Small Business Development End of Pathway Test Study Guide
Test Information
The test that is used as the Small Business Development End of Pathway Test is the NOCTI Business Financial Management Pathway Test.
The test consists of multiple choice items and is taken online with a computer. For most questions you will choose the best answer from
among four possible answers. Be sure to answer each question, if you do not know GUESS! A few of the questions are called interactive
items, and you will do things like click on the correct area on a graphic or table, move text around with your mouse, etc. The entire test is
about 2 hours. You will use the computer’s mouse to enter information and answer all the questions. When you are taking the online
test, if you run in to any problems with the program or computer equipment, raise your hand and speak to the proctor about it.
What’s in THIS test?
NOCTI’s Business Financial Management Pathway Assessment covers 11 major topic areas. These 11 topics are tested with 106 multiple
choice items. The topics do not have all the same number of questions, though. The table below lists the major topic areas and how
much of the test covers each one.
Topic Area
General Finance Technical Skills
Business Financial Management Technical Skills
Academic Foundations
Systems
Ethics and Legal Responsibilities
Communication
Information Technology Applications
Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, and Decision Making
Leadership and Teamwork
Safety, Health, and Environment
Employability and Career Development
Percent of Test
13%
19%
13%
5%
6%
12%
7%
8%
7%
6%
4%
Study Guide
Below you will find “Study Checklists”—one for each topic and one for the performance tasks. These checklists will give you more
information about the test questions and help you focus on your studying.
Topic 1: General Finance Technical Skills
Do you know:
_____
How to use accounting procedures in a financial environment?
_____
How to employ marketing procedures to forward organizational goals?
_____
How to utilize customer service skills to work effectively with customers (i.e., determining customer needs)?
_____
How to perform accounting functions with computers and related software?
Topic 2: Business Financial Management
Do you know:
_____
How to analyze and interpret financial data to produce accurate reports and aid in developing short and long-term
business plans?
_____
How to analyze tax structures and consequences to aid in business decision making?
_____
How to analyze current laws and regulations to determine and maintain and maintain appropriate financial practices
and records?
Topic 3: Academic Foundations
Do you know:
_____
How to apply reading skills in a financial career environment?
_____
How to apply writing skills in financial career environment?
_____
How to apply mathematical skills in a financial career environment?
_____
How to apply economic knowledge in financial career environment?
Topic 4: Systems
Do you know:
_____
How to interpret financial elements such as economic conditions to determine impact consumer behavior?
_____
How to interpret laws and regulations to determine the role of government in the financial industry?
Topic 5: Ethics and Legal Responsibilities
Do you know:
_____
How to identify and practice ethical behavior in the workplace?
_____
How to analyze practices of the financial industry to determine ethics and social responsibilities?
Topic 7: Information Technology
Do you know:
_____
How to use computers and software to increase work efficiency (for example using word processing programs, and
spreadsheet programs)?
_____
How to utilize a database to manage general information?
Topic 8: Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, and Decision Making
Do you know:
_____
How to use problem sovling and critical thinking skills to locate good sources of information about problems and
determine appropriate methods for investigating causes?
_____
How to use problem solving and critical thinking skills to determine root causes of problems and suggest solutions?
_____
How to use decision making skills to solve problems and evaluate solutions?
Topic 9: Leadership and Teamwork
Do you know:
_____
How to exhibit leadership qualities to improve the quality of work and the work environment?
_____
How to work effectively in a team environment to improve the quality of work and the work environment?
Topic 10: Safety, Health, and Environmental
Do you know:
_____
How to practice safe behaviors in a work environment, including ergonomics?
_____
How to respond appropriately in emergency situations by locating emergency information and equipment (i.e. fire and
first aid)?
Topic 11: Employability and Career Development
Do you know:
_____
How to demonstrate employability skills related to a career in finance?
_____
How to pursue career development skills to advance in the financial world?