This article covers everything you need to prepare for the content of the Part II Exam — how the case study works, what to study, and tips to help you succeed.
For technical setup (equipment testing, ID requirements), see the links on the Pre-exam preparation and testing page.
Recommended reading
→ See the CSCA Exam Part II Guide for Success for a complete walkthrough of how to prepare.
1Exam Format — What to Expect▼
The Part II Exam is a written case study designed to measure your ability to analyze multiple issues, triangulate information, and determine actions as you would during an audit. You have 2 hours to complete it. The exam is completed online via ProctorU.
The exam comprises 44 questions based on a case study built from real audit scenarios.
Scoring
With the exception of short essay questions, each question is worth one (1) point.
Short essay questions are worth two (2), three (3), or five (5) points each, as designated at the end of the question — e.g. "(2 points)", "(3 points)", "(5 points)".
The score required to pass is 75%.
Short Essay
- If asked to list several answers, be sure not to repeat yourself. Additional points are not given for stating the same answer multiple times but in a slightly different way.
- If the maximum point value is five (5), you must provide at least five (5) different answers. If the maximum point value is three (3), at least three (3) different answers are required. Should you provide more correct answers than required, you will receive no more than the maximum number of points possible.
Multiple Choice
- "Select all that apply (2) or (3)" questions. If the question indicates that there are two (2) correct answers, ONLY pick two (2) answers. If you select more than the number noted, the question will be marked as incorrect, thus receiving a mark for that question of −0.25 points.
- If the question does not state "Select all that apply (#)" at the end of the question, this question ONLY has one (1) correct answer — therefore only select one answer.
All questions are based on well-established social compliance practices with a global lens — they are not specific to any one country, region, or audit program. Answer only within the parameters of the case study and any laws provided in the exam appendix.
2What to Study▼
The exam tests your ability to apply knowledge from APSCA's core documents in a practical audit scenario. Don't just read them — make sure you understand how the concepts translate into real audit decisions.
Core Documents
APSCA Competency FrameworkDefines the skills and knowledge areas expected of a Certified Social Compliance Auditor. The exam provides a formal assessment of your proficiency in these areas.
APSCA Code and Standards of Professional Conduct
The ethical and professional standards all APSCA members must follow. Covers independence, integrity, bribery, conflicts of interest, reporting obligations, and more.
Use of APSCA Member Auditor Number
Guidance on when and how to use your APSCA member number on audit reports.
APSCA Glossary of Terms
Definitions of key terms used across APSCA documents and in the exam. Make sure you're familiar with APSCA's specific definitions.
Exam Syllabus
Part I & Part II Exam SyllabusDetailed topic-by-topic breakdown of what the exams cover. Use this alongside the Competency Framework to focus your study.
Preparing Beyond the Documents
The core documents above are essential — but effective preparation for Part II also means being able to apply that knowledge in a practical audit scenario. The case studies are developed from real audits that have occurred in various parts of the world, so the more grounded your practical knowledge, the better prepared you'll be.
💡 Tip
Refresh your audit methodologies and processes. Consider reviewing:
- Steps involved in conducting an audit — how to, what to do if, etc.
- Hiring and termination practices
- Discrimination
- Freedom of association
- Grievance procedures
- Forced labor
- Health and safety, including root cause analysis
Learn from your colleagues. Talk to auditors who work in different regions or have encountered issues you may not have seen first-hand. If you haven't identified forced labor, discrimination, or wage miscalculations in your own audits, speak with colleagues who have — and stay open to recognizing these issues during your audits.
Use your firm's resources. Consult with your Member Firm's training team on learning materials related to social compliance audits, and work with them to identify areas of opportunity noted on any previous APSCA exam reports.
3Practice Exam & Webinar Resources▼
APSCA's official practice exam with sample questions in the same format as the real exam. Use this to get comfortable with the case study format and question styles.
Understanding the Exam Journey — Webinar Series
Recorded webinars in multiple languages covering the exam process, preparation tips, and what to expect. Available for Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, and the Americas.
Important: If you are given a sample or mock exam by your firm or another auditor that is not the official APSCA Practice Exam linked above, please note that this material is not sanctioned by APSCA. Being in receipt of unsanctioned exam material may be treated as an integrity issue. If you are aware of such material, please report it to ethics@theapsca.org.
4Permitted Resources During the Exam▼
Unlike Part I, you are allowed to have the following physical resources with you during the Part II exam:
Basic Calculator
Not on a phone or computer
Pen or Pencil
For notes and working
One Blank Page
A4 or letter size
The case study will also be visible on screen throughout the exam, with a highlighting function and a place to type notes directly.
5Tips for Exam Day Success▼
Scheduling
Don't schedule your exam late in the day or after a day of auditing. Choose a time when you can focus fully. Leave plenty of room in your schedule before and after the 2-hour exam so you're not rushed.
Test Your Equipment Early
Run your system check well before exam day — not the morning of. Test on the same computer and network you'll use for the actual exam, and test again on the day itself.
Important: Your exam will be automatically cancelled if remote control software (such as TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or similar) is detected running on your computer, or if you are taking the exam from a virtual machine. Make sure these are fully closed — not just minimized — before you begin.
Before you begin your exam session, reboot your computer to ensure all programs are fully closed.
For full technical requirements and equipment testing steps, see Pre-Exam Preparation & Equipment Testing.
Time Management
You have 2 hours for 44 questions — but some require detailed written answers, so manage your time carefully. Don't spend too long on any single question. If you're unsure, note it and come back. Make sure you leave time at the end to review your answers — especially short essay questions where you may not have provided the full number of responses.
Your exam time starts when the case study and questions first appear. The time taken to review the Terms and Conditions does not count toward your exam time. The time remaining is displayed in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Reading the Case Study
Read the case study carefully before answering any questions. Focus only on the information provided — the questions are intended to be straightforward, not trick questions. Do not make assumptions about circumstances or laws that aren't included in the case study or exam appendix.
💡 Tip
As you read the case study, build a simple reference table on your blank page like the one below. Under each heading, note the paragraph number(s) where you identify an issue, and highlight the relevant information within the case study. When you reach a question on discrimination, for example, you can quickly see that you spotted it in paragraphs 3 and 25 and refer back for the specific details. This saves time compared to writing extensive notes, and helps you identify where issues appear across different paragraphs.
| Forced Labor | Discrimination | Wage Benefits | Working Hours | etc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2, 7, 19 | 3, 25 | 1, 14, 27 |
Reading Questions Carefully
Read each question carefully and pay close attention to what is being asked. Is the question asking you to write a finding? List questions you would ask? Identify documents you would review? Note whether it refers to actions "prior" to arriving at an audit or "NOT" something.
Some questions may seem similar but are asking for different things. Answer only within the parameters of the case study and the laws provided in the exam appendix.
Be Respectful
Once connected, be courteous to your proctor. Poor treatment of the proctor will be recorded and can result in your exam being disallowed.
6Non-English Language Options▼
The Part II Exam is currently available in the following languages:
English, Bangla, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
For all other languages, technology-based translation is available. If you are booking an exam in "alternate language", please review these resources to prepare:
Technology-Based Translation InformationWhat to know about using technology-based translation during your exam.
How to Use Online Translation
Step-by-step guide to using the online translation tool during your exam session.
7Additional Support▼
We strongly recommend consulting with your Member Firm's training team. Many firms offer internal training materials and study support, and can help you focus on areas of opportunity noted in previous APSCA exam reports.
If you have questions about the exam content or preparation, contact the Exam team at exam@theapsca.org.
Ready to book?
Head back to the Part II Exam – Your Complete Guide for booking, scheduling, and exam day information.