posted 26th October 2026
Sitting CIPS Level 4 Module 1? The best preparation for a written exam is answering full questions against the clock, then checking your answer against a strong one. Our tutors have written a free L4M1 practice pack so you can do exactly that.
Below you'll find the practice question and how to approach it. Enter your details further down the page to download the full pack, including our model answer.
About the L4M1 exam
L4M1 Scope and Influence of Procurement and Supply is the first module of the CIPS Level 4 Diploma, and CIPS recommends starting with it. It's worth 12 credits and is assessed by a written exam.
- Format: Constructed Response, where you write your answers in your own words
- Length: four questions in three hours, so about 45 minutes per question
- Pass mark: 50%
The marks go to answers that respond to the exact question asked, follow a clear structure and apply the theory to the scenario. Knowing the topic well isn't enough on its own.
The practice question
This question tests Learning Outcome 1.1, which compares procurement and supply chain management. Give yourself 45 minutes and write a full answer before you read on.
A national clothing retailer sources its products from a wide and increasingly complex global supplier base. Over time, the organisation has accumulated more than 160 suppliers across multiple countries, ranging from raw-material manufacturers (cotton, synthetics, dyes) to fabric mills, clothing makers and regional distributors. This network has grown organically, with different departments onboarding suppliers independently, resulting in duplication, inconsistent quality standards and limited visibility.
Senior leadership is now concerned that the supplier base has become too fragmented to manage effectively. They are exploring whether the organisation should adopt a tiered supply chain structure, consolidating the number of suppliers.
Analyse the suitability of the organisation moving to a supply chain tiering model. (25 marks)
How to approach it
The command word is "analyse". That means examining the topic and reaching a reasoned judgement, not just describing what supply chain tiering is.
Our tutors teach a simple structure for each paragraph, called PEEL:
- Point: name the aspect of tiering you're analysing
- Explain: explain it using L4M1 theory
- Example: apply it directly to the retailer in the scenario
- Link: say what it means for whether tiering is suitable
A strong answer opens by briefly defining procurement, supply chain management and supply chain tiering. It then works through around five PEEL paragraphs that weigh the benefits of tiering against the risks, and finishes with a clear judgement on whether it suits this retailer. You don't write the PEEL headings in the exam; they just keep each paragraph on track.
A sensible way to use your 45 minutes is about 5 minutes planning, 35 minutes writing and 5 minutes checking your answer against the question.
What's in the free practice pack
- the full 25-mark question, with space to plan and write your answer
- the points a strong answer should cover
- a complete model answer, written in PEEL paragraphs
- a reflection sheet to estimate your mark and plan what to improve
The pack is a Word document, so you can type your plan and answer straight into it.
Download the practice pack
Enter your details and the download link appears straight away. We'll email it to you too.
Want feedback on your answers?
Checking your answer against a model answer helps. Having an experienced tutor mark it shows you what examiners want much faster. Tutor feedback on practice answers is part of every CIPS course we run.
The Procurement Academy is a CIPS Approved Study Centre, rated Good by Ofsted. All of our CIPS tutors are FCIPS or MCIPS Chartered, and our learners have achieved a 95% pass rate in an exam series.
- Thinking about starting? Read our guide to the CIPS Level 4 Diploma.
- Nearly finished Level 4? Find out about studying CIPS Level 5 with us.
- Got a question? Get in touch.
L4M1 practice question FAQs
Is this an official CIPS past paper?
No. Our tutors wrote this question in the style of the L4M1 written exam, based on Learning Outcome 1.1 of the CIPS syllabus.
How long should I spend on each L4M1 question?
About 45 minutes. The L4M1 exam has four questions in three hours.
What is the pass mark for L4M1?
50%. L4M1 is a Constructed Response exam, where you write your answers in your own words.
Is the L4M1 practice pack free?
Yes. Enter your details and the download link appears straight away. We'll email it to you too.
