
A perfectly competitive market is one with the following features:
– There are many firms producing identical or very similar (homogeneous) goods or services
– There are no barriers to entry to the market or exit from the market – anyone can enter or leave easily
– Both producers and customers have perfect knowledge of the market place, prices, costs of production and influences on demand and supply
Under these conditions, the price and quantity will always tend toward equilibrium as any producer that sets a price above equilibrium will not sell anything at all, and any producer that sets a price below a equilibrium will obtain 100% market share in theory. The demand curve is perfectly elastic, which means that it will be horizontal. In a perfectly competitive market, it is difficult to increase profits through pricing, and suppliers instead must focus on their cost structure. As these conditions imply, there are few if any examples of perfectly competitive market.
LO 2, AC 2.2
Question #322
Which of the following can help both parties to break the vicious cycle of blame when a relationship needs repairing? Select TWO that apply.
- A . Both parties understand each other’s goals
- B . Focusing on positions
- C . Conflict management skills
- D . Constant shadowing and oversights
- E . Emotional-based assessment
Correct Answer: A, C
A, C
Explanation:
In order to break vicious cycle of blame, procurement will need to use their negotiation and conflict management skills, adopting a collaborative and integrative approach. Your first action should be to establish the facts that led to the situation where the relationship broke down. Most day-to-day relationship between buying organisations and suppliers do not of course involve procurement staff, so you will need to consult with your business partners internally to establish their point of view of where the issue and sources of conflict are. You should also contact the supplier and get their side of the story – this is particularly to when you have previously identified the supplier as critical or otherwise important to your operations. Ideally you will be able to apply principled negotiation here, separating the people from the issue, focusing on interests and not positions, and then looking for options of mutual benefits.
A, C
Explanation:
In order to break vicious cycle of blame, procurement will need to use their negotiation and conflict management skills, adopting a collaborative and integrative approach. Your first action should be to establish the facts that led to the situation where the relationship broke down. Most day-to-day relationship between buying organisations and suppliers do not of course involve procurement staff, so you will need to consult with your business partners internally to establish their point of view of where the issue and sources of conflict are. You should also contact the supplier and get their side of the story – this is particularly to when you have previously identified the supplier as critical or otherwise important to your operations. Ideally you will be able to apply principled negotiation here, separating the people from the issue, focusing on interests and not positions, and then looking for options of mutual benefits.
Question #323
Which of the following are signs indicating that TOP is using coercive power in commercial negotiation? Select TWO that apply.
- A . Demonstrating fairness and respect
- B . Withdrawal of benefits
- C . Use of guilt
- D . Technical expertise
- E . Positive references
Correct Answer: B, C
B, C
Explanation:
Coercive power comes from the belief that a person can punish other for non-compliance, and can be considered as the flip side of reward power. Coercive power rests in the individual’s ability to change other people’s behaviour through threat, intimidation, use of guilt, ability to embarrass or shame, or withdrawal of benefits,…
B, C
Explanation:
Coercive power comes from the belief that a person can punish other for non-compliance, and can be considered as the flip side of reward power. Coercive power rests in the individual’s ability to change other people’s behaviour through threat, intimidation, use of guilt, ability to embarrass or shame, or withdrawal of benefits,…
Question #324
Which of the following is the most appropriate pricing arrangement in contracts where major inputs are commodities?
- A . Price adjustment mechanism
- B . Cost reimbursable pricing arrangement
- C . Standard schedule of rates
- D . Fixed pricing arrangement
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
In contracts which have major commodity input, the price is determined by market forces with no individual supplier or buyer able to influence it significantly. Prices are much more variable even within long term contracts and seeking a fixed price would create financial risks for both the buyers and the suppliers. It is often intelligent to agree a contract price adjustment mechanism to allow for market price changes so both sides share risk.
A
Explanation:
In contracts which have major commodity input, the price is determined by market forces with no individual supplier or buyer able to influence it significantly. Prices are much more variable even within long term contracts and seeking a fixed price would create financial risks for both the buyers and the suppliers. It is often intelligent to agree a contract price adjustment mechanism to allow for market price changes so both sides share risk.
Question #324
Which of the following is the most appropriate pricing arrangement in contracts where major inputs are commodities?
- A . Price adjustment mechanism
- B . Cost reimbursable pricing arrangement
- C . Standard schedule of rates
- D . Fixed pricing arrangement
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
In contracts which have major commodity input, the price is determined by market forces with no individual supplier or buyer able to influence it significantly. Prices are much more variable even within long term contracts and seeking a fixed price would create financial risks for both the buyers and the suppliers. It is often intelligent to agree a contract price adjustment mechanism to allow for market price changes so both sides share risk.
A
Explanation:
In contracts which have major commodity input, the price is determined by market forces with no individual supplier or buyer able to influence it significantly. Prices are much more variable even within long term contracts and seeking a fixed price would create financial risks for both the buyers and the suppliers. It is often intelligent to agree a contract price adjustment mechanism to allow for market price changes so both sides share risk.
Question #326
Which of the following is a description of mark-up?
- A . Profit expressed as a percentage of the selling price
- B . Profit expressed as a percentage of costs
- C . Profit expressed as a percentage of fixed costs
- D . Profit expressed as a percentage of variable costs
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
Question #326
Which of the following is a description of mark-up?
- A . Profit expressed as a percentage of the selling price
- B . Profit expressed as a percentage of costs
- C . Profit expressed as a percentage of fixed costs
- D . Profit expressed as a percentage of variable costs
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
Question #326
Which of the following is a description of mark-up?
- A . Profit expressed as a percentage of the selling price
- B . Profit expressed as a percentage of costs
- C . Profit expressed as a percentage of fixed costs
- D . Profit expressed as a percentage of variable costs
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
B
Explanation:
Mark-up is defined as profit expressed as a percentage of the cost. It calculates the profit margin based on the cost price rather than the selling price, which allows companies to determine how much they are earning over their production or purchase costs. This aligns with standard accounting and CIPS definitions of mark-up in procurement contexts.
Question #329
During a negotiation, Jose Gomez, the salesperson for a strategic supplier, states that his sales director will not approve discounts against initial purchases. However, Jose offers a 5% discount on the aftercare package, which will provide the same monetary saving. Sally Pampas requires both the product and the aftercare package and has an objective to achieve a 5% discount off the purchase price. To achieve a win-win (integrative) negotiation, Sally should…
- A . Ask Jose to apply a 15% discount against the purchase price
- B . Accept the offer of a 5% discount against the aftercare package
- C . Decline the offer and walk away from the negotiation
- D . Ask Jose to apply the 5% discount against the purchase price
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
To achieve a win-win (integrative) negotiation, Sally should accept the 5% discount on the aftercare package (B), as it meets her objective for a total discount while respecting the supplier’s limitations. This approach demonstrates flexibility and is in line with CIPS principles on integrative negotiations, where both parties achieve value in different forms.
B
Explanation:
To achieve a win-win (integrative) negotiation, Sally should accept the 5% discount on the aftercare package (B), as it meets her objective for a total discount while respecting the supplier’s limitations. This approach demonstrates flexibility and is in line with CIPS principles on integrative negotiations, where both parties achieve value in different forms.
Question #330
From government’s statistics
- A . 2 and 4 only
- B . 3 and 4 only
- C . 1 and 2 only
- D . 1 and 3 only
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Macroeconomic indicators are statistics or data readings that reflect the economic circumstances of a particular country, region or sector. They are used by analysts and governments to assess the current and future health of the economy and financial markets. Macroeconomic indicators will vary in their meaning and the impact that they have on the economy, but broadly speaking there are two main types of indicator.
– Leading indicators, which forecast where an economy might be heading. They are often used by governments to implement policies because they represent the first phase of a new economic cycle. These include the yield curve, interest rates and share prices.
– Lagging indicators, which reflect an economy’s historical performance and only change after a trend has been established. They are used to confirm a trend is underway. These include gross domestic product (GDP), inflation and employment figures.
There is also the category of coincident indicators, but these are generally grouped in with lagging indicators as they either happen at the same time or after an economic shift.
The best macroeconomic indicator to watch will heavily depend on your personal preferences, what positions you are taking and which country your portfolio is focused on. However, there are some very common indicators that most traders and investors will keep an eye on.
For simplicity’s sake, we have split these out into leading and lagging indicators. Top leading indicators:
B
Explanation:
Macroeconomic indicators are statistics or data readings that reflect the economic circumstances of a particular country, region or sector. They are used by analysts and governments to assess the current and future health of the economy and financial markets. Macroeconomic indicators will vary in their meaning and the impact that they have on the economy, but broadly speaking there are two main types of indicator.
– Leading indicators, which forecast where an economy might be heading. They are often used by governments to implement policies because they represent the first phase of a new economic cycle. These include the yield curve, interest rates and share prices.
– Lagging indicators, which reflect an economy’s historical performance and only change after a trend has been established. They are used to confirm a trend is underway. These include gross domestic product (GDP), inflation and employment figures.
There is also the category of coincident indicators, but these are generally grouped in with lagging indicators as they either happen at the same time or after an economic shift.
The best macroeconomic indicator to watch will heavily depend on your personal preferences, what positions you are taking and which country your portfolio is focused on. However, there are some very common indicators that most traders and investors will keep an eye on.
For simplicity’s sake, we have split these out into leading and lagging indicators. Top leading indicators: