Certified Strategic Manager (CSM)

IQN CSM Digital Badge & Digital Certificate

It’s no longer enough just to list your degree. It’s no longer enough to simply list the best traits in your profile. What really establishes your credibility as a major contender is hard evidence that you are a proven professional in your field.

With the CSM designation on your resume, you will be well equipped to really make your case as you seek to further your career. And as a Certified Strategic Manager, you will have a significant advantage over others who seek leadership and management positions.

Upon the completion of the CSM certification, you will gain the understanding and competence to jumpstart your career. Let’s make it happen!

3 letters that can make difference in your career!

UK Recognition

CSM certification is recognised in the UK as SCQF Level 7 qualification

EQF

UK Recognition

CSM certification is recognised as Level 5 qualification in European Qualifications Framework

Accreditation

UK Recognition

Accreditation

CSM certification is subject to external quality assurance by University of the West of Scotland

Stand out from the competition!

This is an era in which the job market is replete with graduates and seasoned professionals seeking to make both lateral and upwards moves in their careers.

You really need every bit of an edge you can get to set your name apart from the seas of professional competition and rise above the noise to achieve your professional objectives.

Eligibility

If you have minimum one year professional work experience, then you are eligible to sit for the CSM exam. One year experience is the only eligibility requirement. We will require you to provide your experience details (such as, name and address of your current/previous organisation) at the time of your exam registration.

How to complete CSM?

Step 1 - Get your study materials

You will have to buy a textbook. All exam questions will be set from the textbook. We will provide you FREE practice book. Practice Book includes exam-standard MCQs. Click here to register and get your FREE 'Practice Book'.

Step 2 - Study

You can study independently. We call it "self-study" route. Alternatively, in selected countries, you may attend exam preparation classes at one of our registered centres.

Step 3 - Take the CSM exam

Once your exam preparation is complete, you need to register for your CSM exam. Our exams are computer-based and available any time of the year. You can sit for the exam virtually from anywhere in the world.

Fees

No annual or subscription fees

After passing your exam, you become entitled to use the CSM designation for fifteen (15) years without any fees. That is, there is no annual membership or subscription fee!

Exam fees

No annual or subscription fees

Exam fee is the key cost component in your investment towards gaining the CSM designation. You will pay exam fees only when you will register for the CSM exam. CSM exam fee is £149.

Re-sit exams

No annual or subscription fees

Re-sit exams

If you unfortunately fail in your exam, you will be able to register for re-sit exams. Up to four (4) re-sit exams can be attempted within six (6) months from the date of your first exam attempt. Re-sit fees £9 (valid for any re-sit until 31 December 2022).

Re-sit fees £29 (valid for any re-sit from 1 January 2023).

Exam Structure

Duration & MCQs

Marks distribution

Exam duration: 1 Hour.

Total MCQs = 50

Marks distribution

50 MCQs x 2 marks

= Total 100 Marks

Pass mark

Marks distribution

Pass mark

Minimum 60 Marks needed out of total 100 Marks

Textbook

IQN Certified Strategic Manager (CSM) Coursebook

Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy: Globalization, Innovation and Sustainability

Author: Thomas L. Wheelen
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 15th edition (21 Nov. 2017)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781292227290
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1292227290
Weblinks to purchase CSM textbook:

Pearson, Amazon & ABCbooksllc

All exam questions will be set from the textbook.

Practice Book includes exam-standard MCQs.

Click here to register and get your FREE 'Practice Book'.

Exam Preparation

CSM exam questions are set from the prescribed textbook. You are also required to study MCQs provided in the 'Practice Book'.
Each MCQ will have one correct or best answer. There will not be any negative marking if you select wrong answer for any of the MCQs.
Time required for exam preparation will vary. If you are already familiar with strategic management concepts, you could straight away register for the exam! However, if you are relatively new to strategic management field, you may need to study for no less than two (2) months.
Some students prefer to take exam preparation independently. We call it "self-study" route. Other students prefer to take help from our registered centres.
Registered centres provide exam preparation classes and other services. However, IQN is NOT involved in the delivery. Any agreement is directly between the student and the respective centre.

Digital Badge & Digital Certificate

We will issue the CSM digital badge and digital certificate as soon as you will successfully pass the exam.
Email ID provided by you at the time of exam registration must be absolutely correct since we will send instruction about your digital credentials to this email ID.
Our digital credentials are issued through Credly. Organisations will be able to verify your credential online. You will be able to print your digital certificate through Credly account.
Credly lets you share your digital badge to popular destinations such as LinkedIn. You may also copy the badge URL to paste on the resume and email signature.
In case you need a hard-copy certificate, additional fees (£99) will be applicable.

CSM Exemption

We allow exemption on our qualifications. You need to complete an exemption application form. Application for eligibility of exemption based on some predetermined criteria which are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Exemption application assessment fee is £ 9. This amount is non-refundable.
CPMA exemption fee is same as the CPMA exam fee, i.e. £ 149. This amount will be invoiced if the application is accepted.
For claiming IQN professional certification exemption, you must attach your letter of experience (LoE) along with your academic and/or professional qualification.
Accepted applicants will be issued digital badges and certificates.

*This offer is valid until 31 December 2022.

Recertification Requirements

By successfully passing the CSM exam, you will become authorised to use the CSM post-nominal letters after your name for 15 (fifteen) years.
We do NOT charge any annual membership or subscription fee.
Maintaining the standards for the CSM designation is crucial for your professional growth and fluency within the industry. For recertification, you will need to appear in the CSM exam just once in every 15 (fifteen) years.
Recertification ensures that all CSM credential holders are maintaining the required level of knowledge and competence.

IQN is a registered trade mark of International Qualifications Network Ltd. (UK TM Registration No. UK00003000727). International Qualifications Network Ltd. is registered in Malaysia under LCA 1990.